I’ve said it before, but one of the hardest working band in the music industry is hands down American Aquarium. The band constantly puts out quality music, involving fans in the process of making the albums, releases music on their own label, uncovers the costs of the music industry for all to see, and then gets on stage night after night for two straight hours. On top of that, they do this pretty much every month out of the year. I can’t say there are a lot of musicians like American Aquarium, which isn’t a bad thing if they aren’t, but American Aquarium definitely sets the bar high to show they love this and appreciate their fans.

American Aquarium released another personal, rocking, and genuine album this year called The Fear Of Standing Still, which will be in my top 10 of 2024, and to celebrate the release they went on a full United States tour that started in August and ends in December. Each leg of the tour had a different opener, that singer BJ Barham himself picked, and for this leg they had singer/songwriter Justin Bloss open the show. Hailing not far from Fayetteville, Justin is from Tulsa, Oklahoma and in Justin’s words his songs are mostly about drugs and death. With just his acoustic guitar and stool, Justin puts on a haunting and emotional performance that really mesmerizes you. Even if you didn’t know his music, you can tell from his performance that his lyrics are coming from personal experience and the crowd could relate to many of his songs. Justin has a few e.p.’s out currently, but he mentioned that a full length will be coming soon and when it does make sure to give it a listen.

Going to American Aquarium concert two things are certain, one the band is going to play like it is their last show ever and two they are going to give you your money’s worth. For two straight hours American Aquarium played like their lives depended on it, I’ve seen them multiple times and every time I am in awe at how they can just play straight through with little to no breaks. Of course BJ will give the band a break and perform solo for a few songs, but overall they are constantly in motion. Now what does American Aquarium play for two hours when they have ten studio albums? A little bit of everything and of course highlighting their latest album The Fear Of Standing Still, which they kicked the show off with the heavier rock sounding single “Crier”. From there American Aquarium went into song after song without much to say in between.

However, it wasn’t until “The Curse Of Growing Old”, again from The Fear Of Standing Still, that BJ gave a little bit of a backstory to the song. Even though the lyrics explain what the song could be about, when BJ starts talking the crowd is honed into what he says. The song, about his grandmother explaining to him that even though she made it to her 90’s and was able to witness BJ’s daughter, it came at a cost. Her love of her life, friends, mentors, everyone around her has already passed and even though she gets to see new life in the family, it can still be lonely knowing everyone else she knew is gone. When you think about it and your personal family, the thought is truly sad, but makes you want to enjoy as much time with loved ones as you can.

From there they kick it back up with “Losing Side Of Twenty-Five” and again the band is just like a bullet shot from a gun. Towards the end of their set BJ talked about his sobriety, which should be no surprise if you’ve been following the band and reading the lyrics. BJ is proud of where he is at, and the story he told about his Uncle and BJ’s mother saw him taking that same path was very insightful. I for one have never done what I could imagine BJ has done, I found straight edge at a young age, but people like BJ inspire me. They inspire me because they are powerful in their own right, they overcame their obstacle and share their story which inspires others. For BJ it is in his songs, and for me I may not be able to relate to song of his songs, but damn does he not go all in with the emotion. That is what I look for in art or music, is there true emotion, and for BJ and company it is 100% there. Now for the guy that said bring that older version of you back, BJ’s response was perfect. Just a straight no, I like who I am now. Sorry guy, but that was a dumb comment.

Emotion aside, American Aquarium would close out their set with their crowd favorite “I Hope He Breaks Your Heart” which always gets the crowd singing along. American Aquarium shows aren’t all just sad songs, they still have fun throughout the show and they know this song is a crowd pleaser. They then came back for a four song encore and ended the night on another crowd favorite “Katherine Belle” which rounded out the two hour set. Having moved to Arkansas from northeast Pennsylvania, I’ve been able to see American Aquarium more due to stronger pull of their music south of the Mason Dixon line. As I get ready to move back North, I’ll miss the times I got to see American Aquarium more than once a year. However, I have no fear that I won’t see them at least once a year, because again this band works hard and they are always on the road. No matter what you listen to, next time you see American Aquarium advertised playing near you, pay the $25 or $30, because you will walk out of that venue a believer.