Show Reviews

Mushroomhead, Runt, NDE, Freaks of Hazzard, Forty8days 11-27-02

Reviewed by Underground - Connection

First off this needs to be said, if you were at the show please click here (http://www.buddyhead.com/music/rulesofrock/audience.html). Rule number three and rule number four. There is a really good chance those rules apply to you. Please observe all of those rules and follow them.
I missed the first band because Peabody's took forever, getting people inside. The first band I saw of the night was 48 days. These guys were definitely a highlight of the night. They had Earth Crisis like vocals over a nice blend of Cleveland style hardcore and Industrial music. It worked well for this band and I hope they stick around for a while. Sadly most of the crowd seemed to ignore them because they were so young (high school age). Sadly many a good high school age band gets no credit because of their age. I highly encourage you to check this band out.
Next band up was Freaks of Hazard. These guys were an interesting band I guess you could call them a metal band with the occasional rapping. I have to admit though for white boys they could rap pretty damn good. But it was not my stuff.
Runt was band number three I saw that night. They were o.k. I've never been a big Runt fan. They're a Metal meets hardcore band. The only thing I have to say about their set is less talk more rock.
NDE was next. I really like these guys. Probably one of my favorite local acts. The vocals really hold up well, showing that they don't have the studio improvement to their vocals on the albums. With the exception of the drug references through out NDE's set, they really made the show worthwhile. Definitly check these guys out live and pick up their new c.d.
Finally was Mushroomhead. I saw them back in May down in Akron and that show totally turned me off from seeing them until this show. I just assumed they were tired from the road back in May. I can honestly say it will be a loooooong time before I pay to see Mushroomhead after this show. The sampler broke right before they did the song "Filthy Hands" but everyone in the crowd knew the sample and screamed it on J-Mann's command. That was pretty cool seeing so many old fans. Otherwise the show was a real disappointment. All they played was new stuff with the exception of a handful of old stuff. Someone please pass these bits of information along to Mushroomhead because this needs to be said for the sake of you guys not pissing the Cleveland fans off: 1. Please start playing the Muppet Song before you take the stage it's your staple in Cleveland. I hope you guys stopped playing it because of threatened legal action. That would be the only excuse. 2. Start playing old stuff. A few old songs in your hometown don't cut it. When you guys played "Slow Thing" as your first song at the Peabody's show back in February the crowd went nuts. Now it's not played. WTF? Another song people seem quite pissed you don't play anymore is "Too Much Nothing". It's not that hard. Change the set list to more old stuff when you play in Cleveland. Screw saying how thankful you are for everyone backing you all these years. Repay us by playing old stuff. I know I'm not the only fan that feels this way. I'm one of many. You guys don't get as many of the old fans in as you used to because you stopped playing so many old songs. Yeah we've heard them a billion times but we like them.
I won't go and pay to see Mushroomhead until they come out with a new album. It's just hit that point. Overall, the show was o.k. 48 Days and NDE made up for some of the lower points of the show. Almost one month later and I'm still pissed about that show. That can't be good.

Forty8days, 7 Tongues, Girth & Hatecore INC 3-27-04

reviewed by The Metal Show

Saturday night's show was as expected, a lot of fun. It's always good to see Billy, Jimmy, Lisa, and the rest of the Hi-Fi crew. This was our first time hanging out with our good friend Andy J., who is with us on Sundays for the show, as well. Andy and I had hung out one time previously at a work event, but this was the first full fledged night out with "the guys". Musically, we rolled the dice bigtime putting Hatecore Inc. on the show having never heard the band's music, and were banking on the inimitable reputation of Kris Dann (formerly of N-Factor) to deliver and make good. They did that, and then some. It was the first live performance for Hatecore Inc., and they came out and just KILLED! The band had previously laid down a live session for Metal Show Unleashed earlier in the week at Lava Room, and I look forward to being able to share the results of that session, hopefully this coming weekend with you on the show!! 7 Tongues were up next on the power bill, and this was my first time seeing them in nearly 2 years. The last time that I saw them, happened to be at Peabody's Down Under playing their second show ever, and in the time that has passed since then, they have remained a powerful live force, and maybe, just maybe, they might have even gotten better! I don't think I heard the Pantera cover of Immortally Insane that they had promised us, but Mouth For War works too. They referenced my mention of "treading on sacred ground" about their cover of Stone The Crow by Down, and I will make mention of it again, they were definitely treading on sacred ground, having the balls to take on a song like that that is revered by so many as untouchable, and they nailed it. I will make sure that it is not 2 years before the next time that I see 7 Tongues!! Girth, what can I really say about em? My last time seeing Girth was in the summer of 2002, and we put away a lot of alcohol that night on a campground somewhere in the most remote area of Ohio! This was my first time seeing Dan back with the band, and he seems to be more on fire then I remember seeing him in some time. We traded some good stories and jokes about some of the good times we shared when he was a part of the mighty PiT not so long ago. Fortyeight Days - One of my favorite local bands on the scene that too often just gets slagged as a band "riding Mushroomhead's coattails". In reality, these guys are one of the most impressive bands on the scene right now, and they are quite young as well to be as good as they are. They were the last band of the night, and took a slot that is always a difficult one, but still brought 110% to the stage with their performance.