After months, no EONS of anticipation, FREELANCE SWEATPANTS returned to the stage! Like a PHOENIX rising from the ASHES, the band rose to the occasion and ROCKED THE HOUSE! Taking the stage around 8:30 after the wonderful LAUREN MENDELSOHN, the group kicked things off into THE STRATOSPHERE. But unlike that UPCOMING MOVIE about FAKING THE MOON LANDING, there was no fakery on stage, THE SWEATPANTS proved they were the REAL DEAL!
Kicking things off with the exuberant opener “GOT TO GET OUT” the band played so loud they couldn’t even HEAR THEMSELVES! Though we, the crowd sung along to every word! It may not have been HALLOWEEN, but there was nothing “SPOOKY” about the bands next song. The vibrant second song was used to introduce the boys in the band, AJ, DOM, JUSTIN, and SEAN.
Each member showed more confidence on their instrument this time around as opposed to their show at THE GRAPE ROOM. The crazy thing, that was their last show prior to this night. You couldn’t even tell especially with how TIGHT each member PLAYED. JUSTIN hadn’t even touched a DRUM KIT since FEBRUARY, but social services should be called for how he LAID DOWN THE BEATS ON THIS KIT. He even had an EXTENDED DRUM BREAK during “UPSIDE DOWN”.
The crowd reaction was STUPENDOUS all around. Many positives went towards the playing, and the fact that the originals are starting to have a DISTINCT SOUND! Many of course, praised THE EXCLUSIVE MERCH! AJ is a much-improved player, earning POSITIVE PRAISE from audience members, even if he DIDN’T SHOW IT, he played with EMOTION AND FEELING in EVERY NOTE!
DOM let loose solos like a BAT OUT OF HELL. Shredding his guitar with ATTACK AND PRECISION so much so that even the guitar wanted to ESCAPE HIS CLUTCHES. During his signature “NEW MATERIAL” solo, A STRING BROKE! That didn’t stop DOM from playing at least two more songs! One of these included an epic “HIGH ON A PLANE” which brought the crowd to its knees.
As for SEAN, he’s becoming a more CONFIDENT FRONT MAN. Joking with the crowd about TABBOO TOPICS such as 7/11. He even jumping into the crowd like SCOTT STAPP of CREED! While he was not taken “HIGHER”, he was drunker with confidence after a successful attempt at drinking a SHOT from an audience member.
Overall, this was a great experience for the BAND! Thank you, CHRIS, and THE RUSTY NAIL. I have heard rumblings that we had the LARGEST CROWD of the night, and we may be back! So, thanks to you THE FANS for always showing up! We will REWARD you in the end! With what? I KNOW, YOU DON’T!
SPECIAL THANKS- CHRIS, LAUREN MENDELSOHN, FALL AWAKE, BOVINE BANDITS, SONIC DOPAMINE and of course, THE RUSTY NAIL!