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Ed Roy of Influenza (whom we call MedusED due to his dreadlocks), his friend T.J. , and I drove to Clfton Park, NY on the outskirts of Albany to see Otep, American Head Charge, Candiria, Bloodsimple, and Last Call at Northern Lights. We got food at Wendy's and hit he road. |
| When we got inside, the bands were doing sound checks. I found Otep's tour manager and introduced myself. He had a blank look on his face and informed me that he had not recieved anything about me doing an interview. This happens a good bit. Luckily, he had a laptop and there was a wireless connection at the club. We went online and I showed him the emails from the PR people that said I was all set. |
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He was really cool and accomodated us with tickets and a photo pass. He also informed us that Otep was very sick with the flu and would not be able to do the interview. I suggested doing the interview with Bassist eVil J, but that was declined because "Otep is the voice of the band" and if she couldn't do the interview, no one else could either. The tour manager then gave me Otep's email. He told me to email her the interview and she would do it that way. I said ok. We made the best of the situation and went to hang out and watch the show. ( I sent them to her and I will post them when I get them.) |
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OPENING BAND |
Last Call, was from Troy, NY. They played heavy, fast NY/HC. It was great and the crowd got into it. At some points, they are blazingly fast, but it breaks down into a heavy groove for a minute before blasting you in the face again. (Think early NY/HC with a little Cro-Mag's influence.) It will remind you of a time when Metal & Hardcore were first coming together. I really liked the tunes Ghost in the Mirror and Mud in Yer' Eye. Frontman Ralph Renna has a good sense of humor and chatted up the audience between songs like they were old friends. I got a few pics of him. He and I spoke after the set and asked me to send him copies of my photos. I agreed to send them. We spoke for a little while longer and got along well. He was pretty cool. |
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Bloodsimple frontman Tim Williams and guitarist Mike Kennedy, spawned this new band from the ashes of their acclaimed metal-core outfit Vision Of Disorder. The rest of the band consists of guitarist Nick Rowe, drummer Chris Hamilton, formerly of Downset and Medication, bassist Kyle Sanders, whose previous credits include the industrial-metal trailblazers Skrew, as well as a more recent tenure with Medication.The songs were full of energy, and the musicians have the ability to captivate an audience. The music ranges from sheer aggression and amplified rage, to subtle soundscapes that really make the listener pay attention. The crowd really got into the band and the pit was SICK!. |
OPENING BAND |
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OPENING BAND |
Candiria were up next. Formed in Brooklyn, NY, the band's unique sound combines elements of grindcore, funk, hip hop and jazz. The band is touring in support of their latest album What Doesn't Kill You... which chronicles the band's near-fatal van crash, hence the album cover and liner notes. Candiria don't embrace the old, dull formula of the "metalcore" genre. They infuse their blistering riffs with snatches of hip-hop, jazz, dub, and melodic singing. Carley Coma's vocal approach varies from rap to hardcore shouts and growls. The more aggressive tracks are compelling maelstroms of dissonant riffs, rhythmic changes, and bits of psychedelic electronics. The crowd ate it up and the mosh pit was in full swing. It was a full-on SlamFest! |
| American Head Charge is from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The band plays a manic, driving barrage of avaunt industrial metal and nightmare grindcore that alternates between pummeling ferocity and passages of all-out grandeur. They are touring in support of their latest release The Feeding. But what sets American Head Charge apart is their ability to transform their rage into dark and twisted vibes and melodies. Vocalist Martin Cock spits his lyrics with frightful conviction over the sonic tsunami created by the band. The combination works for the band's ever-growing legion of fans. The mob in front of the stage showed their appreciation by slamming and crowd surfing like maniacs. Before the show, I bumped into American Head Charge drummer Chris Emery. I had just walked into the club, and he walked up to us and introduced himself. We talked for a while and took a quick picture. Otep was next... |
OPENING BAND |
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California band Otep have been taking the Metal world by storm. Their story is like a movie script based on every musician's wet dream. |
| After the show, we waited for the "Meet & Greet" to get a few items signed. It was then that you could tell that Otep was sick. She seemed really run down and you could tell she would rather have been wrapped up in warm blanket, in a bed, on the bus. We thanked her for the great show and wished her well, telling her that we hoped she would beat the flu. We got our autographs and a few quick photos and we were off. We stopped to get directions to the NYS Thruway at a nearby gas station and I went in to get them. I was writing them down and MedusED asked why. I told him that in the dark, nothing would look "familiar" to him and we all had a good laugh. The ride home was fun. |
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