It’s probably just a case of the “growing ups,” but does anyone else remember when Hot Hot Heat was a sweet band? There were two incarnations, the first was the synth-driven semi agro post-hardcore HHH that put out a 7” and a split with the Red Light Sting on Ache Records back in the day. That version of the band was pretty awesome, but it didn’t stick around for long. They got a new singer and got signed to Sup Pop and started making dance music, and for a while that incarnation was possibly sweeter. When Make Up the Breakdown came out it instantly became a crucial party album (this was before any of us had iPods and could make playlists) because it was one of those CDs you could put on at a party and play all the way though and everyone would have a good time dancing to it. But then a year passed, two years, three years, and no new album. Make Up the Breakdown had been played at too many parties. It got retired early on in year two. When Elevator, the next album came out, it was underwhelming. It was not an album you would want to put on at your party. In my circle all love and respect of Hot Hot Heat faded and crumbled. I used to love this band. I still have a t-shirt from when they played the old Paradox when the Knock Knock Knock EP came out, but it lives in a drawer at my parents’ house and has not seen daylight for many years. When I look at the list of bands playing tonight and I see Hot Hot Heat’s name it’s like coming across an old friend’s number in your phone and knowing that you’re never going to call them again. You have nothing more to say to them, or them to you.

Hot Hot Heat is playing the Showbox tonight with Editors and Louis XIV. I’m not going.