Never in a million years would I picture myself on the front lawn of the famous ATO Fraternity house on the beautiful campus of University of Central Florida. However, their annual Rock the Reef concert featured my all time favorite band, Just Surrender, so I put my differences aside and gave the frat bro's a chance. Let me just say that I give those guys props- that was one bad ass show. Here is my image of fraternity brothers: a group of meat headed,  douche baggy guys just getting drunk and banging chicks. On the contrary, the boys of ATO completely changed my opinion: they rocked out and took part in stage dives and mosh pits. Plus they made sure all females were safe amongst the rowdiness. Insane.

That aside, Just Surrender blew my mind (as they have in the past). This five-piece band out of Poughkeepsie, New York got together back in 2003. Over the years there have been member changes and a whole lot of musical growth. Their debut album, If These Streets Could Talk, hit stores in 2005. They were featured on MTV's You Heard It First that year, boosting their fan base across America. Despite not-so-great reviews (critic Christopher Felton described them as "unfortunately nothing more than a half-decent attempt at copying the work of far more superior bands"), the band released a sophomore album, We're in Like Sin, in 2007. Shortly after, the band released a four song EP, Stronger Now, and passed them out at Warped Tours around the country. Their albums are great, but to really get a feel for this band, seeing them live is a must. Just Surrender has toured with bands like Autopilot Off (fellow New Yorkers), Bayside, My American Heart, TheStart, Cartel, Hawthorne Heights, Matchbook Romance, The Early November, Armor for Sleep, The Classic Crime, The Audition, All Time Low, Mayday Parade, Every Avenue, Set Your Goals and Powerspace.

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Music is a necessity in my life. I'm addicted. The post hardcore, pop-rock sounds of Just Surrender (on tour now with Hawthorne Heights, pictured to the right) gives me a high greater than any drug out there, and it is totally legal. Goofy lead guitarist, Dan Simons, brings ridiculous, in-your-face riffs along with fresh back up vocals. Plus he makes us laugh out loud at every chance he gets. During Night Beasts performance, he ran on stage in short jean shorts, a tight camo shirt, and a sideways baseball hat, and just grinded up on the poor guy. That is one element of Just Surrender that I love: they are there to have fun and entertain us, the audience. If that means doing something completely ridiculous, who cares? 

Lead singer, Jason Maffucci, puts his heart and soul into their shows. His vocals are an up and down spectrum of sweet, poppy tunes to loud, grungy screams. I sorta felt bad for this New Yorker. Playing an outdoor show in Florida was obviously hard on him, sweat soaked his cotton v-neck (it was sexy). God, they put on an amazing show. The crowd was loving it, engaging in mosh pits and stage dives and constant movement. I was shocked by the number of people at the show that knew the music (it made me laugh). Like I said before, in my head frat boys listen to Jack Johnson and drink Natty Ice while playing X Box. I never expected them to rock out with Just Surrender. Ever. 

Oh, I almost forgot. Just Surrender just signed with Razor and Tie records and is expecting to release their third full length album sometime in April. 

All in all I learned that not all frat boys are jerks with crappy music taste. I also deepened my love for a band that has got me through some horrible times. Definitely worth the 90-minute drive and countless number of tolls.