I and Love and You

For any of you who were saddened by the news in February of 08 that The Format was no longer, I have good news! It's back! Just under a new name... FUN. I was pretty excited to hear that Nate Ruess, the lead singer of The Format, would be going on to create his own band and continue sharing his musical talents. I was even more excited when I heard they would be touring and even making a stop in Michigan! I love shows, doesn't really matter who's playing, but the news that my favorite bands, new band, would be coming to a location I could actually get to, I was more than excited! With only one online download released to the public I didn't really know what to expect from FUN, a more tripped out version of The Format maybe? I knew it would have a similar sound and style. That's usually what happens when you take a staple member of one band and and create another (e.g. Angels and Airwaves/Blink 182, The Color Fred/Taking Back Sunday). Even with the addition of a girl band member, FUN is The Format, with a little less energy. Nate came out ready to put on a show. I think the shock that The Format is no longer may not have set in all the way for him yet. They were not headlining so maybe that was the reason for the lower energy from fan appreciation. Or maybe the Bands aren't lying when they say that Utah is their favorite place to play. There were a few true Format fans there to cheer on Nate as he came onto the stage. I being one of them. I couldn't help but smile when I saw him come out front and center. It had been a while, and well come on its Nate!? I was excited to see what he had been up to and come up with. Nate is still as crazy and "weird" as he was before. His voice is still awesome. His songs are still fun. But two songs into the set he announces that since they are a new band they were going to do some covers. Covers are always good, but before I knew it I was at a Format concert. FUN covered The Format! Go figure. I don't know why this bothered me so much. I think I wanted to see more of FUN and hear what they can do, not how they can change the originals of great songs. I will admit that I got excited when I heard the intro to "The First Single" and couldn't help but sing and dance along. It took me back to high school, driving down main street, Farmington, in my best friends car dancing and singing our hearts out. Back in the day when there was just a handful of us who even knew what The Format was and were making our own Format T-Shirts. Back before it was the "cool thing" to listen to The Format. Fun will have an easy transition into the spot light though. All those previous Format fans will be sure to follow. Fun has talent I'll give them that, but if they are going to be a new band than I guess I just want them to BE a new band! As sad as I was to see The Format go, I think they need to let them go and do their own thing, as Format sounding as it may be. I couldn't help but notice how emotional filled Nate seemed to scream "I don't need anyone!" during The First Single. I don't know all the drama that went down when The Format decided to call it quits, but I almost felt for a second like that was a slap in Sam Means face. I'm sure FUN is singing about a lot of other things rather than The Formats break up but I couldn't help but notice that some of their songs are a little strong. "At least I'm Not As Sad As I Used To be"... I'm probably way off on this one since apparently a lot of these songs were written by Nate while The Format was still alive. Don't get me wrong, FUN put on a good show, I really did enjoy it. They have talent and as the fan base grows and more music is released and more people can sing and dance along, the energy will grow and the power of Nate Reuss will be back in full swing. In retrospect, I will support FUN and will wait to see what their CD holds this summer. But as far as a replacement band for The Format, I think not. You cannot replace the originals. Loved the show. Loved Nates voice, and the new girl rocked. She sounds like the girl from Straylight Run, but I'm not sure who she is... Anyways. Even though this may sound like I was disappointed in the show, I really wasn't! I enjoyed it. Overall my only disappointment was that Nate Reuss looks so much better in skinny jeans than I do.