Silverstein und Story of the Year

Silverstein has their sound down to a formula. There is little fluctuation in their 10 + year spanning career, but that is okay. They know where their strong suits lie and have perfected it to the nth degree. That's not to say they have fallen into complacency. Rather they have developed a confidence and intimate understanding of the direction they want to take. Listening to their first album "When Broken Is Easily Fixed" to their latest "This is How the Wind Shifts" it is easy to detect that much of their ethos and style remains in tact; however a leap in production and overall "tightness" as a band can just as easily be detected.
They are group known for their work ethic and have frequented the touring circuit since their formation. This is apparent in the professionalism and precision of their live shows. It is amazing to see the band at work. Their coordination is unmatched as well as the amount of emotional output they invest in their performance.
Silverstein was one of the first bands I saw live and to tell the truth I was a bit nervous to go. I thought I would get mangled in one of the mosh pits that so frequently erupts at their shows. I wasn't too far from being wrong. As they opened with "Smashed In to Pieces" the crowd turned into a frenzy blur, which persisted through out the show and ended with my brother passing out after "My Heart Bleeds No More" probably due to over-exhaustion, but it could have also been because he got punched in the face.
Next time I saw them the show was just as frenetic if not more. It was almost impossible to keep track of all that was going on in the venue. I was absolutely mesmerized by the sheer dexterity of drummer Paul Koehler. It was as if he was programmed before each show never to miss a beat. But my concentration on one member soon shifted to the next as the show progressed. It was hard to ignore the bass player Billy especially when he was playing his instrument while crowding surfing among the hord of people and Shane is without a doubt one of the best frontmen in the post hardcore scene.
Though Silverstein stays true to their post-hardcore/emo roots their setlist is peppered with a few pop songs such as "Still Dreaming" and even unexpected covers like a screamo rendition of the Beatles' "Help". Maybe if you pay close enough attention you might even catch one of their 6 second covers from "Short Songs".

Story of the Year is a awesome punk rock band from St. Louis, Missouri and they don't waste any time bringing on the jaw-dropping intensity. Ferociously hard drum beats and heavy guitar riffs deliver an onslaught of dark emocore goodness.

The venue is packed with raucous fans as lead singer Dan Marsala shouts for everyone to get up off the ground and make some noise. They oblige. The music slows sometimes and becomes emotional and melodic for just a moment before swinging violently back into an energetic scream. The crowd, full of diehard fans explodes, jumping up and down and waving their hands in the air. I can tell that the band loves it.

They live for this stuff. The lead singer works the crowd up into an ecstatic frenzy. He seems to go from talking to them like an old friend to raging around the stage, wildly singing, doing flips, just tearing the house down in general. Just when you think they are done they launch straight into "Until the Day I Die", followed soon with "Anthem of Our Dying Day". I never get bored of hearing those songs live, they get me bouncing off the walls every time.