Oops! Almost forgot about the GoodBars!

Halfway into a deep sleep last night, I realized I forgot to add a review of one of the better local shows I've seen in a while, namely the show at Pickle Park in Fridley, MN on Wednesday, July 22nd, headlined by national recording artists Royal Bliss. Supporting them on the bill were local artists Pandemic LLC, the Phoenix Philosophy and the GoodBars. A friend of mine raved about the GoodBars, so since I had the evening free, I had to check them out and found out for myself that the hype was well worth it!

The first band, Pandemic LLC, were more of an old-school metal group reminiscent of early Metallica. Their heavy riffs were great, but unfortunately there weren't a lot of music fans there yet to appreciate them. In fact, there were more people wrapping up their games of bar bingo, their attention drawn to the game rather than to the live music just mere feet to their right.

The next act, the Phoenix Philosophy, were more of a progressive rock band, similar to 30 Seconds to Mars, Linkin Park and Radiohead, among others. I'm not a huge fan of keyboard-based rock, but I liked how they fluctuated between the programmed sounds and straight-up rock riffs at times. The quartet (two guys and  two gals) did a good job of warming up the crowd trickling in for the next performers.

I got to chat with some of the members of the GoodBars before their set, and learned more about their "punk 'n roll" sounds just in time for their set to begin. Of all the bands I saw that night, I have to say that I enjoyed  them the most! A little reminiscent of early Judas Priest with a bit of the Cure tossed in, I was really impressed by their heavy original songs and mesmerizing stage presence. It was hard not to headbang along to all of their songs!

I didn't stay for the entire set by the headliners, Salt Lake City, Utah natives Royal Bliss, but I enjoyed as many of their modern rock songs as I could stick around for. I made a point to buy a couple of their CDs and took them with my GoodBars CD and setlist home with me on another beautiful Minnesota summer evening.

Not sure what the next show will be, but there are plenty more shows to go to that you'll get the recap about from me soon! Have a great week, everyone!