Lzzy Hale of Halestorm

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Buzz Bake Sale 2009

December 5, 2009
Cruzan Amphitheater, West Palm Beach, FL

Review by Steve Vaynshtok
Photos by Danielle Katz

       I remember what Buzz was like last year. Mosh pits all over the second stage area and rampant crowd surfing. But this year, the line-up was not only supercharged, it was also livelier and more crowd interactive.

       As I arrived to the venue, Ladies and Gentlemen were in the middle of their sound check. They’re a local band, one of the members being a 103.1 Buzz DJ. They did a fairly short and clean-cut set, with a very classic rock sound. Following was Halestorm, who sounded like a mix between Saosin and The Used but with a touch of metal to them. They put on a great set to a small crowd, and then disbanded, keeping the crowd waiting for the next band: Metric.

       I had the great pleasure of catching up with Metric at the “Buzz Living Room,” a small area where Buzz DJs interview bands before their set. I sat and watched Emily Haines, the lead vocalist of Metric, banter on the air and then do a signing, before they brought Say Anything out for the same purpose. They had Max Bemis, the vocalist of Say Anything sit with the deejays to answer their in-depth questions about his band, songs and personal life. In the meantime, I caught up with Max’s band mates: Alex the bassist and Coby the drummer.

Emma Anzai of Sick Puppies

Just as Max stepped off to the side to begin signing, I ran as fast as I could for the side stage: Metric was just about to begin their set. Emily Haines sauntered onto the stage after her band mates had taken their places, and lifted the microphone off the stand. They swiftly descended into “Monster Hospital.” After a little bit of musical love, Emily said, “Hi my name’s Emily. Look at all these beautiful girls in the front.” With the more intimate introduction, she began hopping around to “Help I’m Alive” and finally ended with “Stadium Love.”

Once Metric had done their thing, I immediately bolted back to the main stage for my favorite band, Say Anything. The pop punk vets were setting up the stage with their matching schoolboy outfits, which as of late, have become their uniform. As soon as everyone arrived, Max acknowledged their presence and said, “What’s up Florida!” and began chanting, “Did you know that there are people in the world,” the opening lyrics to “Hate Everyone” off their self titled album. The band continued their hilarious crowd inclusive banter: “This next song is called ‘Wipe yourself off with a towel you sweaty Jew.' Just kidding guys; this one's called ‘Alive With the Glory of Love’.” And with that song off their Is a Real Boy album, they ended the day and kicked off the festivities of the main stage.

Max Bemis, vocalist of Say Anything

After Say Anything, it was another rush to the Side Stage where Manchester Orchestra was now setting up to wow the onlookers with their passionate tunes. They started off with their hit “Wolves at Night,” and Andy (lead vocals/ guitar) introduced himself to the crowd. As the show progressed, they got into songs such as “The River” from their album Mean Everything to Nothing. The band finished off with the title track from the album.

They raised their fists in the air, and Bert McCracken, the lead singer, told the crowd, “Get your hand up guys!” By the end of their set, the whole crowd was jumping out of their seats to show their love.

Emily Haines, Metric vocalist

Still pumped from Manchester Orchestra, I decided it was forgivable to miss Sick Puppies’ set. I stayed at the side stage until Anberlin majestically took the stage with their new polished looks and snappy clothes. They proceeded to go through hits like “Feel Good Drag” and “Blueprints for the Black Market.” The crowd went wild as the lead singer bantered back and forth between members, and once Anberlin stepped off stage, I watched Cage the Elephant band members enjoy themselves with Manchester Orchestra's band members, as they ran around with their arms out, play fighting with each other. Soon enough I heard the scream of teenage girls start up for Panic! at the Disco, and after catching a solid few songs from Cage the Elephant (and some outrageous onstage antics), I ran over to the main stage for Panic! at the Disco.

Brendon Urie of Panic at the Disco

Teenage shrieks of pleasure were all I heard as girls went crazy for the original duo of Brendon Urie and Spencer Smith, joined by their newly appointed band members on guitar and bass. The band ended off their set with “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” off of A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, and once Urie’s pitch eluding voice stopped screeching, I finally removed my hands from over my ears.

After that I waited patiently as The Used took the stage. They jumped out in the middle of a dark stage as lights went off. They raised their fists in the air, and Bert McCracken, the lead singer, told the crowd, “Get your hand up guys!” By the end of their set, the whole crowd was jumping out of their seats to show their love.

Matisyahu

Up next was Matisyahu, the Hasidic rapper. Armed with his long beard, a suit, and a Yarmulke on his head, he was certainly the picture of Judaism. I was really feeling his song “Exaltation” when he broke into it and his banter to the crowd. “God Bless you guys,” he said before he stepped off stage.

Finally, at the end of a cold night, everyone was packed into the main stage, the side stage being done with. Backstage, a huge crowd had gathered to check out the band that would be headlining the night’s festivities: 30 Seconds to Mars. Jared Leto, lead singer of 30 Seconds To Mars came out on stage wearing a guitar, and seamlessly launched into “The Kill” to a crowd of cheering fans. The band’s stage presence was standard but when it came to music, for a three-piece band, they sounded just as good as the album. The band put on a great show, and it was just what I, and all the other onlookers, needed to finish off the night. The band ended their set with their old favorite “A Beautiful Lie” and the night finally died down, from an extremely musical and dedicated day.

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