Follow You Down: Gin Blossoms Live at The Stone Pony Review
rating:4.5
If you grew up during the 1990s, there is no doubt that you have heard a Gin Blossoms song. The rock band from Tempe, Arizona was formed in 1987 and made a huge splash with their four time platinum 1992 album, New Miserable Experience. With chart topping hits such as Hey Jealousy and Follow You Down, the Gin Blossoms became one of the quintessential bands of the 90s: they released one more album, 1996s Congratulations Im Sorry before breaking up in 1997. Five years later, the band reunited in 2002 and released two more albums in 2006 and 2010. I personally rediscovered them after attending the Summerland 2012 Tour over the past summer. The tour featured other prominent 90s artists such as Everclear, Sugar Ray, Lit, and Marcys Playground. It should have been named the nostalgia tour as it featured some of the biggest hits of the decade including My Own Worst Enemy, Sex and Candy, and Fly. The first two bands, Marcys Playground and Lit came out and played a few songs, and then they finished with the one hit wonder they were know for. The next band was the Gin Blossoms, my friend and I only knew one song of theres, the infectious Hey Jealously. When they started playing other familiar songs it became clear to me that they werent a one hit wonder, they were responsible for a collection of hits during the 90s. Another thing I noticed was that they were not only great live, but they also looked and sounded great for a band that has been around since the late 80s. There alternative/pop sound wasnt dated; on the contrary it sounded fresh and exciting. There style of music could easily fit with todays indie bands that they probably inspired. After seeing there fantastic set I knew if they were ever in the area again I would have to go see them. This leads to this review of the January 19th sold out show at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ. The Stone Pony is one of the most well known music venues in the world, due to the fact that it was used as a starting off point for great musicians such as Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi. Its a very small and intimate venue, filled with colorful townies and lots of beer. The doors opened at 7 PM and three opening bands provided the first few hours of music. Those three bands were Jakes Gorilla, Kings Highway, and The Jersey Syndicate. All three bands were entertaining, especially Jakes Gorilla, but after hours of listening to new music it was time to travel back to the 90s. The members of the Gin Blossoms individually went on stage, each receiving a roaring applause from the audience. When the last member, lead singer Robin Wilson, made his way onto the stage the sold out crowd couldnt have been any more louder with their applause. Wilson then grabbed his trademark tambourine and started playing. The first few songs were a mix of deep cuts from their first two albums, Lost Horizons, and 29. They also played singles from their recent albums, Learning the Hard Way off 2006s Major Lodge Victory and Miss Disarray on 2010s No Chocolate Cake. After their first five songs they played one of their biggest hits, Found Out About You. The crowd began singing along, while Wilson was getting real personal with people around the stage. He handed different ladies tambourines throughout the show to play along with him. When he saw that people were recording him he took their phones on stage and recorded himself singing as well as other band members playing their instruments. Wilson and the rest of the Gin Blossoms didnt just get on stage and play a few songs; they turned the concert into an experience. After Found Out About You, they played two more deep cuts off 1992s New Miserable Experience called Allison Road, and Until I Fall Away. They played one more older song, Day Job before performing another Billboard Hot 100 song; the very soft and emotional song, Til I Hear It from You off the 1995 soundtrack to the film Empire Records. Wilsons voice has changed very much in twenty years; it was almost like listening to the song on Pandora or Spotify, only better. They finished their set with a few more songs including their two biggest, Hey Jealousy and Follow You Down before retiring back stage for a few minutes. After a huge round of applause and the audience demanding an encore, the band returned. Only this time they brought another guitarist on stage. Wilson went back on the microphone and introduced the guitarist as Eddie Muñoz. For those who dont recognize the name, Muñoz is an original member of The Plimsouls, and Wilson told the crowd that he was honored to play on stage with one of his idols growing up. He also said that without the Plimsouls, there would be no Gin Blossoms. The finished the encore with two Plimsouls songs, Now and A Million Miles Away. Both songs were unfamiliar to most of the surprisingly young crowd, but it didnt stop them from enjoying the covers. The Gin Blossoms rocked the house on that cold January night at the Jersey shore. They played for a sold out crowd at one of the most famous venues in the world, not bad for a highly underrated 90s band. Set-List: Don't Change Lost Miss Disarray 29 Somewhere Tonight Found Out About You Learning the Hard Way Allison Go Cry Baby Until I Fall Away Day Job Till I Hear It Wave Bye Bye Jealousy Follow You Down Competition Now Were you there? Share your own thoughts on the gig below...