Ballyhoo!, Lionize & Pasadena

Santa Fe Cafe, College Park, Maryland

18 April 2008

Reviewed by Ryan McKeldin (myspace.com/chefxtel)

It is a beautiful Friday outside and when your waiting for a kick ass show to come, it feels even greater. The sun is shining; I just got paid; there is a beautiful breeze that fly's in one window and out the other; and all while driving along listening to the music of the bands I will see that night. The show I was heading to was being held at the Santa Fe Cafe which is in College Park, MD.

"I'm as American as Synthetic Heroin and I hail from Maryland home of the Terrapins and I drink Bohemian drunk I stumble once again, find me down at the Santa Fe Cafe on any given weekend cause me and fresh we like to take shots of Jameson and conversate in the world that we've been caught up in," Joey Harkum, lead singer of Pasadena, spat out to start off the show. This lyrical verbage was quickly followed by some kick-ass guitar riffs just before the drums, bass and keys kicked in. These guy's were playing anything the fans wanted to hear and anything that they really felt like playing; you can't help to move to this music and it's even better live because you can feel it all - the emotion, the energy, the people laughing and drinking. It is just one of those things that all live shows bring... especially with Pasadena.

If you have never seen or heard any of there music I consider them to be a Rock/Reggae/Hip-Hop crossover and they bring it to you every time they play. There lyrics bring truth to reality and they don't hold back. Pasadena started the show with Realize and then kicked it with Sick and Tired, Doing My Best, Beautiful Baby and many more great tunes. These guy's have a sound of their own and is just one of Maryland's best that is "good times" - whether you see them in a garage, a club or at a festival.

Lionize shuffled on stage next. The band just got back from Jamaica a couple months ago from recording its new full-length album that will be released sometime in July. This album has been a year in the making, since the release of the Mummies Wrapped in Money EP. So it's nice to see this album is going to come out very shortly.

This was the first time I had ever seen Lionize. I've known about them for over a year, but never got a chance to see them till now. The band was ready to bring us mostly new material which was great and I was excited as shit! Lionize also played stuff from its Mummy EP which flowed nicely with the new stuff.

Lionize has a lot of energy, all on stage were moving one way or another. The keys were sick as shit and let me say this, here is another band you couldn't help but move too. I was in the front row busting out moves that I'm sure some people had never seen before; yeah I'm that guy! I can't help it, five beers and some great music I'm just caught in the moment and I wasn't the only one because everyone was moving, laughing and having a great time. I can't wait to see these guy's again!

Ballyhoo! was up next. Lead vocalist, Howi thanked College Park and Santa Fe Cafe for having them and he gave props to both of the opening bands. Put simply, these guys played such an awesome show. It was the first time I have seen them after the release of their new album Cheers. So I was expecting all new songs, but they ended up playing a lot of songs, including one off its first album 356 Day-Weekend and about four of its well-known songs off Do It for the Money, like Cali Girl, Cerveza, I Lately Notice, Radio and I want to say Longshot?

As I mentioned, Ballyhoo! also played a handful of songs off their new album: I know the band played Paper Dolls, Somewhere Tropical and the single Phantoms. I bought a Cheers CD and enjoyed the show greatly. It was nice to see Ballyhoo! again and I am pumped up for them to play another show anywhere in the MD area. I know they are heading down south right now. If you live down that way go and see them!

All of these band's did awesome and if you were at the show, you know why they are regarded as some of the best reggae in Maryland. I want to thank all the bands for playing this show because everyone had a great time. Until next time peace and respect to everyone. Support underground music and your local venues.