Photo of Brian of The Front Bottoms by Bryan J. Sutter
As I waited in the photo pit for The Front Bottoms to hit the stage at The Pageant, I thought about how I originally knew them as a scrappy young band that I would sometimes cross paths with while doing load-ins for bigger shows at The Firebird way back in 2012. They came off as very driven and had a good sound, the sort of band I hoped would find success. Scanning the sold-out venue, I would say The Front Bottoms had found it.
There was little surprise when The Pageant exploded as Brian Sella and his cohorts settled on stage. This was no fair weather crowd—they were locked in and ready to have a good time. I had been told that the first time the Front Bottoms played St. Louis, at the now defunct Cicero’s, they drew less than 10 souls. They now had over 2000 singing along to the opening lines of “The Beers,” a standout track from their 2011 self-titled album.
While the band pulled well from their catalog, this was their tour kickoff show and their new record You Are Who You Hang Out With was coming out at the end of the week. “Emotional,” “Punching Bag,” “New Gold,” and “Paris” off the new album made their live debut. Sella even donned a pair of black boxing gloves for “Punching Bag.” Removing them as the song ended, he laughed to himself and commented that it was the first time he ever held a mic while wearing boxing gloves. For a band that speaks on the sort of miseries and frustrations of youth residing at the cul-de-sac past the end of history, The Front Bottoms seemed to be having quite a bit of fun on stage. | Bryan J. Sutter
Indie acoustic pop band The Front Bottoms kicked off their tour in support of their new record “You Are Who You Hang Out With” at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri August 1st, 2023.
Shot for The Arts STL.Indie acoustic pop band The Front Bottoms kicked off their tour in support of their new record “You Are Who You Hang Out With” at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri August 1st, 2023.
Shot for The Arts STL.Indie acoustic pop band The Front Bottoms kicked off their tour in support of their new record “You Are Who You Hang Out With” at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri August 1st, 2023.
Shot for The Arts STL.Indie acoustic pop band The Front Bottoms kicked off their tour in support of their new record “You Are Who You Hang Out With” at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri August 1st, 2023.
Shot for The Arts STL.Indie acoustic pop band The Front Bottoms kicked off their tour in support of their new record “You Are Who You Hang Out With” at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri August 1st, 2023.
Shot for The Arts STL.Indie acoustic pop band The Front Bottoms kicked off their tour in support of their new record “You Are Who You Hang Out With” at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri August 1st, 2023.
Shot for The Arts STL.Indie acoustic pop band The Front Bottoms kicked off their tour in support of their new record “You Are Who You Hang Out With” at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri August 1st, 2023.
Shot for The Arts STL.Indie acoustic pop band The Front Bottoms kicked off their tour in support of their new record “You Are Who You Hang Out With” at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri August 1st, 2023.
Shot for The Arts STL.Indie acoustic pop band The Front Bottoms kicked off their tour in support of their new record “You Are Who You Hang Out With” at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri August 1st, 2023.
Shot for The Arts STL.Indie acoustic pop band The Front Bottoms kicked off their tour in support of their new record “You Are Who You Hang Out With” at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri August 1st, 2023.
Shot for The Arts STL.Indie acoustic pop band The Front Bottoms kicked off their tour in support of their new record “You Are Who You Hang Out With” at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri August 1st, 2023.
Shot for The Arts STL.Indie acoustic pop band The Front Bottoms kicked off their tour in support of their new record “You Are Who You Hang Out With” at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri August 1st, 2023.
Shot for The Arts STL.Indie acoustic pop band The Front Bottoms kicked off their tour in support of their new record “You Are Who You Hang Out With” at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri August 1st, 2023.
Shot for The Arts STL.Indie acoustic pop band The Front Bottoms kicked off their tour in support of their new record “You Are Who You Hang Out With” at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri August 1st, 2023.
Shot for The Arts STL.Indie acoustic pop band The Front Bottoms kicked off their tour in support of their new record “You Are Who You Hang Out With” at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri August 1st, 2023.
Shot for The Arts STL.Indie acoustic pop band The Front Bottoms kicked off their tour in support of their new record “You Are Who You Hang Out With” at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri August 1st, 2023.
Shot for The Arts STL.Indie acoustic pop band The Front Bottoms kicked off their tour in support of their new record “You Are Who You Hang Out With” at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri August 1st, 2023.
Shot for The Arts STL.Indie acoustic pop band The Front Bottoms kicked off their tour in support of their new record “You Are Who You Hang Out With” at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri August 1st, 2023.
Shot for The Arts STL.Indie acoustic pop band The Front Bottoms kicked off their tour in support of their new record “You Are Who You Hang Out With” at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri August 1st, 2023.
Shot for The Arts STL.Photos by Bryan J. Sutter. Click to enlarge.
