Angels and Airwaves: Much Ado About Nothing

On April 14, I went to see the Angels andAirwaves show in Ventura CA. There has been significant fanfare and buzz about this band. Former Blink 182 frontman Tom DeLonge has formed a new band called Angels and Airwaves which isn't to be confused with former side project Box Car Racer. I think there was one word that capitulated the entire performance, and that was "hubris." I think it was apparent from the style of the music, tirades about the past year, instrumentation, and DeLonge's interpretive dancing, that Blink 182 broke up because of disagreements and ego. Subsequently, A&A was formed in the image that DeLonge had for Blink, but Blink wouldn't go. (Although significantly forshadowed in the group's latest release "Blink 182's" darker and more emotive sound) TRL is only attractive for so long, then you have to launch your own reality tv show right Barker? Maybe it was actually learning how to play the guitar. I guess their story could have been a page out of The Pretenders' book ie. learn to play and become a great band together, instead of Sting's ie. thePolice only hold me back and I can become a tantric icon on my own. DeLonge (in between dances) told us over and over again that even if someone told us thatwe couldn't do something, we should try anyway because their band was a testament to what could happen with positive thinking. (however isn't every band a testament to what can happen with positive thinking? )

The music was okay. I liked all the war themes. I remember thinking, "Wow, it's like U2's "Joshua Tree" vomited all over Blink182 songs." and "The Streets do have a name . .. they're called Angels and Airwaves." Sometimes the songs recycle old U2 and Blink 182 finger plucking sequences. The complexity of the songs has increased due to A&A being a 4 piece band (not 3) and plain maturity. Comparisons have been made to Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst, but I don't see them. I think Dashboard Confessional or TRL favorite Hawthorne Heights is more appropriate. Some things are decidedly different, such as long gone are the ATTICUS clothes and DC shoes, and DeLonge had only one joke about sleeping with moms. Overlooking the dancing and the speech about following your dreams, congratulations to DeLonge for following his heart in music even if it cost him his two best friends. Congrats to A&A because they sold out a show with only one real single on the rock charts and without an album out so no one could sing along to their songs. Congrats to DeLonge because long gone are the days when BAd REligion opens for you, or members of Homegrown run onstage wearing only a moshing rabbit thong to salute you. And here comes mature professional success (maybe.)

As a highlight the Pink Spiders, opened for the band and although they sound garage-y like Jet, did a great Elvis Costello cover which had me super excited. "What is so funny about peace love and understanding?"

for more info on A&A