Floater, The Finns and Jimmy Nuge | June 7, 2014, Knitting Factory, Spokane WA

A Saturday night concert! Almost a rare treat to enjoy the weekend in full with early morning work at home until it’s time to stop then get prepared for a night out on the town. Floater just keeps getting better and better for as a band that you can rely upon when it comes to pulling out any album from their catalog and every song does not disappoint. The songs are timeless and melodic with energy drawn from sources like The Doors, The Police, Pink Floyd, Tool, and Primus. Floater STILL deserves to be known EVERYWHERE but everyone along the West Coast gets the special treat of seeing Floater at least once in year in their towns. Next time you hear Floater is coming, go hear the music and get lost in the vibes.

The opening acts were some local talent, starting with Jimmy Nuge doing an acoustic performance and what a mess of fun it was. I like the loose vibe of just getting up on stage and breaking into song but since he’s apparently a local favorite from a local band, you think he’d come and be a bit more professional, cleaned up (apparently he just came from work) and show off his talents vs clowning around so much. Yeah, yeah, relax, it’s music not a personal audition for me (I can hear people whining already). I just wish when someone gets up there, they come to do their best, present themselves in the best light possible. You’re trying to build an audience, not just fill the time.

Next were The Finns and I swear this ranks right up there with some of the worst I’ve seen live. AGAIN, they are up there trying and doing way more than I would do and showing more balls than most in this world but appeared to come from a high school music competition. Two young men and two young women with NO character or presence on stage. Staring at your instruments making sure you hit each note correctly comes off poorly. I’m sure they are brand new in the area as a band and have MUCH to learn to be a better band so perhaps years from now they will look like they know what they are doing up on stage they blow the doors of the room. There’s always hope.

Floater

Floater

Floater

The Finns

Jimmy Nuge

DevilDriver, WhiteChapel, Revocation, Carnifex, Rivers of Nihil, Fit For An Autopsy | May 26, 2014, Knitting Factory, Spokane Wa.

Tonight’s concert was a long one considering there were six bands playing. New bands are not necessarily a bad thing, of course and you’re always hoping to discover something special but if the bands get repetitive with sound and/or presence then the night can go long and the audience can fall apart by the time the headliner hits the stage, which in this case quite a few people decided they had enough after WhiteChapel had finished. This was their night, since they were currently hitting the charts with the song entitled “The Saw is the Law.” The crowd that left missed out on another fantastic set by one of the most prolific bands in heavy metal, DevilDriver, fronted by the now reborn Coal Chamber of the ‘90s.

The night started off with Fit For An Autopsy which did show me much regarding a sound all their own, nor did Rivers of Nihil but they got the crowd warmed up some for the long night of thundering noise and cookie monster vocals.

Next, was the band called Carnifex and I found them entertaining musically and visually. I swear the lead singer looked like a spitting image of Crispin Glover as the legendary George McFly from the Back To the Future. He had the same shaved side, slicked/combed over haircut, same slim body presence and profile of Crispin Glover. I heard some great potential I them and I know they’ve been around a while now but it’s still in general a band that makes for a great opening act.

Revocation played next and they were a good blend of metal and hard driving, straight ahead rock and roll. Their lead singer is really talented and is the glue to the success of that band. It’s rare you get great guitar solos that aren’t just metal-type solos, Revocations solos were filled with more soul and depth and draws you in to hear more of the complexity that they bring to their music. It’s almost too bad they are thrown in with metal bands with crazy text for a logo/brand. Their music is simply better than their marketing shows.

The highlight for many people that night was to bear witness to WhiteChapel. This band has been around for a little while now and are just hitting their stride with their latest release entitled  “Our Endless War.” I must say their light show and aura are impressive. The guttural vocals almost can frighten and the pounding the audience takes is quite impressive. I can see why and respect why people are digging this band at this time. There was some resemblance of witnessing Lamb Of God for the first time and being mighty impressed with the vibe but Lamb Of God have more range/depth than WhiteChapel.

As some of the crowd decided that WhiteChapel was their reason to come and were simply worn out after five bands played before DevilDriver hit the stage, the remaining audience were given another fantastic show by one of the best bands in metal music. DevilDriver played some new cuts off their latest release “Winter Kills” along with a plethora of classics along with a taste off their music catalog. Being one band that never disappoints, gets to your town at least once a year and releases new music more often than not in this day and age, I highly suggest you get into DevilDriver!

Carnifex

DevilDriver

Fit For An Autopsy

Revocation

Rivers of Nihil

WhiteChapel

Static-X, Otep, Dope, Smile Empty Soul, Thira, Thirion X, Club 412, Spokane, WA, May 15, 2014

Thursday night seemed to be a walk down late nineties/early 2000s nostalgia street, but I beg to differ on some levels. This particular show brought about a diverse and hard core following to the headliner and the band that preceded them (which in my opinion ruled the night).  

This was the first time I have visited Club 412 in downtown Spokane. As you enter the venue, you see a nice little bar where people were enjoying their beverage. The twist on this place was that it had a huge menu of shots in which you could partake in. Perhaps some night where I’m not driving, to sample some of the shots would be a great evening out. You’re looking at a very narrow, old style bar on the first floor of the club, but as you walk in, you notice a stairway to the main floor of the venue where the stage is located. Upstairs is quite impressive with plenty of space to host such an event. Pool tables, merch booths and then there’s the main room where the stage and floor are to enjoy the concert. I suspect capacity would be around 500 people or less. There’s also a two–sided bar on the venue floor where you can order everything under the sun. As a first timer to this place, I was impressed again; there’s another venue to hold such a fantastic lineup of bands. Spokane is very blessed with great locations to promote the music scene locally and internationally.

The first band of the night was Thirion X which continue to disappoint with every time they open a show.  They have not improved and live off of the local following so they will never grow to anything special until they have more to offer the audience (update: this band is not even a year old yet and are still working out the concept of who they wish to become but they need to work on setting themselves apart in a sound that blends in with so many bands today that look and act the same on stage.

Then, it became interesting…..a band called Thira hit the stage. Imagine a band that had the stage look of Mushroomhead and enough sound of Meshuggah and you have yourself a very interesting opening act. I will be digging into these guys a bit further in the future to hear what their soul really captures.

Next, was Smile Empty Soul and they are stuck in the Nirvana-era of sound and granted they aren’t too bad of a band as a three piece, they just put the crowd to sleep waiting for the next three bands to wake them up again. They played their big hit, “Bottom of a Bottle” and the crowd was pleased…otherwise bored.

Then the fun picked back up again as DOPE hit the stage. This band has been pretty silent for years but apparently have 2 albums coming out in 2015 so I look forward to hearing the new material.  Dope has evolved a bit, for the last time I saw them, they simply were younger and more mobile. Don’t get me wrong, with age comes wisdom so the hits they played just kept coming and the crowd response was intense and craved for more DOPE. They still are a very energetic band that brings the goods! They were my draw to this show in the first place and I was not disappointed one bit. Their montage of songs that have to do with the word FUCK still blows anyone away with how powerful each of those songs are individually but mixed together make them even more significant in power and message. Watch out for DOPE in 2015 for they will destroy once again!

The overwhelming majority of the crowd was there to see OTEP, for they are still relevant to today’s metal/alternative scene. OTEP has been on the map for YEARS and it seems like they are now more than ever relevant and disturbing than ever before to the scene. The lead vocalist, Otep Shamaya has drawn a very devoted and hardcore audience now more than ever before. Being a female lead vocalist in a male-dominated genre means nothing when it comes to OTEP for they surpass SO many bands that are on the radar of the metal scene. OTEP keeps plugging away with fantastic new albums and digs deep in the dark mind of anyone who goes through heavy shit in their lives. If you ever get a chance to see OTEP live, do it, Otep Shamaya will captivate and mesmerize you to the point you cannot help yourself but embrace the moment to dance and sing along.

One thing I have not mentioned was the temperature of the venue. Holy Shit, it was HOT! Club 412 had not set up their A/C yet so the venue was beyond warm. I spent my evening at the bar, kind of isolated and behind a door so I could be left to enjoy the show (I had a fantastic view of the stage from that location). I must have had 5 or more glasses of ice water and an early soda that evening and did not pee a thing all night. It was like a sweatshop in there.  Other odds and ends from the night…as I waited for the doors upstairs to be open, I waited on the first floor, sipping on bottled water and meeting some locals and overhearing some conversation from someone who called himself the director of operations at the club and some Chinese investor guy who seemed disgusted at being there. I wanted to chime in and discuss with them about what they do and perhaps crowbar my design skills to help them out but it didn’t seem too appropriate for they seemed simply shady characters. There was some dweeb club manager or something that kept coming around to make sure those two guys were enjoying themselves and I just thought, the first firing was to get rid of that dweeb for he was such a goober/kiss-ass. Alas, it made for interesting people watching/listening while waiting to go upstairs. Also, to top off the night and kind of expected, I parked in the closest parking lot to the venue which was a bank parking lot and sure enough, I earned a parking ticket. I did the same thing as I felt out the Knitting Factory so it was simply no biggy. I noticed as I left the other parking lots near the club so if there’s a next time, I will know where to park without getting a ticket.

Thirion X opened the show...local band

Thira..best opener of the night

Great stage presence

Wayne owning the stage

Great to hear the classics

the evil disco continues

Most boring band of the night

The band that ruled the night

Otep, singing her her heart out.

once a truly stellar live act.

Blackberry Smoke with Jones & Fischer, April 19, 2014, Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA

This particular night out was a special one. I felt relatively myself for the first time in long time living up here in Spokane. I was in my element, sharing stories and laughs with good friends about music and life. Alas, this night was not about the music for me at all, it was to feel a bit in a loop again amongst people of like mind and interests. People who have much to say who are so very kind, giving and wonderful.

I met up with my friends inside the restaurant attached to the venue but it was a bit tricky to get things correct in order for us to actually meet up in the restaurant. With no reservations (never expecting the restaurant to be that busy), I happen to get in and acquired the seating needed by the skin of my teeth. I was given 5 places to sit/stand along the wall. That was all that was available (nonsense, there ultimately was a table for ten we could have sat at but it didn’t matter in the end). I texted my friends to let them know I was in the room and where I was located. When they came in to the restaurant where to find me by telling the hostess which section I’m at. Well, the friends became a bit delayed and did not check their phone too soon because they were pushed away at the door when they initially arrived, being told they cannot come in. When they did show up after explaining to them that I got in and have the seats need, they were still being told they could not come in. So I walked up to the door where I see them standing outside with some dipshit bouncer fuck who doesn’t understand what they are trying to do. I had to explain it to the hostess and the dipshit bouncer that HELLO, I am here and seated and have reserved the seating for these people, let them in! You could see the mice on fire in both of these peoples’ brains trying to compute the words coming out of my mouth.  Finally, they were allowed entrance where we shared a few moments before the show with a few beers. Keep in mind, I had ordered a beer about a half hour after getting in the door and it never arrived. I was ignored by the server until he acknowledged my existence, that’s when I ordered the beer that never came.  Their service is beyond pathetic unless you’re at the bar itself. Since they do not write orders down, they forget or ignore if too busy.

As for the music review, there was a huge delay in the start of this show which under regular circumstances would fire me up having to wait that long for the show to begin (these guys aren’t Axl Rose). But with the company with me, the time flew by. The Delta Saints were supposed to be there that evening but clearly something didn’t work out and they never played. The only other opening act was Jones & Fischer. I’ve never heard of them before but they sounded pretty good for a country, high energy sound. It’s hard to get into this type of music unless a little tipsy and after those few beers, Jones & Fischer sounded like a good time of hoein’ down.

Blackberry Smoke was quite entertaining. This was the last show in the Fire In The Hole Tour. The varying degrees of Southern Rock they play kept me interested in hearing the next song for quite a bit of the set. I began to slow down a bit by mid end of the show for eventually all Southern Rock sounds the same. I will give these guys credit though, they have a loyal following and a good time vibe where anyone with half an open mind could have a good evening out and I must say, I felt very blessed.

Fire in the Hole Tour, 2014

Jones & Fischer, opener for Blackberry Smoke

Thank you, friends…I will never forget.

The Sword, Big Business, O'Brother, The Hop, Spokane, Washington, March 15, 2014

Finally, a show at The Hop! I have heard about this club for a while now and they are doing their part to keep the punk, metal, underground rap and more vital to the area. This was a busy evening for myself, for I attended the 2014 Inland Northwest Motorcycle show earlier in the evening. Before going to the concert. I wanted to drive around The Hop to see where’s the best place to park, considering the building reputation that the Hop is drawing nothing but trouble to the area. BULLSHIT, as always! The people that tend to end up at this club are enlightened, piggish, punk and God bless them for their lifestyle choices. It makes people like myself have something to entertain myself with while enjoying the music on stage.

I found a very close parking spot near the Hop’s back entrance, where everyone enters, for obvious reasons (being right on a main street in Spokane). As I approached the venue, I took a few pictures of a local church that was lit along with the natural light of an early setting of the spring forward time change. It was a beautiful site, very gothic and quite appropriate for entering a new venue.

Upon entering The Hop, there was a guy taking money and checking off will call patrons (that was I). As you got past that area, very near was the merchandise area for bands’ goods. From there, you turn right and enter a very unexpected and narrow standing floor to watch the band. There was a second story where there’s a bar and places to sit/stand to watch the show on three walls. The fourth wall is nothing but brick. As you enter, there’s also an area to sit down at tables to visit with friends and concert-goers. The main floor area where people file into like cattle is so small! But, you’re right on top of the band and it’s quite an intimate setting. There’s also doors that lead to an oudoor patio so people can cool down and smoke. It tends to remind me of the place Ducky met Molly Ringwald and the woman from Ghostbusters in Pretty In Pink. It also took me back to other seedy clubs in Sacramento and Redding where you would see fantastic bands rip through amazing sets and think, MY GOD, the band deserves to be heard by more than this! Keep in mind, The Hop was full that night with about 300 people and everyone was there to absorb the music. It’s also St. Patrick’s weekend, so we were all warned to be careful because the local fuzz was waiting for us all to bust.

O' Brother was the first band that came on stage and they kind of reminded me of many bands…but the lead singer seemed to have a Kurt Cobain complex and the bassist in his silly ski cap tried to hard to be someone I’d see in Blind Melon. A sound that was trippy, bland and boring overall.

Big Business started off interesting and then fell into the category of their headliner that night, which was disappointing. At a certain point, during the evening, I got tired of staring and fighting with people to move out of my line of sight as they stepped in front of me. For a while, I was near the kitchen where orders were being taken and then delivered, so for The Sword, I made a point to move to the opposite side.

The Sword were quite fantastic! Unfortunately, they have no stage presence nor did I have a desire to watch them do their thing, but their music is incredible. Perhaps it was the size of the stage, but I have seen them before and they haven’t learned much when it comes to dynamics on stage. Unfortunately, views the closer you are to the stage are harder to come by and I must learn the best place to be at the Hop for future shows. The Sword played everything I wanted to hear and more (which gave me more appreciation for their talent). I was fascinated with the crowd at many times throughout the evening because they actually knew the lyrics and at times, the crowd drown out the band.

There's a growing loyalty building for The Sword...please to go see them play, buy the albums and hear fantastic music!

O'Brother, opening for The Sword.

Big Business opening for The Sword @ The Hop

The Sword, @ The Hop, March 15, 2014

Soulfly, Soblivious, Thirion X: January 31, 2014

Here I am again, at The Knitting Factory, after work, at the show a bit early so I can take my time and enjoy a solid meal and tasty beverage in the nice bar attached to the concert venue. I order off their recently updated menu and enjoy a decent, but not the best burger one can get. Their previous menu was much better, not so gourmet, more traditional for bar food on an upper level of quality, if you get my drift.

I happen to engage in a conversation with a long-bearded fellow who is deep into the heavy metal/punk rock lifestyle. I always wonder how one exists walking around looking that way (shaved head, a beard about a foot long, black rimmed glasses with all denim attire and the appropriate patches/studs to complete the look/stereotype rocker). But alas, I live in such a different sheltered world, there are other norms that work just fine. Who's to judge? It's a bit out of my norm to engage with anyone at the shows unless forced but I could tell he was much like me, in respect. We both could talk about our musical favorites and concerts we've attended for hours. Music means the world to him as much as myself.

Onto the music! Thirion X is a local band that seemed to have improved a bit over the last time I saw them, but with all due respect, they present themselves like everyone else and I probably would need to hear the CD in order to write them off completely.

Soblivious, on the other hand, was a bit better! They come out and give me the impression that the lead singer is a heavy metal Sting with a bit of flair for the dramatic. It definitely makes for a better stage presence. Their music was decent and I'd look them up more verses Thirion X any day!

Soufly, my goodness, what can you say?! If Slayer music are the anthems to hell, then Soufly are the anthems to war! Song after song, the brutality of the their riffs are incredible. The guitarist always amazes me when you see them live. You almost think he has a machine gun in his hand and can whip your ass with his spinning kicks if you got too close. Max Cavalera brings the verbal assault with his cookie monster growl and if I'm not mistaken, his son was on drums thundering through the high-energy grooves. Tony Campos, from Static-X fame is now the bassist and he's such a bad ass motherfucker! The band is currently on the road promoting their recent release Savages, but you can see everyone came to hear the classics from his days in Sepultura to his ground breaking rhythms from the early days of Soulfly. The new album is fantastic and the new tunes played live where spectacular. It's one of their better albums, for sure.

If you like your ears assaulted and your pulse quickened, go see Soulfly!

Soblivious, opener for Soulfly, January 31, 2014

Soulfly @ The Knitting Factory, January 31, 2014

Soulfly @ The Knitting Factory, January 31, 2014, a bit closer to the stage, like feet.

Thirion X, opener for Soufly, March 31, 2014

Buckcherry, Monster Truck, 3 Pill Morning, Seven Cycles | January 21, 2014

I have been waiting YEARS to see Buckcherry live in concert. It dates back from my days in California when they showed up, I believe, in their infancy, at the Boardwalk in Orangevale to play a show. For one reason or another, I have missed them in California and in Washington (they have come through

town a couple of times since living in WA). I have close friends who have seen them before myself and those friends needed convincing how bad ass they were before getting how wonderful that band is! I’ve heard nothing but praise about Buckcherry live and this was finally my shot to see one of America’s great rock n roll bands in their glory.

2014, it’s my 40^th year as a human being. I am far from anyone that matters in my life and I just wish to go home but Spokane has given me one great thing….a venue to see fantastic bands up close and personal and Spokane should count their lucky stars every time we are blessed to have a band like Buckcherry show up in this town, in that venue. The crowd was probably less than half full, but I’m getting used to how pathetic the local scene for music is. As far as I’m concerned..the show is for me; fuck the rest of this lazy town.

The first band that played is a local act called Seven Cycles. Granted, they are not the worst thing I’ve seen, but they have not improved either. The vocalist cannot hold a note to save his life and it’s amazing they have any following whatsoever, locally.

3 Pill Morning was a breath of fresh air after dealing with Seven Cycles. These gentleman from Minnesota had a look (suits, ties, style) and the lead singer could actually sing. I was impressed enough with 3 Pill Morning to give people who love simple, rock-radio-friendly music to a thumbs up on these up-and-comers.

Monster Truck was the band before Buckcherry. It was a blast right from the past. Imagine something like ZZ Top, Boston and Zeppelin were on stage…that was their style. A few concerts ago, I saw Black Scorpion, same 70s vibe and it works if you like that style. Wasn’t the worse thing I’ve seen in the world, it just came off as dated.

Buckcherry finally hit the stage and played everything I wanted to hear and more. Their latest release, Confessions, was proudly displayed amongst classics like Lit Up, Crazy Bitch and my personal favorite and highlight of the night, Porno Star. It was well worth the wait to hear Buckcherry play so many fantastic favorites. If you like straight-ahead rock n roll music..do not wait like I had to..go see Buckcherry and have a fun time!

3 Pill Morning

Monster Truck is the final act opening for Buckcherry @ the Knitting Factory January 21, 2014

Seven Cycles starts the night off opening for Buckcherry January 21, 2014. Seahawk fever here at the time! Booo!

Buckcherry headlining January 21, 2014 @ the Knitting Factory, Spokane WA.

Living Colour, 25th Anniversary of "VIVID" 10.19.13

Living Colour is one of those bands that I have always wanted to see, so you could call this a bucket list moment. Living Colour was celebrating 25 years since their first release, “Vivid” and they played the entire album that night along with classic tracks off some of their follow-up releases.

I must say, I was hugely disappointed with the amount of people at this concert and the lack of support by the local rock radio stations (whether it be the classic rock station or the contemporary rock radio station, none were there, again). With such a small crowd, I took advantage of going right up to the front of the stage. I haven’t been that close to a show in years. Granted, I could probably do it every show at the Knitting Factory but usually it’s a bit too chaotic and violent along the fence and I’m in no mood to deal with being slammed and sweaty anymore unless I allow it.

The opening band that night was Vial 8 and I must say they were quite good. A hard-driving, great beat and great vibe/energy! I would like to hear their album(s) because I think they have a shot in going much further indeed.

Living Colour hit the stage and it was not your spandex-wearing, headbanging Living Colour from 25 years ago and it was just fine by me. Playing “Vivid” in its entirety by experienced musicians who have seen it all and have come out the other side playing impressively and with what appeared to be a lot of love and respect between the musicians was so very special. The highlight of the night for me was when lead singer Corey Glover did an acoustic version of “Amazing Grace” as an introduction to the song “Open Letter (To A Landlord).” Even typing the previous sentence gives me goosebumps thinking about how amazing Corey’s voice is. The range and dynamics are unreal and you would think all those years of singing the way he does that he would crack more or unable to hit high notes but he can do it all still and it was like going to church; that man has a voice of an angel.

Witnessing the master Vernon Reid on the guitar was such a treat and to watch him play looked effortless (course playing the same songs night after night off one album may do that but still, no one sounds like Vernon Reid).  Will Calhoun drummed an impressive solo towards the end of the night by dimming the house lights and having multi-colored lit tips on his drum sticks so when he wailed on the skins those lights took on a life of their own. It was an amazing drum solo!  Watching Doug Wimbish on bass is quite impressive, indeed! Mr. Wimbish was standing right in front of me all evening and there were moments while he played where we were rockin’ out together, smiling back and forth. Those kind of moments where you lock eyes on a band member are always strange but fun; the simple acknowledgement that I’m enjoying what they are doing on stage and they are appreciating what you’re giving back. Mr. Wimbish went off the chain playing that bass with wild solos of extraordinary sounds/effects and even the band seemed to laugh and enjoy the moment right along with the rest of us.

Songs that were played beyond the “Vivid” album were incredible and a bit unexpected. Closing numbers like “Bi” off of the album “Stain” was fantastic live! I don’t think many of the people there knew that song, really but the call and response of the lyric “Everybody!” made that song a true special moment.

Spokane missed out on one of the best bands of the 80s and 90s! A band that deserves to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for not only amazing music, but opening doors to many musicians and styles of music that have come since their inception.

LINK TO CLIP OF CONCERT

Trivium, DevilDriver, After The Burial, Sylosis 9/13/13

The previous evening, I was at the Carnival Of Madness Tour with headliners Shinedown and it was an outdoor event on a very warm evening in Spokane, WA. By the time that show was over, my body was worn out! I asked my friends at that show if they were interested in going to the Knitting Factory the next evening but it wasn’t exactly something they were interested in and quite frankly, back to back nights for them was a bit too much to contemplate (Of course, Trivium and DevilDriver are a much heavier sound so you have to enjoy that kind of noise in the first place).

Sylosis opened the show and they were the same boring band as before. I still would like to see them on a stage that it just for them (to see if they would move around and make some kind of physical effort that the music they create actually moves them).

After The Burial was next up on the stage and by that time, I had taken the opportunity to pass the time by enjoying some adult beverages, which made the opening bands a blur. I had scored a table up by the bar and noticed a few yahoos wishing I’d leave. I asked them if they’d like to join me but I wasn’t about to move. They complied and we bantered back and forth at times during both opening bands. They were the typical stoners, able to makeshift their e-cigs to work with marijuana so they were enjoying themselves (God bless em).

During the evening, I stayed in touch with my best friend and updated him on my adventures that night via text and images. Being one of the elder statesman these days at such shows, some may find my nights out at concerts a bit dated and childish…all I can say to that is Fuck Off and Die! It’s the only thing in my life that never went away; that sticks by through heaven and hell on Earth and it’s God’s gift to my life that brings any kind of meaning so experiencing the gifts of so many talented individuals (and even the bad/boring ones) is a blessing.

I came to see one band and one band only; DevilDriver. Again were fantastic, supporting their latest release “Winter Kills.” With six albums released since 2002, they have plenty of material to play. And, wow did they deliver some classics and strong new tunes off the latest release!

It is very rare that I leave early for any show but as I get older and simply more opinionated on talent, I have a tendency to leave early if opportunity arises. This is the second show of 2013 in which I left early because the chosen headliner is by far weaker than another band on the list. I stuck around for about 3 songs of Trivium before I gave up. I simply do not get why they have any fans. Much like the latest installment of a piss-pore hybrid band like Avenged Sevenfold who do not deserve a thing because they stole everything the best bands on Earth ever did, Trivium have always sounded that way to me as well. Boring stage presence, Metallica riffs and think they deserve to be bigger than they really are. It’s a new generation of fans they must capture in order to maintain because if those younger fans ever see who created their sound, those young fans will quickly dismiss Trivium as well.