Yesterday, I was lucky enough to be able to photograph at Carnival of Madness at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Charlotte. Let me just say, it was an incredible show. The heat index was 105°, but the stadium was still packed - as Shinedown vocalist Brent Smith pointed out - with at least 12,000 strong.
10 Years opened the show, and I loved it. They were really interactive and you could tell they were into it. Singer Jesse Hasek braved the intense heat wearing a parka for the first part of the show. Following their first song, he made it quite clear that no one else was allowed to complain because they weren't wearing parkas. Anyway, the band definitely kicked things off with a ton of energy, and the crowd loved them. Sometimes it's hard for the openers to get much out of the crowd, but these guys didn't have a problem. They pulled out what is likely their biggest hit - "Wasteland" - as the second song, which put the crowd in an energetic frenzy. Interspersing old favorites with newer songs like "Dead in the Water," they were anything but boring. They also interacted really, really well with the crowd, which I appreciate. When Hasek came down to the barrier, I saw tears in the eyes of one of their pit fans. It was beautiful.
Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/musiccritmari/sets/72157624454887165/
Sevendust came next, and wow. They kept the energy going as if the stage had never cleared. As a photographer, I loved that singer Lajon "LJ" Witherspoon definitely played it up for the camera while we were down there. They were lively and exciting and made things really fun for the crowd. Bassist Vinnie Hornsby was also a lot of fun. He smiled a lot, which makes everyone else smile - it lets us know that he really enjoyed what he was doing. Drummer Morgan Rose was sick (the good kind) - completely flailing (also the good kind) and carrying the most wild energy of anyone there.
Side note, later on (following the three songs I got for Chevelle) I went back to VIP. LJ was back there taking pictures and talking with his fans. That was really cool to me; he seems very down-to-earth and I respect that more than I can say.
Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/musiccritmari/sets/72157624579563696/
Puddle of Mudd. I was talking to someone after the set, and we've agreed that Wes Scantlin either had a couple of drinks before hitting the stage or he had recently woken up. He was a little out of it - and it was great! He was a trip. I was really glad that I chose to have my camera held and stay out for this set. The biggest hit was surely the cover of AC/DC's "TNT". Between that and their final song, bassist Damien Starkey asked the crowd if they thought they were crazy. He started to say that "to be honest" no one was as crazy as singer Wes Scantlin - but then said singer interrupted to "be honest" about the fact that sweat was making his testicles stick to his legs. As that randomness implied (and as half the crowd had guessed anyway), the set ended with "Psycho" - and psycho it was.
Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/musiccritmari/sets/72157624579566300/
Let me start this one off by saying that I love Chevelle. That being said, I was sorely disappointed by their live performance. Musically, they were great, as they always are, but I could've put in a CD and gotten that. When I go to a show, I expect a performance, and I didn't get that from them. The stage was bare, which I can handle if they use the space, but they really didn't. All of my shots look alike because they didn't move. Bassist Dean Bernardini put the most into it, it seemed. They did eventually pick it up, but not 'til nearly the end of their set. I didn't even stay out for it - I saw it on the screens. Like I said, I do love the band, but their live show was definitely lacking to me.
Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/musiccritmari/sets/72157624454897351/
Addition: I have spoken to a lot of other people, and it seems like the band is a lot more involved when they play club shows and such. That's acceptable; a lot of bands are like that. Keep in mind that I'm not bashing the band, just the performance aspect at this particular date.
Shinedown. Any problems I'd had before vanished when they took the stage. They were phenomenal. Opening with the silhouettes through the screen, they opened with "Sound of Madness," and the Carnival began. Vocalist Brent Smith took on the true role of ringleader. Zach Myers was fabulous on the guitar - as he always is; bassist Eric Bass (irony, much?) and drummer Barry Kerch put their all into the rhythms and the crowd felt it. When they sang "Fly From the Inside," even though we'd all been out there for a good five to six hours, the energy returned ten-fold, as if none of us had faced the heat, the time, anything. There were two truly great moments in this set. One was prior to "If You Only Knew". Smith spoke between songs and told the crowd that the next song went out to "the most beautiful creatures in the world... the grandmothers, the mothers, the wives, the aunts, the sisters and the best friends. To the women." That, to me, was beautiful, and the emotion in the song as they performed let the crowd know that he meant his dedication. The other moment was when they, essentially, faked out the crowd by leaving the stage and taking the lights out. A bunch of people left, but after a few minutes Zach Myers returned with an acoustic guitar. Kerch and Bass followed, taking seats on the stage. Smith was nowhere to be found, but soon he emerged - he had gone around to the lawn, and Zach played as he sang "Simple Man" on his way through the crowd back to the stage. There was never a moment in this set where you doubted Shinedown's love and appreciation to their fans.
Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/musiccritmari/sets/72157624454902961/
I couldn't be more grateful for being able to cover this show. It was an incredible experience, and I enjoyed every second. The bands are all incredibly talented, and I love that they love it. I truly believed it when Brent Smith said they would have played for "five people or five hundred thousand," as long as they got to play for their fans. Thank you to the bands, and to Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte.
As to the photos, I had to choose a select amount out of 300 pictures. Eventually, I'll post more of them - promise! I also took it with relatively low zoom on a camera I wasn't used to, and none of my pictures have been edited. Even so, I'm pleased with many of them, and hope you enjoy them.
So much love,
Mari
xoxo
marissa.billiet@hotmail.com
(704)-868-6274
7.23.2010
"A Star-Crossed Wasteland"
This album carries the idea of an apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic wild west, with the title and them inspired by Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series (Noisecreep). It comes as a sort of middle ground between the previous album - heavy and driven like Beautiful Tragedy, but with melodic qualities more evident in The Dream. Whereas songs like "Gunshow" demonstrate the power of singer Maria Brink's screams, it's balanced out by the tender ballad "World in Flames". Songs like "The Promise" (featuring Adrian Patrick of Otherwise) create an interesting balance, showing a pain that wasn't seen as much on The Dream. Then there's "The Last Cowboy," which definitely - to me - epitomizes the albums themes. And no, not just because it's about a cowboy. These songs represent the vast lengths to with A Star-Crossed Wasteland takes its listeners, and I'm once again impressed by In This Moment's ability to not only stand out but surpass others and themselves with everything they do.
More to come with my thoughts on In This Moment following Mayhem Festival. In the meantime, grab the album. It's more than worth it.
Mari
xoxo
marissa.billiet@hotmail.com
(704)-868-6274
7.21.2010
"We Stitch These Wounds"
As I start this, it is 1:30 in the morning. EST. July 20, 2010.
Black Veil Brides' debut album, "We Stitch These Wounds," is currently number two on the iTunes Rock charts. It's number thirteen overall. I've watched as it's gone up in the past hour and a half on both charts. Fans on Twitter and similar social networking sites are consumed by the rise. So what now?
Now I'm going to save this and log off. I intend to resume my writing later today - by which point I wouldn't be surprised if the band's followers - "Bridesmaids" and the "BVBarmy" - have pulled the album all the way to the top. We'll see!
1. The Outcasts (Call to Arms)
Black Veil Brides fans are an army, so what better to open the album than a call to arms? I also find it really cool that Andy got his grandfather involved with this.
2. We Stitch These Wounds
This song was unofficially released over a year ago, and it sounded pretty different then. At first, I had some issues adjusting to the changes in melody - I kept singing the other - but after a few listens, I still love it. And I've got to say, the instrumental changes sound pretty freaking sweet. I definitely dig the solo - Jake Pitts is pretty much owning through solos all over this album! Overall, I've come to love the changes, and I can't get enough.
3. Beautiful Remains
I. Love. This. Song. It's one of my favorites on the album. The intro is great. I love the ceremonial feel of the first verse. The backing vocals before the chorus introduce an almost chant feel and serve for a great buildup (something also seen later in the album). The chorus itself is something nongeneric that manages to stay in your head. You just can't help singing along. The drumroll before the solo also creates a really cool vibe - which works because it's a sick solo. ;)
4. Children Surrender
This one was another of my instant favorites. The lyrics are just perfect. The first verse caught me because it seems to emphasize a big basis for Black Veil Brides - "We're born into the night like children of the damned/And our pain will shine a light to those who understand" - to me painting a picture of and for their outcast" fans... and of their former selves. The idea of pain (oppression, discrimination) calling to others is uplifting and it makes fans able to relate. The backing for the chorus has the "chant" feel mentioned above and it's great. The scream post-second-verse leads perfectly into the instrumentals, which in turn lead perfectly into pretty much everything else. And I won't lie - I love the vampire feel. Why not?
5. Perfect Weapon
The album's first single, "Perfect Weapon" is a wonderfully balanced track that displays everyone's talents perfectly - from the deep opening scream on the part of Andy Six - making it a great pick. I have to appreciate the video for this single, because I feel like it really shows how much they've progressed. It's harder to see in some ways, but this video was just as conceptual as their "Knives and Pens" video debut - it's actually intended as a sequel. In an interview with MUEN magazine, Andy said, "The idea behind this video is that the main character named David now has an army. It is supposed to represent the band's growth as well as the fans' growth with the band. In the first video, we were a band that not many people had heard of and now because of the video we have been allowed success." Lyrically, I really enjoy the song, especially the comparison in the second verse - "Like birds whose wings are broken/You live without direction".
6. Knives and Pens
"Knives and Pens" holds a special place in my heart for being the first video, what really got people's attention. In the WSTW version, there are some changes, but good ones. Everything's a lot cleaner. The vocals are clearer. The instrumentals have been amped up. There are smaller changes all over the place, and then the solo's been totally changed. Everything just flows better - and it wasn't bad at all to begin with. This is a really good reworking of an already great song.
7. The Mortician's Daughter
Before the release of the album, the original version of this was one of my favorites. I love this one just as much. It's so different from everything else, and it shows versatility that I really appreciate. It showcases Andy's voice beautifully, I love the use of piano and violin/orchestra, and everything just works. It's funny, because no one would really expect an acoustic song from them, but this one's always been beautiful. And lyrically it's one of the best things I've ever heard because it's totally heartfelt. It's a song that makes a girl say "Wow, does that really happen?" I was really glad that, vocally, it wasn't really altered. It was too perfect to me to begin with; I would have been heartbroken to hear it sang differently.
8. All Your Hate
Something about this song... I can't explain it (which is frustrating since that's kind of my job) but the verses are just different. It just stands out, something about how they're presented. The chorus I love, because it's another one that anyone can reach out and apply to life. "We learn from all your hate" - that's a line that I intend to hold in my mind as defense to those who would tear me down. I know I'm not alone in that. Again, the instrumentals are incredible - I don't think they can do it any other way.
9. Heaven's Calling
This song seems to project a lot. There's a lot of emotion, a lot of passion. It's very heavy, one of those songs that can place them up with some musicians of the past. Thinking about what to write here, my mind actually went to the fact that you can really tell their passionate about everything. Even through their recorded music. Anyway, I really love the instrumental power in this one, and the melody's great. Not my favorite off the album, but still really, really good.
10. Never Give In
This song is brilliance, pure brilliance. It's the most inspiring track I've heard in a long time, and they accomplish that without sacrificing any aspect of themselves. This song reaches out to every member of the "BVBarmy" to tell them that they don't have to give up. "When your life feels lost (Fight against all odds!)". It's flawless, uplifting, and really makes you want to stand up for yourself. It makes the fans feel connected, and they are.
11. Sweet Blasphemy
My number one WSTW track - and, judging from the tweets/status updates containing the lyrics, I'm not alone. This song, I feel, incarnates everything Black Veil Brides has come to stand for. It speaks about the world's pressure to conform and how we are strong enough to be who and what we want to be. We "won't believe this lie" because we know "there's something more inside" than what the world wants us to be. Our strength allows us to become "something more than they can be". This song epitomizes the message to be yourself. It really is standing up for the underdog, the disenfranchised, the ridiculed. It brings hope, strength, and confidence to fans everywhere. I thank Black Veil Brides for caring about their fans in a world wrought with bands "too good" for that.
12. Carolyn
A friend said to me that this final track was her least favorite, and with how different it seems, I can understand her opinion. To me, though, I love the difference. It stands out amongst the others on the album because of the stylistic elements. In the opening, I love the guitar (a pattern that reappears during the choruses), because it just puts me in mind of older rock music. The song itself is beautiful. Lyrically it's touching, and the simpler instrumental support for Six's vocals are a lovely complement. It is, yet again, a very uplifting track. I love the reversion to an acoustic sound, just for a couple of seconds, following the solo. The song overall has the feel of a modernized classic, if that makes sense. It's a song that I'm sure to go back to over and over again. It closes the album really, really well.
Now you, the reader, have a couple of options. You can buy "We Stitch These Wounds" on iTunes (help them climb the charts!), or you can buy a copy at Hot Topic, FYE, Amazon - anywhere, really! But the Hot Topic copy contains a special bonus track - an acoustic version of "Knives and Pens" - so I personally intend to go out and pick that up soon.
As bassist Ashley Purdy has said, Black Veil Brides is "definitely a band that stands out today but still brings [their] own take and a fresh spin on heavy rock and metal music with an image" (Noisecreep). They've certainly proven themselves with their breakout debut album, and I guarantee the BVBarmy will continue to grow as a result of their efforts, their talents, and most of all their passion and devotion to their fans and to their music. I, unfortunately, missed them at their Charlotte stop of the "Sacred Ceremony Tour," but if it hasn't yet reached you, I strongly encourage you to get out there! It's well worth it, and I'm willing to bet you won't get to see them in these club shows for too much longer. They'll be packing arenas any time now.
Much love for you, the readers, and for the band.
Mari
xoxo
Contact me with feedback, requests, or propositions, or leave a comment on the page!
marissa.billiet@hotmail.com
(704)-868-6274
Black Veil Brides' debut album, "We Stitch These Wounds," is currently number two on the iTunes Rock charts. It's number thirteen overall. I've watched as it's gone up in the past hour and a half on both charts. Fans on Twitter and similar social networking sites are consumed by the rise. So what now?
Now I'm going to save this and log off. I intend to resume my writing later today - by which point I wouldn't be surprised if the band's followers - "Bridesmaids" and the "BVBarmy" - have pulled the album all the way to the top. We'll see!
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Alright, due to unfortunate computer problems, I wasn't able to return to this the day of, but it's now July 21, and Black Veil Brides are slowly gathering more and more momentum. I've loved listening to the album... quite nearly constantly... and now, by request, I'm doing a track-by-track of the album that caused bassist Ashley Purdy to say to Noisecreep: "It's melodic laden battle cry ... a torch that's carried from everything we loved in heavy rock and metal music that hasn't existed in decades." I have to say, it's pretty incredible: Andy's vocals go between clean and rough at just the right points; Sandra shows that you better not judge her for being small and female, because she can own the drums as well as or better than any guy; between her and bassist Ashley Purdy, they've got a great rhythm section, which often goes sadly ignored by the fans - they won't let it happen here; guitarists Jake Pitts and Jinxx are incredible, already stamping out a place beside the greats in my book.1. The Outcasts (Call to Arms)
Black Veil Brides fans are an army, so what better to open the album than a call to arms? I also find it really cool that Andy got his grandfather involved with this.
2. We Stitch These Wounds
This song was unofficially released over a year ago, and it sounded pretty different then. At first, I had some issues adjusting to the changes in melody - I kept singing the other - but after a few listens, I still love it. And I've got to say, the instrumental changes sound pretty freaking sweet. I definitely dig the solo - Jake Pitts is pretty much owning through solos all over this album! Overall, I've come to love the changes, and I can't get enough.
3. Beautiful Remains
I. Love. This. Song. It's one of my favorites on the album. The intro is great. I love the ceremonial feel of the first verse. The backing vocals before the chorus introduce an almost chant feel and serve for a great buildup (something also seen later in the album). The chorus itself is something nongeneric that manages to stay in your head. You just can't help singing along. The drumroll before the solo also creates a really cool vibe - which works because it's a sick solo. ;)
4. Children Surrender
This one was another of my instant favorites. The lyrics are just perfect. The first verse caught me because it seems to emphasize a big basis for Black Veil Brides - "We're born into the night like children of the damned/And our pain will shine a light to those who understand" - to me painting a picture of and for their outcast" fans... and of their former selves. The idea of pain (oppression, discrimination) calling to others is uplifting and it makes fans able to relate. The backing for the chorus has the "chant" feel mentioned above and it's great. The scream post-second-verse leads perfectly into the instrumentals, which in turn lead perfectly into pretty much everything else. And I won't lie - I love the vampire feel. Why not?
5. Perfect Weapon
The album's first single, "Perfect Weapon" is a wonderfully balanced track that displays everyone's talents perfectly - from the deep opening scream on the part of Andy Six - making it a great pick. I have to appreciate the video for this single, because I feel like it really shows how much they've progressed. It's harder to see in some ways, but this video was just as conceptual as their "Knives and Pens" video debut - it's actually intended as a sequel. In an interview with MUEN magazine, Andy said, "The idea behind this video is that the main character named David now has an army. It is supposed to represent the band's growth as well as the fans' growth with the band. In the first video, we were a band that not many people had heard of and now because of the video we have been allowed success." Lyrically, I really enjoy the song, especially the comparison in the second verse - "Like birds whose wings are broken/You live without direction".
6. Knives and Pens
"Knives and Pens" holds a special place in my heart for being the first video, what really got people's attention. In the WSTW version, there are some changes, but good ones. Everything's a lot cleaner. The vocals are clearer. The instrumentals have been amped up. There are smaller changes all over the place, and then the solo's been totally changed. Everything just flows better - and it wasn't bad at all to begin with. This is a really good reworking of an already great song.
7. The Mortician's Daughter
Before the release of the album, the original version of this was one of my favorites. I love this one just as much. It's so different from everything else, and it shows versatility that I really appreciate. It showcases Andy's voice beautifully, I love the use of piano and violin/orchestra, and everything just works. It's funny, because no one would really expect an acoustic song from them, but this one's always been beautiful. And lyrically it's one of the best things I've ever heard because it's totally heartfelt. It's a song that makes a girl say "Wow, does that really happen?" I was really glad that, vocally, it wasn't really altered. It was too perfect to me to begin with; I would have been heartbroken to hear it sang differently.
8. All Your Hate
Something about this song... I can't explain it (which is frustrating since that's kind of my job) but the verses are just different. It just stands out, something about how they're presented. The chorus I love, because it's another one that anyone can reach out and apply to life. "We learn from all your hate" - that's a line that I intend to hold in my mind as defense to those who would tear me down. I know I'm not alone in that. Again, the instrumentals are incredible - I don't think they can do it any other way.
9. Heaven's Calling
This song seems to project a lot. There's a lot of emotion, a lot of passion. It's very heavy, one of those songs that can place them up with some musicians of the past. Thinking about what to write here, my mind actually went to the fact that you can really tell their passionate about everything. Even through their recorded music. Anyway, I really love the instrumental power in this one, and the melody's great. Not my favorite off the album, but still really, really good.
10. Never Give In
This song is brilliance, pure brilliance. It's the most inspiring track I've heard in a long time, and they accomplish that without sacrificing any aspect of themselves. This song reaches out to every member of the "BVBarmy" to tell them that they don't have to give up. "When your life feels lost (Fight against all odds!)". It's flawless, uplifting, and really makes you want to stand up for yourself. It makes the fans feel connected, and they are.
11. Sweet Blasphemy
My number one WSTW track - and, judging from the tweets/status updates containing the lyrics, I'm not alone. This song, I feel, incarnates everything Black Veil Brides has come to stand for. It speaks about the world's pressure to conform and how we are strong enough to be who and what we want to be. We "won't believe this lie" because we know "there's something more inside" than what the world wants us to be. Our strength allows us to become "something more than they can be". This song epitomizes the message to be yourself. It really is standing up for the underdog, the disenfranchised, the ridiculed. It brings hope, strength, and confidence to fans everywhere. I thank Black Veil Brides for caring about their fans in a world wrought with bands "too good" for that.
12. Carolyn
A friend said to me that this final track was her least favorite, and with how different it seems, I can understand her opinion. To me, though, I love the difference. It stands out amongst the others on the album because of the stylistic elements. In the opening, I love the guitar (a pattern that reappears during the choruses), because it just puts me in mind of older rock music. The song itself is beautiful. Lyrically it's touching, and the simpler instrumental support for Six's vocals are a lovely complement. It is, yet again, a very uplifting track. I love the reversion to an acoustic sound, just for a couple of seconds, following the solo. The song overall has the feel of a modernized classic, if that makes sense. It's a song that I'm sure to go back to over and over again. It closes the album really, really well.
Now you, the reader, have a couple of options. You can buy "We Stitch These Wounds" on iTunes (help them climb the charts!), or you can buy a copy at Hot Topic, FYE, Amazon - anywhere, really! But the Hot Topic copy contains a special bonus track - an acoustic version of "Knives and Pens" - so I personally intend to go out and pick that up soon.
As bassist Ashley Purdy has said, Black Veil Brides is "definitely a band that stands out today but still brings [their] own take and a fresh spin on heavy rock and metal music with an image" (Noisecreep). They've certainly proven themselves with their breakout debut album, and I guarantee the BVBarmy will continue to grow as a result of their efforts, their talents, and most of all their passion and devotion to their fans and to their music. I, unfortunately, missed them at their Charlotte stop of the "Sacred Ceremony Tour," but if it hasn't yet reached you, I strongly encourage you to get out there! It's well worth it, and I'm willing to bet you won't get to see them in these club shows for too much longer. They'll be packing arenas any time now.
Much love for you, the readers, and for the band.
Mari
xoxo
Contact me with feedback, requests, or propositions, or leave a comment on the page!
marissa.billiet@hotmail.com
(704)-868-6274
7.16.2010
Cool Tour '10!
Alright guys. I was lucky enough to win tickets from DingLife to go see the Cool Tour last night when it stopped in Charlotte, and I was insanely excited. Now that it's over, I'm still insanely excited, because now I get to fill you guys in on the experience. I'm going to go band by band in the order they came on, just because it makes it easier to think about. Read on!
War of Ages - Alright, I'll admit, I hadn't heard too much from these guys prior to the show, but they were incredible. They really got things going and the place went WILD for them! We'll apparently get to see this on YouTube at some point in the near future, too (: I must say, I was really surprised that they were opening things up. I feel like they're better than that, actually. And they're a super cool group of guys, too. After the show, they hung around by the merch tables and talked with the fans. My shoe now holds their signatures. Only one of our group didn't have something to be signed, so Alex Hamp (drummer and brother of singer Leroy Hamp) turned around and got a poster from the merch table, signed it, and gave it to her. I thought that was totally cool of him.
Cancer Bats - Um... Unfortunately, I wasn't impressed with Canadian exports Cancer Bats. To me, something about it was just... messy. The subwoofers were up way too high (a friend said it made him feel like polka), the lighting was out of control, and Liam Cormier's hair just got to me. The combination of past-shoulder-length hair and the attempt at a mohawk that wasn't actually a mohawk... you could only even tell it was shaved that way when he was headbanging, and when he wasn't it looked really thin and greasy. As for the vocal performance... I was more partial to bassist Jaye Schwarzer's backing. The best song seemed to be the cover of Beastie Boy's hit "Sabotage" - which was, sadly, the only song that got the crowd going. I felt kind of bad, because they really don't sound bad recorded, but their live performance was sorely lacking. (As for recorded tracks, though, things like "Dead Wrong" don't sound bad.)
Architects - Now, our UK imports, on the other hand, were very good. They seemed to have a lot of fans in the crowd, and they returned things to their former energy - though, of course, with a very different vibe than WoA had earlier on. I liked, as I have a tendency to, Sam's capability with both screaming and clean vocals. They had a decent connection with the audience, which is a big deal. Near the end of their set, we were told that things were going to slow down for a minute, and I've gotta say - I was a little thrown off. You go to a show like this, you don't expect "slow". But that's how this song started off - and then it transitioned. If this was the END of the set, I would've found it totally awkward, but as it was, I was glad to see that they had versatility. It's always nice to see. I was really impressed with some of Brighton's best, and I'm hoping they decide to come around this way again - I'd love to go to another show with them.
Acacia Strain - Oi. This was... interesting. And not really in a good way. Don't get me wrong - they DEFINITELY connected with the audience. There were quite a few times I thought someone was going to lose an eye, and the moshing was out of CONTROL. But... I still couldn't get into it. I just can't respect a band who seems to have no emotion other than overblown anger, and seems to want nothing more than to make their audience feel that same hatred towards pretty much everything. Vocalist Vincent Bennett says the latest album was about "pulling yourself out of society" because everything sickens you and leaving everything behind and "destroying everything you think you love". While I'm all about expressing yourself through music, this just struck me as over the top. Half of it seemed to offend people, and what didn't pretty much made the whole lot of us want to kick puppies and punch people in the face. I wasn't into it, not at all, but I will acknowledge that they did have a lot of die-hard fans present who had the time of their lives.
blessthefall - Okay, so, blessthefall's set opened with me and about half the crowd getting totally drenched - what a start, right? Blessthefall was a big part of the reason I wanted to go to this show, and I was definitely not disappointed. I'm a little in love with Beau Bokan, and I think he was a great choice for a replacement vocalist after Mabbitt's departure. He and Jared Warth (bass/screams) balanced wonderfully, and the band as a whole was totally connected to the crowd. It was great because at one point, Bokan proclaimed that he hadn't seen a crowdsurfer the whole show - and that had to change. Needless to say, that got people going. As the set progressed - incredibly, I must add - crowdsurfers could often meet with a clasped hand from the singer, which I'm pretty sure made the fact that they were moved to the back totally worth it. The guys were definitely a highlight of the show for me, and I really, really hope I get to see them again soon because it definitely warrants a repeat experience. Thanks, guys!
Underoath - Originally, Between the Buried and Me was supposed to go on at this point, but we were informed near the end of blessthefall's set that BTBAM drummer Blake Richardson was in the hospital and Underoath would go on in the meantime - we'd have to wait and see about BTBAM later. Well, Underoath was INCREDIBLE, as expected. Everyone was moving again, even though by this time we were all kinda tired. I was also a little curious as to how I'd like it with someone else doing drumming and clean vocals. But Daniel Davison (ex-Norma Jean) did a great job with the drumming, and I know I'm not the only fan who'd be totally cool with the idea of him becoming their permanent drummer (it hasn't been announced yet). As for clean vocals, I was really impressed with Spencer's cleans. I also loved their lighting for the set. They used nothing but ground lights - no overheads - which created a really cool silhouette effect that I loved. They were a huge hit, and we all loved it!
Between the Buried and Me - Yes! BTBAM was able to perform after all! Which came as a huge relief to the crowd, since the band's from North Carolina originally. According to vocalist/keyboardist Tommy Rogers, there was an issure involving the twisting of testacles. Who knows? In any case, the set was proceeded by a rousing cry of "Blake's balls!" Haha. Anyway, the set went great. The band stands out in any list, and let me just say really quick - PAUL. WAGGONER. It is sick how skilled this guy is. I guess he has to be, to be in a band that just oozes badass. He and rhythm guitarist Dusty Waring pulled some seriously great sounds, and bassist Dan Briggs was so wild! He had so much energy, and it was absolutely contagious. And, of course, our risen wounded, drummer Blake Richardson, was insane wailing away up there. I also loved watching Rogers go back and forth between deep scream vocals and retreating to the keys to send out cleans. I loved watching these guys because no one could ever doubt how passionate they all are about what they do. They put everything into their performance, and the audience knows it.
As I Lay Dying - WHOA. Headliners, obviously, and WHOA. Incredible. Absolutely incredible. These guys were insane. And if anyone was having issues mustering up energy, that stopped dead as soon as they came on. They played a lot of their latest album - The Powerless Rise - and no one was unimpressed. They made it all crazy, which was what we all there for anyway, right? Before the last song, Tim Lambesis called for a Wall of Death, and everything went insane. Well, it went insane after Tim decided to reveal to us that he hadn't showered since San Diego. Wish I hadn't heard that. Anyway, I was safely out of the way for the insanity (don't judge me; I'm a little person and didn't feel like dying) so I got to see the madness unfold. Wall of Death + massive mosh pit = As I Lay Dying? I think so! I saw a lot of people fall, a lot of people get pushed, and a lot of people get punched. I was glad to see that people also helped other people up, though, because it's nice to see courtesy amongst fans. And everyone had a great time with it - I happen to know someone who was VERY excited about getting kicked in the face. The band was great, and at least two of them (Nick and Josh - lead guitar and bass/cleans, respectively) were outside after socializing with their fans, which was a lot of fun.
Overall, this whole show was incredible. There were ups and downs, as I said, but it was a lot of fun. Great music, great atmosphere (the Fillmore Charlotte is an incredible venue, much nicer than most indoors!), and a whole lot of great company - well, barring this one guy who really needed to put his shirt back on and stop getting his backsweat on me (ew), and two girls going around in bathing suit tops (trashy). It was a fantastic show and I'd go back in a heartbeat. There are a lot in this group that I'd LOVE to see again. We'll see!
Did you go? What'd you think? What're your thoughts? Are you GOING to go? Did you want to and miss it? Talk to me, people!
Anyway, love you guys!
Mari
xoxo
marissa.billiet@hotmail.com
-Let me know if you want to be involved in some way!
War of Ages - Alright, I'll admit, I hadn't heard too much from these guys prior to the show, but they were incredible. They really got things going and the place went WILD for them! We'll apparently get to see this on YouTube at some point in the near future, too (: I must say, I was really surprised that they were opening things up. I feel like they're better than that, actually. And they're a super cool group of guys, too. After the show, they hung around by the merch tables and talked with the fans. My shoe now holds their signatures. Only one of our group didn't have something to be signed, so Alex Hamp (drummer and brother of singer Leroy Hamp) turned around and got a poster from the merch table, signed it, and gave it to her. I thought that was totally cool of him.
Cancer Bats - Um... Unfortunately, I wasn't impressed with Canadian exports Cancer Bats. To me, something about it was just... messy. The subwoofers were up way too high (a friend said it made him feel like polka), the lighting was out of control, and Liam Cormier's hair just got to me. The combination of past-shoulder-length hair and the attempt at a mohawk that wasn't actually a mohawk... you could only even tell it was shaved that way when he was headbanging, and when he wasn't it looked really thin and greasy. As for the vocal performance... I was more partial to bassist Jaye Schwarzer's backing. The best song seemed to be the cover of Beastie Boy's hit "Sabotage" - which was, sadly, the only song that got the crowd going. I felt kind of bad, because they really don't sound bad recorded, but their live performance was sorely lacking. (As for recorded tracks, though, things like "Dead Wrong" don't sound bad.)
Architects - Now, our UK imports, on the other hand, were very good. They seemed to have a lot of fans in the crowd, and they returned things to their former energy - though, of course, with a very different vibe than WoA had earlier on. I liked, as I have a tendency to, Sam's capability with both screaming and clean vocals. They had a decent connection with the audience, which is a big deal. Near the end of their set, we were told that things were going to slow down for a minute, and I've gotta say - I was a little thrown off. You go to a show like this, you don't expect "slow". But that's how this song started off - and then it transitioned. If this was the END of the set, I would've found it totally awkward, but as it was, I was glad to see that they had versatility. It's always nice to see. I was really impressed with some of Brighton's best, and I'm hoping they decide to come around this way again - I'd love to go to another show with them.
Acacia Strain - Oi. This was... interesting. And not really in a good way. Don't get me wrong - they DEFINITELY connected with the audience. There were quite a few times I thought someone was going to lose an eye, and the moshing was out of CONTROL. But... I still couldn't get into it. I just can't respect a band who seems to have no emotion other than overblown anger, and seems to want nothing more than to make their audience feel that same hatred towards pretty much everything. Vocalist Vincent Bennett says the latest album was about "pulling yourself out of society" because everything sickens you and leaving everything behind and "destroying everything you think you love". While I'm all about expressing yourself through music, this just struck me as over the top. Half of it seemed to offend people, and what didn't pretty much made the whole lot of us want to kick puppies and punch people in the face. I wasn't into it, not at all, but I will acknowledge that they did have a lot of die-hard fans present who had the time of their lives.
blessthefall - Okay, so, blessthefall's set opened with me and about half the crowd getting totally drenched - what a start, right? Blessthefall was a big part of the reason I wanted to go to this show, and I was definitely not disappointed. I'm a little in love with Beau Bokan, and I think he was a great choice for a replacement vocalist after Mabbitt's departure. He and Jared Warth (bass/screams) balanced wonderfully, and the band as a whole was totally connected to the crowd. It was great because at one point, Bokan proclaimed that he hadn't seen a crowdsurfer the whole show - and that had to change. Needless to say, that got people going. As the set progressed - incredibly, I must add - crowdsurfers could often meet with a clasped hand from the singer, which I'm pretty sure made the fact that they were moved to the back totally worth it. The guys were definitely a highlight of the show for me, and I really, really hope I get to see them again soon because it definitely warrants a repeat experience. Thanks, guys!
Underoath - Originally, Between the Buried and Me was supposed to go on at this point, but we were informed near the end of blessthefall's set that BTBAM drummer Blake Richardson was in the hospital and Underoath would go on in the meantime - we'd have to wait and see about BTBAM later. Well, Underoath was INCREDIBLE, as expected. Everyone was moving again, even though by this time we were all kinda tired. I was also a little curious as to how I'd like it with someone else doing drumming and clean vocals. But Daniel Davison (ex-Norma Jean) did a great job with the drumming, and I know I'm not the only fan who'd be totally cool with the idea of him becoming their permanent drummer (it hasn't been announced yet). As for clean vocals, I was really impressed with Spencer's cleans. I also loved their lighting for the set. They used nothing but ground lights - no overheads - which created a really cool silhouette effect that I loved. They were a huge hit, and we all loved it!
Between the Buried and Me - Yes! BTBAM was able to perform after all! Which came as a huge relief to the crowd, since the band's from North Carolina originally. According to vocalist/keyboardist Tommy Rogers, there was an issure involving the twisting of testacles. Who knows? In any case, the set was proceeded by a rousing cry of "Blake's balls!" Haha. Anyway, the set went great. The band stands out in any list, and let me just say really quick - PAUL. WAGGONER. It is sick how skilled this guy is. I guess he has to be, to be in a band that just oozes badass. He and rhythm guitarist Dusty Waring pulled some seriously great sounds, and bassist Dan Briggs was so wild! He had so much energy, and it was absolutely contagious. And, of course, our risen wounded, drummer Blake Richardson, was insane wailing away up there. I also loved watching Rogers go back and forth between deep scream vocals and retreating to the keys to send out cleans. I loved watching these guys because no one could ever doubt how passionate they all are about what they do. They put everything into their performance, and the audience knows it.
As I Lay Dying - WHOA. Headliners, obviously, and WHOA. Incredible. Absolutely incredible. These guys were insane. And if anyone was having issues mustering up energy, that stopped dead as soon as they came on. They played a lot of their latest album - The Powerless Rise - and no one was unimpressed. They made it all crazy, which was what we all there for anyway, right? Before the last song, Tim Lambesis called for a Wall of Death, and everything went insane. Well, it went insane after Tim decided to reveal to us that he hadn't showered since San Diego. Wish I hadn't heard that. Anyway, I was safely out of the way for the insanity (don't judge me; I'm a little person and didn't feel like dying) so I got to see the madness unfold. Wall of Death + massive mosh pit = As I Lay Dying? I think so! I saw a lot of people fall, a lot of people get pushed, and a lot of people get punched. I was glad to see that people also helped other people up, though, because it's nice to see courtesy amongst fans. And everyone had a great time with it - I happen to know someone who was VERY excited about getting kicked in the face. The band was great, and at least two of them (Nick and Josh - lead guitar and bass/cleans, respectively) were outside after socializing with their fans, which was a lot of fun.
Overall, this whole show was incredible. There were ups and downs, as I said, but it was a lot of fun. Great music, great atmosphere (the Fillmore Charlotte is an incredible venue, much nicer than most indoors!), and a whole lot of great company - well, barring this one guy who really needed to put his shirt back on and stop getting his backsweat on me (ew), and two girls going around in bathing suit tops (trashy). It was a fantastic show and I'd go back in a heartbeat. There are a lot in this group that I'd LOVE to see again. We'll see!
Did you go? What'd you think? What're your thoughts? Are you GOING to go? Did you want to and miss it? Talk to me, people!
Anyway, love you guys!
Mari
xoxo
marissa.billiet@hotmail.com
-Let me know if you want to be involved in some way!
7.04.2010
TIEKEN
Tieken (pronounced, I’ve learned, “tea-ken”) is a two-piece metal outfit from Ursa, IL, comprised of twin brothers Trenton (stylized Trent10) and Trevin Tieken, with Trent10 playing drums, Trevin playing bass, and both providing vocals. Though I can’t possibly imagine doing much of anything with my sister that doesn’t result in me trying to kill her, the talented twins tell that fights seldom arise as a problem for them. I believe it, because obviously nothing’s stopped them from kept them from making reminiscent of metal fifteen to twenty years ago – in the best way. These guys are insanely talented, and I was able to learn a little more about them.
So, I’ve gotta say, I can’t imagine doing much of ANYTHING with my sisters, and you guys have managed to create a really cool sound and music I feel like people are bound to love. How do you keep those inevitable sibling shouting matches from disrupting what you do?
- We honestly never really fight… pretty strange!
Whoa… I kinda doubted that relationships like that actually existed between siblings.
Building off of the last question, how long have you been playing, and what made you decide to play together?
- We've been around music since we were born, and grew up with a dad who was a musician so it was inevitable that we'd end up playin’ music, with one of us playing bass and the other playing drums we naturally ended up playing together.
It’s like going into the family business – only, you know, cooler.
Your pages say you’re looking for another guitarist; how do you think the addition of a third member will impact the band?
- It’s hard to predict what would happen with the right third member and how it would affect the music, unfortunately we've had a lot of bad luck so far, but in order to play live you gotta have a full band.
Completely understandable - I know that I’m not alone in loving the thought of seeing you guys live!
Which one of you writes the lyrics to the songs? Or do you write them together?
- We both write lyrics and music, and we both have our own songs we write individually.
What do you use as inspiration for your music?
- Inspiration comes from anything and everything... people, life, movies, other music, or whatever makes us wanna write, we have no rules.
Of the songs you’ve done together, which do you connect with the most (individually)?
- Probably some of our most recent stuff we're working on, but you'll have to wait for that!
Ah! Way to make me over-eager. Here’s to hoping I won’t be waiting for too long!
What do you guys do when you aren’t creating sick awesome music?
- Either watching way too much TV and movies, or making ridiculous movies with friends, oh and can't forget Blowing Shit Up!
Haha, sounds like fun!
Who serves as the greatest influence to each of you? Both in regards to your respective instruments and musicians in general.
- Overall as a band we'd say Rob Zombie, Motley Crue, Alice Cooper, Kiss and Marilyn Manson are kind of our main influences, but as far as individual players for bass and drums would be Bassists like Gene Simmons, Jack Bruce, and Nikki Sixx and Drummers like Tommy Lee, John Tempesta, Seven Antonopoulos, and Morgan Rose, the list is endless....
If something, anything, had kept you from doing music, what would you have done instead?
- Something in arts and entertainment, like movies, or music production, art, something along those lines.
You guys are still young. I know you do something with film (I saw the trailer for “Hampshire” and really want to see it now) – would you ever try to pursue something in that avenue, along with your musical endeavors?
- Maybe, we love movies and love goofin’ around with filming.
Movies – best and worst of all time?
- Tough question.... We love a lot of movies and hate a lot of movies!! We could spend an hour trying to figure this question out.
Everyone has some kind of guilty pleasure in their music collection. What’s yours?
- We don't feel guilty about anything we listen to.
Now here’s my embarrassing question: How do you pronounce your name? I really don’t want to get it wrong.
- TIEKEN, Tie (like the drink Tea), ken (like Ken and Barbie).
What’s on your playlists?
- Neither of us have consistent playlists we listen to.
What do you want your fans to get out of listening to your music?
- Pure entertainment and enjoyment, and for people to make their own interpretation.
We don’t see a lot of those eight-to-twelve minute songs anymore, and you’ve got quite a few. Is there a reason behind that or is that just how things turned out?
- None of the songs are all that long, I think there’s a glitch on the players saying they're twice as long as they really are, our longest is song is about 5 minutes. Maybe someday we'll jam out a 10 min groove like the old days.
Oops! My mistake! Well, I wouldn’t be opposed to hearing something that long. Maybe I should start letting things end instead of getting distracted…
So, keep it in mind, guitarists in the area, the Tieken twins are on the lookout! And readers, you should be looking out, too, because I’ve got a feeling good things are coming our way from these young rockers. There are currently six songs available for listen on their MySpace page (see the link at the bottom), with my personal favorite being “Kings, Queens, and Fools”. Check it out!!
TIEKEN myspace - http://www.myspace.com/tiekenband
Lotsa love to all my readers, all the bands, and any music-lover who hasn't yet found his or her way to this blog... even though they don't know I send my love. ;)
Mari
xoxo
marissa.billiet@hotmail.com
Email me if you'd like to be a part of this. I do everything from interviews, to reviews, to promotion and more. Or, if you want to chat, add me on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/missymayhem_inmi or Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/missy.billiet.
So, I’ve gotta say, I can’t imagine doing much of ANYTHING with my sisters, and you guys have managed to create a really cool sound and music I feel like people are bound to love. How do you keep those inevitable sibling shouting matches from disrupting what you do?
- We honestly never really fight… pretty strange!
Whoa… I kinda doubted that relationships like that actually existed between siblings.
Building off of the last question, how long have you been playing, and what made you decide to play together?
- We've been around music since we were born, and grew up with a dad who was a musician so it was inevitable that we'd end up playin’ music, with one of us playing bass and the other playing drums we naturally ended up playing together.
It’s like going into the family business – only, you know, cooler.
Your pages say you’re looking for another guitarist; how do you think the addition of a third member will impact the band?
- It’s hard to predict what would happen with the right third member and how it would affect the music, unfortunately we've had a lot of bad luck so far, but in order to play live you gotta have a full band.
Completely understandable - I know that I’m not alone in loving the thought of seeing you guys live!
Which one of you writes the lyrics to the songs? Or do you write them together?
- We both write lyrics and music, and we both have our own songs we write individually.
What do you use as inspiration for your music?
- Inspiration comes from anything and everything... people, life, movies, other music, or whatever makes us wanna write, we have no rules.
Of the songs you’ve done together, which do you connect with the most (individually)?
- Probably some of our most recent stuff we're working on, but you'll have to wait for that!
Ah! Way to make me over-eager. Here’s to hoping I won’t be waiting for too long!
What do you guys do when you aren’t creating sick awesome music?
- Either watching way too much TV and movies, or making ridiculous movies with friends, oh and can't forget Blowing Shit Up!
Haha, sounds like fun!
Who serves as the greatest influence to each of you? Both in regards to your respective instruments and musicians in general.
- Overall as a band we'd say Rob Zombie, Motley Crue, Alice Cooper, Kiss and Marilyn Manson are kind of our main influences, but as far as individual players for bass and drums would be Bassists like Gene Simmons, Jack Bruce, and Nikki Sixx and Drummers like Tommy Lee, John Tempesta, Seven Antonopoulos, and Morgan Rose, the list is endless....
If something, anything, had kept you from doing music, what would you have done instead?
- Something in arts and entertainment, like movies, or music production, art, something along those lines.
You guys are still young. I know you do something with film (I saw the trailer for “Hampshire” and really want to see it now) – would you ever try to pursue something in that avenue, along with your musical endeavors?
- Maybe, we love movies and love goofin’ around with filming.
Movies – best and worst of all time?
- Tough question.... We love a lot of movies and hate a lot of movies!! We could spend an hour trying to figure this question out.
Everyone has some kind of guilty pleasure in their music collection. What’s yours?
- We don't feel guilty about anything we listen to.
Now here’s my embarrassing question: How do you pronounce your name? I really don’t want to get it wrong.
- TIEKEN, Tie (like the drink Tea), ken (like Ken and Barbie).
What’s on your playlists?
- Neither of us have consistent playlists we listen to.
What do you want your fans to get out of listening to your music?
- Pure entertainment and enjoyment, and for people to make their own interpretation.
We don’t see a lot of those eight-to-twelve minute songs anymore, and you’ve got quite a few. Is there a reason behind that or is that just how things turned out?
- None of the songs are all that long, I think there’s a glitch on the players saying they're twice as long as they really are, our longest is song is about 5 minutes. Maybe someday we'll jam out a 10 min groove like the old days.
Oops! My mistake! Well, I wouldn’t be opposed to hearing something that long. Maybe I should start letting things end instead of getting distracted…
So, keep it in mind, guitarists in the area, the Tieken twins are on the lookout! And readers, you should be looking out, too, because I’ve got a feeling good things are coming our way from these young rockers. There are currently six songs available for listen on their MySpace page (see the link at the bottom), with my personal favorite being “Kings, Queens, and Fools”. Check it out!!
TIEKEN myspace - http://www.myspace.com/tiekenband
Lotsa love to all my readers, all the bands, and any music-lover who hasn't yet found his or her way to this blog... even though they don't know I send my love. ;)
Mari
xoxo
marissa.billiet@hotmail.com
Email me if you'd like to be a part of this. I do everything from interviews, to reviews, to promotion and more. Or, if you want to chat, add me on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/missymayhem_inmi or Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/missy.billiet.
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