(All photos from the show can be found here.)
On the 22nd of March, I anxiously stood outside of Best Buy Theater, hoping that nothing would go wrong with the list I was supposed to be on for a photo pass. Turns out the list was missing, and myself and four other photographers found ourselves stranded outside of the venue while show time inched ever closer. Luckily said list was located, and they were able to get us in with no problems, but most definitely a little close for comfort.
I was there for The Sound Of Animals Fighting, an experimental rock supergroup made up of big names such as Circa Survive (as well as now Saosin)’s Anthony Green, Chiodos’s Craig Owens, as well as members of Rx Bandits. Craig Owens did not join them on their reunion tour, busy with a new Chiodos album. It is to be noted that this was the first TSOAF show in ten years, as the supergroup had previously only ever played four live shows together. There was only one opening act, Unwed Sailor, an instrumental rock/ambient band with no vocalist, previously having toured with the likes of Owl City.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this show, familiar only with Anthony Green’s vocals, with the promise that their live show was something unique and even a little crazy, most definitely a true performance. Anthony Green’s stage presence was incredible, a dynamic vocalist that made full use of the stage and interacted with the crowd. There were morph suits, and lots of them, holding a banner that held the quote “We must become the change we want to see.” Their live show was most definitely an experience, as several incredibly talented vocalists, (Anthony Green, Matt Kelly, Rich Balling) taking the stage together was breathtakingly overwhelming. The feel of TSOAF is definitely one that takes some getting used to, wildly experimental, ranging from purely instrumental to spoken word, covering essentially every style few and far between. Their lyrics and instrumentals tug at something indescribable in your heart, and you just feel the music in you, and they inspire angst, awe, and a lot of pure, raw, emotion. I came for the vocals of Anthony Green, but left with a new found appreciation of this star studded heavy hitter, as well as a newfound appreciation for the pure talent ground in this group.
The Music Court 
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