Something Corporate

The Riviera Theatre

April 23, 2004

by Corine Jurgerson

  

            Something Corporate ripped up the stage like a “Hurricane” at Chicago’s Riviera Theatre April 23^rd.  Chicago was the 30^th stop on a nationwide co-headlining tour with Yellowcard.   

The Windy City show sold out weeks in advance, leaving many fans scrambling for tickets and proving that Chicago just can’t get enough of Andrew McMahon, Josh Partington, Brian Ireland and Clutch.   Fans started lining up in front of the Riv at 10 am in hopes of securing spots to see the rock band from the front row.  After two respectable opening bands, Chicago’s Sleeping At Last and The Format, Andrew and the guys hit the stage, appropriately, with “Hurricane”. 

            The band went on to rock the evening with an hour long set that consisted of songs from their first full-length album, Leaving Through the Window, as well as their latest CD, North.    

Parents of young fans watched with confusion and caution as their kids screamed right along with the college crowd for these guys from Southern California.   

Girls and guys alike in the crowd held up cell-phones and camera phones, hoping to relay the show to friends that were unable to find tickets as well as capture images of their favorite band members.  The band’s bass player, Clutch, appeared on stage clad in a pirate costume, provoking shouts and laughter from the fans.  McMahon informed the crowd that the band was really excited to be there because they love Chicago so much. He went on to say that they had attended the Cubs game earlier in the day.  He displayed a little Cubs bobble-head doll atop his piano while banging out the notes to the popular piano-rockin’ tunes. 

            “If U C Jordan” and “Space” were instantly recognized by many who weren’t necessarily at the show to see Something Corporate.  Seasoned and new fans sang along, jumping up and down along with Andrew as he raced around the stage and stomped on the piano keys.  The crowd continued in a frenzy as McMahon began playing the opening notes to the fan-favorite “Konstantine”.  

Other highlights of the evening included covers of the Rolling Stones’ “Bittersweet Symphony” and Outkast’s “Hey Ya”.  Signs warning the crowd of  “Absolutely No Crowd Surfing” failed to suppress the pumped up audience as body after body floated over heads toward the stage.  Props to the security guys in front of the stage for taking care of the kids and the press photographers by making sure that everyone had a great time without being trampled.   

            Despite the departure of rhythm guitarist William Tell just prior to this tour, the band never missed a beat.  It was clear that these guys are definitely one of the most hard-working bands in the music scene today.  It will be no surprise to see Something Corporate in heavy rotation on MTV once this tour is finished and they have the time to release a new video.   

           

 

 

 

As all great things must come to an end, Something Corporate wrapped their set with “Punk Rock Princess”.  The crowd emitted ear-splitting screams and applause as they were showered with water from the band’s water bottles.  Great band, great times, great show.  See you guys next time!