RockStar Get A Life Tour : Review + Pics

5.07.08
RockStar Get A Life Tour
UCI Bren Center
Irvine, CA

by Genie Sanchez
photos by …totallylikeduh!

I haven’t been to a BIG concert in awhile; I’ve gotten comfortable going to small intimate club shows around L.A. So I decided it’d be a good change of pace to get out and experience the very first RockStar Get A Life Tour featuring the Used, Straylight Run, Army of Me and Street Drum Corps. Seems like a pretty eclectic show right? It was. I noticed that even though every band was essentially very much different than the other, all the fans in attendance were fairly open minded and seemed to be enjoying the whole line up, every band and every song for what each was worth. That’s a beautiful thing, co-existence. Opposites attract right? That’s the vibe I got from this show. First of all, it was held at a school. Kids don’t normally willingly flock to schools but in this case the music and their love for it is what brought them in. Second it was a school night and the show started a little early but, to my surprise the place was pretty filled up by the end of the night. And not just with kids screaming their heads off to every single verse of the Used songs but parents were in attendance as well. I think that’s pretty awesome! Parents at an emo kids dream concert…awesome! Way-to-go RockStar!!!

The first band up was Street Drum Corps. They filled the stadium with some pretty loud and infectious beats who were later accompanied by Orange County band, No Doubt drummer Adriane Young.




Army of Me followed with a strong stage presence and the last song of their list struck as an unconventional closer but in my opinion, the song's extensive guitar solo made up for any confusion the song choice my have caused.




Straylight Run played a rather pleasing set as well. Their steady melodies flooded the stadium with song and as they performed their most popular “Existentialism on Prom-Night” where it felt like the whole place was singing along with them.




The show really picked up when headliners the Used took the stage. The crowd literally went crazy as they were clearly there to see the closing band perform. Minutes before the band even hit the stage fans were chanting the lyrics to “The Taste of Ink” from the bands self titled debut album. One the band started, front man Bert McCracken came out and gave the kids what they wanted…a show. This band knows how to perform and knows how to deliver. They were on beat and played for the fans, something you don’t see every day from newer bands trying to make it in the scene. This tour has something for everyone right along side a good time.