Infest 25th Anniversary

"Welcome to the original Papa Roach soundfire
Viva La Cucaracha!!!
My name's Coby Dick
Mr. Dick if you're nasty
Rock a mic with a voice that's raspy
And I'm poetic in my operations
My God given talent is to rock all the nations" 

If that's not one of the coolest openings to an album, I don't know what is.  This is the opening to 2000's Infest, an album that turned 25 years old this April 25th.  I decided to reflect on it in this post because it was one of the landmark albums of my college years and early concert going.  Before the album even came out, my friend had been sharing with me demos of songs from artists like Papa Roach, Linkin Park, Disturbed, and more.  I could be wrong, but I think the first song I heard from Papa Roach was Dead Cell.  That's right.  It wasn't Last Resort like most people.  It was what would become the fourth single from the major label debut.  And I was still an instant fan.  Then the video for Last Resort started appearing on MTV's TRL and I, like many, was hooked.  Papa Roach's popularity soon skyrocketed with their songs being on TV, movies, and video games as well as relentlessly touring and putting on energetic shows.

Two days before I saw them live for the first time I saw Papa Roach perform "Last Resort" on Late Night with Conan O'Brian where I saw Jacoby slamming the microphone into his head, stomping around stage, and doing a front summersault.  I remember being amped by that.  I would see them on July 16, 2000 in Asbury Park for Warped Tour and then again on September 4 headline at the Stone Pony.  What I remember most was that Jacoby commanded the crowds, even as a younger band, whether in a small venue or huge parking lot.  The band typically wore all black and sounded really tight, especially for a hard rock band.  When I wore my Papa Roach shirt to see Linkin Park in November the bass player, Phoenix, would strike up a conversation with me about them!  I also saw Papa Roach kill it on the main stage at Ozzfest 2001.  Their live show energy was so amazing, especially for these early Infest shows.  

After the second album came out I got to go to soundcheck and do a meet and greet with the band in March of 2003 at the Birch Hill Nite Club.  Jacoby (singer), Jerry (guitar), and Tobin (bass) were all super nice to talk to and signed merchandise for me.  Dave the drummer did not hang out much.  Later I would hear that this was common behavior for him, unfortunately.  I would go on to see them a total of nine times at different venues over the years.  The final time being in 2015 when I was shoulder tackled in a Papa Roach mosh pit!

While they have also gone on to release nine more albums and stay relevant on the charts, Infest has been their most popular at 4x Platinum.  The official "Last Resort" video has nearly 300 million views on YouTube.  To commemorate the anniversary, I'll give a quick comment on each track of this legendary album:

1. Infest - A manifesto to "infest" the crowds like the cockroaches of rock and an indictment of "the government, the media, or your family."  Many people didn't think Papa Roach would still be relevant or playing in 2025, but they are still going strong and this album anthem still holds up.

2. Last Resort - Their best known song which is anti-suicide.  Lyrically and thematically it was way ahead of its time as it would be years later that we would start to hear about destigmatizing mental health issues following the suicides of Chris Cornell, Chester Bennington, Avicii, and others.

3. Broken Home - Another song about a difficult subject that has become an anthem for many listeners.  It comes off very cathartic at live shows and features some of Jacoby's best screams.

4. Dead Cell - Verses feature rapping and the chorus is a simple one meant to get the crowd to sing along.  Lyrically it warns of the dangers of digital technology on the mind.  This was the first song I heard that turned me on to P-Roach and the last single from the album.

5. Between Angels and Insects - This was the third single and another song that comes off very well in a live setting.  Lyrically it is about not being materialistic.  Sonically, there are some unique bass lines and guitar riffs.

6. Blood Brothers - Quick riffing introduces this track which has more rap-like verses and big clean-singing choruses.  This song keeps the energy up mid-album.

7. Revenge - Another guitar intro gives way to a rapping verse and big chorus.  This song also features record scratching, which was a common element in the nu-metal genre, and a breakdown with kind of a reggae drum beat.

8. Snakes - A very nu-metal style song about betrayal inspired by a roommate of Jacoby's that spent rent money on weed and got them evicted.

9. Never Enough - Straight forward rock song about self worth and a negative self-perception.  This song was on the soundtrack to Gran Turismo 3 for Playstation 2.  This game went on to become the best selling Playstation exclusive and to be considered one of the best video games of all time.

10. Binge - A cautionary tale about drinking.  Jacoby admitted to underage drinking as a teenager.  As an adult he started to have health problems that eventually led to his decision to get sober in 2012.

11. Thrown Away - Driving rhythms provide the backdrop for Jacoby to sing about the voices in his head and battling with mental health.  Sound effects lead into a hidden track called "Tight Rope" that has a reggae sound.

12. Legacy - "Clean edit" versions of Infest had this as a bonus track.  It features rapping and singing over staccato riffing.  Thematically it brings the manifesto full circle and repeats the idea that Papa Roach "was here from the start and will be here in the end."

Me, Jacoby, and Chris 3/8/03

Me, Jerry, and Chris 3/8/03

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - An Intimate Experience

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus live from the Bunker, Virginia Beach 6/14/25

This concert was going to be memorable for me because it was going to be my first concert outside of the Northeast and because I invited my nephew to come with me for our first show together and his second ever rock show.  We got more than we bargained for!  If you haven't seen my other social media posts, bear with me as I set the stage (no pun intended) and back up to the beginning.  

I drove up to Virginia Beach from Elizabeth City, NC through torrential downpours to arrive at The Bunker brewpub and burger bar just before doors opened.  We paid to park and walked about two blocks to be fourth in line.  A bouncer kept us out in the rain, which had thankfully settled to a drizzle.  I noticed the guitar player slip out at one point with an instrument case and walk up the street.  Nobody said anything.  Then he came back a few minutes later and I said "What's up, man?"  He turned around and said something to the effect of "Hey, how's it goin?"  It was later I would remember that his name was Randy Winter.  The doors opened a couple minutes past the advertised 6:30 and the bouncer was only letting a few people in at a time.  Once we got inside I learned that it was because they were checking tickets manually from a list and they had sold out!  After a two beer wait on standby, we were able to buy two tickets and make our way into the concert hall.  Ronnie, the lead singer, was doing meet and greets and asked anyone that did not yet get a picture to form an orderly line.  Again we ended up about fourth in line and my nephew got a picture first and mentioned learning about their band from the soundtrack to the 2007 racing game MX vs. ATV Untamed. I mentioned to Ronnie that the last time I saw him was at a tiny club called the Stanhope House. He said he remembered playing there a few times, but that he didn't like that the stage was very low so he couldn't see the whole crowd.

It's worth noting that Ronnie recently made news from a social media post where he said Trump supporters shouldn't come to his shows.  What he said when he took the stage was "EVERYONE is welcome here.  I've made that pretty clear.  But if you don't like it, or you think certain groups of people are better than other groups of people, there's the door" and pointed to the exit.  He said if it was okay with us he was going to do a Q&A session before starting the regular set.  I was not expecting this so I didn't have a question ready.  Some people asked about the meanings of certain songs like "False Pretense" and "Cat and Mouse."  He played part of "Cat and Mouse" acoustic.  Then somebody asked about what he liked to listen to.  He said he has varied tastes, but a lot of it is rock.  Somebody shouted to cover a song.  He joked that we wouldn't know some of his favorites, but then started to play "Outside" by Staind.  He said he needed somebody with a phone to help him with the lyrics.  My nephew's hand shot up immediately and he was called up on stage by Ronnie to hold up his phone with the lyrics!  Ronnie then played the whole song acoustic.  He said he would do another cover in the set and then answered a couple more questions before calling the rest of the band up to play.  Notably absent (for me) was lead guitarist Josh Burke.

They then played a full band set for 60 minutes that included mostly songs from their most famous Don't You Fake It 2006 album including "In Fate's Hands; Don't You Fake It; False Pretense; Cat and Mouse; Your Guardian Angel; and Face Down" and a cover of Blink 182's "All the Small Things". The packed house was vibing along with every song.  Some people were singing or dancing, but I'd say the majority were pretty chill.  There was no crowd surfing or anything like that.  After the set my nephew told Ronnie that he should join us for food at a restaurant a mile away.  Then he disappeared backstage.  We checked out the merch booth and then chatted with Randy while he packed his gear.  My nephew talked to him about some local venues.  He pointed at the speakers during a song and I recognized HIM was playing.  He seemed impressed I knew them and we talked briefly about HIM and CKY, who I had seen recently.  We asked if he was coming out to eat with us and he said "I don't know anything about that.  I'll see if I can get Ronnie for you."  Then we were shooed away by security.  We waited out front for a bit by what looked to be their tour bus.  I was starting to think that we would be abandoned when Ronnie came out and said "Ok, where's this chicken place?"  My nephew explained it's called Chix on the Beach and they're known for seafood.  Ronnie said he is deathly allergic and didn't want to risk it.  He asked if there was a buffet or something in the area.  We couldn't quickly come up with something to suit him so he told us to hit him up on Discord and the socials and we could possibly hang out the next time we see them.  I was a little disappointed that we couldn't hang this night, but he had already been cool with us and we were starving by that point so we went to the place my nephew had his mind set on.  Their food was very good and we drove home with full bellies and discussing what an awesome night we just had.

In my opinion, the entire RJA catalogue is pretty good so if you like emo and alternative rock you should dive deeper into their music.  They previously released all their albums for free, but the links appear to be dead now.  You can find them on most streaming services.  See video of my nephew assisting on "Outside" here along with other videos and shorts on my YT channel.  

What do you look for in lyrical themes?

I've had an article bouncing around in my head for a while that will eventually get published, but then I had a shower thought today that I decided to do first.  It's a departure from my usual reviews and lists, and more of a question that will hopefully generate some discussion.  

What do you like in musical themes?  Do you gravitate to music that is about romance?  What about fantasy?  What about violence?  What about empowerment?  Most of us have a favorite genre, but what about lyrical themes?  Do you seek out songs that have a certain kind of content?

I generally don't seek themes first, but I do often try to pair music to match or improve my mood.  I think lyrics can be really important or sometimes immaterial to a song's success.  I tend to like songs that tell a story like Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Gimme Three Steps" or Finger Eleven's "Paralyzed."  Did you ever notice they are both about awkwardness on the dance floor?  Random.  One that is both romantic and tells a story is Willie Nelson's "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground."  Sometimes I like the paranormal themes of Dio or Crobot, but I never really got into the fantasy metal too deeply, which some bands built their whole careers on.  One of my favorite themes for songs is about lying or liars, and particularly those that get punished for lying, like ill Niño's "Liar" and Lifer's "No Need".  I have thought about making a whole playlist of these songs.  Anyone interested?  What are your favorite lyrical themes, or are you all over the place?

Top Rock Albums of 2024 with a twist

I didn't post my usual top 10 albums of the year for 2024 in time for Christmas.  First of all, I thought it was a down year for rock after a few strong years.  Second, life has been difficult lately and I have been focusing on other things.  I spent a lot of entertainment hours listening to music still, but also on listening to podcasts and other YouTube channels.  I've recently been learning more about AI and I used it to help me make this post about top rock albums of 2024 in my voice.  See if you notice anything fishy or if you like it.  LMK.

1. Judas Priest - Invincible Shield

Priest delivered exactly what I hoped for with "Invincible Shield." At 72, Rob Halford's vocals are still powerful, and the dual guitar attack of Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap brings that classic Priest sound into 2024. This album feels like a natural follow-up to "Firepower" with tracks like "Panic Attack" and "Crown of Horns" that could stand alongside their classics from the 80s. They've managed to maintain their heaviness while incorporating just enough modern production to keep things fresh. This is how legacy bands should age - by refusing to mellow out.

Best tracks: Panic Attack, Crown of Horns, Invincible Shield

2. Alkaline Trio - Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs

It's been six years since their last album, but Alkaline Trio hasn't missed a beat. "Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs" delivers that perfect mix of punk energy and gothic sensibilities that's made them unique for over 20 years. Matt Skiba's return after his stint with Blink-182 seems to have reinvigorated the band. The album balances their trademark dark lyrics with surprisingly catchy hooks. This is easily their strongest material since "Crimson."

Best tracks: Bad Time, Break, Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs

Static-X - Project Regeneration Vol. 2

After seeing them live at Starland Ballroom back in February 2024, I was hyped for this release. Wayne Static's legacy lives on with the band expertly weaving his recorded vocals and synth work with new material. The combination of industrial metal grooves and Xer0's faithful vocal delivery has produced a viable version of the band that seems as popular as ever and with more buzz about them than I can recall since "Wisconsin Death Trip." Tracks like "Z0mbie" absolutely crush live, but deeper cuts like "Electrical Pulse" and "Terminator Oscillator" show they're not just relying on nostalgia. This album bridges the gap between their classic sound and modern production in a way that honors Wayne while still moving forward.  Their stage show is better than ever.  Click here for a look back at my previous post.

Best tracks: Z0mbie, Electrical Pulse, Terminator Oscillator

Sum 41 - Heaven :x: Hell

Sum 41 are calling it quits after releasing a double album.  The first is supposed to be more pop-punk akin to their early days and the second more metal influenced, but it is all power-pop and some of the best material Sum 41 has released.  If you are a fan of the genre, you don't want to miss this epic farewell release.

Best tracks:

Spiritbox - Tsunami Sea

Spiritbox has absolutely exploded with their first full-length follow-up to 2021's Eternal Blue. Courtney LaPlante continues to showcase her incredible range, effortlessly switching between devastating screams and ethereal clean vocals. The band's unique blend of djent, metalcore, and atmospheric elements feels more refined than ever. Mike Stringer's guitar work is both technical and emotive, creating intricate soundscapes that perfectly complement the vocal performance. This album cement's Spiritbox's place as one of modern metal's most exciting acts that some consider to be the future of hard rock.

Best tracks: Black Rainbow, Soft Spine, No Loss No Love

Smashing Pumpkins, Aghori Mhori Mei

Rather than release any singles ahead of time, the album came at once. I didn't honestly expect to like more than a song or two, but it was a good album front to back. After some questionable divergence from their signature sound, Smashing Pumpkins rock again and I'm here for it.

Green Day - Saviors

Green Day's return to form surprised me as much as anyone. After a few albums that felt like they were chasing trends, "Saviors" brings back the snotty punk energy that made them great while incorporating the maturity they've gained over the years. Billie Joe sounds rejuvenated, Mike Dirnt's bass lines are prominent in the mix again, and Tré Cool's drumming propels these songs with an urgency I haven't heard from them in a long time. Songs like "The American Dream Is Killing Me" show they still have something to say.

Best tracks: The American Dream Is Killing Me, Look Ma, No Brains!, Dilemma

Mick Mars - The Other Side of Mars

After parting ways with Mötley Crüe, Mars has delivered a surprisingly heavy and vital solo debut. Free from the constraints of his former band, he's created a record that showcases his distinctive guitar work while exploring new territory. His collaboration with vocalist Jacob Bunton (formerly of Adler) brings a fresh energy to his bluesy, hard rock sound. At 73, Mars proves he's still got plenty of gas in the tank and wasn't the one holding Mötley back.

Best tracks: Loyal to the Lie, Undone, Right Side of Wrong

What albums did I miss? Let me know in the comments, and don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for concert footage and more music discussion.

Note: This post was created with writing assistance from Claude, an AI assistant by Anthropic. All opinions and musical assessments reflect my personal taste and style.

RRHOF Snubs and 2025 nominees

Last month the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation announced a list of 14 Performer Nominees to be considered for 2025 Induction. Bad Company, The Black Crowes, Mariah Carey, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Cyndi Lauper, Maná, Oasis, Outkast, Phish, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes.  Artists or bands become eligible for nomination 25 years after releasing their first commercial recording. Below, parentheses indicate previous year of nominations.  Among this year’s 14 Nominees, eight are appearing on the ballot for the first time: Bad Company, The Black Crowes, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Maná, Outkast, and Phish.

Here's who I think are glaring omissions from the RRHOF (listed alphabetically):

Alice in Chains - Alice in Chains defined the Seattle sound alongside their grunge peers, but with darker, heavier elements and Layne Staley's unmistakable vocals creating a haunting atmosphere no one has replicated since.  Their albums "Dirt" and "Facelift" went multi-platinum, with "Dirt" selling over 5 million copies in the US. Their metal undertones with harmony vocals made them a standout that continues with a new lead singer.

Ronnie James Dio - Dio remains one of the most inexplicable omissions from the Rock Hall, period. His powerful voice literally defined what metal vocalists should sound like, and his career spanned several legendary bands. With Rainbow, he helped bridge the gap between hard rock and heavy metal on classics like "Man on the Silver Mountain." Then he rescued Black Sabbath from obscurity after Ozzy's departure, delivering two of their strongest albums with "Heaven and Hell" and "Mob Rules." His solo career produced anthems like "Holy Diver," "Rainbow in the Dark," and "The Last in Line" that still pack concert floors whenever they're played. The man popularized the metal horns hand gesture that's become universal at rock shows! Dio sold over 20 million records across his various projects, influenced everyone from Bruce Dickinson to James Hetfield, and maintained his vocal prowess until his final days. The fact that he isn't already enshrined while pop acts with minimal rock credentials get fast-tracked shows everything wrong with the Hall's selection process.

Iron Maiden (2021, 2023) - since 1975 they've released 17 studio albums and sold 130 million albums worldwide and over 200 million counting singles, compilations, and videos. They are one of the most popular metal bands in the world and are hailed as one of the best live acts. They have an iconic mascot, frontman, and catalogue that has influenced hundreds of bands. They should have been in the RRHOF long ago.

J Geils Band (2005, 2006, 2011, 2017, 2018) - Their 1981 album "Freeze Frame" went quadruple platinum and produced their biggest hit "Centerfold," which dominated MTV and topped the Billboard charts for six weeks.  They are known for being one of the most electrifying live acts of the 70s and early 80s.

Lenny Kravitz (2024) - He won Best Male Rock Vocal Performance four consecutive times from 1999 to 2002, and has massive crossover appeal and influence spanning rock, funk, soul, and R&B

Cyndi Lauper (2023) Her debut album She's So Unusual is past its 40th anniversary and since then she has put out 10 more albums and won Grammys, Emmys, Tonys, AMAs, Billboard awards, and VMAs. Today she is an activist, still writing songs, and still performing without much lost of her powerful four octave range.

Megadeth - Megadeth pioneered technical thrash metal with Dave Mustaine's complex arrangements and scorching leads that influenced countless guitarists.  They're not as popular as Metallica, but are known as one of the "Big 4" thrash bands and are still creating and selling out tours today.  They've moved more than 38 million records worldwide across their career. 

Motörhead (2020) - Lemmy mixed punk, thrash, and metal and drummer Mikkey Dee was one of the first to use a double bass kick drum.  They influenced countless bands, including Metallica, fueling a new wave of British rock, speed metal, and thrash metal.  Motörhead released 23 studio albums and have sold over 25 million albums worldwide. Lemmy is an icon and he and his band should be enshrined as such.

New York Dolls (2001, 2021, 2022) - influence on punk, glam, and hard rock is immeasurable.  Kiss, Guns N' Roses, and The Smiths have all cited them as major influences. While sales numbers don't match their impact (they never even had a hit single), their status as rock revolutionaries who bridged the gap between the Stooges and the punk movement makes their exclusion from the Hall particularly shortsighted.  They tell us that influence is a major criteria.

Oasis (2024) - defined Britpop in the 90s and brought guitar rock back to prominence when grunge was fading. Their 1995 album "(What's the Story) Morning Glory?" sold over 22 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time. "Wonderwall" transcended rock radio to become a cultural touchstone for the past three decades. Eight UK number-one singles and eight UK number-one albums demonstrate their commercial dominance.   

Pantera - Pantera revolutionized metal in the 90s, with Dimebag Darrell's groundbreaking riffs creating a blueprint for groove metal that bands still follow today.  "Far Beyond Driven" made history by debuting at #1 on the Billboard charts in 1994 - proving extreme metal could achieve commercial dominance without compromising its heaviness.

Soundgarden (2020, 2023)  Their sales are similar to Rage, they likewise are synonymous with a subgenre (grunge; alternative metal), and have spawned successful spinoff bands. They had more longevity and two more studio albums. They were one of the first Seattle grunge bands to sign to a major label and their middle albums were their peak with songs like "Jesus Christ Pose," "Outshined," "Spoonman," and "Blackhole Sun." I am probably biased as a fan, but they have been praised for their technical abilities as well as their dynamic song structures. Chris Cornell is also one of the best rock vocalists of all time. They should have made it in 2023.

Sting (2015) - With The Police, he helped pioneer the post-punk and new wave movements that bridged the gap between punk's rawness and more accessible rock styles. The Police sold over 75 million records worldwide, with five platinum albums and massive hits like "Roxanne," "Message in a Bottle," and "Every Breath You Take" - the latter being one of the most played songs in radio history.  What's often overlooked is Sting's musicianship - the guy is a seriously accomplished bassist who incorporated jazz influences into rock well before it was trendy. His solo career has shown remarkable longevity and versatility, selling another 100 million records while exploring everything from jazz to world music and classical. "Fields of Gold" and "Desert Rose" demonstrated his ability to evolve while maintaining his distinctive voice.

Thin Lizzy (2020) - Thin Lizzy's twin-guitar attack and Phil Lynott's poetic storytelling transcended hard rock, influencing everyone from Metallica to Mastodon. Timeless anthems like "The Boys Are Back in Town," "Jailbreak," and "Whiskey in the Jar" still in regular rotation on rock radio nearly 50 years later. Their "Live and Dangerous" album is consistently ranked among the greatest live albums ever recorded. 

White Stripes (2023) They were nominated in their first year of eligibility. Their music has sold millions and won multiple Grammys including three for Best Alternative Album. Songs like "Seven Nation Army" can be heard in stadiums around the country. Songs like "Blue Orchid," "My Doorbell," and "The Hardest Button to Button" are unique and so catchy. In late 2007 they went on hiatus and never really reunited, but Jack has gone on to have a successful solo career and is regarded for his technical knowledge, musical knowledge, and guitar playing talent. This one could take time if they ever make it.

The Hall's credibility as a true representation of rock history remains questionable as long as these innovative, influential acts remain unenshrined while other genres are being overly represented.

Fan voting does not count for much, but has influenced the Hall to induct artists such as Judas Priest and Dolly Parton in recent years.  You can vote for up to seven nominees once per day until April 21st at https://vote.rockhall.com/ by signing in with Google or another email address.

Other considerations: Bad Company (2025) Beck (2022), Chubby Checker (2025), Devo (2019, 2021, 2022), Jane's Addiction (2017, 2024), Joy Division (2023, 2025), Mariah Carey (2024, 2025), Motley Crüe, Sade (2024), Scorpions, Smiths (2015, 2016), Steppenwolf (2017), Steve Winwood (2003), Warren Zevon (2023)

 

May concerts, CKY and Avatar, and why you shouldn't skip openers.

My last two concerts experiences reaffirm my preference to see all of the bands on a given bill.  Even the worst openers I've seen have been tolerable, and more often than not you discover something or someone that you really enjoy.  Most recently I saw CKY with Crobot, Midnight Foolishness, and Tango Machina.  I knew nothing of the opener, Tango Machina, before the show beginning at 7:30 PM on the dot.  They are a three piece band from Asbury Park, NJ.  The lead singer/guitarist looked like a cooler version of Pedro from Napolean Dynamite.  He played a maroon BC Rich guitar with heavy disortion through a Mesa amp.  Songs mostly consisted of choppy riffs during verses and lyrics with a story.  The bass player was bald and had big sideburns connected to a mustache.  He did the banter with the crowd between songs with a dry humor, but also thanking us for coming early to see them, and explaining some of the songs.  For example, "This next song is about how Agamemnon goes to Troy, called Everybody Gets Laid."  The last song he promised the weed smokers they would enjoy.  It was called "Fire in the 'Quila."  It had a cool name, some complicated drumming, and was the longest song, but it was a little slow for my liking, and I much preferred the song before last.  Still, for local openers, these guys were great.  They didn't have any merch for sale at the venue, but they have music available on Bandcamp, Soundcloud, etc.

Tango Machina photo by J. Bink

The next band I didn't know much about either, but I had looked up on YouTube prior to the show.  They're from Brooklyn, NY and Pop-Punk with Emo leanings.  Unlike the last band, their songs were not predictable in structure.  In fact, I think it was cool that sometimes they started with bass, sometimes drums, sometimes guitar or vocals.  Though they have a distinct tonal sound, every song was mid-tempo, and I found it hard to get into a groove in their 30 minute set.  Likewise, while I could understand most of the vocals, I couldn't really identify with a story or emotion.  There was some head-bobbing and light moshing by the crowd and most of the audience seemed into them.  They also have stuff on Bandcamp and Soundcloud, but it seems abandoned after 2017.  However, you can find a lot of newer songs/videos on Youtube.

Midnight Foolishness photo by J. Bink

Next up was Crobot who I was seeing for the third time.  The first time at Wellmont Theater in 2014 I was blown away by the vocals of Brandon Yeagley. After the first album Brandon held back on the high notes a bit more, but he is still an energetic frontman.  In March of last year, and again on this occasion, I was up near the railing to get a close view of the band including a whole lot of chest hair poking through Brandon's leather vest and a whole lot of beard and tattoos from the bassist in jean shorts and Doc Martens.  I also noticed that the black drum set brought in was the same one that Tango Machina had played on earlier!  They must've loaned the openers their drums, which happens often on tour.  The age diverse crowd grew a bit more during their set from 8:58-9:47 PM.  There were two young girls in the front row with their dad singing along with many of the songs.  A setlist still hasn't been posted, but at least one copy made it into the crowd and I saw another kid take a picture of it.  I wrote down that they played Queen of the Light, Necromancer, I Am Metal, Dizzy, Ancient Druid, Golden, Low Life, Legend of the Spaceborn Killer.  During the End of Low Life, Brandon jumped up on the shoulders of his guitar player who continued to wail while Brandon pretended to smoke a joint and then continued to sing.  They closed with new single Obsidian from the album by the same name coming out in September.   You can watch the video here.

Crobot photos by J. Bink

During the final break there was an older guy taking pictures of the crowd and a younger tattooed female photographer with short hair that took some pictures and also interviewed a couple of girls in the front row.  CKY is touring on the "New Reason to Dream" tour and are celebrating 25 years as a band.  They still have the original drummer, Jess Margera, brother of Bam who is famous from Jackass.  This is why Jess and Bam's parents, April and Phil, also famous from the show, introduced the band and threw out some frisbees and t-shirts with the band's logo!  Original guitar player, Chad Ginsberg, is also still performing and now does lead vocals as well.  The band has a new bassist that joined them in 2023 named Ronnie "Elvis" James, who has Elvis-like sideburns and reminded me of Will Ferrell as Ricky Bobby.  By the time the screen went up at 10:05PM, the audience was nearly full.  They played until 11:30PM and despite owning two albums from the band, I only recognized a couple of songs from their 18 song set.  Still it was a fun time.  One thing unique was that Chad would frequently solicit the crowd for song suggestions.  This rarely happens at rock shows anymore, and he did several requests.  I was enjoying being near the front except for one drunk guy behind me who kept yelling and pushing, and a few repeat crowd surfers.  I decided to step back towards the pit area.  While the pit was not very violent, there were a few idiots spilling beers all over the floor which made it more unsafe and anyone who fell would be wet and smell like beer so I didn't partake in moshing.  I miss the original singer whose voice was much more dynamic and the fuller sound of two guitars.  However, CKY still were fun to see and I'm definitely glad I went.

Two weeks earlier at Starland, I had the pleasure of seeing Conquer Divide, Oxymorrons, and Avatar on the Great Metal Circus tour.  Conquer Divide is an all-female group with two singers and three musicians.  A blonde with braided pigtails did the screaming parts and a woman with black and red hair did the clean vocals and had a really good voice.  They've been around for several years and active on social media, but I only recently became aware of them as their new material was getting played on Octane.  They kept trying to get the crowd to start a moshpit, but their music isn't that heavy and any heavy part was soon changed to a slower singing part.  It just didn't make sense and the crowd didn't move much.  At the end they resorted to asking for phone lights to be waved and much of the crowd obliged.

The Oxymorrons are a rap-rock group out of Queens, NY.  I gave them a look on YouTube before going to the show and I wasn't sure if I would like them or not.  I moved from the side bar to the middle of the floor.  When they came out wearing a bunny ear mask and a studded facemask, I really wasn't sure.  However, they quickly won me over with their energy and talent!  Songs like "Look Alive," "Enemy," and "Definition" have a lot of power and a positive message.  I highly recommend giving them a chance and definitely see them live if they come around again.  Check out a clip from their performance of "Definition" here.

After the crowd was sufficiently hyped, Avatar made their way to the stage.  These guys put on a show like few others could.  First of all they have a unique look.  The lead singer looks like a sadistic court jester with his face paint, red and black costume outfit, and wielding a crop or staff of some sort.  The stage is rigged with red metal caging around lighting fixtures, but you feel like you have entered a demonic carnival.  The other band members usually have eyeblack and black costumes as well.  Vocalist Johannes Eckerstrōm comes out with his arms spread wide, inviting you into his world and we begin with a song called "Dance Devil Dance."  They are a Swedish melodic death metal band with 9 studio albums and 4 EPs to their name.  One of their latest singles "The Dirt I'm Buried In" reached number one on the modern rock chart.  I think I first heard of them around the time when their self titled album came out in 2009.  Then I bought a couple albums and became more of a fan.  They have some slower songs, but I'm a fan of the hard rockers like "Smells Like a Freak Show," "Colossus," "Legend of the King," and what I think is one of the best hard rock or metal songs to come out this century "Hail the Apocalypse."

About 45 minutes through their two hour, 18 song set, Johannes comes out into the crowd.  He climbs on top of a table by the soundboard and starts blowing up a long balloon and twisting it into a poodle like a clown.  He then breaks out a trombone and plays a tune.  Then it's back to the stage for the second half of the show.  We were treated to dueling guitar solos by Tim Öhrström and Jonas "Kungen" Jarlsby. Both were really good, but I definitely preferred the playing of Kungen.  After a solemn performance of Tower with Johannes on piano came my favorite part of the show, the crescendo of heavy songs "Colossus; Let It Burn; A Statue of the King; The Dirt I'm Buried In". Johannes says he has two more songs for us if we're ok with that.  Girls in the audience start calling out for three, four, and ten more.  He says he doesn't like to be told what to do and that we're a greedy audience so he leaves.  Then he comes back and says that is what "power" he yields, and that we will get two more songs after all.  They do fan favorite "Smells Like a Freak Show" with some of the best synchronized headbanging I've seen on stage and then close with the ultra heavy, yet fun, "Hail the Apocalypse" complete with glitter cannons and more synchronized head banging.  I leave satisfied and knowing I just saw one of the greatest live shows out there today.  You can check out videos from the show on my IG or YouTube.

Rock the Rock Fest '24

At first Rock the Rock Fest seemed like a weak pun, but when you consider that the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ is nicknamed "the Rock" then the play on words is revealed to be even more clever!  The event was sponsored by 105.5 WDHA (one of the few FM stations worth listening to) and although this was a big lineup worthy of a festival, this concert from April 25 is not in place of their annual Rock the Park concert which is being held in July at PNC Bank Arts Center.  Rock the Rock featured Staind, Seether, the Struts, Dayseeker, and Ayron Jones.  My buddy and I took the train in, and got to our seats just in time for the main stage opening act.  There were a couple of acoustic performances as well as radio interviews taking place around the arena prior to the 5:30 start time.  This is a classic example of it being worth it to get there early/on time.  If you are only coming for headliners and spend too long pre-gaming, you are missing out on some great tunes and not getting the most out of what you paid for a ticket.

After hearing Ayron Jones on Sirius radio stations and the Colbert show, I was excited to catch a live performance.  Similar to Gary Clark Jr., Ayron Jones sings about racial tensions and growing up in America while blending genres including blues, soul, hip-hop, and rock. The band sounded phenomenal jamming through six songs from three studio albums.  I particularly enjoyed the opener "Boys from Puget Sound" as well as rockers "Blood in the Water," "Mercy," and "Take Me Away".  You can catch the blistering end of Mercy and the beginning of Take Me Away on my YouTube channel.

At about 6:20PM came Dayseeker out of California.  Though they have five albums going back to 2012, I've only recently become aware of them as their last two albums Sleeptalk and Dark Sun have been getting played on Sirius Octane.  They're characterized as post-hardcore, and while some songs feature screams, most of the singing is clean and the music is rock with some electronic elements similar to bands like Sleepwave and Starset.  Highlights for me were the really catchy "Without Me" and closer "Neon Grave."

During the set change we went in search of some food which required taking an elevator up from the concert floor to get to the overpriced concessions.  The silver lining was that there wasn't much of a line, and we found some tables to stand at.  We just about finished our meal when the next band came on and we headed back to the floor.  We had seats near the back, next to the sound board, and nobody bothered checking our tickets at this point.  The arena looked pretty full, but the seats above the luxury boxes were closed off, and even the lower section was not sold out.  The Struts are glam rock band from England that is kind of like a hybrid of the Darkness and the Strokes.  They played 8 songs in a fun set.  My favorite was definitely "Pretty Vicious," the title track from their 2023 release.

Before each set, the WDHA DJ's would come out to say hello and hype up the crowd.  They did a good job of not hogging the stage, and if you are a fan of the station it was nice to see Terry Carr, Michael Anthony, and crew.  This night was my 11th time seeing Seether live, but the first time since 2017.  Of course in between there was that whole pandemic thing and then on 8/21/21 Seether didn't show up in Philadelphia.  Although I've seen them as a threesome, they typically tour with a second guitarist.  Since 2018 the guy has been Corey Lowery (formerly of Stuck Mojo, Stereomud, Dark New Day, Eye Empire, and Saint Asonia).  I noticed that Corey is also singing back-up to Shaun a lot more than Dale is.  They played 12 songs from 7 different albums in about an hour.  Like the last time I saw them, they fill space between songs with guitar feedback and noise rather than have a lot of dead space.  Some people have criticized that their setlist hasn't changed much since Corey joined, but as I haven't seen them in years I wasn't bothered.  Also it was my first time hearing songs from 2020's Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum live which were "Bruised and Bloodied," "Wasteland," and "Dangerous."  As is typical, they opened with "Gasoline" and closed with "Remedy."  On the penultimate song "Fake It" there was a different slow breakdown and then harder ending.  They are playing more shows with Staind this spring on "The Tailgate Tour" and a few festivals in the summer.  I hope to get new music and a headline tour from them soon.

This night would be my sixth time seeing Staind live and the third time with them headlining.  They were great just last year with Godsmack, but I enjoyed them even more as the headliners.  Aaron's voice still sounds great, and they were able to go deeper into their catalogue and play some more of the heavier tunes.  They played 16 songs, from 6 albums, in 90 minutes.  (Lowest in Me, Eyes Wide Open, Fade, Raw, Not Again, Here and Now, Something to Remind You (Aaron & Mike only), Right Here, Wannabe, Outside (full band), Better Days, Paper Wings, So Far Away, For You, It's Been A While (full band), and Mudshovel). Notably, they haven't been playing any songs from 2008's the Illusion of Progress.  I was pleasantly surprised to hear "Paper Wings" and "Raw," the latter of which he sang a little differently than usual when saying "raw."  I also liked that they did "Outside" and "It's Been A While" as full band instead of just acoustic as it is often done.  I just about blew my voice out in the middle of the set singing along.  I don't know how Aaron's has held up as well as it has.  If you haven't seen them at all or in a while, and you're in the NJ area, I recommend getting tickets to see them with Breaking Benjamin at PNC in September!