Mace Ballard @ Sonar

On Saturday, Pennsylvania pop-punk-core band Mace Ballard performed at Sonar as part of the College Prowler Tour. The four dudes get on stage and immediately show signs of being able to rock people’s faces off. Of course the show didn’t start without the obligatory crack about Maryland and its crab infestation (the Blue Crab infestation, duh), but it helped get the crowd loosened up to get ready to be surrounded by the sound of Mace Ballard. They started off with a song about the beach, which was nice considering both Pennsylvania and Maryland have pretty cool beaches. Afterward, MB went into “Guilty Pleasure,” a high-energy (then again, all of their songs are pretty upbeat) song that drips with interesting lyrics like “if there’s no ‘I’ in ‘lonely’/then how did I get here?”

“Guilty Pleasure” led into “The Chance” and “Barcelona Anywhere,” which appropriately says “Everywhere we turn/is where we wish we were.” Relatable, cute, and yet still sung with with this punk-hardcore edge that appeals to both sexes. Next was a song entitled “OMW”. Obviously, the title stands for “on my way,” because the song is about the boys always being late to things; but after hearing them live, “OMW” could stand for “Oh My Wow” (or something along that line), because they were seriously that good and all I could think was “Whoa.”

The band ended with “Treasure Chest Target Practice,” which pretty much summed up the night: “We may fall down…/But we’re strong tonight/in good company.”
It was a great show and the band really showed that they could hold a crowd. Their sound is something I can’t really compare to another; it’s got the hardcore edge of MxPx and Attack Attack!, mixed with the poppy and upbeat quality of Paramore and Panic! At the Disco (circa 2005), mixed with the looks of Stephen Jerzak (Bassist TJ) and Maroon 5 (singer Chris is a dead ringer for Adam Levine). Basically the band is this pop-punk-hardcore-awesome group that doesn’t really follow the mold of the bands before them, but definitely set the standards of bands to come. And obviously, talent is the main reason a band is great, but Mace Ballard is also a group of crazy and fun guys. After the show, I actually had a conversation with TJ about the random pestiferous hobos that are indigenous to major cities.
Again, the show was great, and I’ve literally found a new favorite band. Who knows? You might like them, too.
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