Sound Off!

LIVE REVIEWS (IN BRIEF) 2006
by George Dionne

I wasn't able to attend quite as many shows as I did last year, but this year was still fun and enjoyable. Nothing beats a great live show.
(Rating maximum is 5):

TASTE OF CHAOS 2006
Tsongas Arena- Lowell, MA

Featuring: Deftones, Thrice, Receiving End of Sirens, Story of the Year, Atreyu, As I Lay Dying, The Confession, Funeral for a Friend, Adair, Greeley Estates, The Smash Up, Street Drum Corps, and Screams of Erida.

As soon as I walked into the place I instantly realized, even at the age of 29, I was too old for this show. Most of the kids there were there with their parents, with the parents far from the stage and the kids front and center .Overall the show was great. I would say half of the bands were good, and to be blunt, the other half sucked.

I got to discover some great new bands at this show, which is pretty much why these festivals exist. Story of the Year blew me away with their high-energy stage antics and powerful music. As I Lay Dying commanded the stage and the crowd with their hardcore sound. Funeral for a Friend really surprised me with their melody.

Street Drum Corps was just another rehash of the Levis bucket drummer and Stomp. Nobody liked them. A lot of the second stage bands just didn't have it. Maybe they didn't get the same sound equipment as the main stage, but they all sounded the same. Deftones were a big disappointment for being the headliner. No energy or connection with the crowd at all. LIVE PICS HERE

SHINEDOWN
(Featuring Trapt, Evans Blue, & Halestorm)
Lupo's - Providence, RI

After getting over the fact that Lupo's was now a small rock club int he middle of a huge "hootchie" club, and I was going to miss the wet T-shirt contest later in the week, I managed to have a really good time. Halestrom (LIVE PICS) was a huge surprise considering I hated their EP. That girl can really belt it out. Evans Blue (LIVE PICS) was nothing special. Trapt (LIVE PICS) was also better than expected. They could easily carry a headlining spot with the set they have. It's just too bad that radio has been giving them the cold shoulder. Shinedown (LIVE PICS) was amazing as always. This was the third time I caught them, and they never get boring. At least this time they have a second album under their belt.

TAKING BACK SUNDAY
(Featuring Angles & Airwaves and The Subways)
Tweeter Center - Mansfield, MA

I realize that they've all been four ratings people. The Subways kicked things off, but I can't say that I was entirely familiar with them in the first place. Angles & Airwaves were sort of new to me as well. I knew it was the new band of the ex-Blink 182 singer. Their sound was just so different than anything on the radio today and anything that Blink 182 ever did. The songs were powerful and moving. They stole the show. I might as well admit, I knew very little about an of the band. The headliner Taking Back Sunday was another new experience for me. Talk about energy and passion. I think their performance was the only one I've ever danced to. A great band that could be enjoyed by a wide variety of music lovers

TOM PETTY & THE HEART BREAKERS
Tweeter Center - Mansfield, MA

This was my 2nd time with Tom Petty, and it just keeps getting better. This time around Petty and company switched around the set list and even played some different songs and a few covers. To top that off, Stevie Nicks came out for a handful of songs. What a night!

BON JOVI
(Featuring Nickelback)
Gillette Stadium - Foxboro, MA

I was really excited to catch Bon Jovi (LIVE PICS) for the first time, but unfortunately I was 15 years too late. There's no denying that the huge stage show was quite a site to see. Also, I think it was the first show I had ever seen that was shot in Hi-Def for the big screen. The group focused a lot on newer material, not usually something a casual or standard fan wants to hear. We want to hear the hits. The only problem with that was when the hits came up, Jon sang them at a lower key, and everything else was slower. Nickelback (LIVE PICS) salvaged my night with their in-your-face rock tunes and emotional ballads. Although Chad is still a dork when he speaks.

ROLLING STONES
(Featuring Kanye West)
Gillette Stadium - Foxboro, MA

This was my first Stones show. I know, I wait till the last minute for everything. I made sure to show up while West was at the end of his set. Couldn't hear a damn thing he was saying over the bass. He sure does use a lot of sampling in his music. The Stones were unbelievable. The stage was larger than life, the band was just as huge, and the hits were plentiful. It's amazing how Mick can move the way he does at his age. I had such a great time that when it was all over I said "that's it?" Then looked at my watch and realized it had been over two hours.

QUIET RIOT
Foxwoods Casino - CT

How can you pass up a free show for these 80s head bangers? What a fun show. The group acted like they were playing an arena show, despite the 250 people or so in attendence. They all looked liked they were having a blast and played hit after hit, plus a few of the new ones. Vocalist Kevin Dubrow hasn't lot one bit of his voice, but somehow looks like Rod Stewart circa 1971 now. I can even forgive him for forgetting the second verse to "The Wild & the Young."

GODSMACK
(Featuring Breaking Benjammin)
Mohegan Sun Casino - CT

Breaking Benjammin was in great voice, but how the hell can you have a set without your most recognizable song? They didn't play "One Thing." Godsmack delivered a rock show they way it was meant to be delivered. Thunderous drums and guitars, powerful lyrics and vocals, and enticing visuals and pyrotechnics. Godsmack bring back the days of the big rock show, rather than sitting on a stool and telling you about their problems.

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