GWAR Wasp Static-X Skrape Earthday Birthday
GWAR
With special guests Bad Acid Trip and Watch Them Die
Venue: House of Blues, Orlando
Watch Them Die opened up to bad reactions. The crowd wasnt into them at all, and neither was I. It seemed like the bass player (or guitarist, I forget) had the better voice. The frontmans main job was to make wierd looking faces and sportatic movements like he was having a siezure. The highlight of their set was what the frontman said to one of the many hecklers. Their music was fair, but sounds like too many other bands out there.
Bad Acid Trip came on next. Now these guys I enjoyed. Sound wise theyre kind of old school 80s punk meets System Of A Down meets Cradle Of Filth, if you can imagine that. Their set was pretty enjoyable, good stage presence all around. Definately give them a look if they come to your town and maybe download a song or 2, theyre a pretty unique band.
Gwar of course headlined the show. Im not too familiar with their music, but a lot of the crowd was, which kind of surprised me being that Gwar isnt exactly known for their musical talents. They put on a really good show, but it was the same show I saw 2 years ago. Same people were slaughtered on stage etc. The only new thing they did was a few new songs from their upcoming CD due out this fall. It appears that Beefcake The Mighty has a new person behind the suit. His face and body build were a lot different than last time and his overall stage demeanor was kind of shaky. More than once he looked a bit confused and lost and was constantly looking at the other members to keep his place in the songs. Still, for $15 they still put on one of the best live shows around.
GWAR
With special guests *unknown*
Venue: House of Blues, Orlando
I got to the show late and missed BOTH opening bands, but from the reaction
of the crowd when their names were mentioned, I didnt miss anything. As far
as GWAR goes, lets just say that they live up the ALL the hype and then
some. They easily capture the audience from the moment they walk on stage
until long after. Their crazy acts on stage included Mike Tyson, George Bush
Jr, The Pope and Osama Bin Laden, all killed in that special GWAR way. On
top of putting on one of the best stage shows Ive ever seen, the guys were
probably the nicest rock stars Ive ever met. They were more than willing to
come out after the show and meet with the fans until every fan was taken
care of. If they come to your town, do yourself a favor and check them out.
You wont regret it.
8/24/01
WJRR Presents:
WASP
With Special Guests: Dog Fashion Disco and Mushroomhead
Venue--House Of Blues, Orlando
For one night only the 80s came back to life. Or did they? Classic hair band
WASP wiggled their way out of the woodwork and got themselves back on tour
with two up and coming bands, Dog Fashion Disco and Mushroomhead. The crowd
was split, ranging from your average balding, over-weight, beer bellied
biker, to your more younger hard rocking late teen. As Powerman 5000 once
said, "This is what its like when worlds collide."
Dog Fashion Disco opened up the night with a great performance. For anyone
thats heard a DFD ablum, you know they have a style all their own. Their
live show is no differant. To start off, they had a really creative mic
stand, mocking the one WASP uses during their show. Its kind of hard to
explain, so just check out the pictures. The crowd didnt really seem to get
into it as much, but youve also got to figure that the way DFD mocks the
crowd, thats understandable. The very last song there was a brief mosh pit,
but other than that the crowd seemed kind of dead, or high, not really sure
which. I guess if you paid $15.00 to see WASP, they were probably high.
Mushroomhead came out next and really got things fired up. I dont think the
crowd was expecting them to look like they did, but they still got a fairly
warm welcome. They played a great set with a full light show to go with it.
The crowd interaction wasnt as good as I had hoped as they didnt really take
much time to talk to the crowd as most bands do. Overall I was impressed and
would love to see them again, maybe on a headlining tour somewhere down the
road.
WASP came out next, but I only stayed for half of the first song before I
got bored and left. Sorry to any WASP fans out there, but I never liked them
and still dont.
If youre looking for an original sound in music, check out both DFD and
Mushroomhead. DFD has a style unlike anything I have ever heard while
Mushroomhead too has their own style. Just dont confuse them with Slipknot,
they sound a whole lot better.
Personal Notes: Before the show we (Daniel and I) got to meet and interview
Skinny and Jeffery Nothing of Mushroomhead. They told us that they werent
exactly WASP fans and gave us some info on the tour that I wont post here.
We also had the chance to meet all the guys after the show, as well as get a
photo pass to get some killer shots of them live. Great guys and a great
show, go see them if they come to your town.
We also met John and Jeff of Dog Fashion Disco before the show. Jeff was
able to get me a photo pass for their set as well, so Ive got some killer
shots of them on the way. Also during their act, Daniel and I tried to get a
mosh pit started, but couldnt. Finally Todd pointed us out and gave us a
countdown to start pushing people around and we had a full mosh pit going,
but only for maybe 20 seconds. After their set we were able to meet all of
them and talk for quite a while. Jeff came up with the idea of holding up a
poster to support DFD, and maybe piss off WASP in the process. Todd later
added to it. By the time WASP came on, the poster read:
"Dog Fashion Disco
If You Dont Understand It
You Dont Deserve To!!!
WASP Likes Black Cock"
I think it really pissed off the guitarist, and when the crowd started
making noise about it, we decided to leave.
Our personal thanks go out to Mushroomhead for taking the time to give us an
interview. Dog Fashion Disco for being cool as hell and getting us the
proper clearance for photos of their set and to the fine people at V
Entertainment for being really easy to work with in setting up the
Mushroomhead interview. Thanks a lot.
8/2/01
WJRR Presents:
Static X
With Special Guest: Crossbreed
Venue--House Of Blues, Orlando
Expectations run pretty high when two great hard rock bands unite, even for
a small tour. Crossbreed, a native Florida band still gaining popularity
opening up for Static-X, one of the bigger names in the new rock wave came
together for just a three show tour, hitting Orlando, Atlanta and Myrtle
Beach. Both bands are just getting off a major tour, Crossbreed opened for
gODHEAD and Rammstein throughout July, and Static-X was getting off the
Extreme Steel Tour, with Pantera, Slayer, Skrape and Morbid Angel. Aside
from the fact that WJRR didnt bother to announce this show until the
saturday before, and I didnt find out until the day before, you couldnt have
asked for a better show.
Crossbreed once again amazed the Orlando crowd with their live show and
killer music. They played pretty much the same songs as last time, but for
some reason just seemed more intense. I dont know if its because this was
their first show in their home state in a few months, or if theyre just
excited to be getting off tour soon. Either way, this show was a lot better
than their last one, and thats hard to top. Twice in a row now, Crossbreed
has topped the headliner.
Static-X came out with a badass stage setup in support of their latest CD,
"Machine." Also new to their lineup is ex-Dope guitarist Tripp Eisen, who
replaced Kiochi a few months back. The set was great as they did a pretty
even mix of old and new, hitting all the favorites of each album. Overall
they really put on a great show and I cant wait to see either band play live
again. Its just too bad the tour wasnt longer, they really seem to work well
together.
After the show was probably the best part of the night. Once again I managed
to catch DJ Izzo of Crossbreed as he was putting his gear in their Uhaul and
asked if I could get a pic with them. Like last time, I waited around
outside for a hell of a long time, but did finally manage to get my pic with
Roach, Flip, Charlie and Travis, though Izzo and James left earlier in the
night. After that myself and another guy went back in through the band
entrance and got to meet Static-X just outside the HOB backstage entrance.
Very cool guys to meet. On top of all that, the guitarist from Endo was back
there, hell of a nice guy. Ill have pics up shortly of me with Static-X and
Crossbreed.
6/8/01
WJRR Presents:
Skrape
Halfcocked, Crossbreed, Bleed
Venue--House Of Blues, Orlando
When local boys Skrape come into town, you know good things will happen.
Radio station WJRR proudly announced that the Orlando-based group would be
coming to the House Of Blues, along with some of their twisted friends.
Needless to say, Orlando was there showing their support all the way.
The show started a little after 8:30. Dickerman from WJRR came out and
announced the first band, Bleed. Bleed then came out, announcing that this
was their first show outside of Jacksonville. They came hard, with
everything they had and just tore the place up. The only downfall to their
whole performance was they only got about 20 minutes. I have NEVER seen an
opening band get the crowd going the way they did.
Crossbreed, from Tampa, came out around 9:10. If you havent seen them, they
add some stage theatrics with their outfits and a bit of makeup, but mixed
so that its original. Crossbreed was probably the best band that played this
night. They had the crowd interaction like no other band I have ever seen,
not to mention a killer original sound. Crossbreed is comprised of the usual
singer, drums, bass and guitar, but add two keyboardists to get a wide range
of sounds and effects. The music was amazing, the actual performance was top
of the line and overall, they blew everyone away. Great show and I highly
recommend seeing them if you ever get the chance.
Halfcocked, hailing from Boston, came out around 10:00. They put on a good
show, but the crowd seemed kind of out of it. Maybe it was the music, a sort
of alternative/punky rock, or that the crowd just spent their energy on
Crossbreed and wanted to rest up for Skrape. The music was pretty good, but
nothing that hasnt been done before. The vocals didnt carry too well through
the speakers and the music wasnt really anything to mosh to, which is what
the majority of the people came to do that night. I wont say anything bad
about them, I think their only problem was the order of the bands that
night.
When a band returns to play to their hometown, you know theyre coming to
shake things up. Orlando native Skrape came on stage around 11:00. You could
feel the tension in the air as the crowd waited to welcome them home. As
expected, Skrape was outstanding. The crowd was going insane from the first
song they played until after the last song and probably wouldve kept going
if given the opportunity. Performance wise they were excellent, each song
sounding perfect and enough audience interaction to send everyone home
happy. Skrape will be touring with Pantera this summer on the Extreme Steel
Tour, along with Static-X, Slayer and a few other bands. I highly recommend
seeing these guys if you get the chance, you wont be disappointed.
Overall I give this show a 10+. Not only did every band sound good, but each
group came out and hung out with the crowd after their set. To me, that
makes the show just that much better.
Other info: Bleed is currently unsigned, and hopes to record a CD this
summer. Crossbreed has a CD out titled Synthetic Division, which is very
good and worth checking out. Halfcocked had a 2 song sampler CD available,
with the full CD out now. Skrape recently put out their debut CD, New Killer
America, which is also worth checking out. Check the bottom of the page to
go directly to any of these bands webpages.
4/??/01
Earthday Birthday
Venue: Downtown Orlando
Disturbed, Staind, Systematic, Soil, Monster Magnet, Mudvayne, Wrong,
Buckcherry, Spineshank, Offspring, Skrape, Seven Mary Three, Tantric, Cold
NOTE: I cannot reiew each band, as I didnt see them all
perform
Waiting in anticipation with 16,000 fans packed into downtown Orlando is an
indescribable experience. As time wore on, people began getting more and
more destructive, eventually ripping down the road blocks, along with
anything else not bolted to the ground. Right from the start you knew this
would be a nasty show.
Wrong opened up the main stage, followed by Mudvayne, 7Mary3, Tantric,
Skrape, Monster Magnet, Staind, Disturbed and the Offspring. The second
stage, inside Cairo started off with SOiL, followed by Systematic,
Buckcherry, Spineshank and Cold.
I started off waiting for SOiL at the entrance of Cairo. There wasnt a big
following to start off, but as time went on more and more people started
making their way over to the crowd. After about a half hour of waiting, the
doors opened and everyone made their way inside. SOiL started soon after and
put on an amazing show. The only bad thing about Cairo was the PA speakers,
the vocals were almost impossible to hear. The Orlando crowd greeted the
band very warmly, putting out a lot of energy and singing along to "Halo." I
have nothing bad to say about SOiL and expect big things from these guys in
the coming year. You can pick up their CD with "Halo" on September 11th.
Systematic played next with Cairo still packed out from SOiL. I didnt know
what to expect from these guys as it was the first time Id even heard them.
I must say, they put on probably the best show of the night, or at least
close to it. Every song they put out everything they had in them and just
blew everyone away. Throughout the rest of the night, no other band had the
audience connection that Systematic had, execpt possibly Disturbed. Once
again, the PA speakers made it tough to hear the vocals, but the live show
was still great. You can check out their CD, Somewhere In Between, in stores
now.
Next I took some time off and skipped a few shows to get some food. The
worst thing about big shows is the prices of food and water. $4.00 for
water, $5.00 for a hotdog. To me, thats just insane. Not to mention the
constant waiting of everyone else in front of you, then trying to find a
place to sit.
After the food break, I was walking up to see Skrape and caught Buckcherry
signing autographs out of the corner of my eye. I went over and met them,
then met Skrape when they came out and finally Spineshank. Spineshank was
cool as hell, Skrape was even better. I hung out with Mike for a little over
an hour BSing about music and Orlando. Buckcherry didnt really seem to want
to be there. It was more of a sign something and move along than a meet and
greet. No compliants either way.
I caught a few songs here and there from Monster Magnet and Skrape, and the
show looked great, but I dont want to base a review off just a couple songs.
I will say that Monster Magnet was great the last time I saw them, better
than headliner Marilyn Manson. And Skrape was awesome when I saw them later
in the year, reviewed above.
Staind came out a little while later with a crowd of about 16,000. Cairo had
closed, so everyone at the show was in the street somewhere. Considering
ever other band that I got to see, Staind was kind of.....boring. They have
their fast songs that really get the crowd going, but with all the slow
songs they played, as soon as your energy starts up, it gets killed off a
few minutes later. This is the second time Ive seen them, and both times
they were one of the lower points of the show. Its nothing against them, but
in a venue with good, fast paced bands and really hard bands, they seemed
out of place. You can pick up their new CD, Break the Cycle, in stores now.
Fan favorite Disturbed was up next. They were incredible. The reactions they
got from songs like "Shout 2000" and "Down with the Sickness" was
indescribable. Needless to say, 16,000 were in one big ass mosh pit. The
high point of their show was actually a cover song. Lajon Witherspoon of
Sevendust came out and did Sevendusts "Black" along with Disturbed, sharing
the vocal duties with David Dramain of Disturbed. The crowd went nuts from
the time Lajon came out until long after he walked off stage. Disturbed were
one of the highest points of the show, if not the highest overall.
Offspring was up next, but at least 75% of the crowd left after Disturbed,
including me. I kind of felt bad about it, but everyone there agreed that
The Offspring shouldve played before Staind and Disturbed.
Overall, the show was really good. The biggest downfall to the entire show
was the 16,000 people that were there. It was just way too crowded. Cairo
was completely packed out and not letting people in to see Spineshank, and
at the last moments of the show, there was just no room to breathe. For
that, and the bad speakers in Cairo, I give the show a 8 1/2.
Other Info: Soil has their debut CD, SCARS, due out September 11th.
Systematic is currently on tour with Ozzfest on the second stage, and has
their debut CD, Somewhere In Between out in stores now. Buckcherrys new CD,
Timebomb is out now and they are currently touring with Econoline Crush.
Spineshank is also playing on Ozzfests second stage and has released The
Height Of Callousness. Colds new CD, 13 Ways to Bleed Onstage is out now.
Wrong is a local band from Orlando and currently has no CDs that Ive found.
Mudvayne is yet another band on Ozzfests second stage and has released the
CD LD50, in stores now. 7Mary3s new CD, The Economy Of Sound, is out now.
Tantric has a new CD out, but I am unsure of the title or of their touring.
Skrape is touring this summer on the Extreme Steel Tour along with Pantera,
and has their debut CD New Killer America, in stores now. Monster Magnet has
a new CD out, but I am unsure of the name, they are touring with The Cult
and Stabbing Westward this summer. Staind has their new CD, Break the Cycle
available now, but I am unaware of their tour status. Disturbed is now on
the main stage at Ozzfest, promoting The Sickness. Im also unaware of what
The Offspring has going on right now. Sorry for the lack of info on some of
these bands, Ill try to get the missing details posted somewhere down the
road.