 Hailing from Sacramento, California, 2 piece Middle
Class Rut played with a sound that blew the faces
clean off the front row at the Rescue Rooms.
Both vocalist/guitarist Zack Lopez and vocalist/drummer
Sean Stockham played furiously throughout what
was a highly enjoyable set. What they lacked in
members they certainly did not lack in sound with
Stockham triggering an array of bass and synth
samples to give weight to the juggernaut of noise
that Lopez let rip from his guitar.
Tracks like “Busy Bein’ Born”
and “USA” (taken from their coming
release in November “No Name No Colour”)
were delivered with such explosive spirit that
you couldn’t help but like them, and dazed
the room into a state of awe. Even their slower
songs still had you hanging on every fuzz infused
note.
The only downside to their set, through no real
fault of their own, was Stockham’s faulty
headset which cut in and out. A real shame as
his calmer, more melodic voice contrasts Lopez’s
adrenaline-fuelled and gritty voice very nicely.
You expect the last night of a tour to always
be something special. This rule applies tenfold
when Circa Survive are involved.
Opening with “Get Out” from their
incredible new album “Blue Sky Noise”,
it felt exhausting just watching the Philadelphia
band throw everything into every riff they played.
 Ever the charismatic front man, Anthony Green
wasted no time perching at the very edge of the
stage, constantly reaching out the crowd, getting
everyone involved at every opportunity, with his
fellow band members throwing themselves around
the rest of the stage.
By the time they got round to playing “Glass
Arrows”, just under half way through the
set the room already felt like it was 100 degrees,
with Green completely soaked but still dancing,
jumping and screaming like the energetic genius
he is. None of the band let up for a second, making
older tracks like “Act Appalled”,
“Oh Hello” and “Stop The Car”
that bit more enjoyable. You really feel a part
of the show that Circa Survive put on. The Rescue
Rooms were by no means packed to the rafters,
but despite this the band still constantly interacted
with the crowd. It felt almost as if it was a
personal, private show rather than the last night
of a tour. However from his conversations with
crowd, it’s clear that Green hasn’t
seen the film “Anchorman”, with screams
from some of his fellow countrymen in the crowd
of “Milk was a bad choice” after stating
how warm it was in the room, being met with a
bemused expression.
 Only once did the set take on a slower tempo with
just guitarists Brendan Ekstrom and Colin Frangicetto
joining Green to play one of the bonus tracks
from the new album, “Every Way”. The
mellow switch hypnotised the crowd, even those
who hadn’t heard the track before seemed
to be instantly captivated.
Ending the last part of the set with “Through
the Desert” the band had only been off stage
a matter of seconds when everyone began chanting
for an encore. Re-emerging a few moments later,
the band gave the people what they wanted and
asked what they’d like the guys to end the
night with. Despite many chants for what is arguably
one of their most successful songs, they resisted
playing “The Difference Between Medicine
and Poison is The Dose” they chose the request
of a few die hard fans at the front and played
out with the amazing “Imaginary Enemy”.
They have failed to disappoint with a live performance
to date and I honestly think it would be a long
wait for anyone who thinks they eventually may
do. How these guys aren’t more famous than
they are still amazes me.
Circa Survive – 5/5
Middle Class Rut - 4/5
Review By Justin Andree
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