by Donte Kirby
My Iron Lung, Major League, and Hands Like Houses came to Union Transfer to support and help celebrate the 15th anniversary of the band Silverstein.
My Iron Lung from California opened the show, followed by the hometown heroes Major League. Every band that graced the stage for their 30 minute set paid homage to Silverstein and explained what an honor it was to play with them.
“Best fans if you’re from Philadelphia, the worse fans if you’re not from Philadelphia,” said Brain Joyce, lead singer of Major League. The crowd cheered in response.
Joking aside, the Australian based Hands Like Houses and Cali’s My Iron Lung still got treatment like they were from Philadelphia. The crowd song along with Hands Like Houses’ cover of Natalie Imbruglia’s “Torn” and clapped along during “Introduced Species.”
As much love as the Philly crowd gave the opening bands, it was complete pandemonium when Silverstein hit the stage. Bodies regularly surfed to the stage as many as three at a time, all caught in the loving embrace of security.
Photo by Donte Kirby
“We fucking love you Philly, but you already know that,” said Shane Told, Silverstein’s lead singer. The crowd went crazy for songs ranging from the classics like “My Heroine” to the newer stuff like “Stand Amid the Roar”. The crowd even roared when Told mentioned the May 19th release date of their newest record, I Am Alive in Everything I Touch.
“I hope you know that all those things we say- it’s not just every city,” said Told to the crowd. ” All those shows at the Troc, at the church. I’ll admit…that one at Franklin Mills wasn’t that good.”
It was a night of celebration for everyone in Union Transfer- celebrating the 15 year anniversary of Silverstein and 10 year anniversary of Discovering the Waterfront.
