Live Show Reviews

Live Review: Alice In Chains at The Palladium

How do you put into words a feeling that comes over you when you see a band that is truly amazing? Not to mention still being speechless about what you saw. Last night at The Palladium in Hollywood, Alice In Chains came though town like a tornado and left the town in shambles after their magical performance. I’ve now had the pleasure of seeing this incarnation of the band seven times, and each time only gets better than the last. Alice In Chains are not only living legends but they are also the epitome of what a truly great rock band is all about.

As the lights dimmed down and Sean, Mike, William and Jerry took the stage, you could already sense that this was going to be a night of epic proportions. Starting the night off with “Check My Brain” was a perfect choice to get things going. Then the quick follow up with “Again” just about set the audience off into a frenzy. Next up was the new single “Never Fade” from their most awesome new album Rainer Fog. This song was absolutely stellar live. It’s going to be one of those that will be in their live set for the rest of their career. All the classic songs like “Them Bones,” “Dam That River,” We Die Young,” “No Excuses,” and “It Ain’t Like That” were top notch. Certain ones though like “Down In A Hole” and “Nutshell” were seriously spine tingling. I still have chills just thinking about how amazing those songs sounded. William DuVall is a gem. He really brings the songs to life in his own way without tarnishing the legacy of Layne Staley. William absolutely inhabits the older songs with such precision it’s beautiful. Through the rest of the night songs like “Red Giant,” “So Far Under” from Rainer Fog were played along with “Man In The Box,” “Stone,” and “Hollow.” Their encore even was outstanding. Coming out with “The One You Know” and moving into “Got Me Wrong,” holy wow! Ending the evening was “Would” and “Rooster” which featured a special guest, Robby Krieger of The Doors. Just thinking of the moment when Jerry announced Robby was joining them on stage, is going to be one of those oh shit moments in my concert going history.

Playing before Alice In Chains was The Pink Slips. This band is a really solid rock n roll band. Led by singer Grace McKagan’s (she’s also the daughter of Duff McKagan of GnR), sass and attitude along with killer pipes made her bands blend of punk, new wave, and rock the perfect band to play before Alice In Chains. This five piece really delievered a great performance. They are definitely one of those bands that when you see live, you “get it.” They’ve got all the makings of a great rock band for the future. The riffs, rhythms, and prowess all blended together to make something really cool. I personally look forward to seeing The Pink Slips again and to watch them continue to kick ass.

What a wonderful evening. I couldn’t have asked for better. Alice In Chains is a powerhouse. William DuVall was not only the right choice to carry on the legacy of the band but, he adds so much to the band. I swear, there are moments when he’s singing the classics, that Layne’s spirit is inside of William. Especially during “Nutshell” and “Down In A Hole.” Holy shit… I can’t explain how amazing William sounds on those songs. Alice In Chains’ legacy is intact for generations to come. Their albums with Layne will always be classics and the new albums with William stand out on their own. I urge you to go see Alice In Chains. Not only will you have a brilliant time but, if you are a doubter about this new incarnation, your mind will not only be changed but, you’ll be blown away.

Alice In Chains Set List:

01) Check My Brain
02) Again
03) Never Fade
04) Them Bones
05) Dam That River
06) Hollow
07) Down In A Hole
08) No Excuses
09) Stone
10) We Die Young
11) Red Giant
12) Nutshell
13) It Ain’t Like That
14) So Far Under
15) Man In The Box

Encore:

16) The One You Know
17) Got Me Wrong
18) Would?
19) Rooster (with Robby Krieger of The Doors)

Songs From Albums:

Facelift= 2
SAP= 1
Dirt= 5
Jar Of Flies= 2
Alice In Chains= 1
Black Gives Way To Blue= 1
The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here= 2
Rainer Fog= 4

Review By: Brian Lacy

Photos By: Alisa Lacy

Live Review: One Side Zero at The Viper Room

After eight years away from the stage, is it possible to capture the magic you once had? Well in the case of One Side Zero, the answer is emphatically, yes. This past Saturday night at the Viper Room, the newly reformed One Side Zero took the stage for their first show in eight years and it seemed as though they never left. Armed with two new members, One Side Zero is right back where they belong.

As the curtain opened, the crowd erupted into a frenzy that was reminiscent of many years back. Opening their set with the classic (and my personal favorite) “Tapwater” from their unsung masterpiece of an album Is This Room Getting Smaller, was a perfect way to start things off. Throughout their set which consisted of songs like “Instead Laugh,” “Holding Cell,” “A Point In Time,” “Awake” “Eight” the crowd was united, singing along with singer/guitarist Jasan Radford. As they played through more and more songs like “Never Ending,” “New World Order,” “Shed The Skin,” and fan favorite “Summertime,” it became very apparent that the guys on stage were enjoying this and feeling the energy emitting from the crowd back to them. Guitarist Levon Sultanian, got to show off his lead guitar skills aplenty, as the band included extended jams and interludes between songs. New members Marcello Dias (bass) and Michael Tarabotto (drums) seem like they have been in the band for years. At the end of their set, a new song entitled “Eleven” was played and it was the perfect way to end the evening. The song itself shows the musical maturity of the band and is a great precursor as to what’s to come in terms of new music.

One of the other things that made this evening spectacular was that the mighty With Our Arms To The Sun were on the bill as well. They were the perfect band to play before OneSideZero. With Our Arms are the type of band that will light up a room with not just their music but their passion in how they perform. Their set included songs from both of their critically acclaimed alums A Far Away Wonder and Orenda. One song in particular that I’ve really dug since I first heard it, “Regret: Sailing Stones” was blistering live. The vocal brilliance of singer/guitarist Josh Breckinridge on that song is beyond powerful and the accompaniment of guitarist Joseph Leary and bassist Joe Breckinridge really drives that song right into the audience’s ears. I’ve said this many times before but, I feel I need to say it again, With Our Arms To The Sun are one of those bands that when they are playing in your area, they are a must see.

What a great night not just for OneSideZero and With Our Arms To The Sun. Being at this show made it feel like old times. The venue was vibrant and the Sunset Strip was full of people like how it used to be. The night felt alive and full of life. There was something else I noticed throughout the night and that is the fanbase that came out to support OneSideZero. They are dedicated to the music and art of it all, and each and everyone in attendance this evening was drawn into the songs and the thrill of it. So here’s to many more great shows and the long awaited third album from OneSideZero.

Review by: Brian Lacy

Photos by: Alisa Lacy

Live Review: Neurosis, Converge and Amenra at The Fonda

There are certain bands that when they come through town you have to go see live. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve seen them or if it’s your first time, it’s imperative that you be there. Especially when you have a tour line up as special as Neurosis, Converge and Amenra. I’ve had the great pleasure of seeing Neurosis and Converge many times before, and now I finally got the chance to see Amen Ra. Tour packages like this are not only astonishing but they leave those in attendance in a state of awe and some inspired to create. There is a reason why all three of these bands have reached the “legendary” status. Their live shows, songs/albums, and general approach to their fans makes it all worth while.
(more…)

Live Review: Nine Inch Nails at The Joint

There are certain bands that I will always go see no matter how many times I’ve seen them live. Nine Inch Nails is atop that list and I’ve now seen them 17 times. Each time has been it’s own experience which makes all the shows that much more unique. This past weekend I had the pleasure to see my favorite band at The Joint in Las Vegas and it was just as epic as you would think it was. Trent and company would be performing on 3 different dates and I was lucky enough to be at 2 of the 3. I have to say I’m pretty sure I was at the best shows of the weekend.

(more…)

Live Review: The Atlas Moth at The Resident

Through all the many years I’ve been going to concerts and the countless number of bands I’ve seen, it all comes down to one thing, you either have “IT” or not. Last night at The Resident, one of my new favorite places to see a show, I got to witness the greatness that is The Atlas Moth. Since the release of their new album Coma Noir in early 2018, I’ve been waiting to see them live. It is worth noting that Coma Noir is my album of the year so far.

The Atlas Moth live is tremendous. The fury and volume each member emits while on stage is astounding. Their sound which is a mix of psychedelia, sludge metal and bits of black metal comes across live in a way that is almost hypnotic. On top of the musical trance they put you in, their visual elements with lights and lasers really helps to take you to another dimension. Their set while only 40ish minutes was enough to leave me in awe. Songs like “Galactic Brain,” “Actual Human Blood,” “Smiling Knife,” “The Streets Of Bombay” and “Coma Noir” were absolutely stellar live. The whole set was, not just those songs. Needless to say The Atlas Moth have fast become a new favorite of mine.

The Atlas Moth are one of those bands that when you first hear them your interest will definitely be peaked. Then when you see them live, it all makes sense and you are left with a sense of astonishment and desire to go home and play. At least for me, seeing The Atlas Moth made me want to go home, pick up my guitar and start jamming. I also had the chance to talk to Stavros, the singer/guitarist before the show and he couldn’t have been a more down to earth genuine dude. Thanks for the chat.

Do yourself a favor and listen to Coma Noir by The Atlas Moth. Let the music overtake you and put you in that “trance.”

The Atlas Moth- Coma Noir:

The Atlas Moth- Live At The Resident:

Live Review: Old Blood, With Our Arms To The Sun, Interstelar at The Silverlake Lounge

When I go to a show these days there are a few things I look for in the band that’s on stage. First is the music. Do the bands have the ability to transition their music from their album to a live setting? Second is their performance. Do the bands really give it their all and let the music and their art take over to allow them to unleash that inner beast? Third is the lasting effect. When the band is done are you left in awe over what you just saw or are you left feeling meh? Now some might consider this criteria as elitist but, when you’ve been to as many shows as I have and seen the amount of bands I have, you need to be able to see through the bands that really have it and don’t. Friday night at the Silverlake Lounge was quite the eclectic mix of bands and music and all three bands I was there to see brought something different to the stage.

(more…)

Live Review: Cane Hill and Valor & Vengeance at The Viper Room

One thing that I truly enjoy is getting to see a band in a club atmosphere. There is something really special about the intimacy of it. It doesn’t matter if it’s a big band or an up and coming band, club shows will always be some of the best shows a band will play. Last night I ventured out to the Viper Room to check out two bands that I’ve been wanting to see, Cane Hill and Valor & Vengeance and they both didn’t disappoint.

Valor and Vengeance took the stage before Cane Hill and delivered a very mood setting performance. Their intensity and prowess on stage really draws the audience in and definitely gets the head banging. The bands frontman Adam Ryan is a beast, not only does he have that intimidating yet really nice guy factor, the guy can down right sing and scream with the best of them. The dual guitar attack of Tyler Morgan and Mike Muenzer shines when the heavy kicks in along with the more melodic nature of the songs. Bassist Paul Perry and drummer Josh Fresia are beyond locked in and deliver a pummeling rhythm live. Songs like “Devil’s Highway” and “Sinking Further” really stood out during their set. In a previous post about the band I said “I like to think of Valor and Vengeance as sounding like Avenged Sevenfold if the latter had balls and didn’t suck.” I stand by that description but I’d like to add that they are definitely way better than Avenged. Check out Valor and Vengeance when they are playing at a town near you!

The other reason I was out last night was to check out Cane Hill. I’ll admit I wasn’t too familiar with them until about a week ago but, when I heard their new album Too Far Gone, I knew I had to go see them. Their sound and style is reminiscent of early Slipknot (first 2 albums) with a bit of a metalcore and industrial vibe. This 4 piece from New Orleans really laid it out for all the fans in attendance. You can tell that these guys believe in their music and are in it for the love of music. The entire band are beyond tight and know how to deliver a show. Singer Elijah Witt has one hell of a set of pipes. I wasn’t sure how he’d be able to pull off certain songs live but he did and I genuinely think his voice sounded better live. Especially on songs like “It Follows,” “Erased,” “10 Cents,” and “Ugly Model Mannequin.” Guitarist James Barnett has one hell of a tone and is resonated extremely well inside the Viper Room. Bassist Ryan Henriquez and drummer Devin Clark are blistering as a rhythm section. Cane Hill is one of the best newer bands I’ve heard in a long time. Their album Too Far Gone is one of my favorites of 2018 and it’s only March. Do yourself a favor and check them out and go see them live, you won’t be disappointed.

Cane Hill- Too Far Gone:

Valor and Vengeance- Devil’s Highway:

Valor and Vengeance- Sinking Further:

Review and Photos (granted they are kinda crappy) by: Brian Lacy

Live Review: Spotlights at The Echo

When a band puts out a tremendous album my expectations for seeing them live tend to go up. Last night at The Echo, I had the pleasure of checking out Spotlights live and I left the show in awe of how great they were. As a three piece band, the amount of volume they emitted from the stage was astonishing and bright. Every song they played was tremendous. Their recent album Seismic is a true gem of 2017 and their live show cements the band as a force to be reckoned with. Guitarist/vocalist Mario Quintero, bassist/vocalist Sarah Quintero and drummer Chris Enriquez tore through their set with the utmost precision and passion. Songs like “Learn To Breathe,” “Seismic,” and “Ghost Of A Glowing Forest,” and “What Is This, Where Are We,” decimated the audience. During their set I couldn’t help but look around at the crowd to see their reaction to Spotlights and the sea of heads swaying along with the music was a sight to see. Seeing Spotlights at a venue like The Echo was the perfect place to see them. The intimate setting really lets those in the audience become fully engrossed in the music and the hypnotic nature of the band. I strongly suggest everyone going to see Spotlights when they come through your town. I can’t wait to see what’s to come for them, as they are definitely a band to look out for.

Review and Photo By: Brian Lacy

Live Review: Less Art at The Echo

One of the best things about being a music nut is the feeling you get when you hear an album, and while in the midsts of listening you start to imagine the band live and how much more of an impact the songs have when played live. Last night I got to witness that amazing feat as Less Art took the stage and stole the entire show. The forceful magnitude in which they played and performed left me and the rest of the audience in a state of awe.

Performing songs from their stellar debut album Strangled Light, Less Art was everything I had hoped they would be live. The intensity of each member as they played through songs like “Diana The Huntress,” “Optimism As Survival,” “Pessimism As Denial,” ” Wandering Ghost,” and my favorite track “Shapeshifter” was impeccable. Riley, Ed, Ian, Jon and Mike all proved that this band is a serious venture in the way they played and performed. I wish they were able to play longer, that’s how good they were.

Being a fan of all these guys other bands, it’s a very cool change of pace to see them get their creativity out in a band like this. Less Art is different and a very welcome kind of different. They have created an album that stands out in the post-hardcore genre. I really hope that they have the chance to make another album and tour again. If you are a fan of post-hardcore music, you MUST SEE LESS ART!!!

Less Art- Strangled Light (BUY THIS ALBUM!!!!!!):

Live Review: Spirit In The Room at The Satellite

Spirit In The Room is one band that I’ve been meaning to check out live for some time. Ever since I started Audioeclectica, I’ve been drawn into the music created by this group. Main man Dennis Sanders is a fountain of inspiration and truly has a knack for writing great songs. The footage I’ve seen of their live shows has always peaked my interest but it wasn’t in the cards for me to get to a show until last night.

On a perfect late summer early fall evening in Silver Lake at The Satellite (formerly Spaceland), Spirit In The Room headlined and gave one of the most passionate performances I’ve seen from a band all year. If there is one thing I’ve come to want to see from a band on stage it’s belief in the music they are playing and Spirit In The Room does just that and then some. Songs like “Cut To The Crash,” “Lick Your Friends,” “When The Spider Disappears,” were not only great live but, just the tip of how good the songs really are. Dennis Sanders along with bassist Darren Howard and guitarist Kyle Nadeau are are astounding live. The element of “recklessness” goes a long way with these three. By combining influences ranging from Depeche Mode and Black Sabbath, to noise rock and bits of dance and doom, Spirit In The Room has created something that stands out. Not only do they get you wanting to dance but, they get you riled up in such a way that is reminiscent of going to an old school punk/metal show.

Do yourself a favor and go see Spirit In The Room live.

	gridgloryc47ef15d74 on Unsung Masterpiece: Oceansize-…
	NEW MUSIC SPOTLIGHT:… on AUDIOECLECTICA INTERVIEWS: JAM…
	NEW MUSIC SPOTLIGHT:… on ALBUM OF THE WEEK: BLACK MAGNE…
	NEW MUSIC SPOTLIGHT:… on Unsung Masterpieces: Black Mag…
	\| INFRARED MAGAZINE on ALBUM OF THE WEEK: THE OWLING-…