The Airborne Toxic Event

*Note: To skip the stuff on the October 8th Big A** show, head to the last paragraph. There are a couple Airborne Toxic Event musical gems you'll want to check out.


A few weeks ago, I went to the Big A** show with my dear roommate, Satya. It was awesome. And by awesome, I mean the following: The venue was NOT good, the opening bands were weird, the sets were too short, the weather was cold and wet, and my sprained ankle was acting up; BUT, it was a fantastic opportunity to hear sample shows from a bunch of great bands. MVP of the day was Switchfoot, who most definitely put on the best show. My second favorite was The Airborne Toxic Event, although Anberlin was also great. The day went something like this:

1. Stall at the apartment for as long as reasonably possible, while wondering what Panic! at the Disco will do without Brendon, who was sick with what they thought was malaria, but what we decided to call a "fever he can't sweat out."

2. Head down to catch the last couple opening bands, who are presumably decent, before hearing some headliners.

3. Disappointed by the opening bands. Sleeper Agent: fun tunes, girl singer is weird. Brogan Kelby: way too poppy boy-band for me.

4. She Wants Revenge: Fun. Singer makes weird hand gestures when he doesn't play his guitar. Songs start to sound the same. Fall in love with the Rickenbacker bass.

5. The Airborne Toxic Event: Mind blown by the awesomeness. Although a riot was very close to breaking out. But that was probably their plan.

6. Switchfoot: Tim, the bassist, looking very classy... Jon sounding very stoned... awesome show. The crowd loved them, and their songs from their new album sound better than expected.

7. Anberlin: Intense, awesome music. Decided to vacate in order not to be trampled. Airborne Toxic Event signing.

8. Neon Trees: Tyler is weird... but the guitarist was rocking some red shoes and Elaine (drummer) always makes me smile.

9. Panic! at the Disco: Malar-eoke night. As much as some members of the crowd seemed to hate it, it was actually kind of fun. Ticked that I'm not more internet savvy and didn't realize I could've auditioned to sing with them earlier in the day, but whatever. Dallon sang a Brobecks song, "Love @ First Sight," which was a definite highlight. Some stupid guy was giving him a hard time though, the poor boy...



I felt so bad. I wanted to give him a hug after. But alas, that would be considered creepy in our day and age.

Moral of the day: The Airborne Toxic Event is awesome. Mikel Jollett, singer, is a brilliant writer. They have strings in almost everything. Favorite song at the moment: "All I Ever Wanted" (the music, the interwoven melodies in the viola, guitar, and voice is magnificent).


Song that tugs at my heartstrings: "The Graveyard Near the House." It's a beautiful letter set to music.


Those two tunes are worth a listen, although it's "Changing" and "Numb" that are always playing on the radio.

Happy listening!