The Bitter Tears fall in a category of bands that took over two dozen emails and a year of back and forth before actually having them over. I hadn't seen them in concert, but heard about the onstage antics, costumes and joy that exudes their live shows. When they showed up in street clothes I was disappointed that they weren't doing their regular stage getup. But when they asked if they could burn cork to blacken their eyes and teeth, I knew we were in for a treat. The band spent a few hours running through all new songs, most of which they hadn't played together before that night at the coach house. One of the new songs (Drank Till Dawn) has been stuck in my head since February.

                                      -Matt