I’ve never felt so old in my life*. The Sum41/Treble Charger concert at The UPEI Barn was like being at a junior high sock-hop (only with more piercings and pot). The opening band, Sum41 can be summed up as: Blink 183. They couldn’t have been more than eighteen years old and judging by their appearance, this is what the kids came to see. They actually looked like the audience: spiked/dyed hair, big pants, and novelty t-shirts. To call them unoriginal, while true, would be to miss the point completely. They were fine entertainers. The drummer lit his drumsticks on fire, literally. It was amazing.

Treble Charger’s set was good, as always, but seemed like a bit of an act. They are a smart and quirky pop-rock band. Unfortunately, their latest album and tour find them focusing more on the “pop-rock” and less on the “smart and quirky”. They pandered to the young crowd successfully, but it was transparent. Sum41 can get away with juvenile-behaviour-as-entertainment because they are actually juveniles. Treble Charger, on the other hand, came across like smart old guys pretending to be young and stupid.

That said, hearing the old Treble Charger songs from self = title is always a pleasure. A few years of touring have turned songs like Red and Morale beautifully polished pieces.

What’s this? Eminem and Limp Bizkit on the P.A.? When I was a kid we listen to real rock and roll. I’m going to go listen to Siamese Dream now.