Justin Pierre of Motion City Soundtrack performing at The Regency Ballroom on the band's farewell tour in San Francisco, CA. Photo: Jared Stossel.

I took a long time to finally get a review for this show posted (something I keep profusely apologizing to all publicists for as of recently) and this is one that I feel especially bad for taking so long to post. Motion City Soundtrack, while not a band that I would dub as an all-time favorite, was a staple in my musical adolescence. I'll never forget the first time I heard "L.G. FUAD" and was blown away by the musicianship and dark yet witty lyrics.

Fast forward to 2016, and the band are playing their final show in San Francisco, one of many stops on the band's "So Long, Farewell" tour. It's a bittersweet affair; we won't get to see them perform again, yet we're all packed in this room, screaming the words to the above mentioned song, possibly even louder than vocalist Justin Pierre. It's a sight to behold, particularly for those seeing the band for the very first (and last) time.

Motion City Soundtrack's performance in San Francisco this past May was one to remember. I thought for awhile after that it had to do with the fact that it was going to be their final show, but I realized once they started performing that this is a band that always brought their game when they played. Their set spanned the entire band's career, not leaving a single career-defining track untouched.

Opening support was provided by up and coming alt-punk act Microwave, and a highly nostalgic performance from the one and only The Spill Canvas (who will be embarking on a fall tour of their own later this year). Both support slots set a perfect tone for the evening, providing enough energy and electricity in the air without taking too much away from our headliners.

One thing to note about the music of Motion City Soundtrack is how they have been able to get more serious in tone over the years, while still retaining their signature, sometimes tongue-in-cheek, lyrical stylings. If you look at the progression of this band, starting with I Am With The Movie and progressing all the way to their final record, Panic Stations, the aforementioned statement is a clear fact. Their ability to also maintain a clear identity throughout all of their records, while consistently experimenting and keeping things fresh on each record, is something that many bands can't say they've done at the end of their career. No matter which song you listen to, no matter what point in their career they were at, you know once the track starts that it's a song by Motion City Soundtrack. There's no denying it.

If this is your first time ever hearing Motion City Soundtrack, I encourage you to go and listen to their discography. It is a band that is highly deserving of your time, even though this is indeed their curtain call. If this is the millionth time you've heard their music, then you already know what to do.

Fare Thee Well, Motion City Soundtrack. Thank you for all of the memories. You'll never be forgotten.