Show flyer.
Last night was the Rock Solid Industry Showcase 2009, hosted by J-Rock and Patty the Radio Girl. It was an all-day event, with 18 or so bands. Some didn't show up til the later half, some been there all day. Luckily for all of you for those who missed the show, part of the show, or got so damn drunk you don't remember, I was there to review the show so I can tell what you what you missed or don't remember. Also, I'm not like those "judge panels" who said things to make the crowd cheer, I will most likely make you mad because I tell the truth if your favorite band sucks. Now that disclaimer is out of the way, let's get down to business with the opening act.
Cosmic Mountain- This band drew the undesirable number one. They have a funky and bluesy sound. The one thing that killed them was the frontwoamn didn't speak what-so-ever! The closet thing she did with interacting with the crowd was giving some random girl a shirt. No introduction, no song titles, hell not even a "Thank you, good night!". The sound was the only good thing about the band. I wouldn't see them live again, but I would get their debut album, Axis Mundi.
Next up was a young band, and when I say young I mean young! The drummer was 13 years old! Killer Without A Cause is just that, killer. These young teens capture the classic rock n roll sound that was 30 years before them. Making me think my glasses turn into sunglasses, Killer Without A Cause has that talent to pull off classic sounds with a modern edge. What happened to rock n roll, they ask? Nothing, it's still running strong in their veins. And the drummer is only 13!
Hanging out next was Hangman Jury. I kept hearing about this band from all the high schoolers, they were even voted in by their high school. And you know what? They deserved it. High energy from start to finish. The vocalist, who looks like Jim Morrison with a Carrot Top wig, was one of the most energetic front men I've seen in years. Running around on stage, jumping into the crowd with a tambourine. What got me the most, the singer even used a bullhorn in one or two of their songs. Killer sound, killer performance.
Driving into third is Nine Mile Drive. This is another highly anticipated band, possibly the most popular in the rock section. The fans were cheering and chanting their name before they even went into sound check! The opening song had a sweet Tampa growl, which got my attention. The vocalist sang cleanly, but it matched the heavy sound of the music. Great tunes, deep lyrics and the command of the crowd. One of the best of the show.
Okay, I believe I'm cursed. When I first saw Falling Awake, the singer fell and this time the stage was falling apart! A busted light and other mishaps didn't stop these rock warriors, they continued to play and rule the stage. Vocalist running his singing up and down, and himself up and down the stage. Again, one of the best in the show rock show.
I was actually complaining there hasn't been any bad bands and I'd have an all positive review. Lucky for me this band saved me! Dirty Black Halo reminds me of that Soil song, but unlike Soil, this band has more passion and hope than talent. The singer looked like a pink haired Mick Jagger! Punk singing to rock music. Quite a boring set, virtually nothing remarkable about them. And it's quite sad when you have to bring two half-naked women to get a get a crowd reaction. One of the worst bands at the show.
Let's go back 10 years, back when Dave Matthews mattered. That's what Southside Serenade does. Bringing in, as Skwisgaar Skwigelf would say "a grandpa's guitar", they were quick to change the pace. They were all sound, very '90s rock. Sadly they didn't do much performance wise. Again, another band I'd listen to but not see.
Not Tonight Josephine. Interesting back story, with Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife is how they got the name. They were the first to use black lights for the show. Opening song was quite Linkin Park based. All the other songs were filled with more screams than singing. Decent band to listen to. Alright band to see if your in the right mood.
Look over there! It's Look Right Penny. No idea if there is a back story to this band name or not, but they were the last rock band up. The drummer was quite talented. Saw him throw his drumstick in the air with one hand while playing with the other, now that's talent! Alot of audience participation, to which many obliged. Why they even have a keyboard player? Sadly though, with all the audience help and the drummer sweet moves, they didn't have much going for them. Not the worst band, but they were bad that night.
Now it's time for the metal. The D.O.O.D was the first of the metal. A very popular band with a fast and aggressive sound. Sadly the singer sang too clean. Come on bro, your from the Tampa area, birthplace of brutality, sing it like Chuck would. They had a song called "11 cent Solution". What the hell costs 11 cents nowdays? Overall, a decent band, if they worked the crowd abit more they could go alot farther.
Seven Years Past. Sure has felt like it. This band was a disappointment, yet a blessing to see. The music was right and the singing was right, but not together. It sounded like Lita Ford singing to Disturbed. Either butch up the singing girl, or loosen up on the guitar. Get in tune with each other, you'll tear the roof off of any venue.
Katerina didn't sink New Orleans, these guys did with their heaviness. No Room For Saints came straight from New Orleans with screams that are like Tim "Ripper" Owens and heavy sound to match. It sadly on generated a two point Mosh Pit. Good band, hope to see them back in the Florida scene sometime.
Another band I was hearing about was Zombie Dragstrip Hookers. This band has something I never seen before- a Native American on guitar! Think he was Native American, really didn't ask him. This band has a Southern metal feel. Good ol' boys with a hard edge to them, gotta love it. The closing song of theirs was a Cranberries cover of you guessed it, "Zombie". They did a hell of a job on the cover and the set. Good, solid band all around.
The showstopper was Suggestion. I've reviewed these guys before and this time I got better news than before. This time they pulled out all the stops. Hilarious stage show that consisted of 5 other "creatures" fighting with each other, one interrupting the show to pull a Kanye West. The singer's guitar broke during the set but that didn't slow it down. He just threw the guitar away and continued singing. Funniest set of the night and one of the best in the metal section, and the entire show.
Alright, so Suggestion had some competition. Another popular band, and I found out why.Dead Heroes were amazing! True Tampa metal, it was beautiful. The drummer was so fast it made me go cock-eyed. Brutal set, great presence on the stage. Only band to generate a 10 point Mosh Pit! Don't see that in many local bands. That's usually Lamb of God and Devildriver territory.But why they want our heroes to be dead? I sorta like having Superman alive, protecting us from Lex Luther. Best band of the night.
Again, another solid band, with great fan reaction was Pushmower. No push overs here, I loved the F-U attitude. Instead of devil horns their fans put up their fingers. Gotta love the rock n roll lifestyle. Great band, go see them live if you can.
If I'm not mistaken the last band was Stuk. Very sad, their drums were massive. Way too heavy for their kind of music. The vocalist reminded me of Psycostick with his funny singing. Another sad thing was they needed a backup singer for add range. Generated a one point Mosh Pit. They could have done much better.
Well that's all the bands I saw. If there was more, please tell me. The judge panels were total quacks. I thought the CEO of Rat Pak records was a vegetable because he said the same thing about all the bands, "F'n Awesome". No more, no less. J-Rock was right not to give me the mic, because I would have been booed out of the building and it would have ruined the surprise on who was good and who wasn't. Well that's all that you missed, don't remember, or what you saw. Until next time, be good, or be better than evil.
Comments
COol Glad I missed it...LOL
We really loved our review, for those of you who couldn't make it to the show. We couldn't have read a more honest review of how the overall event went. Much love to Wes for keeping it honest!!
Thanks Wes for a positive review. This would be the first time we have been called "southern rock" though...hehe
It was a pleasure to meet you and hope to see you at another show.
Machine
Indeed Wes.....Indeed
...OMG!,...."Zombie Dragstrip Hookers" were freakn' amazing!
I agree, very solid band with a sound all their own. Seriously kick-ass drummer!
It was a pleasure meeting you Wes....hope our paths cross again. Gomez and the rest of Falling Awake were very gracious and put on a great show. Your review is pretty much on the money....Take care.
Caught both nights of the showcase lots of great bands don't agree with some of the reviews but overall not bad. I will say that the judges did a good job. The point is give constructive criticism, not blast the bands.
I was a little confused though, at the end of the night they had said no room for saints won the metal. Than the next day The said Suggestion won? Perhaps the judges found a bunch of chickens in there cars after the show. LOL
How in the world can you hold a competition, declare a winner (No Room For Saints), and then announce some other band (Suggestion) THE NEXT DAY as the winner?! I saw the whole show. Neither band should have won, but either way,..what you guys are doing is making a mockery out of the whole thing. ...see if anyone shows up next year.
SITUATION MINE!!!!
We had a great time and hats off to all involved. A show that big is never easy to pull off,..and they did! Thank you State Theater/J-Rock+Patty/Judges/fans/bands! (in no perticular order)
CHEERS! -Talon Blaque
Hey Kanye! No Room For Saints was the Overall winner and SUGGESTION won the metal portion of the night. DUMBASS!
btw, thanks for the review Wes, we like hearing nice things about us, its really a change of pace from EWWWW FREAKS!!!
Zombie Dragstrip Hookers was tyte as F!
and Kanye! you wouldn't happen to think beyonce should have won do you?
Finally, a reviewer with the balls to post honest comments.
love the review, cheers to Zombie Dragstrip Hookers.
Overall it was a fun night
Hey, Wes. Decent review, though I think Halo deserved a bit better. Funny thing about Pushmower; after their set I got some pictures of the lead singer getting hauled out by security for some reason. Wonder what that was all about...
Hey Damien I'd LOVE to see those pics!!!and as far as the reason for the event....just me being me!!LOL... GREAT JOB BY ALL !!!!!
www.myspace.com/pushmower www.pushmowerband.com
Lol, I want the pictures of the guy getting dragged out by security.
I, too, thank you Wes for reviewing the show. I am the assistant for Rock Solid Pressure and this is a really stressful show to put together every year. Sorry for the confusion with No Room For Saints, they were NOT the winner of the metal portion. They were the winners of the Rock Solid Pressure radio competition of 2009. The hosts just took advantage of having them on stage to give them the award seeing as they are from New Orleans. I don't really have anything else to add about the comments, why argue with someone's like or dislike of a band. Will it change their opinion?? Highly doubtful!! Either you like them or not, I just think if you don't like them or what they do, don't listen to them! It's not necessary to bash them simply for playing something YOU hate. Each band worked their asses off to play that event and each should be acknowledged. I also manage the DOOD and thought you should know, the 11-cent solution is a reference to a bullet LOL
Two girls making out on stage makes a band look bad, but some dudes fighting in animals masks is cool?
Dumbass.
Must be gay if you like cock fights more than lesbians.
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