Back in their heyday, circa 1997, I was living way out in the wilderness of Idaho, far away from my native MA and the flourishing east coast music scene. NYC bands like Texas is the Reason, Shift, and Stillsuit were crafting melodic, emotional post hardcore music. Tours would happen, but rarely would any of these great bands land in Boise (although, Shift played in Idaho twice during my indentured servitude). When I found out Texas is the Reason had broken up, my heart sank, knowing that I would never get to see them play a full set live (I caught a fragment of a set when my band opened for them in 1995. I don't think I had even heard the EP at that point - and the set was all of 4 songs long). The chance to see them live, 15 years after they disbanded, was thrilling. They played every song they had recorded, 15 tunes in all. Every one of them spot on and just as full of power and beauty as ever. The announcement was made before the show that this was part of their last run of tour dates ever. I am humbled to have been a part of the final stateside Texas is the Reason show.
Also, this was my first trip to the Paradise. A nice club, and a good crowd. The sound wasn't fantastic, but not atrocious either.