The Owlery

A couple months back was the last time I saw Saves the Day. Unfortunately, its set at Philadelphia’s Union Transfer was unceremoniously interrupted by someone in a 7 Seconds hoodie who took issue with the fact that the band had chosen to perform a set comprised largely of newer material. He made this apparent by nearly getting into a physical confrontation with the group’s founder, Chris Conley.

So it is with no shortage of irony that the band’s set at Asbury Lanes, situated on the Jersey Shore, was met with another interruption.

This time it came in the form of a marriage proposal.

In the spirit of giving, Saves the Day is in the midst of embarking on a nine-date acoustic tour. Performing a whole plethora of old songs, rarities and various other deep cuts, it’s a tour that emotional 90’s kids have been clamoring for for quite some time. Joining them on the holiday romp are Jon Simmons of Doylestown, Pa. quintent Balance and Composure and Walter Schriefels of Quicksand and Rival Schools, as well as countless legendary New York Hardcore groups.

Kicking the night off was Simmons.

Simmons powered through a set of originals, covers (including one of Neutral Milk Hotel b-side “Engine”) and Balance and Composure tunes. Specifically from the B&C catalog, he performed “As Planned,” one of the group’s oldest songs, and “Dirty Head,” off their latest record “The Things We Think We’re Missing.”

Schriefels’ set consisted of acoustic arrangements of Quicksand and Rival School songs, as well as of New York Hardcore classics “Start Today,” by Gorilla Biscuits, the hardcore group that he was a part of, and “The Storm,” by legendary straight edge outfit Judge.

Schriefels left the audience with several final words of wisdom.

“If you ever feel like you can’t pee,” Schriefels said. “Play a game of hide and seek, it’ll come right out.”

Saves the Day followed this by proceeding to play pretty much everything.

Three-fourths of the way through the band’s set, a spry, wiry young man was called to the stage, who promptly brought up his girlfriend. After a bit of showmanship, and a confession from his girl that Saves the Day is her favorite band, he popped the question

She said yes.

After playing for nearly an hour-and-a-half, Conley retook the stage, Corona in hand, and led the band in a sloppy and drunken rendition of Weezer’s “El Scorcho.” Borderline euphoric, Conley reemerged on stage for a final time, accompanied only by an acoustic guitar, and led the crowd in an entirely unplugged version of “Ten Miles Down,” a fan-favorite off the group’s first record “Can’t Slow Down,” which was released when Conley was just 18.

The madness will resume tonight at The Ottobar in Baltimore, and Sunday at Philadelphia’s First Unitarian Church. If you were nimble enough to grab a presale ticket, enjoy the insanity.