December 21 closed out a three-night run through Western New York for Fred Mascherino. Starting at Four Mile Brewing in Olean, then moving to Jack Rabbit in Buffalo and finishing at the Montage Music Hall in Rochester, Fred is most well-known from his time in Taking Back Sunday, Say Anything and The Color Fred.
Coughlin
The line-up for the weekend was one made to build over time, and it did not disappoint. Starting off the shows was Coughlin. A solo act from Auburn, Coughlin started the night off right with a softer tone and an energy that built over his songs, even dropping his very own Christmas song, “Christmas Wishes.” He set the stage and the standard for the bands to come.
Beneath the Wayside
Next to light the stage on fire were Buffalo locals Beneath the Wayside. Throwing a mix of original music and some hard-rocking covers, every note was hit with the intensity and passion they have for their music and you could feel it in their performance. All sporting festive hats, Beneath the Wayside charged the room, leaving it primed for the next musicians.
City Under Siege
John Wittlinger on vocals, Luke Rodriguez on guitar and Jordan Longoria on drums form City Under Siege, from Dallas, TX. Because of the band’s chemistry, they showed serious talent, not only musically, but in crowd work as well. Wittlinger often times reaching out to the crowd to engage with them, again, hitting heavy with their own brand of an indie rock blend.
Rookie of the Year
Hailing from Fayetteville, NC, and closing out their winter tour, Rookie of the Year took the energy the others had left before them and held a lighter to it. Lead by Ryan Dunnson, Rookie of the Year was a non-stop infectious vibe. At one point, bass guitarist, Timothy Mills was caught running through the crowd and around the stage still hitting banger after banger.
Fred Mascherino
The stage cleared and emerged one man, Fred Mascherino. Starting his set with “Where You Want to Be” from the Taking Back Sunday album of the same name, the Montage Music Hall was instantly changed. Then from the hard-hitting rock songs of the bands before, here was a road back to the beginning of the night. One person and a guitar pulling at the crowds’ heartstrings again, full circle.
And then, something special happened. What was a practiced set from the two previous nights became an intimate meeting with Fred as he began asking for requests and telling stories from his extensive career in the music industry. Bringing songs back from his time in Breaking Pangaea to Taking Back Sunday, The Color Fred and even some melodies from Say Anything, it became clear this was not your normal interaction at a concert. Fred’s self-proclaimed awkwardness was on display with an endearing quality, like you were having a conversation with a friend you haven’t seen in forever.
As the set closed hearts were full. Friends embraced and the bands were engaging with the people who braved the cold on Sunday night. Fred will be back at Buffalo’s River Works on February 7 with Say Anything and Motion City Soundtrack. Make sure you don’t miss that one.
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