By: Derek Roper

Staff Writer

All Time Low, the royalty of the teen-rock scene, jammed at Rams Head Live this past December. They performed to a sold-out audience that consisted of cougars, men passed their prime, and teen emo kids.  Along for the ride, were the opening acts, Runner Runner and DNA which somewhat supercharged the crowd for their popish idols who returned home after a stint on the road and for a rest during the holidays.

The first band to take the stage was DNA, who did not garner an energetic response from the crowd. Dan Book (lead singer) tried to dance around with some awkward movements while Alexei Misoul (the other half) sat looking pretty in his shiny blazer playing the drums.

After a brief intermission, five silhouettes took the stage; the crowd did respond energetically and made this writer wonder if ATL had added a fifth member. But it was Runner Runner who made the night because lately it seems that good opening acts are hard to come by. Sometimes one wants two high profile bands rather than just an up and coming one. But Runner Runner proved that this was the way it should be. They sang their fast-paced song “So Obvious,” which was so obviously dedicated to the teen (pre-teen) girls in the front.

After a brief stint (RR was gone too fast) ATL burst onto the scene with their hit single “Weightless,” which pumped the crowd and the infectious voice of Alex Gaskarth (lead vocalist) sent the hearts of emo girls a flutter.

Jack Barakat, lead guitarist, had a pretty intriguing microphone display. Groupies and young girls’ bras hung on the mic and were ceremoniously added. Barakat even commented that a purple bra was (jokingly) given to him by Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens player).

Now, all this time this writer thought that “Coffee Shop Soundtrack,” was the only song that really spoke to him but it turns out it is a cult favorite as everybody put up their index finger and jammed to the spirited anthem.

Eventually, Gaskarth took to the stool and sang a heartfelt “Therapy,” which had Blackberries and flip phones swaying with a lighter-like glow. A teen girl had a glossy look in her eyes as he slowly belted out the lyrics.

Two things ATL does well at shows is punctuating every sentence with an expletive and saying anything they want on stage. “Next time you’re in a store, talk like you’re on stage to the store clerk,” Gaskarth heavily suggested.

While the mix of songs was enjoyable, the concert was very short (just counting ATL) the lines that snaked out of Rams Head would make one think that the show would have been longer, but a tour that calls itself “Glamour Kills,” says it all.

While the show wasn’t that long, it was enjoyable and was a great welcome-back party for the Maryland based band.

Comments may be sent to roderek1@umbc.edu