Sometimes there are rock shows that you see an advertisement for and Say to yourself “ Man I really want to go to that show.” Then throughout the next few days you find yourself making up excuses of why you shouldn’t go. Well it’s kind of a long drive, The ticket cost is a little out of my budget for the week, I’ve already seen that band four maybe even five times. What to do? Shall we digress for a moment? Okay we shall. The San Gabriel Valley in Los Angeles is home to a bustling music scene. It’s almost as if middle America dropped a piece of itself right smack dab in the middle of one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Neighborhoods of track homes for miles, little mini mall shopping centers on almost every corner of every major intersection. The historic route 66 is a forgotten novelty to all of the nine to fivers traveling one of the three major freeways that constantly flow the mundane traffic of Southern California to and from downtown Los Angeles. Every vehicle moving like an oxygen starved blood cell crawling through a congested vascular system of highways and byways. Yet somewhere in the middle of the vast landscape stands a beacon in the SoCal live music scene. The fox theater in Pomona is more than a historic landmark, it is a theater made to stand the test of time, an architectural art piece with nouveau neon noir accents that give the downtown area of Pomona a breath of life. It is sanctuary for live music. The multi colored neon lights that surround the marquee in a somewhat bygone era of art deco fashion, now gives the theater in ora of cool that a new generation of young rock and rollers can be a proud to assemble at, and assemble they do.
Circa Survive fans were given the opportunity to purchase a VIP package with their ticket for the show at the Fox theater. As I was the privileged holder of an all access pass I was able to attend as well as have access to the behind the scenes sound check of all three bands that were performing that night. Hail the sun, foxing, and Circa Survive. Being a touring musician myself I know all too well the hurry up and wait mentality that happens before the venue doors even open. In between press interviews, fan meet and greets, and sound check. All three bands manage to be ready to go two hours before security unlocked the doors for the VIP performance which took place in the main audience pit on the ground floor level of the theater. After five songs, Circa Survive began fielding questions from the attending fans. It is amazing to see a band retain the same lineup after 14 years of writing, recording, and touring. In this day and age it seems as though every band that has more than two members and stays in a constant touring cycle changes out at least one member every four to five years. From intricate questions about the bands newest record to the simplest query about what food they liked to eat on tour. It was inspiring to listen to the five members answer the fan questions in such a relatable yet cool rock star manner. The main doors to the Fox theater opened up promptly at 6 PM and the audience began to fill the room. It was amazing to see how many people planted themselves front and center right up against the barricade not moving from their spot the whole duration of the night. Then again I was not surprised, why would you not want to be front and center to see a band that is becoming one alternative rock’s new equivalent to “radio head”. With such a loyal fan base and the ability to write such intricate avant-garde tunes, they still retain memorable catchy melodies that keep you hooked throughout the listening experience. The live show is twice that. Infusing the intricacy of an amazing live performance and light show. I had a quick second to chat with Circa survive front man Anthony Green before sound check. One of the subjects that came up was the Constant 
growth and retention of their fans and how loyal they are. “I believe that our music has become somewhat cathartic to our fans. With every listen and live show experience combined, it’s as if they are releasing the weight of their daily problems and letting go of them. It’s amazing to see them keep coming back to experience that release time and time again. “ And release they did. With every song performed that evening, the crowd tirelessly saying and moved to every song. Everybody in that room living in the moment, respecting that moment. In a day and age where tweeting InstagramIng snap chatting is a part of your day. I was surprised to see so very few phones up in the air, if any. It reminded me of how great rock ‘n’ roll can be when you open your eyes , ears, and heart to just live in the moment.