The Town Ballroom will be the hot spot this Wednesday as upcoming power-punk band Motion City Soundtrack rolls into Buffalo on their "Commit This to Memory" tour. Joining them on the road are three other talented bands: The Matches, The Format, and Men, Women & Children.
Formed in Minneapolis in 1999, Motion City Soundtrack have released two albums, 2003's "I Am the Movie" and their sophomore "Commit This to Memory," which was produced by Blink-182's Mark Hoppus.
Drummer Tony Thaxton talked with The Spectrum about their tour, their music, and their shows of late. The band has spent time gallivanting around Europe and Japan with Blink-182 on the Warped Tour.
"Japan was by far one of the coolest places we played," Thaxton said. "Tokyo is like being in the future. The food, technology, people, everything. They really got their stuff together."
As far as the "Commit This to Memory" tour that they're on right now, almost all of their dates are completely sold out. The shows have been packed to the brim with crazy fans that sing the lyrics right back to front man Justin Pierre. The band is very excited about their rising popularity.
"It's amazing," Thaxton said. "We didn't expect it to be going nearly as well as it is."
Motion City Soundtrack is becoming the ultimate guilty pleasure in the pop-punk scene. They tend to fall in the same genre as chart-topping punk rockers Panic! At the Disco, Fall Out Boy, and All-American Rejects. Each has its own sense of musical style and Motion City Soundtrack is carving out its own place.
They have a rather strong set of hit-worthy songs with tremendously catchy choruses, strong vocals, crazy beats, and stellar guitar hooks.
The members of Motion City Soundtrack are grateful for their recent good fortune.
"Playing drums was the only thing I was actually somewhat decent at," Thaxton said, "and as far as the band, we basically wanted to be able get our bills paid by playing music. Everything else is just icing on the cake."
Since this is their first headlining tour, Motion City Soundtrack will grace the stage for a full set. However, if you prefer scouting out the new indie talent, it's recommended that you come early to catch the openers.
"All the other bands are amazing," Thaxton said. "Men, Women & Children like to do crazy musical experiments that nobody has tried and it's definitely something worth seeing."
Indie emo band The Format has a new single that is featured on MTV's Laguna Beach soundtrack, and is sure to be a hit among the pop scene.
"Overall, we're anticipating a great show," Thaxton said. "We're kicking it up a notch, playing more than past tours, throwing in some lights and absolutely crazy fans and you've got yourself a kick-ass time."
Come check out the "Commit This to Memory" tour stop at the Town Ballroom Wednesday at 7 p.m.
