2008 Woodie Awards
Local Band's Performance Drives It Home
The City Drive enduces an encore at Hard Rock Café.
Chelsea Banks
Issue date: 10/27/04 Section: Valley Life
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Danny Smith smiles as he begins to answer the question, "I'm from Toronto, he's [Scott Waldman] from Long Island, the drummer's from West Covina, and um..."
"I got jock itch," Waldman says, finishing Smith's sentence as he joins the conversation.
Smith doesn't miss a beat, launching into a fictional story about being a doctor's assistant who, recruited Waldman to the band after being impressed by the size of his penis.
This isn't improv night at a comedy house. This is what it's like to hang out with The City Drive half an hour before show time at the Hard Rock Café.
Guitarist/lead singer Smith, bassist Waldman, and drummer Marc Precilla make up this magnetizing pop-punk/emo band.
Though the band may have a lighthearted sound, the lyrics sometimes take on a somber tone.
"It's about [how] even though everything sucks right now and you want to slit your wrists and you hate your life, someday, if you hang in there, you're going to get revenge and you can slit their wrists," Smith, describes what "Defeated," a song featured on their demo, is about.
When The City Drive took the stage the room was filled with a loose crowd and every seat on ground level was taken.
During the performance, Waldman or Smith would smile at familiar faces in the audience, creating a friendly atmosphere.
Although the band's energy makes watching its performances a joy, things have gotten out of hand in the past.
"The entire show was a blur. I was dizzy. I don't even remember finishing. I felt like my front teeth were under my left ear," says Smith, recalling the time Waldman accidentally hit him with his bass.
While nothing drastic happened during the show, there was a noticeable energy in every song. Even during the love song, "Runner," the band gave off an electricity that seemed to move through the audience.
After the last song of the set, shouts of "encore" prompted a voice over a loud speaker to ask if the audience wanted to hear The City Drive play one more song. Though the crowd seemed to include only a few enthusiasts, this question received a clamorous cheer.
Though another band was scheduled to play, the crowd in the Hard Rock thinned out significantly after The City Drive's set. Most of those who remained were talking to the band and congratulating them on a show well done.
Check out The City Drive's website at www.the-city-drive.com to find out when they'll be playing the Hard Rock again in November. You're in for a good time!
"I got jock itch," Waldman says, finishing Smith's sentence as he joins the conversation.
Smith doesn't miss a beat, launching into a fictional story about being a doctor's assistant who, recruited Waldman to the band after being impressed by the size of his penis.
This isn't improv night at a comedy house. This is what it's like to hang out with The City Drive half an hour before show time at the Hard Rock Café.
 Media Credit: Dan Villasenor THAT DRIVING FORCE - Marc Precilla, Danny Smith and Scott Waldman make up The City Drive. |
Guitarist/lead singer Smith, bassist Waldman, and drummer Marc Precilla make up this magnetizing pop-punk/emo band.
Though the band may have a lighthearted sound, the lyrics sometimes take on a somber tone.
"It's about [how] even though everything sucks right now and you want to slit your wrists and you hate your life, someday, if you hang in there, you're going to get revenge and you can slit their wrists," Smith, describes what "Defeated," a song featured on their demo, is about.
When The City Drive took the stage the room was filled with a loose crowd and every seat on ground level was taken.
During the performance, Waldman or Smith would smile at familiar faces in the audience, creating a friendly atmosphere.
Although the band's energy makes watching its performances a joy, things have gotten out of hand in the past.
"The entire show was a blur. I was dizzy. I don't even remember finishing. I felt like my front teeth were under my left ear," says Smith, recalling the time Waldman accidentally hit him with his bass.
While nothing drastic happened during the show, there was a noticeable energy in every song. Even during the love song, "Runner," the band gave off an electricity that seemed to move through the audience.
After the last song of the set, shouts of "encore" prompted a voice over a loud speaker to ask if the audience wanted to hear The City Drive play one more song. Though the crowd seemed to include only a few enthusiasts, this question received a clamorous cheer.
Though another band was scheduled to play, the crowd in the Hard Rock thinned out significantly after The City Drive's set. Most of those who remained were talking to the band and congratulating them on a show well done.
Check out The City Drive's website at www.the-city-drive.com to find out when they'll be playing the Hard Rock again in November. You're in for a good time!
