Photo and story by Mamie Lomax / Contributing Writer
A line of people was wrapped around the graffiti-laden walls of The End in Nashville, patiently waiting for the doors to open to allow them to rush inside and claim the best spots in the small venue for Super Whatevr, Gleemer, Can’t Swim and headliner Movements.
Super Whatevr, despite being a newer band from California, had a following even in Nashville. Several people were lined up against the front of the stage, singing their hearts out and giving boundless support to the Orange County band. The band played a six-song set, highlighting recent releases such as “Kathrin with a K” and “Misquote.”
Gleemer, a band of Colorado natives, took the stage second, bringing hints of dream-pop and shoegaze to the stage. Dreamy vocals and distorted guitar riffs filled the packed venue while the group’s guitarist stared at his effects pedal board through the show. The dreamy sound was a pleasant surprise at a show that was dubbed as punk. The band played a short, four-song set, but featured songs such as “Gauze” and “Basketball Casino.”
Can’t Swim, the other crowd favorite aside from the headliner, brought out heavier instrumentals, harsh vocals and aspects of punk and hardcore music to the table—an entirely different sound than that of Gleemer beforehand. Moshing and crowd-surfing ensued almost immediately when Can’t Swim began to play, indicating that the band was rocking the crowd. Can’t Swim featured songs that fans sang loudly to, such as “Death Deserves a Name,” “Stranger,” “Your Clothes” and “Come Home.”
Before Movements’ anticipated set, Jordan Meyers, a mental health and substance abuse recovery advocate, took the stage to share his story of mental illness, substance abuse and how he became sober. Jordan met Patrick Miranda, the vocalist of Movements, at Warped Tour last year and followed the show dates to advocate for mental health awareness and substance abuse treatment. Together, Jordan and Movements collaborated to produce a t-shirt to be sold at every date of the Movements tour. All the proceeds will go toward helping Jordan spread his message and fund his nonprofit organization, Finding a Lost Voice, which helps those suffering from mental illness and substance use.
When Movements came out, the excitement and buzz within the small room became electric. Patrick, the vocalist, expressed that he was still sick, after an allergic reaction to medication a week ago, and Kurt Cuffy would be filling in on vocals for a few songs during the set. Patrick did his best though, displaying nothing but pure emotion throughout the songs that he sang, including “Deadly Dull,” which he wrote about his grandfather who suffered from dementia.
“It sucks that you see the people you love become shells of who they were and it’s terrible, but you know what, at the same time I also feel like it’s not really talked about enough and especially not in our respective music scene,” Patrick said.
Movements also announced that they had teamed up with the National Alzheimer’s Association for the release of the music video for “Deadly Dull.” The band provided wristbands, informational packets and links to websites for the organization at their merch table.
Another important and heartwarming event happened outside The End hours before the show began. Patrick, who is colorblind, was gifted a pair of glasses that allowed him to see color. His significant other, Alexis, and their best friend, Val, raised money for the glasses and kept it a secret for months until this show. The setting was appropriate since the first colors Patrick saw were from the graffiti plastered outside of the venue.
Aside from the advocacy of the evening, Movements played a heavy show which had the entire venue engaged in their music and their messages. They featured almost every song from their new album, “Feel Something,” as well as older favorites. “Deadly Dull”, “Colorblind”, and “Full Circle” were among the few that were featured.
Overall, the night of music at The End was eventful and insightful. Movements and their supporting acts will be on tour until early April.
To contact Music Editor Hayden Goodridge, email lifestyles@mtsusidelines.com.
For more updates, follow us at www.mtsusidelines.com, on Facebook at MTSU Sidelines and on Twitter/Instagram at @Sidelines_Life.
