Say Anything at Irving Plaza

Max Bemis of Say Anything is now a blond.

Max Bemis has been writing and singing songs since he was in high school. A transplanted New Yorker, he formed Say Anything in Los Angeles, California, in 2000 with four of his friends, all of whom are no longer in the band. Say Anything presently consists of Max Bemis (vocals), Jacob Turner (guitar, vocals), Jeff Turner (guitar, vocals), Parker Case (keyboard), Garron Dupree (bass) and Reed Murray (drums). The band’s sixth album, Anarchy, My Dear, was released in 2012.

Bemis has had well-documented bouts with bipolar disorder and drug addiction and, at Irving Plaza tonight, his lyrics authentically came from a place of pain and confusion. The strangely literate and passionate songs seemed to be literate and intensely cathartic. The fan base that loudly sang along to most of the songs indicated that a considerable population related to his messages of alienation and unrest. Say Anything’s concert could be described as emo, but that would be a struggle, as it was largely comprised of odd, untraditional and unclassifiable indie music. Honestly, the crowd loved it, but I just did not get it. I will have to pass on this artist. Say Anything performs at Irving Plaza again tomorrow night.