Man Overboard performing at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco, CA. April 2016. Photo: Jared Stossel.

It's a shame that so many bands are calling it quits these days. Rather, they're using the dreaded "IH" term: "indefinite hiatus". This is a period of time when a band feels like they're at the end of the rope in terms of what they can do as a band musically, when they feel like they need a break from each other as people, or both. (see Blink-182 for most aggressive case of this situation).

Man Overboard were in wonderful spirits when they took the stage for a show (which ended up selling out day-of) at Bottom of the Hill, on what the band were dubbing as the "Farewell, For Now..." tour. The New Jersey pop-punk outfit embarked on a short U.S. tour hitting all major regions of the United States. The band went on record prior to the start of the tour to state that everyone is still friends, things are still good, and they just need a bit of a break. Considering the monumental amount of non-stop touring and records the band have been taking on the past few years, it's understandable.

I have been covering a handful of shows for the past several months, and it makes me sad that it has taken me forever to sit down and finally write something about this show. Man Overboard's last (for now) show in the San Francisco Bay Area was a night to remember. All of the hits and some deeper cuts in their discography were pulled out for the occasion. I had to sit up on a ledge perched off of the wall for the entire show because it was so unbelievably congested on the floor (and it was also the only way I could even pray of getting photos of the show). Everyone in the crowd was deliriously happy just to get two more hours with a band that is evidently loved by so many.

Man Overboard ended the show with "Rare", the first track off of their 2011 self-titled record, and ironically, the first song I'd ever heard from them. It was the perfect send-off and conclusion of the night, and one that will forever remain in the hearts of pop-punk fans forevermore. Farewell for now, Man Overboard. We hope that you'll be back again one day soon. And if not, thank you for the memories. We will hold them dearly in our hearts.

P.S.: Chicken Parm.

Support: Forever Came Calling, Souvenirs, Such A Mess