So I put it off for a bit, but I should tell you a little something about the X96 Big Ass Show. For those who don’t live in the SLC area, every year X96, the station where I intern, gathers bands and puts on a Big Ass Show. The only really bad part of this is that the Used get preferential treatment, being from Orem and all. They headlined this year and back in ‘02, which was the other time I attended, and neither time did I enjoy their set. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

The complete lineup was:
Victim Effect ( whom I hate)

Schoolyard Heroes

Madina Lake
I Hate Kate (who cancelled)
Cold War Kids
The Starting Line
Sum 41
Jimmy Eat World
Social Distortion
the Used

I wanted to listen to the following bands :
Cold War Kids
Jimmy Eat World

I spent the rest of my time there manning the X96 booth, which was in an awkward position. The show had been moved inside to the Salt Palace due to inclement weather, which makes positioning two main stages and a local stage a little difficult. I’ve drawn a diagram to explain where everything is, and as you can see the position of the Live and Local stage in relation to the booth made it hard to hear anybody clearly, but I will tell you what I learned.

Bands I watched: Cold War Kids were a last minute addition to the lineup, because evening DJ Corey O’Brien is a fan and they were touring with the White Stripes when that tour got canceled. They got stuck with a short set, only playing six songs, but they are energetic and fun, and I imagine if you get to see a full set they will rock your socks at least most of the way off.
I’ve seen Jimmy Eat World live before, but at the time I did not know their music (it was summer of 2001 and they were supporting Weezer, Bleed American hadn’t been released yet and the only JEW song I knew was “Seventh Stranger” from The Duran Duran Tribute Album). All I remember is that they were awesome, and I think they played “Sweetness.” So it was with high hopes that I entered the crowd for Jimmy’s set. And…it was pretty good. A good selection of songs, three from Clarity (”Lucky Denver Mint,” “Crush,” and “Blister”), no moshing during “Hear You Me” and plenty of crowd sing along. A lot of this was ruined for me, though, because Utah still seems to think that moshing is cool, and also that if a band has guitars and drums, then they merit moshing. Correct me if I’m wrong, but everybody else has moved on.

Bands I did not watch: Victim Effect still start their set with synchronized headbanging, and I still loathe them. And their fans. Schoolyard Heroes have a very squeally lady for a singer, but not the cute kind of squeally. Madina Lake are…loud, I guess. I Hate Kate were absent. I didn’t hear a note that the Starting Line played. Sum 41 curse a lot and like to point out to a room full of Utahans that there are a lot of Mormons in Utah. Good job, guys, now shut up and go back to sounding exactly like Blink 182. Speaking of shutting up, Mike Ness of Social D still likes to wax long on the mic between songs, but they put on a decent set (the local stage had shut down at this point, so I could hear them) and still do an excellent version of “Ring of Fire.” I still think the Used are trying too hard to look hard, just ‘cuz compensate for being from Utah County, like if they aren’t doin’ crack and makin’ out with My Chemical Romance somebody might think they’re Mormon. But “Taste of Ink” is an enjoyable song, and they played that.
If you want to look at three hundred or so unorganized photos from the event, you can do it here.
I think you should all listen to Cold War Kids, so here are two excellent songs.

 Cold War Kids - Hang Me Up To Dry [3:39m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Cold War Kids - Saint John [3:29m]: Play in Popup | Download