ROCK N ROLL EXPERIENCE - Candlebox 7/24/06

Candlebox was the last big band to come out of the grunge era...they came out in the mid 90's with a fiery first record that blended hard songs with great melody & I personally thought the band took the high/low astetic to new heights, because every song started mellow & then rocked. Candlebox released 3 cd's & when the band was finally down to 2 original members they decided to disband & then, flash forward to 2006, the original band has decided to reunite & test the waters with a full blown US tour.

The band does not look like they did 10 years ago, but then again, few people do...they are a maturer band & I made the analogy that they look like grown up frat boys now, because the long hair is gone & they look very modern by todays standards. The band stormed the stage with "Arrow" off their debut CD & it was really unique to watch the crowd & the band, because the place was pretty backed by the time Candelbox took the stage & the crowd sang along with almost every song!

Kevin Martin came out with a red dress shirt & black vest on, sporting a pimp hat like Kid Rock would wear, while Peter came out with his Les Paul on & played the part of the cool rockstar very well. "Change" was the first song I remember hearing from the band years ago & seeing them play it was like going back in time...they rocked it like it was brand new!

Kevin joked with the audience, shook hands, & was very personable onstage, & Peter was handing fans guitar picks like they were mardi gras beads...btw, thanks for handing me a guitar pic Pete! "Far Behind" was probably the song that got the crowd really charged & Kevin told the story of how that sone was originally written for Andy Wood from Mother Love Bone, & that Kevin's father had died recently & that "Far Behind" was dedicated to his father now because he was his best friend...it was actually a touching moment for sure!

It was actually a very fulfilling evening to see the reunited Candlebox, & by the time the show was over, it was like a total release of emotions. One point I want to make, that I found kinda funny, was that the grunge crowd was there in full effect...I had forgotten how much I disliked the grunge crowd though, because no one dressed up & looked like they were a part of the "rock scene" like they did for the hair bands & more glammier bands....it was a very dressed-down crowd. The band are planning on recording a new record very soon, so that is very promising for Candlebox fans, because that means there will probably be another Candlebox tour soon!

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