On Thursday evening, metal fans of all ages were treated to a blizzard of ear piercing, nostalgic metal madness! The Origins Tour with Queensrÿche and Armored Saint rolled through Sacramento’s Ace Of Spades nightclub with brutal force, making this a night to remember. This 34 date North American Tour began for Queensryche in Houston Texas at the Hell’s Heroes Festival, making Sacramento the 5th stop on the tour with a stellar plan to play the bands self titled E.P. and their first full length album in its entirety. I Personally was excited to hear an entire set list of 'Deep Cuts' instead of the usual set list comprised of radio hits with a few a few ‘B sides” sprinkled in. This was going to be a night of 100% 'deep cuts' and one I just couldn't miss. Let's dig in!
The evening began with Los Angeles’s power metal giants, Armored Saint. Right out of the gate, we were treated to Guitar Hero shreds and classic 1980’s Metal Mayhem. Armored Saint has some heavy hitters in their line up with the magical John Bush on vocals, Joey Vera on Bass, Jeff Duncan on Guitar and of course the Sandoval Brothers - Phil on Guitar and Gonzo on the drums. Playing songs from their 40 year discography was a treat, beginning their set with “1812 Overture” and then steamrolling right into “End Of The Attention Span”. It was a proper way to set off the tone for the entire night's festivities. They followed with many more bangers to round out the 9 song set list.
John Bush is always a delight to watch as he makes his way back and forth on the stage with confident fervor, hitting all the right notes at all the right times. Joey Vera never disappoints with his insane bass technicality .The Sandoval Brothers are a Tour De Force of musical genius. Jeff Duncan on guitar is a perfect fit for Armored Saint contributing to a well oiled machine of metal. At one point in the life span of Armored Saint, they had lost Bush to Anthrax in 1992 only to return in 1999 for the bands reunion. Although the band has had some line up changes over the years they are back touring behind their 2020 release, Punching the Sky, we were thankful that Armored Said has taken time out of their busy recording schedule(for a the rumored new album dropping sometime in 2024) to wow us with their metal mastery - incredible!
After a brief stage change over, the crowd was ready for Queensrÿche to hit the stage. They successfully amped up the crowd with Pantera’s “Walk” as an intro. Then without warning, they jumped straight away into the 1981 self titled 4 song E.P, beginning with the explosive “Queen Of The Ryche”. That was immediately followed by “Nightrider” “Blinded” and “The Lady Wore Black” - what an explosive way to begin the set.
Following was Queensrÿche's first full length album The Warning, and it was played in it’s entirety. Released in 1984, The Warning was not one of the band’s most prolific releases (according to album sales), but was one the most brutally intense and cerebral albums I can think of from this band. For those who don't know, it was inspired in part by the world events of the 1940's and George Orwell's classic novel, 1984. Michael Wilton was captivating to watch on lead guitar. Joined on stage with the unbelievable talent of Mike Stone, they ripped through the track listings starting with “Warning", “En Force” and “Deliverance” and all all songs were simply astounding. The crowd was in a trance throughout the set from the thought provoking lyrical content and mind piercing power metal. Todd La Torre was insanely impressive as the bands lead singer and front man, hitting his pitch and high octave notes with perfection. "Take Hold of The Flame” was my favorite song of the night really showcasing Eddie Jackson’s reverberating bass licks. “Child Of Fire” really highlighted drummer Casey Grillo’s timing and plangent beats behind the skins. Ending the evening with “Roads To Madness” as we knew it was the last track of the album, we all wanted more from Queensrÿche on this sensational evening. The show ended with a 2-song encore including "Prophecy" and "Empire" and highlighted in spades why this bad is so beloved to so many all around the world.
Queensrÿche and Armored Saint continue their 34 date tour which will conclude May 12th in Ft. Meyers ,Fl. Then, Armored Saint will begin their Saints Will Conquer World Tour Summer 2024. If you can see either of these incredible bands live, make it happen. These are bands that you just don't want to miss!!
I love heading down to the House of Blues in Anaheim, CA. It’s conveniently close to me, and I see a lot of the same familiar faces every time I go. This venue used to exist on Disney property at downtown Disney. This did limit the bands that could play the venue, as they had to be “Disney Approved” or they wouldn’t be allowed to perform. Since moving to the Garden Walk a few years ago, this rule has been lifted, and it feels like the House of Blues will book any band out there. This has opened the venue to having some of the wildest shows come through. The hardcore beasts known as Kublai Khan TX brought their United States Headliner 2024 to the House of Blues to rip the venue a new one. Bringing with them Sunami, Judiciary, and Momentum, this show may not have been allowed to happen at the original location. But its current location was ready to take on the chaos the fans were bringing.
Opening the night was California locals Momentum who got the show started with their song “Overkill.” As soon as those first beat down melodies rang out across the sound system, the crowd turned the House of Blues into a true hardcore show. Treating the place like we were in a basement show, with crowd killer moshers, crowd surfers, and the front row pushing and shoving on the barricade so hard that the security team had to hold it in place. With hardcore shows, the bands tend to not be too flashy, as Momentum's instrumentalists mostly just stood and played their instruments with conviction. It was the lead singer that helped elevate the energy in the crowd. As the tenacity in his voice could be felt in songs like “Forget 2 Die,” ‘7 Lives,” “Indulgence in a Lesser Self,” “Occam’s Razor,” “3AM,” and “Relapse.” Momentum was the perfect gut punch needed to start this chaotic night.
Up next was Judiciary, who mixed their hardcore sound with thrash metal. Starting their night off with “Blood,” guitarist Isreal Garza and Kyle Calfin riff on a Slayer inspired opening to the song. As bassist Jerel Ramirez and drummer Austin Scott-Looney come with in with the low end, they flavor the music with more beat down rhythms. Judiciary mix these two styles to perfection. So much so that the crowd is stomping about in the mosh pit with simultaneously head banging. But its not until vocalist Jake Collinson hits us with his screams that sends the crowd over the edge and surfers over the barricade. This energy was being fueled with songs like “Engulfed,” “Pure Fury,” “Karma’s Knife,” “Paradigm Piercer,” “Social Crusade,” “Temple,” and “The Axis of Equality.” The metal head in me loved the thrash infused beat that Judiciary was able to create, as my neck was sore the next day from headbanging mostly due to these songs.
Coming to the stage was the hardcore punk band known as Sunami. Originally created as a joke band to parody the Bay Area scene in 2019, their music ended up connecting with fans so much that it turned into a more tenured venture. Lead singer Josef Alfonso looks like a well mannered straight laced kid from the ‘burbs. But the power in his death growl and pig noises will send shockwaves through your ears. Guitarist Mike “Dirt” Durrett and bassist Theo Dominguez brought slam back to the House of Blues. While drummer Benny Eissmann, armed with his double kick drum, crafted the rhythm’s that let the crowd to go manic in the pit. Sunami unleashed an onslaught of songs like “Gate Crasher,” “Six,” “Dirty Work,” “No Heart,” “Contempt of Cop,” “Feds Watchin’,” “I Don’t Care,” “Die Slow,” ‘Y.A.B.,” “Y.S.A.B.,” “Step up,” and ending with “Weak Die First.” For what started as a joke band truly turned into one that is helping bring back hardcore and slam to the masses.
You’d think after 3 heavy beat down bands the crowd might be starting to wane on their energy. But they were still screaming and cheering during set change as they were ready to tear the place apart for their headliners. Opening their set with “Theory of Mind,” Kublai Khan TX was more than ready to give us what they have. Guitarist Nolan Ashley was armed with slow chuggy riffs that echo through our ear canals. Bassist Eric English tends to follow the guitar line adding a heavier layer to Ashley’s riffs. Drummer Issac Lamb helps to slow down the beat playing in half time and riding his crash cymbal. The sludgy-ness of the beat just emphasizes when the band speeds the beat back up and truly unleashes the rage in the crowd. Vocalist Matt Honeycutt mentioned early in the set that “We’re not here to reinvent the wheel. We’re hear to spin the pit.” Those words could not ring truer, as with each Kublai Khan TX song it felt like the crowd’s velocity continued to pick up. Though they were the headliner, they only played about a 45 minute set, but in that time they flowed through 17 songs back to back like “Loyal to None,” “Resentment,” “Boomslang,” “Swan Song,” “Low Tech,” “Us & Them,” “The Truest Love,” “No Kin,” “Taipan,” “Self-Destruct,” “True Fear,” “Eyes Up,” “Dynasty,” “The Hammer,” and ending with “Antpile.”
Once the show had finished and the lights came on, you could finally take in the true chaos that was released upon Anaheim. Fans were soaked in sweat, both their own and others from everyone pressing into each one another. A funk graced the air as the people were finally able to catch their breath. And not a single person walked out of that venue without a smile on their face. We went to war with Momentum, Judiciary, Sunami, and Kublai Khan TX. We trudged through the trenches of the mosh pit and came out the other side. We share a glancing smile and head nod in appreciation of every person who went just through hell with us.
Growing up in the mid-2000s, there was one late night infomercial that would always catch my attention. It was called Monster Ballads and it was a culmination of some of the best power ballads from some of the biggest metal bands of the 80s. One moment during this infomercial that always stood out was them playing about 10 seconds of the music video for “Silent Lucidity” by Queensrÿche, as this was my first introduction to the band. They have been going strong for over forty years now, and with this latest tour they wanted to show their appreciation to the fans by playing their first Self-Titled EP and their debut album The Warning in its entirety. Bringing with them fellow 80s metal band Armored Saint, fans sold out the House of Blues in Anaheim for a chance to relive the beginning of a bands career.
Though I have seen vocalist John Bush with Metal Allegiance the last two times they played the House of Blues, this was my first true experience seeing Armored Saint. As guitarist Jeff Duncan riffed the opening lick to “End of the Attention Span,” it built the anticipation and excitement in the crowd. As the rest of the band came in, the sound of Armored Saint brought me back to wishing I grew up in the 80s seeing these during the metal heyday. Solid guitar worked passed back and forth between Duncan and Phil Sandoval, with driving basslines from Joey Vera, and a galloping drum beat from Gonzo Sandoval. This foundation would get anyone in the crowd banging their head and rocking out, but it is Bush’s powerful vocals that takes Armored Saint’s sound to a whole new level. The man can balance melodic singing with powerful sustains that sound like the heavens opening and shooting a beam of light onto the singer. His talents could be heard with each song they played like “Raising Fear,” “Tribal Dance,” “Over the Edge,” “March of the Saint,” “Do Wrong to None,” “Isolation,” “Win Hands Down,” “Can U Deliver,” and ending with “Reign of Fire.” After Armored Saints set, all I could wonder was how they never came across my path before. I feel I have done a disservice to myself by not listening to them earlier, and this will be rectified moving forward.
A voice over spoke to the crowd, greeting fans and welcoming them into the world of Queensrÿche. Opening with the first song off their self-titled EP “Queen of the Reich,” we were transported out of the House of Blues and into a fantastical world that the band created. Its astounding to see and hear how vocalist Todd La Torre can push his voice to hit some of the high notes in these songs every night without fail. Guitarist Michael Wilton and Mike Stone build the ambiance of Queensrÿche with dueling guitars. When Wilton takes center stage to play his solos, he beautifully lets himself shine on his axe while heightening the overall song and never making it feel out of place to the whole experience. Bassist Eddie Jackson adds more than just texture to the songs, as his basslines holds weight and adds emotion that can be felt in the music. Drummer Casey Grillo rounds out the band and adds the final touch to a live performance by Queensrÿche with a drum set that almost envelopes him. We truly did get every single song off the band’s first EP and LP like “Nightrider,” “Blinded,” “The Lady Wore Black,” “Warning,” “En Force,” “Deliverance,” “No Sanctuary,” “NM 156,” “Take Hold of the Flame,” “Before the Storm,” “Child of Fire,” “Roads to Madness,” and we were graciously bestowed a two song encore of “Prophecy” and “Eyes of a Stranger.”
It is a very special time when a band decides to go back and perform their first albums in their entirety. The band has evolved past who they were at that time in their life, but the music still lives on and holds such a beloved place in fans hearts. Seeing the fans who showed up for this kind of experience, you could feel the passion and love they have for the band and for these original songs that introduced most people to who Queensrÿche would become. It was a night to relive the beginning of a true giant in the progressive metal genre.
Go Ahead And Die is the colossally heavy band co-fronted by Max Cavalera and his son Igor Amadeus Cavalera. This one-of-a-kind father/son collaboration combines old school thrash with some serious punk attitude. Max is without a doubt the God-Father of all things heavy and Go Ahead And Die adds to that legacy. The band just completed the Unhealthy Mechanisms Tour 2024 that had them play 58 shows in 64 days and they made a stop at the Glasshouse in Pomona, CA on Friday night March 22 to deliver a night of brutality to Southern California. Orlando Florida’s Deathcore masters BodyBox have been in the direct support slot for the entire tour and SoCal’s own Deep Within have been on the tour for the last 2 weeks of this Heavy Metal Brigade.
After three local opening bands Deep Within took the stage and the fans definitely knew who these hard rockers were as fist pumping and a circle pit ensued. The music sounded somewhat of a combination of Static-X mixed with Wednesday 13 and they without doubt took the intensity level of the Glasshouse up a few notches.
When Bodybox began their set the circle pit erupted as the Death Metal masters blasted through 30 minutes of total destruction. These guys toured in support of Max Cavalera’s other band Soulfly in 2023 so the fans are no strangers to this music and Bodybox had one job and they successfully completed their task of pumping up the crowd in preparation for Go Ahead and Die.
At 10:25 the lights dropped and Igor Cavalera took the center stage mic as bassist Jackie Cruz and drummer Johnny Valles took their spots then Max Cavalera hit the stage and the band blasted into the first three songs (“Desert Carnage”, “Split Scalp” and “Tumors”) off the new album as the Glasshouse erupted with headbanging and circle pits. Although the band has released two albums, this is their first tour and they certainly delivered on their promise of bringing extreme sweat and aggression to the stage every night.
With Go Ahead And Die, Max has stated he has given the keys to the car to Igor and he is sitting in the back seat and boy is Igor a chip off the ole block as he has the same intensity in his vocal delivery and guitar riffs as his Dad. Max and Igor trade off lyrics all night long and Max is a bit more guitar focused as he lets Igor be the frontman. Max served up some serious metal riffage and solos that you don’t usually see from him in Soulfly or Cavalera Conspiracy.
The band played the entire Unhealthy Mechanisms album and select cuts from their self-titled debut including the blistering track “Truckload Full of Bodies”. The rhythm section consisting of Jackie Cruz on bass and the hard-hitting Johnny Valles on drums kept the thumping loud and mean and along with the Cavalera’s guitars equaled some of the grittiest, raw, extreme punk infused metal out there today.
The night ended with Max wearing a sheriff’s uniform with matching hat as the band concluded their performance in Pomona with the song “Drug-O-Cop”. WOW – lots of blood, sweat and beers at The Glasshouse. With Max so busy with all of his projects (one of the busiest musicians in the business) who knows if Go Ahead And Die will ever tour again which would be a shame but at the same time it makes the performance on this night that much more special and a memory to soon not be forgotten.
Go Ahead And Die Setlist:
Desert Carnage | Split Scalp | Tumors | Truckload Full of Bodies | Toxic Freedom | No Easy Way Out | M.D.A. (Most Dangerous Animal) | Chasm | I.C.E. Cage | Prophet's Prey | Worth Less Than Piss | Blast Zone | Unhealthy Mechanisms | Drug-O-Cop
I have seen Stephen Marley in concert more than any other artist or band, probably around 15 times. Damian is right up there as well. This is one of the best performances by Stephen I have ever seen, Damian too, but Stephen’s performance stood out to me specifically. Back in 2015 they toured together on the Catch A Fire Tour, but that was more of them doing their own songs and their own sets, only joining each other from time to time. That was a fantastic concert as well, but in these nine years since, so many more songs from the two of them and so much growth. Then in February of 2022 at Cali Vibes all the Marley Brothers performed to celebrate Bob Marley’s birthday. That may be the best, most important, most epic show I have ever seen live. There was truly a Natural Mystic flowing through the air that night. I have shivers going up and down my back right now just thinking about it. That show took me to a totally different place. But that show was all about Bob and celebrating his music and his legendary life. The Traffic Jam Tour is about Stephen and Damian and all the work they have done together through the years. I’ve always said they should do some albums together, between their solo albums and singles, they put out a ton of music together, so maybe they don’t need an album together. But it would be nice to see them work on a unified project together, it would be amazing.
They walked out on stage, with huge grins on their faces, you could instantly tell this was going to be amazing. The Fillmore was packed, I have never seen it this filled before. They played songs they have done together, their own songs and of course, Bob songs. It was a perfect mix for a perfect show. You can see how much they love each other and how much they love performing together, always smiling and laughing on stage. Their connection and interaction is simply amazing. After the first three songs (they actually had us leave midway through the third song “So Much Trouble”), I would normally keep photographing from the crowd close to the stage, but the venue was so packed and people were so close to each other, I couldn’t get anywhere near the stage for a good view. So I spent the rest of the night up in the balcony, which was a great view and perfect sound. They went into “Pimpers Paradise,” a song I have heard them do together but never live, I was so excited to hear this. They absolutely killed it….with the crowds help.
“She loves to party (Stephen), have a good time (crowd)
She looks so hearty (Stephen), feeling fine (crowd)
She loves to smoke (Stephen), sometimes shifting coke (crowd)
She's laughing when there (Stephen) ain't no joke, hey” (crowd)
“That's all she was, now
Pimpa's paradise (Stephen), Pimpa's paradise (crowd)
That's all she was
Pimpa's paradise (Stephen), Pimpa's paradise (crowd)
That's all she was, now
Pimpa's paradise (Stephen), Pimpa's paradise (crowd)
That's all she was”
Then Damian comes in hard:
”Cause coke was a thing that once she first try
Was once a blue moon to once a blue sky
Now she's wondering who else wants to go buy
She don't got no money and wants to get high”
I just simply loved hearing this! They hit us with “Still Searchin” and kept up the love and energy. The smiles from them was heartwarming. “Tight Ship” was next up, Stephen grabbed his guitar and hit us with his smooth voice and then Damian comes flying in with his verse, I love the contrast in their styles, sound and voices. IT WORKS SO WELL! Always has, but I swear the older they get it just flows so much better. It was time to bring up the energy to another level with “It Was Written” with Damian jumping up and down and willing the crowd to join him. So much high energy in this song. What I loved about this show was the song choices, so many of their songs I was hoping to hear them play, old, new, crowd favorites, my favorites. Throughout this show, their band (a mix of Stephens and Damian’s bands) sounded amazing! Their energy was so high, they were feeding off of Ragga and Jr. Gong, and Ragga and Jr. Gong feeding off of them! I was really hoping to hear something from Stephen’s new album Old Soul and they go into “Cast the First Stone,” and WOW this sounded perfect! Stephen banging on the drum and singing and Jr. Gong doing his thing. I am so sorry I missed his Old Soul tour because that is one of the best albums release in a long time. Another classic and another amazing song, “Jah Army” was up next. This was one of the best on the night, they absolutely killed this. I think the only thing that would have made this any better would have been if Buju stepped on stage with them.
This crowd knew all the words to all the songs, it was truly an incredible scene. It was time for Damian to educate the crowd on the medical and health benefits of marijuana, and we all knew what was coming……..”Medication.” Damian asking the crowd if it is legal in Philadelphia, and when the crowd yells no, he says “we need to change that,” the crowd erupting in a cheer! They really hit on this one….but then again, they were hitting on all these songs. It was time to take us back to 2008 with “The Mission,” another classic from Ragga and Jr. Gong. Huge scream from the crowd as they started. The band really was amazing on this one, and the energy between them and Stephen and Damian was powerful! And while I said they took it back to 2008, then they took us waaayyyy back to 1996 for “Love and Inity.” I swear the love and energy just kept rising and rising with each song. It was time to hit us with a little Bob since they had this crowd “Jamming.” Bob up on the screen behind them as they poured their hearts out on this one. Sticking with the Bob groove, and one where the entire crowd sang along, so loud that they almost overtook Damian and Stephen. Crazy listening to 3000 people all singing “Is This Love” and not missing a word or beat. Stephen hits us with “Rock Stone” and like I’ve said before, the energy was crazy. Just when you think it can’t get any higher, it does!
“Road to Zion” was next up and Damian had everyone pull out their lighters and phones. What a site, 3000 people holding up their lighters, what a cool vibe going on, chills hitting me. Damian sounded perfect and I kept hoping Nas would come walking out on stage. It was time for a song that no matter how many times I have heard it, it just never gets old, “Welcome to Jamrock.”
“Out in the streets, they call it merther”
I swear every time I hear this it gets better and better. It never gets old. Damian goes into “Move!” the crowd jumping right along with Jr. Gong. As Stephen and Damian walk off stage, the entire crowd starts chanting MARLEY, MARLEY, MARLEY! We all needed just a little bit more from them. This was an epic show but no one wanted it to end. We were all having such a great time, so were Stephen and Damian. They finished off this wonderful show with a great, and long, rendition of “Could You Be Loved.” It really was the perfect song to finish this off, because we all felt the love between these brothers, we could feel the love they had for everyone there. This is one of the best concerts I have ever seen, they were so amazing, everything about this night was perfect. And like I said, I have seen them both many, many times and this was them at their best.
One Love - Todd
One of the best benefits to living in Southern California is the plethora of concert venues in the area. Orange County & Los Angeles alone easily have over 100 venues combined where shows can spring up and happen. If that isn’t enough for you, just a drive down the 5 freeway to San Diego can open up a whole new concert going experience with new venues to take in. I was fortunate enough to finally experience the Observatory North Park down in San Diego when KMFDM came through on their 40th Anniversary Tour. This industrial band from Germany has made a name for themselves over the decade, and I was finally able to see what they had to offer.
Opening the night was the band known as Sour Tongue. These guys brought an upbeat groovy punk aspect to the show. Lead singer Satori Marill lets her voice flow between sultry melodies and in your face screams of passion. Reminded me of Cherie Currie from the Runaways. Guitarist Jake Bonn drives the song with his distortion ladened riffs. Bassist John Murphy is one of the most animated on stage, letting his hair whip around while just losing himself on his instrument. Drummer Max Codoceo handles Sour Tongues changing styles with ease. From pushing the beat with punk rhythms, to creating a two steppin yeehaw vibe for a country-style song, and even crafting a dance beat during the song “Soap.” No matter what the song called for, Codoceo was able to groove with it. Sour Tongue played other songs like “Jorking My Shit,” “A Mile in Clown Shoes,” “Teeth,” “Supreme Jort,” “Godspeed 43,” “Godzilla Sex Tape,” “Nebraska,” “Watch This Drive,” and “Poopy Pants Baby.” The crowd may not have known what to expect from a band called Sour Tongue, but the band played with passion that could be felt with every note they put together.
Two podiums were placed on stage with the KMFDM logo spray painted across the bottom. The beat to the opening track “All 4 1” rang out across the venue. Founder and co-vocalist Sascha Konietzko stepped on stage still sporting a spiked mohawk. With the lyrics to the song starting by shouting the band’s name of “K. M. F. D. M.” the crowd went wild. Quickly joined by his other co-vocalist Lucia Cifarelli who helps to create a dynamic vocal range with Konietzko for each song. These giant podiums also serve as a bigger aspect to the show besides adding texture to the stage dressing. As Konietzko is the band’s programmer with Keys, synths, and percussion, while Cifarelli also performs on keys, these podiums hold the musician’s instruments. Yet, both performers find time to step out and play unobscured for the audience to truly taken in their performance. Something I love about industrial music is that traditional instruments are manipulated to create sounds you wouldn’t normally expect from them. Guitarist Andee Blacksugar handles a normal 6 string axe and drummer Andy Selway is on an acoustic drum kit. But by sending their sound through pedals and computer system they can modulate the sound to make it sound more robotic, futuristic, or even rhythmic.
KMFDM’s style and sound was on full display through songs like “Let Go,” “Freak Flag,” “Hyëna,” “Airhead,” “Oh My Goth,” “Naïve,” “Go to Hell,” “Push!,“ ”Liquor Fish & Cigarettes,” “Rebels in Kontrol,” “Bumaye,” “Blindface,” and “A Drug Against War.” With this being their 40th Anniversary tour, the band could not just end the show there. They have too many beloved songs and came out for a five song encore with “No God Here,” “Megalomanic,” “When the Bell Tolls,” “Godlike,” and truly ending with “Paradise.” Even though some of these songs can be considered heavy, KMFDM is creating more danceable beats and rhythms. A dance pit would form in the middle of the crowd, as fans couldn’t help but dance to some of their favorite music from the last four decades.
I have heard of KMFDM in passing over the years, but it took my editor Matthew Belter advising me to see their show to finally get me out there. And I am so greatly fully appreciated that he recommended this show. Not only was the music lively, fun, and danceable, but the band still sound like they do on record. I was transported to a industrial club with heavy bass pounding into our ear drums, and I soaked in every moment of it.
A fun way to pay homage to your favorite band can be starting a cover band. Some cover bands go above and beyond to not only sound like the people they are imitating, but to also dress and even look like them down to the hair and facial details. One band that decided to put a unique spin on the cover artist idea is the legendary Mac Sabbath. Imbodying the ideas of Black Sabbath if they had sponsorship deals from McDonalds and wore costumes like they were the live band at a satanic Chuck E. Cheese. Pioneering the Drive Thru Metal genre, Mac Sabbath has been singing about the perils of the golden arcs for a decade. Celebrating 10 years as a band, they came to one of their favorite venues, the Observatory in Santa Ana, CA and bringing D.I. and The Venomous Pinks to raise hell.
Opening the night was a three piece all female punk band from Arizona known as The Venomous Pinks. These girls were ready to raise hell and throw down just as heavy as any male punk band. Fronted by guitarist Drea Doll, she was armed with a voice full of intensity and rage. Not so much singing but commanding the crowd with her lyrics. Bassist Gaby Kaos screamed melodies alongside Drea and sync’d her playing perfectly with drummer Cassandra Jalilie. The two crafted bombastic rhythms that got the mosh pits started for the night. Playing songs mostly off their album Vita Mors, The Venomous Pinks infected the crowd with chaotic energy that would continue to grow throughout the night.
Up next was the Orange County natives known as D.I. As soon as the band hit the stage, but before a single note could ring out, the crowd was already screaming and ready to let the mosh rage. Helmed by Casey Royer on vocals, who was more just shouting at the crowd. But we ate it up. Guitarists Clinton Calton & Trevor Lucca tackled the fast simple punk melodies with ease and mixed in some quick but punchy guitar solos. Bassist Eddie Tatar and drummer Joey Tatar crafted the rhythm section with an almost running groove to it. This running groove helped keep the energy alive in the moshers to never let the pit stop. D.I. fully turned the Observatory into a hardcore show, with people jumping on stage, two stepping with the band, before launching themselves back into the crowd. The band fed off this chaos and their energy seemed to pick up as the crowd got more rambunctious. D.I. did not let the energy slow down even for a moment with songs like “Living in the USA,” “Johnny’s Got a Problem,” “Imminent War,” “Falling Out,” “Obnoxious,” “Richard Hung Himself,” “(I Hate) Surfin’ in H.B.,” “Guns,” and “Youth in Asia.” I have always heard of the name D.I. but finally getting to experience them was a whole other beast. They’ve been around for over 40 years, and they still continue to incite rage and chaos with the new youth of the nation.
A curtain was draped over the stage to allow a transformation into the drive thru restaurant we were all about to dine at. As the driving guitar to “Organic Funeral” rang out over the crowd, people cheered with anticipation. The curtain was ripped away as Mac Sabbath took the stage. Ronald Osbourne engaged the crowd strapped into a straight jacket. This madman could only be contained for the first song, before ripping himself free to truly embrace the chaos of the world we had just walked into. Flanked by guitarist Slayer MacCheeze and bassist Grimalice, this quartet is rounded off by drummer the Catburglar. These found entities imbue Black Sabbath sounds with lyrics about the horrors of fast food. All the while their Employee of the Month flings french fries into the crowd. When I say the crowd ate this up, I am speaking literally as people were eating the french fries. If there is one thing Mac Sabbath can do it is inciting pandemonium in the crowd. As my experience with Mac Sabbath shows continues, they cause some of the wildest crowds of any band I have experienced. With Songs like “Sweet Beef,” “More Ribs,” “Grilled by Death,” “The Lizard,” “Beth,” “Chicken for the Slaves,” “Frying Pan.” And “Pair-a-Buns,” the crowd could not be contained from showing their love for their McDonald’s overlords.
Mac Sabbath continues to be a hidden gem in the metal and overall music world. It can be tough for a cover band to really break out into the general public, but these guys have such a unique spin on the idea, you can’t help but have fun at one of their shows. This was their 10th anniversary show of being a band, and they don’t seem to be planning to stop. Drive Thru Metal could make its way to a city near you, and no matter how long the line is to place your order, the meal will leave you happy that tried something new.
March 14th at the El Rey was a night for the outcasts and it was magical. Leanna Firestone opened the night and her beautiful voice could be heard even from outside. A lot of her music has a relatable nostalgic feel to it. Leanna's song "Strawberry Mentos" captures the feeling of being in a relationship that's warm and affectionate by talking about candy and it's refreshing to listen to. Her smile also lit up the whole space, it was easy to tell that she's passionate about her music and appreciated her fans. Even just on her acoustic guitar, Leanna's performance was still filled with a ton of energy. It was cool seeing the audience sing along to her song "You Just Didn't Like Me That Much". This is a song that I feel like the world needs because it talks about having feelings for someone who just isn't interested and coming to terms with it and just accepting it. This is something that isn't really talked about, so having a song for people to process these kinds of situations, I feel like is something that a lot of people are going to be able to process things better from. The song has powerful lyrics such as “And the opposite of love is indifference”.
Another one of her songs that stands out is "Least Favorite Only Child". If you've ever felt unloved by your parents and wanted their love and to not be a disappointment to them, you'll relate to this song. The lyrics “I just wanna feel different than what I've felt before'' pulls at the heartstrings. It was also refreshing to hear Leanna joke around and talk about how she's now been in one of the best long-term relationships she's ever been in. One of the songs Leanna finished her set off with was her newest song "Cool!", which starts with the lyrics “I don’t eat my feelings, I swallow them whole”. It's a really good song to end a set with because it has a lot of energy to it. It was also nice seeing Leanna after listening to her for years and seeing how much she cares about her fans. She was taking Polaroids with her fans after the show which was really wholesome and I got a chance to talk to her briefly, which is a moment that I'll always treasure.
After Leanna Firestone's set, Maddie Zahm (the talented headliner), graced the stage. The official name of Maddie's tour is Now That I've Been Honest and boy does it live up to its name. You can also tell right away that she shares a close bond with her band that was up on stage with her. You can even see the bond when she's singing while sitting next to one of the guitar players in her band -what a heartfelt moment. She also brought Francis Karel on the stage and they sang "Seeing Other People" to each other. Which is a song that if you've been hurt by other relationships in the past and you're still trying, you'll relate to this one. The lyrics such as “I went and broke my heart again” are definitely relatable. Not to mention the singers sing really well together on stage.
I really loved the confidence Maddie showed as she moved around the stage and sang. It was a brave moment when Maddie talked about her religious trauma and sang some songs about it as well, her song "If it's Not God Being One of Them" which talks about her choice to leave religion behind because they didn't accept her for her sexuality. It's a powerful song and I'm proud of her for choosing herself in the end and making a choice for her own happiness. I'm sure her choices have given strength to many other people in the LGBTQ+ community. Her song "Bedroom" was exciting to hear live, ranging from her energy, the sick guitar solo and the audience dancing and singing to it, it was a moment in the set to be remembered. She also got up and personal in the crowd during her song "You Might Not Like Her" which is a powerful song about growing up and becoming yourself even if it wasn't the person your younger self thought you'd be and that it'll be scary at first but you'll learn to grow into that version of yourself. I feel like it's a good song for young adults and teenagers because it lets you know that it's ok to grow into a different person than who you thought you would be. One of the songs Maddie wrapped up with was "Fat Funny Friend", and during that song, there were moments when just the audience was singing. This song has lyrics that will make you cry such as “do they keep me around, so their flaws just seem silly”.
Overall it was a night filled with music that the world needs but nonetheless will still bring you to tears. So if you want music that will touch your soul, I highly recommend checking out both Leanna and Maddie.
On March 8, 2024, Between You and Me performed at the Echoplex for an electrifying night of music that was not to be missed. It was an exciting opportunity for fans to experience the band's live music and enjoy an unforgettable evening of entertainment. The show was a vibrant and dynamic showcase of talent, featuring captivating performances from Young Culture, Homesafe, and Zoe Ko, providing fans with a fantastic night of music along with long lasting memories.
Zoe Ko opened the night with confident energy and style, owning the stage with her performance. Her song "Lovesick in Public" resonated with the audience, while "Dirt" stood out for its rebellious feel, showcasing Zoe Ko's admirable energy and authenticity.
Homesafe took the stage next, highlighting their new EP What Did You Find Out?, released on March 1st. Their hit "Vanilla-Scented Laser Beams" captivated the crowd, accompanied by a birthday surprise and energetic performances, including the uplifting "With You".
Young Culture brought an explosive energy to the stage, uniting the audience and fellow musicians in a powerful display of community. Their songs "Shiver" and "Holiday in Vegas" stirred the crowd, showcasing the band's commanding presence and interactive performance.
Finally, Between You and Me delivered an exhilarating set, inciting the crowd to sing along and dive into the music, particularly with their song "Dakota". Their tracks "Overthinking", "Better Days", and even a rendition of a song from Shrek resonated deeply, ending the night with an iconic performance of "Butterflies". This unforgettable concert catered to punk rock fans and left a lasting impression, making their upcoming show in Anaheim a must-see experience.
For the betterment and detriment of the music industry, Spotify has been a powerful source for musicians. One of the biggest upsides is the exposure and reach that Spotify has and allows artists to find a new audience. Thanks to this media mogul, I have discovered some of my favorite bands in recent memory. One artist that Spotify kept sending my way was Charlotte Sands. She has been steadily growing as a featured singer on many more established artists songs. But she finally put out her debut album can we start over? and has embarked on her first world tour to promote it. Making a stop at the Echoplex in Los Angeles, CA, she brought with her Senses and Cloe Wilder to light the place up. It was a tour de force of female power, and the line was around the block with fans of all ages and genders ready to rock out.
Opening the night was solo artist Cloe Wilder. A young up and comer with a powerful voice that will knock you back. Opening with her song “Homesick”, Cloe was dressed like she was going to Prom, but carried songs with her that sang about heartbreak and love loss. She was accompanied by an acoustic guitarist Eric Scullin that helped drive the melancholy melodies that her songs carry. Cloe herself is a multi-instrumentalist, not just captivating the audience with her voice, but accompanying herself on piano for the song “Five Years” and adding an extra layer of guitar when she performed “So 17.” With other songs like “Super 8,” “House by the Water,” “Fake ID,” “Cliff Diving,” and closing with “Cigarette.” Though Cloe’s songs were more on the softer side of the night, she created a vibe and an energy that connected with each and every one of us in the crowd.
Up next was the duo known as Senses, made up of vocalist Madison Taylor and drummer Nick Sampson. This power duo was ready to get everyone exploding with energy and bouncing in the crowd. Opening with their song “Gonna Make Sure,” Madison was all over the stage giving the people an in your face performance. Though Nick was stuck behind his kit, he never lost sight of the fact that they were performing a live show. Playing with what felt like a never ending abundance of energy, he played with huge eye catching movements while maneuvering around the kit. The band was joined by Jordan Keigher on guitar who helped round out the sound of Senses. Though Madison could have wowed the audience with her stage presence alone, she also picked up an acoustic guitar to help on melody during the show as well. Senses played a high energy set that got us hyped with energy with songs like “See You Go,” “No Fun,” “Novocain,” “The Comedown,” “Burnin Up,” “Playing Dead,” “Sleepwalking,” and ending with “Better Than This.” This pop-rock dynamic duo continues to shine as a solid support act to any show. But I already can see that they will be headlining their own tours in no time.
The stage was stripped except for a drum set in the back right corner, and a few lights set up at the back of the stage. As we were blinded by the back lighting, Charlotte Sands walked out on stage, and the crowd erupted in cheers. Opening with “can we start over?” as a soft open into what was sure to be an energy filled performance. Kicking straight into “pity” Charlotte and the crowd erupted with energy. Charlotte is an inherent performer who was feeding off the energy of the crowd. Whatever she gave us, we returned back ten-fold which just elevated her showmanship even more. Not only is Charlotte a charismatic performer, but her charm also extends to her ability to just talk and connect with the crowd in between songs. She comes off so genuine and sweet that you can’t help but fall in love with her. Backed by Dillon Jordan on guitar and Holden W. Clontz on drums, these two helped bring the power and elevate Charlotte’s already magnificent performance.
Charlotte carved out a unique moment where the audience was able to pick two songs to be played from her Burn Book. Two random fans were handed the book to pick songs and they picked “Six Feet Under” and “Nothing’s Even Wrong.” For these two songs, Charlotte played without her backing band, and performed acoustically to really have a special moment with her fans. Outside of this moment that was left up to the fans, Charlotte crafted a perfect setlist consisting of many songs from her debut album, and singles she’s released over the years like “Bad Day,” “dead body,” “on the outside,” “Every Guy Ever,” “Rollercoaster,” “get over it,” “Lost,” “blindspot,” “use me,” “teeth,” “Alright,” “spite,” and ending with “Dress – Heavy Version.” Which started a mosh pit in the crowd. The energy was so uncontrolled that Charlotte leaped from the stage to finish the song dancing with her fans.
All three artists absolutely brought their best to Los Angeles. If there’s one thing that should have been different, this show should be selling out bigger venues. The amount of talent Cloe Wilder, Senses, and Charlotte Sands have has yet to truly be seen by the masses. But I guarantee it will. These three artists are in for a wild and successful career. And I am so happy to say that I got to see all three of them on the same tour, in a 750 cap venue before they really blew up.