Sevendust and Friends
Reviewed by JB
3/9/2007
I have waited for this moment for so long. Tonight was the night! No words could express the anticipation I was experiencing. There’s nothing more satisfying to me than to see a major influence to me and my cause. So the ritual begins. Knowing these things never begin on time, I still race to get there early because I know parking is scarce. Plus, the line to get in will be crazy long. Then, the debate of location…do I want to battle the masses to get a front spot or chill in the back? Just get there then I’ll decide. I find the venue easily; and to my surprise, the parking dilemma wasn’t that bad and there was no line! Compromising my situation, I choose a spot in the middle of the room so I can take it all in. Now, all I have to do is pray that no one tall stands right in front of me to block my five foot tall viewing range. So there I was, waiting…my favorite guy by my side, waiting…in a roomful of strangers with one common denominator, waiting…
Finally, the lights go down and an announcer emerges introducing the first band. Opening the show was Invitro, a five piece movement from Los Angeles. These guys intrigue me from the moment they hit the stage…it’s not everyday you see a band dressed in lab coats with their heads wrapped in aluminum foil. They immediately break into their first song, which is a sound like I have not heard in a very long time. They have all my attention. The aluminum foil and lab coats are quickly discarded and the men get down to business. The entire band is so full of energy, such a great choice to warm up the crowd. Their sound is undeniably different; but a good different, it is this perfect blend of metal, punk, and thrash. Technically, these rockers know how to shred it up and make you like it; while their front man is giving his all with his gnarly robot moves and awesome crowd interaction. Invitro’s too short set includes some excellent songs like Transfer, Hollyvision, and New Disease, but their surprise performance is the cherry on top!
Hangin' with Invitro
Sonny Mayo and Morgan Rose of Sevendust join the guys onstage to pay tribute to a fallen friend from a little band some of you may remember. Let’s do some homework…follow me here, ok…remember the Southern Cal band, Snot? Snot was formed by singer Lynn Strait and guitarist Mike Doling, I believe around 1995. Other member’s of Snot included Sonny Mayo, guitar; John Fahnestock, bass; and Jamie Miller, drums. Snot’s quick rise of success was ephemeral when Strait was killed in an automobile accident in 1998. The band’s career may have been momentary but their influence lives on. Snot is one of Sevendust’s many influences and over time the guys became good friends. Sevendust single, Angel’s Son, is their tribute to the late Strait; and I know you all remember their touching video back when Mtv played videos. When guitarist Clint Lowery decided to leave Sevendust, it was only natural that they invited Sonny Mayo to join their team. Now, to lace this into Invitro and back to my main point…Guitarist Mike Doling is a member of Invitro. So, it was an honor to witness the guys jam Snot’s Stoopid together again! I am blown away, no, that’s an understatement!
Invitro make a fan of me while onstage; but after the show, I quickly become a supporter. After chatting up their merchandiser guy and getting tons of paraphernalia, he introduces me to the guys. Invitro are Jeff Weber, vocals; Mike Doling, guitar; Brad Dujmovic, bass, Mike Pygmie, guitar; Benny Cancino, drums. These guys are the bomb! They take me in, treat me like one of the guys and I love it! After answering some questions and taking some pictures, Jeff insists I meet the owner of their recording label, Gridiron Records. I find myself shaking the hand of Kyle Turley, NFL tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs! This moment in life rules! You see, I love football almost as much as I love music. Along with the other guys, Kyle is very welcoming and obliging when I ask a couple of questions. My time spent with Invitro is most excellent and I can’t wait until they return to Nashville. You guys hear that…ya hurry back now! Look for their debut album coming soon! Give it up to Invitro on www.myspace.com/invitrorules, www.myspace.com/gridironrecords, or www.gridironrecords.com.
Second to the stage is Boston-based Diecast. Touring to support their latest release, Internal Revolution, Diecast is die hard metal. They step on stage and they own it; and not only do they own it, but they rip it up and leave it in ruins. These rockers offer the scene something that a lot of newer bands lack and that is melody; on top of that, their lead man has this vocal range that could break down an opera diva. I am totally impressed with their set. This force has hosted Headbanger’s Ball, have a few albums under their belts, and a new solid line up that will seek and destroy all! Diecast members includes Paul Stoddard, vocals; Dennis Pavia, drums; Kirk Kolaitis, rhythm guitar; Brad Horion, bass; and Jonathan Kita, lead guitar. You can experience this for yourself at www.diecast1.net or www.myspace.com/diecast. And for those who look at their MySpace page, you gotta view their blogs…these fools are hilarious!
Hangin with Diecast
Not everything can be sunshine and roses in this review and here’s where I put up the thumbs down. In the middle of this kung fu worthy set, Diecast throws in this cover. Yes, they do rock it out but the choice of the cover makes my jaw drop…literally…with an open mouth and raised eyebrow, I look to my guy next to me and all he does is shrugs. The selection is so anti rock star. I can’t help but envision Kenny Loggins and Top Gun and both visuals make me nauseas. After the show when I have the opportunity to meet Paul, he is so charming that I forget most of the questions I have for him including why Danger Zone? Now it will remain the great mystery.
The Century Media recording artists are on a whole new level to me after seeing them live. I have to admit, I was curious if the giant man could bring his enormous voice to the stage. Stoddard brought it! And not to dismiss the other guys, but the man beating the skins is incredible! Horns up to you, Pavia! Their cds are outstanding, have gotten excellent reviews, and they tour their bums off. Seems like Diecast has the formula and ability for longevity in this industry, especially if they continue turning out tracks like Fade Away, Nothing I Could Say, and The Coldest Rain. Time will tell…
The third band to grace the stage is Nashville’s very own Red; Mike Barnes – Vocals, Anthony Armstrong – Guitar, Randy Armstrong – Bass, Jasen Rauch – Guitar, and Hayden Lamb – Drums. As they are being introduced, I realize I may be the only person in the room that has never heard of them. I didn’t even know there was a third opening band. The crowd seems not only to know them but absolutely adore them. This psyches me up! I’m eager to discover what the hype is about. By the end of their third song, I see why the crowd loves them. They’re great musicians and their songs are appealing. But nothing about them is holding my attention. Their sound is very Chevelle-like, almost too Chevelle-like…meaning, I was hoping for a little more originality and diversity. I decide I need more information on Red before I write this review.
RED
When their set ends, some of the members of the band come out and the crowd goes wild! The locals really love and support these guys. I then decide I have to meet the men after the show hoping my opinion of them will change. In setting out to do that, my search is unsuccessful. Either they do not come out until after I leave or I spend too much time with the other bands and miss them. With my deepest regrets, I do not get to meet Red. I feel bad, this is the hometown band and I don’t even spend time with them. So, guys, if you are reading this I do apologize.
In 2006, Red released their debut ep End of Silence through Essential Records. The album produced hits Break Me Down, Breathe Into Me, and Already Over. As I do some research on their website www.redmusiconline.com I discover a really cool fact…this is a very spiritual band. They play a lot of Christian music festivals, like Acquire the Fire; and have toured with such rockers as Buckcherry and Three Days Grace. There’s the diversity factor I am looking for. I listen to their selections on their MySpace page, www.myspace.com/dropofred and I do like their songs. The lyrical and musical content are there but their sound has already been captured. I’m having a hard time deciding if I would purchase their release. But I do have to say, I support their cause. In these times, we need more positive influences like Red.
Drum roll, please…..finally, after loving Sevendust for so many years I get to see them live! Every time the guys have come to town in the past, something has always come up and I couldn’t attend the show. For years, I have heard about the amazing performances LJ and company give and wanted so much to witness this for myself. So, it is such a surreal moment for me as they enter the stage. Personally, I have grown with Sevendust. As each of their albums has been a stepping stone for them, each release seemed to perfectly correspond with my surrounding circumstances. I love music that moves me, thank you!
SEVENDUST LIVE!
Just three days ago, Sevendust released their sixth studio release, Alpha. Their album archive includes an acoustic cd/dvd set and volume one of their greatest hits. They also have released one video, Live and Loud, and one DVD, Retrospect. Tonight’s show covers songs from all eras of Sevendust. They do classics like Black and Bitch, throw in some Waffle, Rumble Fish, and Too Close to Hate, then come around to Enemy and Face to Face. Witherspoon never forgetting the loss he and his family suffered, respectively dedicates Trust to his late brother, Reginald. Driven is the first radio release from Alpha and is like raw old school Sevendust. They are giving us everything we want and more! At one time, I look around at the crowd and I experience one of the coolest concert moments...every person for as far as I could see was singing every lyric word for word with the band. I realize at that very minute how big this band is! Persistent touring has gathered a huge following, their songs cover topics with which everyone can associate, and as loyal to their fans as the fans are to them.
You know that list we all have…the one that reads things to do before I die…one of my goals are to see every band that has ever inspired me. I have decreased my list of bands to only a few and one more can be checked. Lajon Witherspoon is one of my favorite front men in past and present music (he’s third, right after Glenn Danzig and Neil Fallon of Clutch). Watching him in person is everything I expect it to be! After the show and after meeting the other bands, I am exhausted! I really want to stay and meet the Sevendust crew but they are doing a meet and greet with 250 paying fans. I have been awake since 5AM, worked a half day in the salon, and drove to Nashville for the show…I’m not sure if I want to stick around another hour or two waiting for the line to recede. The show was beyond brilliant and I’m kind of overwhelmed with all my new friends and experiences anyway, so I forego staying to meet the group. I feel I already know these guys, I have watched every one of their DVDs religiously. And there is always next time and there will be a next time! Sevendust, until we meet again…thank you!
Morgan Rose
City Hall was a perfect choice for Sevendust and their friends to gather for this energy packed evening. City Hall lies in The Gulch on 12th Avenue and holds approximately 1400 people. The venue may lack sitting areas and the concrete floors may begin to kill after standing a couple of hours, but it is very spacious. This was my first visit to the hall and I was quite impressed. There was plenty of room to move around, the lines at the bar were never bad, and the room was well ventilated. I really enjoyed City Hall and look forward to attending another concert there.
*All pix taken by my man, Dave…thank you!!!