Relient K, RJA concert rocks Memorial Hall
Britnee Shandor
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: News
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Students lined the sidewalks outside Memorial last Wednesday, waiting for the doors to open for the Relient K and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus show.
Regardless of whether you listen to the radio, chances are good that you've heard of Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. Or, if not the band name, you've probably heard the song, "Face Down," the band's 2006 single which peaked on the charts at No. 4. RJA, formed in 2003, released its first studio record, "Don't You Fake It," with Virgin Records in 2006.
RJA performed songs from their 2006 release, including "Waiting," "Damn Regret," "Justify," and "False Pretense." The band opened on a high note…in the most literal way. Lead singer Ronnie Winter, came out on stage and slid up his expansive register to a note that you rarely hear from a guy.
Armed with the fierce energy that accompanies being an angst-driven 20-year-old, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus gave an energetic, if exhausting, performance. Particularly impressive was guest guitarist, "Matt," who on first glance might be mistaken for Jack Black - with mannerisms to match.
Most of Red Jumpsuit Apparatus' songs are heavy in sound and lyrics, but the band did perform its one ballad, "Your Guardian Angel." This lighter tune, backed with a strong chorus towards the end of the song, was a nice change. And as a finale, the band chose the hit, "Face Down," to end the set. RJA's new album is set to drop in February 2009.
The headliners for the SAB concert were Relient K, a somewhat lighter, and older, band, that comes to Georgia quite often. Formed in 1998, Relient K released its first self-titled album in 2000 and started touring that same year.
Relient K did not disappoint its audience, especially fans of their classics, like "Chap Stick, Chapped Lips, and Things Like Chemistry," "Sadie Hawkins Dance," and lots of tunes from their MmmHmm album. Fans at the show were rewarded with a special musical tribute to The Office, followed by a performance of the show's theme song. Matthew Thiessen, the lead singer and main writer for the group, never fails to give an entertaining show.
The capstone of Relient K's performance was its encore, "Deathbed." If you have their latest album, you know that this song's run time clocks in at 14 minutes. True fans could recognize it from the first four notes.
"Deathbed" is the narrative, epic story following a man through his entire life and ending, obviously, with his death. Musically, the song incorporates numerous elements, including a child's play piano, trumpets, trombones, and guest vocalist, Jon Forman, of Switchfoot fame, on the last verse.
Relient K has always incorporated its personal beliefs into their music, but has somehow been able to be successful in the mainstream as well. Relient K continues touring during the holidays, with Toby Mac, for the Winter Wonder Slam Tour, which is coming to the Fox Theatre on November 29.
Britnee Shandor is a staff writer for The Saint.
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