Another Sevendust Family Reunion

On a recent concert DVD, Sevendust frontman Lajon Witherspoon says that the band doesn't really have concerts, they have "family reunions." That sentiment is very true! I have now been to 23 Sevendust shows in six states (Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts), and every time I run across friends who are also avid Sevendust fans. A lot of us have become close enough to be considered family. I have friends around the world because of Sevendust, and I have to step back at times and admire the connection that we have made because of these five humble musicians.

My most recent Sevendust show was this past Tuesday at the Myth Nightclub in Maplewood, MN. I bought the pre-show VIP meet and greet pass with the band, and arrived at the venue shortly before 3 pm. No sooner did I arrive when I ran into a couple of Sevendust friends of mine. The dozen or so of us participating in the VIP session were rounded up by support staff and led upstairs to the second floor of the concert venue. There waiting for us were the guys in Sevendust! They greeted us all with hugs and wide smiles. This was the first night of the tour, and it was obvious that the guys were ready to get back onstage again.

We soon sat down and listened to the band perform acoustic versions of the songs "Trust" and "Angel's Son." It was great to seeing the guys have a lot of fun, as they were laughing and joking between songs. At the end of "Angel's Son," lead guitarist Clint Lowery tossed the guitar pick he was using up into the air. It bounced off the top of the baseball cap I was wearing, and landed gently in my lap. Another concert souvenir, before the real concert had even started! Each of us VIP session attendees later lined up for a photo with the band, and I got to have a few brief chats with drummer Morgan Rose and rhythm guitarist John Connolly before it was time to go grab a signed poster and head downstairs to buy merch before the doors would officially open for the show in a few hours.

I returned to the Myth shortly after 5 pm, and was fortunate enough to hear the guys in Sevendust performing the new song "Unforgiven" and a bit of the hit "Waffle" during soundcheck. They were loud enough for me to hear outside the building! I ran into a few more friends while waiting in line, and quickly made a beeline for the front rail once the doors opened for the public a little before 7 pm.

At 7:30 p.m. the first opening band, Nashville natives Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown, started the show. I didn't know much about this twenty-something quartet, but they did a good job of rocking their original songs to keep the growing crowd entertained. They had a kind of classic/blues rock feel to their sound that made me take a mental note to check out more about them online later on. 

About an hour later, it was time for Sevendust to arrive! The band kicked off their eight-song set with the hit single "Pieces," and the Sevendust family in attendance were ready to rock out! Although there was a strict no crowd surfing policy posted on the doors of the Myth before the show, that restriction didn't stop my friends and I from enjoying the show. Sevendust's fourth song was the new song "Unforgiven," and it was an unforgettable performance! The guys were feeding off of the energy from the crowd and themselves. They were also having fun onstage. At one point, Lajon mockingly complained about the size of Morgan's drum kit, saying that Morgan had toned it down by eliminating "one cymbal and a tom." By the time Sevendust finished their set with the fan favorite "Thank You," the crowded house was eager for more!

Shortly before 10 pm, it was time for headliners Clutch to hit the stage. While I didn't know much about the band except for the songs from their new album Book of Bad Decisions (which I received a CD copy of in the mail free with my concert ticket purchase) and the song "Electric Worry," I found myself singing and swaying along to their songs throughout their 90-minute set. I was surprised to see the crowd in the pit a lot more active and animated than they were during Sevendust's set, but I realized that a lot of people were there to see the headliner. This was my first time seeing Clutch live, and I assure you it won't be the last. I grew to admire their bluesy alternative rock sound. I still find it hard to believe that both Clutch and Sevendust were tour openers for Limp Bizkit 20 years ago!

The show ended shortly after 11 pm, and I made my way to the Clutch merch table with a few friends who had also been hanging out along the front rail. I made my way home in a light rain a half-hour later. While I didn't get to spend a lot of time with my friends, and there were a few friends there that I didn't even get to see, I felt good in knowing that everyone who did attend had a great experience. It was another fantastic Sevendust family reunion!