Sometimes mewithoutYou holds potlucks before their shows, and RTR was trying to hook some stuff up with them. One idea was an in-store potluck kind of deal, and the label never got back. Another was hooking me up with some press passes to interview Aaron Weiss (lead singer of mewithoutYou) for the site which would have been pretty bad ass because i personally think mewithoutYou is a very talented band, and i really enjoy their music. But unfortunately the label never got through to us again. The good news though, is i actually DID get to meet Aaron Weiss and surprisingly had a conversation with him two times that night. So since i didn’t get a formal interview i’ll give you our very weird conversations.

First, let me describe what Aaron Weiss is like. He’s a heavy christian, most (if not all) of his albums and songs are about how he was saved by Jesus Christ and now being very committed to his religion. He was dressed that night in kaki pants and a green shirt that looks like it’s been brought back to life maybe 3 or 4 times.

I run into Aaron the first time as mewithoutYou’s bus drives up and roadies and band members start unloading equipment rapidly. From a small distance i say “Aaron?” I’m with my friend donald. Aaron speaks in a very soft, raspy voice as if he had damaged his voice the previous night.

A=Aaron
W=Wesley
D=Donald

A: Hello.

W: I don’t know how long you can talk, but i just want to say Catch For Us The Foxes was an awesome album man.

A: Thank You. What is your name?

W: My name’s Wesley

A: And you?

D: Hi, I’m Donald.

A: It’s nice to meet both of you, how are you?

W: I’m good…How are you?

A: I’ve just woken up.

W: Oh haha, well the new album is great Brother, Sister was a huge transition from Catch For us The Foxes, but i really enjoy it

A: Yes, it was. Thank you, I’m glad you like it.

(he now begins to walk forward on monticello street and points)

A: Do you see that church…or cathedral? What is that? Is it a church?

*i didn’t know before, but this church is St. Paul’s in downtown norfolk

W: Yes, i believe that’s a church….

A: You see Wesley, i don’t see a church as a building…more as a…a…group of people.

W: Oh, really? That’s awesome.

A: Yes, well i should be unloading equipment, but it was nice talking to you.

W: Alright, thank you.

He then shakes our hands and went on unloading.

I thought only three bands were playing that night, but i was mistaken. There were four. The opening act was Days Away which reminded me of a poppy mewithoutYou actually. Lots of reverb and delay on their distorted guitars. The lead singer danced around the stage a lot and did the wave with his arms. I was impressed. The second opening band was Piebald, and i didn’t know their name until after they played because they set up quite quick and started playing with a very brief introduction. If AC/DC and The Strokes had a kid, it would be Piebald. These cats were all about making rockin music and “getting people off” i suppose. They had a dude come out and play cowbell at one time and he danced around the stage. As he was dancing the lead guitarist managed to pick up the lead singer (who was also playing guitar) on his shoulders and walked around the stage. I was impressed for the second time.

Then, mewithoutYou came on. Dressed in raincoats, sweaters, and multi layered shirts. They went into about a 40 minute high velocity set with Aaron spinning around stage and tossing flowers to the crowed. He did one of the coolest things i’ve seen in a while where he was singing into the mic, did a 360 turn, threw his hat in the air as he was spinning, came back facing the mic and caught his hat. I began to wonder how long it took him to perfect that, or if it was the first time he had ever done it. An energetic band with an energetic lead singer. The only down-set to their performance was The Norva didn’t turn Aaron’s mic up at all. The guy has a gifted voice, it was disappointing but luckily i was up front. They closed the night with “In A Sweater Poorly Knit” where Aaron played acoustic guitar and accordion. Awesome set.

Next was the highly acclaimed, emotional, rocking band Say Anything headed by Max Bemis. Most of the crowed that night was to see Say Anything, and i myself are not too much into them, i don’t know why, i just never clicked with their music. The lights went dark and flashed on and off and you could see all the members of the band standing there. You could also see the fans, standing there waiting. Where’s Max??!? He then came running on stage and went into an hour and a half long set. I’m pretty sure they played every single song off of every single album they had. It was their second time being at The Norva, and they still had a huge crowed with committed fans. On their last song after an hour and a half Max dropped the mic and walked off stage. The crowed wanted more, so SA came out and played three song encore. A committed band for a committed audience i guess.

I ran into Aaron after the show and we had another small discussion before he walked out onto Norfolk’s street.

W: Nice set man.

A: Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it.

W: Man, you guys should have played The Soviet.

A: No we shouldn’t of. (he begins to laugh)

W: Hah, man i love that song

A: Take it up with our drummer, he makes the set-lists.

W: Oh alright, well you guys should come back to Norfolk, people really digged it

A: I don’t even know if I’ll live another day.

W: Oh, i see…Why is that?

A: I put it in God’s hands.

W: Oh, true that. Are we going to see another mewithoutYou album?

(Aaron shrugs his shoulders.)

W: Put it in God’s hands?

A: Hahah, yes. Goodbye, Wesley.

W: Bye, Aaron.

Aaron then walks out The Norva’s front doors with 4 layers of clothing, a backpack, and his beaded necklace. An interesting fellow, with an awesome band. Great show, Great night.

Photo: Shelby