jeanne crump was on ‘Ocean Avenue’ at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, N.J., to hear the latest from the pop-punkers …
Words by Jeanne Crump | Photos by ashtonpopiel.com”>Ashton Popiel
One of the most popular pop-rock bands of the early 2000s pulled in hundreds of New Jersey fans to The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, N.J., last Tuesday. The Jacksonville, Fla., troupe released their first new album in four years this past January, titled When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes. Just this past month they released the unplugged acoustic version of the full length as well.
Naturally, after a four year hiatus and a new album to show off, Yellowcard hit the road. Apparently New Jersey is a special spot for the group, as frontman Ryan Key told the Pony’s captive audience that Jersey was the first state they ever played as Yellowcard (beside their home state of Florida.) This warmed the crowd up quite a bit.
Kicking off the set with a new track, “The Sound Of You And Me,” the energy in the room skyrocketed. Smiles were plastered on faces all around, including the boys on stage. A few songs later the group broke into “Breathing,” one of their most popular and widely-recognized tracks off their 2002 release Ocean Avenue which sold over one million copies. Before moving in to “Five Becomes Four” Key ordered the crowd to form a circle and “rip this fucking club up.” And that they did.
Halfway through the set drummer Longineu “LP” Parsons silenced the audience with an impressive drum solo. The second half that followed pleased the audience with solid hits such as “Way Away,” “Lights And Sounds,” and “Only One.” Their pop-punk energy and rock ‘n’ roll charisma left a room of hungry fans satisfied. With supporting acts Go Radio and Every Avenue rounding out the bill, it was a pop-punk celebration.
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