Just got back early this morning from yet another May concert, this time featuring national rock artists Tantric at Pov's in Spring Lake Park, MN. Great show with great friends! My only regret is that there weren't more people there to experience it.
I got to the show a bit more rested than the day before, having been excused from work early so we could all get a head start on the Memorial Day holiday weekend. I got to the show in time to catch up with some friends I'd been to Northern Invasion with, and got to hear some of their stories from the Rock on the Range outdoor festival in Columbus, Ohio the week before.
The stories continued just as the first band, local rockers Dividing Eden took the stage. My friends and I wandered to the stage in time to hear this melodic quintet play several great original songs. I liked the mix of harder edge songs and softer ballads, as they fit the singer's style very well.
The next group was Minnesotans Pathos Ethos, a more straight-edge, full-tilt rock band. I got into the groove of their songs, but just as the energy was building to its apex, their set was over. I made a mental note to check them out later for a future article.
The third act last night was a band I've quickly become friends with, Chicago-based rockers Romantic Rebel. This was my third time seeing the band live (and second at Pov's) in the last three months. Having seen them so often and having bought their debut album at the first show, I knew to expect an energetic set, and I was not disappointed! This is one band that should be on the rise, and in my opinion should be more popular than a few national artists that I've seen this year.
Before long, it was time for the headliners Tantric to hit the stage. Their set began with a strong guitar solo from guitarist TJ Taylor before the rest of the band took the stage. I'd forgotten this band emerged from the ashes of the band Days of the New fifteen years ago until frontman Hugo Ferreira reminded the crowd during the show. Although Hugo is the only remaining original member still in the band, I still thought they did a great job of entertaining a crowd that should have been much bigger. It was great getting to hear some of their newer material and the radio-friendly hits that we've grown to appreciate.
After the show, I caught up with a few of my Twin Cities friends and the members of Romantic Rebel before making my way home on a clear Minnesota night. Another great night of great rock music with great friends!
Well, that's all for now, so until the next concert, have a great week, everyone!
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Friday, May 22, 2015
Seether in Concert: Well Worth the Wait!
Seether's one of those "nu-metal" bands that I've been listening to since their first album came out, but had never seen them live in concert. I was supposed to see them with Evanescence, Finger 11 and Goldfinger at St. Cloud State University in 2003, but Evanescence guitarist Ben Moody left the band before the performance, which was rescheduled with different opening acts. I finally got to see Seether live in concert at the Myth in Maplewood, MN last night, and I have to say they were well worth the 12 year wait!
I got to the Myth last night just in time to meet up with a good friend, and we made our way towards the front of the stage in time to see the first opening act, Minnesota natives Sin City Escape. This was my third time seeing this band perform, so I knew to expect a good set. They did a good job of entertaining the crowd, and we also got to meet relatives of the band's drummer during their performance.
We left the pit area after their set to meet up with other friends from out of state. We caught up with them just in time to see Nonpoint take the stage, launching into the hit single "Breaking Skin" from last year's release The Return. I wasn't at a good vantage point to take great pictures of the band, but I had fun hanging out with my friends and getting to hear Nonpoint live for the fourth time in the last 18 months. I enjoyed hearing the hits "What A Day," "That Day," "Misery" and their cover of Phil Collins' hit "In the Air Tonight" before they wrapped up their set with the crowd favorite "Bullet With A Name."
It was a full house at the Myth, and I witnessed a few fans getting a little out of control before Seether took the stage, launching into the single "Gasoline" from their debut album. Their sound reverberated throughout the crowded arena, and my friends and I were jamming along to the hits "Rise Above This," "Country Song," "Broken," "Fine Again," "Remedy," and others along with new songs "Words as Weapons," "Weak" and "Same Damn Life" from last year's release Isolate and Medicate. Even with solos between songs, I can't remember the last time I heard such a cohesive performance by a headlining act this year.
My friend and I made our way back to the front of the pit towards the end of Seether's set, and moshed a little before the band called it a night. We then went to the back of the arena, in time to chat with the guys in Sin City Escape. My friend had purchased some merchandise online from the band, but because a hoodie was out of stock, we were both able to pick up a T-shirt and CD from the guys.
My friend and I said our goodbyes for the evening, and I made my way home, cranking up my Seether mix on my MP3 player in the car as I reflected on another incredible concert! If you haven't seen Seether live yet, I'd strongly recommend you do so - you won't be disappointed. Another great night of great music with great friends!
Well, that's all for now, next blog will be a review of tonight's Tantric concert at Pov's in Spring Lake Park, MN. Until then, have a great holiday weekend, everyone!
I got to the Myth last night just in time to meet up with a good friend, and we made our way towards the front of the stage in time to see the first opening act, Minnesota natives Sin City Escape. This was my third time seeing this band perform, so I knew to expect a good set. They did a good job of entertaining the crowd, and we also got to meet relatives of the band's drummer during their performance.
We left the pit area after their set to meet up with other friends from out of state. We caught up with them just in time to see Nonpoint take the stage, launching into the hit single "Breaking Skin" from last year's release The Return. I wasn't at a good vantage point to take great pictures of the band, but I had fun hanging out with my friends and getting to hear Nonpoint live for the fourth time in the last 18 months. I enjoyed hearing the hits "What A Day," "That Day," "Misery" and their cover of Phil Collins' hit "In the Air Tonight" before they wrapped up their set with the crowd favorite "Bullet With A Name."
It was a full house at the Myth, and I witnessed a few fans getting a little out of control before Seether took the stage, launching into the single "Gasoline" from their debut album. Their sound reverberated throughout the crowded arena, and my friends and I were jamming along to the hits "Rise Above This," "Country Song," "Broken," "Fine Again," "Remedy," and others along with new songs "Words as Weapons," "Weak" and "Same Damn Life" from last year's release Isolate and Medicate. Even with solos between songs, I can't remember the last time I heard such a cohesive performance by a headlining act this year.
My friend and I made our way back to the front of the pit towards the end of Seether's set, and moshed a little before the band called it a night. We then went to the back of the arena, in time to chat with the guys in Sin City Escape. My friend had purchased some merchandise online from the band, but because a hoodie was out of stock, we were both able to pick up a T-shirt and CD from the guys.
My friend and I said our goodbyes for the evening, and I made my way home, cranking up my Seether mix on my MP3 player in the car as I reflected on another incredible concert! If you haven't seen Seether live yet, I'd strongly recommend you do so - you won't be disappointed. Another great night of great music with great friends!
Well, that's all for now, next blog will be a review of tonight's Tantric concert at Pov's in Spring Lake Park, MN. Until then, have a great holiday weekend, everyone!
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Northern Invasion Invades Somerset!
Yesterday, my friends and I attended the first-ever Northern Invasion festival in Somerset, WI, along with almost 30,000 rock fans from the upper midwest. Over a dozen bands on two stages on a beautiful May Saturday!
I made my way to the Cities to pick up a friend who was carpooling with me. We made it to the ampitheater grounds in time to find a spot to park. We had to walk a few blocks, but were walking faster than some of the cars trudging to the prime parking spots at times!
We got to the venue in time to see Twin Cities rockers Cold Kingdom wrap up their set on the second stage, and watch funk rockers Crobot rile up the crowd with an amusing and powerful set. I ran into a friend from Michigan after the set, and caught up with my Twin Cities rocker friends who I spent most of the day with. We soon made our way to the main stage to watch Canadian rockers Thousand Foot Krutch put on an energetic set to rile up the growing crowd.
One bad thing about such a large festival is that it's easy to get lost with so many people around. We took a restroom break, and got split up for a bit while Young Guns took the second stage. Fortunately we were able to find each other and regroup in time for the band Motionless in White to take the main stage.
We stayed on the hill overlooking the front stage for performances by In this Moment, Three Days Grace and Volbeat before catching Halestorm close out the second stage with another great set. As the sun began to set and the winds grew colder, we made it back to join other friends back on the hill to catch Five Finger Death Punch and headliners Slipknot.
I woke up this morning sore and sunburned, knowing I wouldn't have traded yesterday's experience for anything! I got to see a lot of great bands, most of them for the first time on a great day, make some new friends, and get to know some friends a lot better. We're definitely planning to return next year!
I made my way to the Cities to pick up a friend who was carpooling with me. We made it to the ampitheater grounds in time to find a spot to park. We had to walk a few blocks, but were walking faster than some of the cars trudging to the prime parking spots at times!
We got to the venue in time to see Twin Cities rockers Cold Kingdom wrap up their set on the second stage, and watch funk rockers Crobot rile up the crowd with an amusing and powerful set. I ran into a friend from Michigan after the set, and caught up with my Twin Cities rocker friends who I spent most of the day with. We soon made our way to the main stage to watch Canadian rockers Thousand Foot Krutch put on an energetic set to rile up the growing crowd.
One bad thing about such a large festival is that it's easy to get lost with so many people around. We took a restroom break, and got split up for a bit while Young Guns took the second stage. Fortunately we were able to find each other and regroup in time for the band Motionless in White to take the main stage.
We stayed on the hill overlooking the front stage for performances by In this Moment, Three Days Grace and Volbeat before catching Halestorm close out the second stage with another great set. As the sun began to set and the winds grew colder, we made it back to join other friends back on the hill to catch Five Finger Death Punch and headliners Slipknot.
I woke up this morning sore and sunburned, knowing I wouldn't have traded yesterday's experience for anything! I got to see a lot of great bands, most of them for the first time on a great day, make some new friends, and get to know some friends a lot better. We're definitely planning to return next year!
Seasons After and Flaw at Pov's
As a Sevendust fan, I've been familiar with a lot of the so-called "nu-metal" bands of their era. One such band is Flaw, who released a couple of albums last decade and then disappeared. I found out in recent months that the band was resurrected, and is recording new a new album and touring. Last Wednesday night, I got to see them play live for the first time at Pov's in Spring Lake Park, MN.
I got there in time to see local rockers Late Night Fights begin the show. The crowd was still trickling in when another local group, Arrows at Dawn, took the stage. I liked their heavier songs, and decided to participate in their crowd-funding campaign after hearing some of their music recommended by a friend.
I ran into a couple of friends just in time to get near the front of the stage to see our friends in Seasons After perform. We had just seen the band perform a terrific headlining show at Hipps Pubb in Eau Claire, WI a few weeks back, so we knew to expect a great energetic set with good crowd participation. We'd also hung out with the guys in the band at the first show, and caught up with them some more after their set.
Soon, it was time for me to finally hear Flaw! There were a few diehards who took the stage immediately, but as a casual fan, I stayed back with my friends, enjoying the new song "Bleed Red" and some well-known classics while we had fun with Seasons After.
My only regret for this show was that there weren't more people to enjoy it. I know it was a Wednesday night (I had to drive back home that evening for an all-day training session at work the next day), but I still will always make the effort to support great local and national rock bands whenever I can. Check these guys out on tour if you can, you'll definitely get your money's worth!
I got there in time to see local rockers Late Night Fights begin the show. The crowd was still trickling in when another local group, Arrows at Dawn, took the stage. I liked their heavier songs, and decided to participate in their crowd-funding campaign after hearing some of their music recommended by a friend.
I ran into a couple of friends just in time to get near the front of the stage to see our friends in Seasons After perform. We had just seen the band perform a terrific headlining show at Hipps Pubb in Eau Claire, WI a few weeks back, so we knew to expect a great energetic set with good crowd participation. We'd also hung out with the guys in the band at the first show, and caught up with them some more after their set.
Soon, it was time for me to finally hear Flaw! There were a few diehards who took the stage immediately, but as a casual fan, I stayed back with my friends, enjoying the new song "Bleed Red" and some well-known classics while we had fun with Seasons After.
My only regret for this show was that there weren't more people to enjoy it. I know it was a Wednesday night (I had to drive back home that evening for an all-day training session at work the next day), but I still will always make the effort to support great local and national rock bands whenever I can. Check these guys out on tour if you can, you'll definitely get your money's worth!
Chris Crooker Cancer Benefit
Last Sunday, I was invited by a friend to attend a benefit for Twin Cities musician Chris Crooker who is battling Stage 4 kidney cancer. I didn't know Chris personally, but it's for a good cause and I had a few friends who would be attending so I decided to head to Niesen's in Savage, avoiding rainstorms on a pleasant afternoon.
When I first got in the venue, I paid my entry fee and was treated to live music by a local cover band just to the right of the front door. After a while, I made my way to the back of Niesen's where there were silent auction items and more live music to be heard.
I soon ran into a friend who was selling cupcakes for the benefit. Another friend was a spokesmodel for some of the cupcakes, so I just had to buy one to sample it-just as delicious as I'd imagined! I made a point to buy a dozen more cupcakes for my coworkers before I left.
I split time between both stages for a while before partaking in the spaghetti dinner as it started raining sideways in Savage. Thankfully, there was no severe weather. I soon ran into two more friends, and we started catching up and reviewing the silent auction items before listening to local cover band Hairball play a few rock classics. Singer Chainsaw Caine, best known for his duties fronting the St. Cloud based rock band Slave Raider in the 80's, also joined them onstage for a few songs before my friends and I called it an evening.
It turned out to be a great night of music with friends, the first of more to come that week!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
