The balcony stage at the Trocadero Theatre is one of the best kept secrets in Philadelphia. Probably the size of your family rec room and old as hell, the upstairs staging area is the perfect atmosphere to play host to serious bands with a loyal following. Watching your beloved band play on a stage that is a mere four feet off the ground is a treasure any fan will cherish--that is, if you can overcome the fear that you might crash through the creaking wood floors if you dare to mosh, jump, or dance violently.

Tonight's pleasure was Nightmare Of You, an alternative indie band from New York who fit this venue like a glove. This was the kind of show you appreciate if you're an adoring fan of the underground. You're so close, the bass shakes your eye balls and you can see the singer's tonsils vibrating. The best part is no one is pushing in front of you trying to bogart your spot. You can actually enjoy the music without fearing for your life! What a thought.

This small eight city tour brought along a warm up crew that consisted of Manic Mirrors and Makeout Party.

This was the 4th time Manic Mirrors ever played together, but for the most part they pulled it off. Playing only six songs, the band brought impressive bass riffs and a drummer who was full of heart. Even though the overall sound was pretty even, there was kind of an evil twang to the beats. Their lyrics were not so imaginative, but their singer takes a lot of risks with his voice, which I can appreciate. He reminded me of Isaac Brock (Modest Mouse) with his good balance of harmony and scream, which was emotional and had personal flare. Overall, I could see them on some alternative radio station someday.

Makeout Party started with a very chill intro that made me think of floating in space. Ethereal and innocent, this young band from Cherry Hill came off as a little unsure of themselves. The guitarist looked uncomfortable and the vocals were very safe, but I think it was mostly due to nerves. The band is very accomplished for their age, having put an EP and an album. Personally, I prefer the EP, but both made it onto Itunes! Makeout Party might be young, but they bring an older flavor, a throwback to the days of Bon Jovi where it wasn't all about theatrics, but the craft of live performance. I detected a Weezer influence on some of the opening guitar riffs and on songs like "Salad Shooter Nine Thousand," a definite feel of legendary Thursday with minimal lyrics and major outbursts of emotions through instrumental elegance. It was a rushed set, but I'd still give it an A.

Nightmare Of You was such a treat to the 50-75 people who came out to support them. What started out as a sound check launched quickly into one of the band's biggest hits, "Why Am I Always Right?" and it just got better from there.

Nightmare played the majority of their songs from their very successful self-titled debut including favorites "The Days Go By Oh So Slow" and "My Name Is Trouble." In the time after leaving East West Records due to distribution disputes, the band self-released the EP Bang on their independent label, The Bevonshire. This effort gave us high-energy tracks like "I Don't Want To Dance Anymore" and the dance anthem "Herbal Jazz Cigarette."

Lead singer Brandon Reilly always looks so tired and worn out if you ever see him off stage, but once he picks up his guitar he turns into a completely different person, full of energy and attitude worthy of fronting this upbeat indie band.

But the best part of this set was the hysterical commentary in between, and sometimes during, songs. Bassist Ryan Heil was in rare form, commenting on everything from the problems of his crotch to considering naming the new album "...the CD of brotherly love." The interaction of the band with each other and with the audience was both hilarious and adorable. At times it got so bad that Reilly and company couldn't even play they were laughing so hard. It was definitely the most I've laughed at a show in recent history.

This tour welcomed new drummer Mike Fleischmann to the band's family. A perfect asset, Fleischmann looked genuinely happy to be on stage, and he expressed it well through his enthusiastic delivery. As usual, guitarist Joe McCaffrey brought his insane energy and fun persona on every song. McCaffrey has always been to me what Adam Lazarra (Taking Back Sunday) would look like if he played guitar the way he sang.

The best song of the night was one that wasn't on the album or the EP, but on a random compilation called Punk The Clock, Volume 3. "You Don't Have To Tell Me I Was A Terrible Man" is a B-side tune that got cut from the first album. I have no idea why, because with its great lyrics and vocals and fantastic harmony and arrangement it's the song that showcases the band's true talent the best.

"Heaven Runs On Oil" closed out the show with one of the longest breakdowns I've ever heard. The band seemed to combine three songs in one--all of different style and speed--and did it with the smoothest transitions. During this finale, I noticed how much Reilly emulates the stage presence of the great Kurt Cobain. People may want to shoot me for saying this, but believe me, this observation goes a lot deeper than Reilly's choice of clothing. Think the guitar solo scene in the video for "Smells Like Teen Spirit." It's all there.

Nightmare Of You is one of the most versatile bands I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Their debut album drew me in with its unique beats and sarcastic tone, and Bang surprised me, in that the music I was hearing could've been a completely different band. Although Nightmare Of You has the ability to flawlessly hop back and forth between genres, the individuality of their song structure and amusing choice of themes makes them incredibly memorable and endearing.