Tour Prep: The Pacsun Pactour

There are few things that get me giddy. One is the promise of a delciously meaty meal at Brazilian churrascaria Fogo de Chao. Another is when my favorite bands go on tour...with each other! Yes! The 2009 Pacsun Pactour is like a dream come true for me! The day I heard about it, I jizzed in my pants. Today, I found out the dates, and found that the tour hits me in good ol' San Diego, and this knowledge prompted me to write a Tour Prep, even though the tour is over a month away.

If all you do is listen to the radio, you probably have never heard of Saosin, P.O.S., Innerpartysystem, or Eye Alaska. Don't think this means these bands are not good enough for the mainstream; rather, they are too good for the mainstream. Most people will not be able to appreciate Saosin's soaring vocals, P.O.S.'s intelligent raps, Innerpartysystem's dark electronica, or Eye Alaska's cinematic jazz-pop. But I do. P.O.S. aside, these bands are my all time favorites. I would do anything to see them on tour separately, but together they are the manifestation of Lord Vishnu in tour form.

And now, I present my Tour Prep for this year's Pacsun Pactour.

Saosin

SoCal denizens Saosin play a unique but familiar and accessible style of rock called "post-hardcore," but don't let the name fool you. There is little "post" and little "hardcore"; instead you have beautifully soaring vocals by vocalist Cove Reber, intricate yet catchy guitar lines by guitarists Beau Burchell and Justin Shekoski, and super-fast and skillful drumming and bass from Alex Rodriguez and Chris Sorenson. Saosin have headlined festivals and tours, and were on this year's Warped Tour. They put on a great live show with tons of energy, but the real enegry is in the crowd, as Saosin is often on the softer end of the spectrum for some real hardcore kids. Expect moshing and crowdsurfing to the extreme.

Show Staple:

Saosin - "Voices"

Also Playing:

Saosin - "Is This Real"

P.O.S.

Conscious rapper P.O.S. was also on this year's Warped Tour, but his hip-hop act stood out among the largely pop and rock bill. P.O.S. isn't the next Linkin Park, but he blends his emotional, thoughtful rhyming with rock instrumentation and aesthetics. Though black, P.O.S. sounds closer to the likes of Sage Francis and Mike Shinoda (Fort Minor), but his music is akin to that of Lupe Fiasco and MF Doom. Live, P.O.S. engages with the crowd in an emotional show and retains the rock aesthetic from his former state as a rocker.

Show Staple:

P.O.S. - "Goodbye"

Also Playing:

P.O.S. - "P.O.S. Is Ruining My Life"

Innerpartysystem

Okay, if you don't know how much I love Innerpartysystem, you clearly haven't been following my blog (I wouldn't be surprised, though; I have one follower and get like 2 views a week). To me, they are excellent music that was simply missed by the mainstream and even the indie sidestream. They play dark, seductive electronic rock with brooding beats and biting lyrics, made for a dark, sexy club. Based on their most recent, self-titled album, they have the potential to be superstars, following in the veins of British rockers Pendulum and fellow electric rockers Shiny Toy Guns. The mainstream just isn't ready for this type of amazingness. Live, Innerpartysystem is even better than recorded; they remix their own songs, other's songs, and even pieces of sound that turn into full songs. On Warped, their show couldn't reach its full potential, but on this independent tour they will use light shows, effects, and blasts of energy to make their show the best you will ever see.

Show Staple:

Innerpartysystem - "Don't Stop"

Also Playing:

Innerpartysystem - "Heart of Fire"

>Innerpartysystem - "Last Night in Brooklyn"<

↑↑↑IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT WE'RE NOT FRIENDS

Eye Alaska

I was once told that one could describe Eye Alaska as The Cab running into a jazz ensemble. At first listen, the comparison may be apt, but deeper into Eye Alaska's sound you realize a sense of incredible depth and maturity beyond any pop act today. Eye Alaska combine orchestras, keys, and atmosphere with singer and mastermind Brandon Wronski's passionate vocals to create a masterpiece in every song. The genre here is undefinable; there are influences of pop, hip-hop, jazz, classical, atmospheric, post-hardcore...everything into one beautifully urban stew of sound. Eye Alaska are the last innovators in the scene. Live, they are passionate, involved, fun, and just as good as on recordings. Expect P.O.S. to be a surprise guest on "Show Me Daluv." If you come to this show for anyone, make it for Eye Alaska.

Show Staple:

Eye Alaska - "Roll Right Over"

Also Playing:

Eye Alaska - "Good to Go"

See Also: Eye Alaska - Walk Like a Gentleman

Pcasun Pactour Dates:

11/06 - Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues
11/07 - Chico, CA @ Senator Theatre
11/08 - San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore
11/10 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
11/11 - Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
11/13 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Murray Theatre
11/14 - Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre
11/15 - Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont
11/17 - Des Moines @ People's Court
11/18 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
11/19 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
11/20 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Orbit Room
11/21 - Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall
11/22 - Columbus Newport @ Music Hall
11/24 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
11/25 - Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
11/27 - NJ @ Starland Ballroom
11/28 - New Haven, CT @ Toad's Place
11/29 - Pittsburgh, PA@ Altar Bar
12/01 - Boston, MA @ House of Blues
12/02 - State College, PA
12/03 - Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock
12/04 - Washinton, DC @ 9:30 Club
12/05 - Norfolk, VA @ Norva
12/06 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
12/08 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room
12/09 - Tampa, FL @ State Theatre
12/10 - Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
12/12 - Dallas, TX @ The Door
12/13 - Houston, TX @ Meridian
12/15 - San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
12/17 - Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre
12/18 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Marquee
12/19 - San Diego, CA @ Soma
12/20 - Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues