Alice In Chains, Puddle Of Mudd, Chevelle, Saving Abel…Concert Review
I am so over due in wiriting up a review for this concert. This bill was offered at the Nokia Theatre, Grand Prairie, Texas, on October 23, billed as “Freakers Ball” by the local hard rock radio station. Halloween costumes were to be the theme, but it was just a bit too early for most, being over a week away from Halloween. So here is a quick review of this concert:
Venue. The Nokia Theatre seats around 6,000 people overall in three primary levels. This is a good venue to see concerts. The accoustics are great, and most seats in the house are good ones. Only the top level are the seats a bit strained from the stage. We were in the pit, as usual, right up close. This concert had around 4,000 in attendence by my guess, decent for a Friday night, but could have been better attended, but I believe the market is a bit saturated with events given the state of the economy.
Saving Abel. This is the second time seeing these guys, the first time up close, however. These are a tight group of straight forward rock music. Nothing too flashy, just good, solid music with energetic performance without getting too nutty. Well received by the audience, estimated to be about 1/2 of what it woudl be for the headliner. I await the second cd from these guys, the first was terrific. If you have a chance, go see these guys. We were a bit bummed as their set was short due to the multi-band bill, and these days, rock concerts are corporate events, done by 11:00 at most nationally managed venues like this one
Chevelle. Fourth time to see these guys, and each time, I have been underwhelmed. The problem is their rather unique sound that got them air time just does not translate too well into live conert setting. This time out was the best that I have heard them, but in the end, they still struggle to make theri songs more energetic becuase the natural song structure of there music is driving rock with a more calculated beat that is somewhat blues laced. Decent outing, about the best I will ever like these guys live.
Puddle Of Mudd. I am sorry, I just like these guys. Lead singer Wesley is about as unpretentious as they get, kind of a happy rocker who drinks a bit and plays his songs getting energy from the audience. This is the 5th time seeing them, and every time I have enjoyed. It is interesting to note, every time I see them, they are on a multi-bill, so I have never seen an extended set with them as healiner. Wonder if they are better in these short doses? If so, it has worked. I will conitnue to see these again and again. They just really look like they are enjoying them selves, and if you are familiar with their music, much of it is rather lgith hearted and mostly sarcastic. Their performance comes across this way as well.
Alice In Chains. Never have been a big fan. This is the first time seeing them, and it is good to say I have. Of course, with the loss of former lead singer Lane Staley, A.I.C. had to go out and look for replacement singer that could pull off the rather unique voice, and what really is a unique sound that Cantrell has designed for the group. The new singer gets a thumbs up…..did not try to do too much, and yes, he sounds very similar and carries the sound along. So if you are a A.I.C. fan, you can see them and not miss the former lead (died of drug overdose, I believe, correct me if I am wrong A.I.C. fans), as they were sounding like they always have. I am not certain of the awe of Jerry Cantrell, he is a good guitarist, decent stage presence, but nothing much more. musically, they are bery tight, purest of the purest. I do enjoy a band that sounds together like this. The crowd recieved them well, the pit got a bit more challenging to manage due to the acceptance. Will not look to go see them again, but again, for true fans, I am certain they do a good show.
The audience was mostly younger in lower 20′s, and fairly tame for an event like this. Of course at one point, I believe I had one of these blokes calling out to me as “old man” to get my attention for something…..I decided to let that go, he likely had nothing intelligent to say anyway, and well, I am a bit older than your average cliet at an event like this, I just do not care.
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