ROCK N ROLL EXPERIENCE - Dir En Grey 2/5/06

Interesting footnote, that on February 5, 2007, it was actually one of the coldest day's we've had in Maryland...it was literally FREEZING outside, but when you approached the Power Plant area off Marketplace, in Baltimore, MD, upon entering the coven of J-pop freaks, you couldn't even tell that it was a cold winter's night because the crowd was a young mix that looked cartoonish to a degree, & it was an interesting change of pace to see "characters" at a concert as opposed to the usual older crowd that just doesn't dress up anymore! I saw a guy wearing an Abraham Lincoln outfit, lotsa fishnet & neo-goth attire, & it was pretty funny to note that with it being such a young crowd, I saw alot of parents over at the side bar waiting for their kids which I thought was pretty cool, because any parent that will take their kid to a show like that is showing them an amazing amount of support for what they love & it's really kinda touching!

There were 2 opening bands that were actually American acts...Texas based From Fair to Midland, who's singer had patches of hair missing on his head that were totally bald do to his anxiety attacks, & Bleed the Dream, who were actually a good band that played a modern poppy/punk rock that I would describe as older Good Charlotte, but a little heavier & less teen-oriented, BUT, it was undeniable that the crowd was there to see Japanese phenom's Dir En Grey!

Dir En Grey took the stage & it was one of the few bands that I've ever really heard screams for which reminded me of a metal version of the Beatles! I can't really offer you any clue to their set list because every song is in Japanese & I don't speak Japanese, but the crowd was singing & screaming along with the band, & the band was really good...their bass player copped a vibe that reminds me of one part Sid Vicious (Sex Pistols) & one part Kelly Nichols (LA Guns), & one of their guitar player's sported a rhinestone AC/DC shirt that was as rock n roll as you could get! The bands singer was interesting...he reminded me of AXL Rose when he was younger, if he had shorter hair, & he also had this Iggy Pop quality to him...I saw scar's on his chest which looked real, but during one part of their show he had fake blood coming out of his mouth & running down his chest that was obviously fake, but for visual-kai, it looked interesting & if you watched the screen in the background there was some provoking images of death, blood, bombs, & you could actually watch the screen & be just as entertained!

The bands encore was really heavy, but when a band speaks fluid Japanese & performs in an English speaking country, no matter how amazing the show, there's something lost in the long run...I loved their show & their presence, but it was an up-hill battle to try to figure out what they were saying! I did see a peek at their set-list & it was in Japanese & the only words I recognized in English was "F**k Off" which I thought was funny. Overall, Dir En Grey are a great live band & it's clear to see why they are superstar's over in Japan!

On a peronal note, I'd like dedicate this review to Ang & Mr. Jack...both made this night very interesting! Don't you just love vague, personal jokes that only 2 people will ever get? lol

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