Leeds 2009 Live: Thursday

We feel a little context is in order for this one, so much so that it warrants a rare breach of the fourth wall.

I'm a huge fan of Thursday. The kind who bought the t-shirt, bought the albums and knows over 95% of the lyrics to each song. I have even seen them perform live on a frequency nearing the double digits if not over, being mesmerised each and every time.

This time was not a continuation of that trend. To put it bluntly: they were shockingly, depressingly awful to the point of warranting a prescription of Xanax.

All of the band's problems this evening pointed to one simple problem which could have been easily fixed. Sound mixing.

While it's not uncommon for vocals to be buried too low in the mix, it seemed even lower than usual, drowning out the most emotional element of the band's songs. Adding to those pains were those of lead guitarist Tom Keeley. Whether it was by technical breakdown or sheer ignorance, the man seemed completely unaware of the fact that when he kicked on the distortion to his guitar, it was roughly three times louder than the rest of the band.

The end result, the louder sections of the band's songs became a re-enactment of bulldozer vs. rape whistle. Usually the blame would rest on the sound engineer sitting at the desk, but even he became increasingly puzzled as Keeley kept gesturing for his guitar to go even louder. Merely a hired employee, he was compelled to obey.

What should have been an outstanding showcase by one of America's foremost post-hardcore pioneers instead became an earthquake at the guitar shop. We pity those for whom this was their first time, we doubt any new fans were made this evening.

Songs played included "Understanding in a Car Crash", "Cross Out the Eyes", "The Other Side of the Crash", "Resuscitation of a Dead Man", "Friends in the Armed Forces" and a finale of "Jet Black New Year".

They were joined on-stage by Rise Against's Tim McIlrath for their performance of "Resuscitation...". Sadly despite appearing on the band's album for the track "Friends...", Rival Schools' front-man Walter Schreifels failed to make an appearance despite being on the same stage hours earlier.