You Say Party! We Say Die! @ Echoplex

March 15, 2010 - Los Angeles, CA

by Liz Caruso

You Say Party! We Say Die! @ Echoplex - Los Angeles, CA - March 13, 2010

You Say Party! We Say Die! is back in the US, and thank goodness the wait is finally over. Border patrol has kept them banned for far too long (four years is simply an unreasonable amount of time to wait) for petty paperwork issues, but the return can now be met with a chorus of hallelujahs.

In promotion of their newest album's release, the band has been touring up a storm. They hit the Echoplex last Saturday to play to a somewhat sparse crowd, but didn't fail to deliver above expectations. Infectious smiles filled each band member's face, and the lead singer, Becky Ninkovic, bobbed around the stage with explosive energy. The best parts of the night were in the crowd interaction - Becky often moving to the front of the stage, singing in the audience's faces and at a few points letting a member of the crowd sing into the microphone. She even suffered a fall against the barrier separating her from us while attempting a jump off the stage, which she later joked about, saying she almost suffered a fat lip just for us.



Because of these different aspects of intimacy, it seemed everyone was willing to let go and have some fun. It didn't feel as though we were lowly members of the audience at a show; it felt like a group of friends all getting together for a long-overdue reunion to thrash about and have a good time.

And although their newest release, XXXX is different - different in the sense that it is filled with deeper emotions, more polish, more sophistication, even, that showcase the positive growth of the quintet - they provided dance-punk beats throughout their performance that enticed and prodded the audience to get their bodies moving. They'll soon be playing at SXSW in continuation of their first US tour in ages, and I highly recommend dragging yourself out to see them for a fun time if they're passing through your city.

When I wasn't flailing from side to side and/or headbanging (which, believe me, is no easy feat while standing next to a girl in crutches as I was - thankfully she was dancing, too), I managed to take some photos.

Click here for more photos of the night!