Fireworks

with Living with Lions,
Make Do and Mend,
The Wonder Years

Talent Farm
Pembroke Pines, FL
May 4, 2011

Review by Emily Bloch
Photos by Nick Morales

The Manscout Jamboree Tour, a show with a title that already sounds pretty interesting, and that's before you even hear the lineup. With all headline worthy acts, May 4th at The Talent Farm was a show few wanted to miss.

Stu

Kicking off at 7:35 p.m., the powerful Living With Lions utilized their punchy tunes combined with an unmistakable rasp. This band represented the epitome of what we wish every "opening band" sounded like. Perhaps one of the most underappreciated bands in the scene right now, Living With Lions threw down with tight instrumentals, bright choruses, and an unmistakable musicality that the crowd adored. Living With Lion’s new album Holy Shit comes out May 17.

Next on the bill was Make Do and Mend. The New England residents brought their driving sound with a pop-punk twist...and they brought it hard. Through potent hits like "Shambles," Make Do and Mend exemplified their obvious hardcore roots through strong melodies, slow moving breakdowns and memorable choruses. Promoting their 2010 EP release End Measured Mile, which is nothing short of impressive, Make Do and Mend showed Florida that they’re not something to brush off the shoulder.

Soupy

       With the crowd packed in like sardines, even the next band, Fireworks' sound checks got the crowd hyped.

       "I've been looking forward to this show for so long" uttered lead singer David Mackinder, whom I had the pleasure of interviewing before the band went on.

       With shenanigans throughout the show, Fireworks were nothing short of... for lack of a better comparison, "themselves" tonight. As the band spoke about how Florida hosted the first show they had ever been proud of, it was good to see them back where they belonged. The set was voltaic, with stage diving from all angles. The band played all the hits we know and love as well as the new single "Summer," off their upcoming album Gospel, out May 24th. (Hear more about Gospel in my interview with David!)

With shenanigans throughout the show, Fireworks were nothing short of... for lack of a better comparison, "themselves" tonight. As the band spoke about how Florida hosted the first show they had ever been proud of, it was good to see them back where they belonged.

Chase - Guitar & Vox

Upon the buildup of feedback and noise pollution, an ominous guitar strum and cymbal roll led into "Washington Square Park," as the next headliner, The Wonder Years dominated the stage. The supportive crowd filled the venue end to end as the band played songs tied to their consistent anti-discrimination message.

Apparently, the band almost didn't even make it to the highly anticipated show. The lead singer Dan, aka Soupy, told the audience how he woke up at 10 a.m. to the tour bus's GPS system being slammed into his chest. The band elaborated on how a wild turkey (or a turkey vulture most likely) crashed into their front windshield. Soupy joked, "This is why we eat you on Thanksgiving."

David Mackinder

       Playing fan favorites such as "I Was Scared and I'm Sorry" the band, whose new album comes out on June 14, received overwhelming crowd support. The fans, seemingly unified over a mutual love for this band, made for one of the most emotional shows I had ever seen.

       The Wonder Years concluded the evening with their hit "All My Friends Are in Bar Bands." Putting their all into singing along to the anthem like song, some in the crowd nearly broke into tears as Dave from Fireworks grabbed the mic and sang the chorus "I'm not sad anymore, I'm just tired of this place, if this year would just end I think we'd all be okay." It was the perfect closing song to perhaps the perfect show.

       With a crowd soaking wet from tears and sweat, the show fulfilled all hopes and expectations. Kids hopped in cars for “brinner” meals, show hands cleaned, bands packed up, and the Manscout Jamboree busses ventured into the night like a group of wild turkey hunters…seeking their next victims.

Check out our previous coverage of Fireworks here

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INTERVIEW by Emily Bloch:

       Before they went on, I got to kick back with Fireworks vocalist, David Mackinder.

       As we hung outside the venue, I asked Mackinder how he balances everything going on in his life. He responded, "I take it all one by one." He then added with a spirited grin "and a lot of Mountain Dew."

       Here's the rest of our chat:

       Q- How did Gospel get its name?

       A- Gospel is a religious standpoint on a belief. It deals with putting forth effort and commitment and we all felt like we did that on this record. He took a moment to contemplate and elaborated: In a sense you could say that this music is our religion.

       Q- The sound seems to stay consistent throughout most of the album and then you hit I Am The Challenger and it reminds me so much of Bright Eyes.

       A- We actually recorded that song on Garage Band. It's a definite curveball but we liked the rawness of it and when our producer heard it he didn't want us to rerecord it. He liked it as it was natural.

       Q- Any crazy tour experiences?

       A- Well, The Wonder Years definitely have a story, they hit a turkey today! We've actually been playing a role-play game called Ultimate Werewolf, (at this moment I’m sure I gave him a really puzzled look because he laughed and roughly attempted to explain) basically you kill and protect each other and try not to die. We've played it on stage.

       Q- Favorite thing about Florida?

       A- I love playing shows here. It's great people, a great vibe, an awesome venue, and alligators. Where can you even go wrong?

       Fireworks latest album Gospel drops May 24th, 2011.