Crüe Fest 2 rolled into town, high on rock and roll rebellion and the success of the most notorious kings of bad boy rock, Mötley Crüe.
The gates opened at 3:30p.m. and the first performance was on the second stage sponsored by Monster Energy Drink. At 3:35pm Uncle Nasty's (of KBPI 106.7) band Horse ignited the afternoon. The other bands that performed on the second stage were Shram, Cavo, 16 Second Stare and the second stage festivities climaxed with Rev Theory.
Fans ranged from the old school to the new-new school, from the very large to the very puny, but every age and size did their time, and kept it alive for the entire concert. No joke.
Although the times that the second stage and the mainstage bands went on coincided with each other so that the performances overlapped, rock and roller's still managed to muster up enough energy in the scorching heat to travel back and forth from stage to stage. Chris Davis of 16 Second Stare even stated that, " This is the best crowd we have had so far this tour. We loved playing in Denver".
I was packed snugly in the pit like a can of sardines when the mainstage performers started at 4:30pm. The first band, Charm City Devils, were quite 'charming' in a raw, pure rock and roll, get down and dirty sort of way. Singer John Allen was full of energy and spunk that mutated and started the show off with a detonating night full of rock!
Texas rockers, Drowning Pool gave a riveting performance and maintained their neck-breaking pace through a set list with extreme energy and an enormous explosion of heavy metal. During their hit "Bodies", the crowd went nuts with fists pumpin', testosterone flyin' and bodies jumpin'. Ryan McCombs muscular vocals coupled with the zealous clatter of guitarist C.J. Pierce shook the crowds vibe into a metal frenzy.
New comers, Theory of A Deadman kept the fans roaring with an old school style performance with their mix of groove and good ol' rock and roll. I think a '57 Chevy would fit their bill nicely.
Godsmack, Godsmack, Godsmack.....What can I say about them? The amphitheater filled with rockers of all ages soaking up their awesomeness. As if the magnitude of their level of musicianship weren't enough, they performed a dual drum solo that took your breath away! You can watch the first part of the solo below. They ensured the crowd, that despite the break ups of many bands, that Godsmack was alive and healthy and they aren't going anywhere.
Mötley Crüe kick-started their show with a scene of a psych ward and opened with their song 'Dr. Feelgood'. The entire 1989 #1 album was performed by Crüe along with classic Crüe and songs from the 2008 album Saints Of Los Angeles. Bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee were the bad boys we all know and love, guitarist Mick Mars seemed to be feeling well and took us back to the roaring engine style solo's that drive us, Vince was great, yet seems to forget the lyrics sometimes of the songs he has sang for decades, yet all in all, he pulled it off. Mötley Crüe closed with 'Home Sweet Home' and with whatever breath the crowd had left, they sang along.
At this year's fest, though shaken up a bit, I managed to survive, fully intact and with the new addition of painful blisters on my feet, yet I have grabbed ahold of a newfound respect for all things mighty and metal.
You heard it here first, that's if you can hear at all if you were there when Crüe Fest 2 rocked Denver! My ears are still ringingggggggggg.
Video courtesy of Laura Earley
Stay tuned for future articles on my video interviews with Shram, Charm City Devils and Drowning Pool!
Comments