Scared20 @ Stereo Garden
Zach Curtin (Left) Andrew Arifakis (Middle) Justin Daly (Right) - Photo by Casma
On Friday, December 10th, a damp and muggy atmosphere was the backdrop for my night. After surviving one of the most reckless and anxiety-inducing Uber rides of my life (stay tuned for the “storytime” YouTube video) I thankfully made it to Stereo Garden (Patchogue, NY) in one piece. After my close encounter with death, it was time to readjust and focus on the unbelievably long line as I waited for the start of the show. During this long wait in line, I not only repeatedly thought about how glad I was never to be getting in that car again, but also what to expect for the show.
The bill featured The Warped Tour Band (Tribute to Emo & Pop-Punk), Dookie (Green Day Tribute), All The Blink Things (Blink-182 Tribute), and special guests, Scared20. Scared20 is a three-piece pop-punk band from Holbrook, NY. Previously seeing them open for GROUPLOVE at the Great South Bay Music Festival, was nothing but a fun time. Even though their performance was cut short due to technical difficulties and “Midchester Borchestra” (if you know, you know), I had a solid idea of what to expect.
Scared20 at Great South Bay Music Festival - Photo by Casma
Being that this was a cover show, they performed renditions of songs from the early 2000s that showcased their versatility within the rock genre. This time around, with no technical difficulties, the band was able to put themselves fully on display. One would assume that attendees would not pay mind to this opening act, but this band knows how to draw a crowd. Frontman Andrew Arifakis is seen setting up while also interacting with the crowd. One thing I complimented him on was his ability to balance humor and performance. Drew had great energy from the outset, able to present to the crowd with spirit and bulletproof confidence. A key for any musical performer is, of course, being able to perform when the lights are finally on, but also the way you’re able to work a crowd, no matter what the attendance may look like. Drew was able to do just that. As a result, the band has a great rapport with the crowd, and it very much shone through.
Not only are they great musicians, but the show was genuinely funny. The comedy wasn’t forced or scripted. It bled like it was a group of friends just having fun, hanging out in public with no worries about hiding their personalities. Even the friendly banter between members in between songs was organic and entertaining, which on many occasions can sound forced or rehearsed. Regardless of being an opener, even if there were two people in that crowd, they wouldn't sacrifice themselves to cater to anything.
Everybody was in sync, and although they were the opening act, you wouldn't have felt that if you were just walking into the venue. Justin’s drumming was not only as precise as a carpenter, making sure his measurements for an installation lined up perfectly but also was incredibly satisfying. This bled through to the quality of sound and music which I could see was attracting more people than one would think as time went on. They even had guest appearances from other bands on the bill performing covers of early rock classics like:
Blitzkrieg Bop (Ramones Cover)
Leave It Untitled
All-Star (Tease) [Smash Mouth]
My Own Worst Enemy (Lit Cover)
Teenagers (My Chemical Romance Cover)
Knowledge (Operation Ivy Cover)
We Are the Champions (Tease) [Queen Cover]
Jesus of Suburbia (Tease) [Green Day Cover]
Runaway Song
A Little Less Sixteen Candles, a Little More “Touch Me” (Fall Out Boy Cover feat. Steve of The Warped Tour Band)
Faint (Linkin Park Cover feat. Steve of The Warped Tour Band)
Being able to see Scared20 fully themselves, with no issues whether technical or “Westchester Snorechestra,” was simply a great time. Just because this was a “cover set” doesn't mean they aren't still a band like any other with musicians who don't shorthand those who get to see them. Scared20, along with every other talent on this bill is as talented as a good band could and should be. Their energy was prominent as they bounced off the crowd’s engagement, matched with great unforced comedy. Regardless of the crowd though, you got the strong sense of still unapologetically delivering their style of music. They are not a band you should think twice about seeing. Even though they were the first band out there, they played and closed their set as if they were headliners. So much so that I forgot about the potential nightmare of getting into another life-threatening Uber. At least until the next one pulled up.
