Depending on your point of view, the slight chill in the air during Friday's Bush/Chevelle/Filter concert was either a deep freeze or a day at the beach.
The view here says it was somewhere in between. A majority of fans at Sunken Garden Theater sported hooded sweatshirts and light jackets for an evening that dipped into the low 50s (go ahead and laugh, East Coasters and Midwesterners). Filter bassist Phil Buckman, on the other hand, went topless, showing off his Michelin Man-like pecs while vocalist Richard Patrick sported a light jacket in spending more than half the band's opening set singing among the crowd.
And thus, the stage was set for a lively night of hard rock and alternative metal.
The return of British quartet Bush packed in the entire outdoor general admission area with a set that ended 30 minutes earlier than the allotted 11 p.m. curfew but still lasted 90 minutes. Singer/guitarist Gavin Rossdale shredded and sang like a man possessed. Part of it likely was a product of Bush not exactly touring South Texas every year, like Chevelle and Filter do, and Rossdale was simply making the most of a rare opportunity. Part of it was probably the fact the triumvirate of bands was concluding its five-week trek, and they were intent on making it count a little bit extra. Or, Rossdale and Bush simply were giving their usual stellar performance.
Let's say it was all of the above.
Bush got things going on "Machinehead" and continued its rocking ways on newer tunes such as "The Sound of Winter" from The Sea of Memories (see setlist on slideshow, left). On "The Afterlife," two-thirds of the way through the set, Rossdale ditched the guitar and spent the entire number jumping like a pogo stick without sacrificing his voice. He then leaped off the stage and came down through the photo pit, slapping high-fives along the front row of fans while singing with those who were just as happy to see him.
Second encore "Glycerine" served as a defacto solo for Rossdale, while other highlights included "Little Things" (see video, left), The Beatles' "Come Together," the song that started it all "Everything Zen" and encore finale "Comedown."
Each band expressed its desire to be one with the crowd in its own way.
Chevelle singer/guitarist Pete Loeffler lamented Sunken Garden's setup by saying, "We normally like to give out free stuff to the crowd, but tonight you're 150 feet away for some reason." Earlier in the week, Loeffler had posted on the band's Facebook page that Chevelle and Bush were playing co-headlining sets. That wasn't the case on this night, as Chevelle played 12 songs in less than an hour before Bush's lengthy set.
Nevertheless, Loeffler, his drummer/brother Sam Loeffler and their brother-in-law bassist Dean Bernardini played tunes from four of their last five albums, plus new single "Face To The Floor," which will be on the Dec. 6 release of Hats Off To The Bull. Pete Loeffler gave a subtle shameless plug -- if there's such a thing -- for the forthcoming album by declaring, "I love playing that song!"
Chevelle also rocked favorites "Family System," "Comfortable Liar" (see video, left), "Jars," "Vitamin R," "Forfeit," "The Clincher" and closer "I Get It." On "Send The Pain Below," the fans made it through without incident, unlike the band's March 2007 show at Sunset Station when a fight broke out during the heavy-riff part of the mostly melodic tune.
Chevelle probably had an extra 15 minutes that could have been squeezed in, as their set ended 20 minutes ahead of schedule. That would've been a perfect chance to play more from 2007's Vena Sera such as "Brainiac," "Antisaint" or "Straight Jacket Fashion." Or, they could have made the night of one fan up front who yelled out for "Point No. 1" off the first album, to no avail.
Filter's opening slot served as an appetizer for its scheduled Saturday night club show in Helotes. Patrick epitomized a frontman who knew he needed to get the crowd involved early and often to set the tone. He even body-surfed during one song (see slideshow), inspiring others to follow his lead without telling them to. When one such fan took a tumble onto the concrete, Patrick immediately inquired, "Is that guy OK?" He was.
Just seven days earlier at Sunken Gardens, Pop Evil and Theory of a Deadman broke up their respective sets by playing cover riffs or full cover songs, continuing a disturbing trend of support acts choosing to go that route despite their limited time onstage. While opening for Staind on Oct. 21, Pop Evil played riffs of Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train" and White Zombie's "Thunderkiss '65," and Theory of a Deadman played the tune made popular by Eric Clapton, "Cocaine." They also did that tune in April at the Alamodome.
Filter pulled out a cover on just its third song. But in this case, it worked. That's because Patrick informed the crowd that a few days earlier, he "met some Texans you may have heard of -- ZZ Top." Patrick claimed that Billy Gibbons told him, "I love that version" of "Gimme All Your Lovin,' " before Filter launched into the tune.
Fans who wanted to see a band play its own songs (what a concept!) still got their fill when Filter ended with hit "Hey Man Nice Shot" (see video, left).
Patrick then wholeheartedly thanked the fans who came out early. Chevelle and Bush followed with more rock and gratitude, and everyone headed home happy.
Maybe even a bit chilled.
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