Concert review of weekly concert series at University Theater presented by Smashmouth Magazine

1. University Theatre presents Fletch, The Cab and
I Hate Kate
BORN TO CHARM
I Hate Kate
I had a chance to check out Fletch, The Cab, and I Hate Kate, this past
Friday. Doors open at 6pm, and included opening acts Jr. Anti-Sex
League, and Slam Dunk. When I pulled up in the parking lot, I could tell
this was going to be teen night. I saw a row of mini vans lined up right
next to each other, with passed out moms in the drivers seats, like they
were at a truck stop. Before I entered the concert hall I could tell that
seeing teenagers in action before their curfew was going to be a sight.
Hyperactive hormones and attention getting gear is the best way to
describe the sugar-munching bunch. I could see that the bands must
have been in between sets because a lot of people were standing
outside for some welcomed fresh air. Even though, I've never heard of
the bands that bands before that were performing , I was impressed
with their loyal following. From the looks of the recycled gear, it was
obvious this was an underground Indie Rock night. I saw so many Flock
of Seagulls haircuts, I could have sworn I saw a cloud of aqua net
hairspray in the air. These teens wouldn't support the bands if they
didn't love what they do. Each group was branded with it's own image
splattered on cutesy tee shirts, and other swag used as a marketing tool
to get their bands names out to the public. While inside the actual
concert hall I could hear the teenagers chanting the name I Hate Kate
riot style, before the lead singer took the stage.
Getting the band pumped for a screaming frenzy. I Hate Kate has a new
album coming out in March entitled “ Embrace the Curse” named after
their new single. I'm not sure if the lead singer could see the audience
members that well, or maybe he was blinded by the bright lights on
stage, because he kept blurting out the 'F Bomb', and sexual comments,
like he was performing at a 21 and over event. Even if he was blinded,
he could at least see outlines of 3 foot silhouettes in the audience, and
put two and two together.
The band performed their single “ I'm in Love with a Sociopath”, and

2. asked the audience; “Who's the best lover you've ever had? Yeah the
Crazy Person”. Half the kids there haven't even seen this word on a
vocabulary list. I have to admit the song stood out, and I can honestly
say I can relate.
The next group, The Cab, started in Las Vegas, with Alex De Leon
(current lead singer), and Cash Colligan (lead guitarist). I can say that
this band has a lot of potential, however, they needed a lot more
practice in the vocal department and their on stage presence. Their
sound was a bit different and you can hear theinfluence of R&B, and
other fusion rock bands like; Fall Out Boy, and Linkoln Park (without the
DJ). The Cab was a young bunch. They gave a shout out to their
parents upstairs in VIP, and let their classmates know how much they
loved them (how sweet). Alex DeLeon's demeanor was very similar to
early David Bowie's - androgynous?- stage persona Ziggy Stardust. The
kid really had a beautiful voice but a lot of times he simply was off key.
I could tell he was unsure of how to draw in the crowd with his vocal
performance. But, all in all, the band had plenty of charisma, and
enough support from soccer moms to start a new working eruption with
Moms around Vegas saying - “You should check out Phylis's son. He's a
very talented young boy.”
Fletch was the main attraction, and from the quick sound check and the
drummers glitter blue drums, this band has been around the
performance block before. Based out of Sin City Las Vegas, they've
opened for alternative rock bands such as Panic at the Disco and Social
Distortion. Fletch recently signed with Iflymm Record label with a new
EP entitled “Rhetoric” which was mixed by music professionals who have
worked with Ted Nugent, Fleetwood Mac, and Sebastian Bach.