Straylight Run - Bowery Ballroom 12.03.06

On a friend's suggestion I checked out Straylight Run at the Bowery last Sunday.  I had only heard one song, one time.  They are reeeeaaaalllly emo.  Peep the bio on them:

In the early 2000s, emo rock outfit Taking Back Sunday was steadily gaining popularity among a new generation of punk rock fans, due in part to the dynamic songwriting and vocal team of Adam Lazzara and John Nolan. However, as their powerful debut, Tell All Your Friends, kept gaining momentum, restlessness among bandmembers grew as well, leading to the eventual departure of guitarist/vocalist Nolan and bassist Shaun Cooper. Regrouping together under the name Straylight Run, the two completed the band by recruiting Nolan's sister MichelleBreaking Pangea drummer Will Noon. Forming in May 2003, Straylight Run turned its back on the aggressive attack of Taking Back Sunday -- whose formula many young bands were in turn adopting and expanding upon -- and opted for a more indie rock approach with pensive, dreamy, and often piano-driven tunes. (vocals/keyboards) and ex-Breaking Pangea drummer Will Noon. Forming in May 2003, Straylight Run turned its back on the aggressive attack of Taking Back Sunday -- whose formula many young bands were in turn adopting and expanding upon -- and opted for a more indie rock approach with pensive, dreamy, and often piano-driven tunes. (allmusic.com)

Overall, I had a good time.  The best part was when two super-fans pushed their way in front of me, were screaming every word to every song (all the while fist pumping towards the stage to coincide with every word), and called out a song request to a song that was just played.  Wow. 

Matt Pond PA (above) and Kevin Devine opened.  I only caught the last song of Kevin Devine....but I did like what I heard.  Matt Pond was really good.  I'd check them out again...just plain old good indie-pop.  Listen to a few of their songs on the band's myspace