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"Everyone's got issues."
April 19th, 2003
Harpos - Detroit MI
Outspoken, Powerman 5000, Stonesour
By: Ken Coppens
Well besides the group of fucks who kept chanting "If you're 555 then I'm 666" and besides the guy who came wearing a homemade #8 Slipknot mask, this show was fucking amazing!
Before the show I met up with "goldenglitter" from this board, she seems cool as hell.. A bunch of people were around waiting for Corey but once doors opened, most of them took off like dumbasses (Not knowing it doesn't really matter if you get in first)... A ½ hour after everyone left, it was just me and 2 other people and Corey came out and talked with us for a few.. He knew me from the board which was cool as hell, took some pictures and shot the shit..... Josh was out too just walking around and chatting with everyone, probably the most social out of them all.
Josh was talking with me about how he is going to be talking with D'Addario and maybe setting up something with them and using their strings, and we talked about that and equipment and all sorts of other shit... SUPER nice guy... James came out too and I got some pictures and he gave me a SS guitar pick.... Thats why I tell all of you, GET TO THE SHOW EARLY, DON'T WAIT AFTER.. There was 3 of us and the whole band was out there just signing stuff for us...
now to the music...
The first band was Outspoken.. Not really my style and just like Trust Company, all o ftheir songs sounded the same... Singer looked kinda like David Dramain (Disturbed) but just did some pussy singing most of the time... I wasn't too impressed with this band.
Rot was there but didn't play, so only a total of 3 bands played.
Powerman 5000 came on and tore the place up... With the stage at HARPOS being about 7 feet high and no security, it was pretty kickass no matter where you were.. I was at the first front against the wall taking pictures and what not.. I'm pretty sure it was "When Worlds Collide" is what they opened with (Or maybe they closed with, I can't remember), But either way they tore the place up and before the show afterwards when I met them they were real cool guys to hang out with.
Then of course there was Stone Sour. As usual, GET INSIDE started and the whole floor of this huge venue in Detroit went nuts.. People were climbing on stage and stage diving (Which I ended up doing twice.... Corey gave me a 10 on my second)... Corey was hilarious throughout the entire night.. When fat guys climbed up, he asked them if they were still hungry and to get off his fucking stage.. Then later talked about the music industry and dissed THE USED and said, I believe this was the quote (about the singer of the used) "He has his head so far up kelly osbourne's ass he can't even smell shit... music shouldn't be a fucking soap opera."
Corey was giving ratings to everyone who kept stage diving, and didn't mind that everyone kept jumping up at all... (I accidently bumped into Jim when I was up on stage, tho he didn't mind) At one point Shawn threw out one of his picks and I cought it (It's in one of the pictures).... I got some real kickass pictures at some points, considering I had a digital camera and could hold up to about 100 pictures anyways.... The whole crowd was digging the show the entire time.. The pits were completely insane.. .The setlist kinda threw me off though, they ended with OMEGA and last time they played that 2nd to last.. Everyone was waiting after it for 1 more song then the lights came on and ended it..
Bother was amazing though... Didn't hear any assholes yell anything about Slipknot and masks, and everyone was singing along and enjoying it... A few even stage dove during it, and Corey didn't seem pissed, just laughed...
If you're seeing any of the shows this tour, you are in for a fucking treat, Stone Sour & Powerman 5000, you can't get much of a better show... Such great live bands and nice people, I will post all of my pictures in the Media section.
-Ken
April 18, 2003
Kansas City, MO
The Uptown Theatre
Pigface
My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult
Zeromancer
Bile
The Follow
For a small town band from Columbia, MO, The Follow did well to hold their own with the likes of such great industrial acts. Their 15-minute set impressed not only the crowd, but the other bands as well. I was also rumored that Martin, of Pigface, was going to sign them to Invisible Records.
We waited in the dark silence, anticipating the New York City trio calling themselves BILE. They played their 30-minute set against the backdrop of a video screen, offering a rather cool effect. The Toxic Industrial band ripped through a set of crowd favorites, including You're a Fucking Looser and Love Stinks. The air was thick with violent riffs and a heavy blanket of smog. BILE was only the beginning of an intense night.
Zeromancer, currently one of the top European acts, had fought each night of their first American tour to prove themselves. NEED YOU LIKE A DRUG opened the set with their brand of EBM-Industrial music. Come NEO GEISHA, Alex experienced microphone problems, which forced Kim & the crowd to provide vocals for much of the song. CHROME BITCH became the sing along song of the evening. Filth ... Kiss ... Chrome ... Bitch ... was chanted and screamed by fans that knew the tune. CLONE YOUR LOVER, their first No. 1 hit, was only one of two tracks performed off of their first release by the same name. DR. ONLINE, the initial single off of EUROTRASH followed, and sent the crowd into a bouncing frenzy. SEND ME AN ANGEL, Zeromancer's cover of the 80's hit was a crowd favorite. It showed just how old the fans were, and i personally don't like feeling old. FADE TO BLACK closed the show, and left us only wanting more. Zeromancer proved they are one band with enough force to headline a major US tour and pull it off.
My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult took the stage around 10 o'clock. TKK consisted of a drummer, a vocalist and a keyboards/sampler. With only three members on stage, they put forth an effort that many bands severely lack. "For a moment, let's forget about the war," the vocalist pleaded with us. We were even blessed by the presence of Lacey, from Nocturne, for a few songs.
This was my second time seeing PIGFACE live, and they beat every expectation i had initially made. The Uptown Theatre supported an excellent, well-defined sound. The night featured several line-up changes as well as featured members. Martin was seated in his drum cage, behind a wall of "Hazard/Construction" fencing, supposedly to keep him from injuring not only himself but also other members of the band. To put it simply, Chris Connley is amazing. Martin mercilessly beat his drums like a psycho trying to free himself from a straightjacket. This album's line up could possibly be the best to date. The crowd did not stand still once the first note was sung. A backdrop of nuns glared at us through glowing-green eyes. Several Mirror Balls, hanging from the ceiling and Martin's drum kit, were utilized throughout the entire set. (And you thought Sarah McLachlan was the only musician to successfully use Mirror Balls.) Pigface offered up a sound and stage presence that cannot be compared to anyone in the industry today. The entire band seemed to be enjoying themselves and their music, feeding off of the crowds energy. Lacey of Nocturne, Michelle of VOODOU and Justin of Professional Murder Music through out the set joined PIGFACE. "The human demolition starts with you," screamed a vocalist and set the entire crowd into a moshing frenzy. Few were spared from the aural assault. During a brief intermission, Martin announced that he had somehow injured his leg and commented on a possible hospital trip. "Never underestimate the difference you as an individual can make to any situation," he told us, and it became the motto for the evening. Joined by members of TKK, Nocturne and Voodou, Pigface returned for an encore. "Have you had enough? You're starting to show signs of fatigue." That generally happens when a band plays for two hours. "If you want more music, you're going to have to make more noise." That was all anyone needed to say. The final song of the evening was a cover of NINE INCH NAILS' SUCK. The light draped across the nuns now read SUK instead of FUK. Members of VOODOU, BOZO PORNO CIRCUS, NOCTURNE and ZEROMANCER for their rendition of the NIN classic joined PIGFACE. The night started loud, reached a pinnacle and only surpassed that point. Kansas City would never be the same.
March 4th, 2003
Toad Holler
Des Moines, Iowa
Pulse Ultra
30 Seconds to Mars
Chevelle
I dedicate this review to my cousin's late fiancée Jackie, who was tragically taken away from us in an automobile accident the afternoon of the show.
Doors opened over an hour earlier then normal, presumably due to the fact it was 10 degrees outside and there was 7 new inches of snow on the ground. The weather seems to have cut the number of total people who shows up, but there were still well over 700 people in the venue.
An over abundance of 30 Seconds to Mars T-shirts filled the crowd. Barricades were pushed as close to the stage as possible. A sign announced Pulse Ultra and 30 Seconds to Mars would be signing autographs after their respective sets. Slowly, but surely, kids began filtering into the club. Mother Nature did her best to put a stop to the show, but the fans would have nothing of it. Several local celebrities were even spotted. Zarrie, of The Albino Spiders & Bomb-Pop Mafia (who had toured the West Coast with 30 Seconds to Mars) was seen, as well as several of KAZR's Rock Jocks.
Pulse Ultra was the friendliest band early that evening, wondering around the back of the venue, signing autographs and chatting with their fans. Pulse Ultra was also the surprise band of the evening. KAZR had taken it upon them selves to not mention they were performing that night.
"Ready," Zo announced, "roll film." Far Eastern influenced beats set the stage for the Canadian Quartet. They wasted no times with introductions, the crowd knew who they were. Making their first US appearance on OZZfest 2002, this was the bands first show in Des Moines, Iowa. "What the fuck is up Des Moines?" Lead singer Zo queried. Simple stage lights drew little attention away from driving beats and pounding rifts. "How can something so beautiful, shine on something so terrible?" The band had showed 110% improvement since their stint with OZZfest. Taking time between songs to thank Des Moines for its support, the crowd was also invited to check out the merchandise booth after their set. "This is SLIPKNOT's fucking home, right? When SLIPKNOT comes to town do you just stand around or do you fucking move?" Sounds like a challenge, but the crowd didn't take it as such. Wondering around like freshly risen Zombies, the cold seemed to have sapped all the energy from the far reaches of the crowd. The challenge, however, was taken from those in the center of the crowd, who took the opportunity to escape the coming cabin fever. This was Pulse Ultras last show for a while. The band would be heading off to LA to film their first video. Flaying out of Des Moines might prove to be a challenge, though. "Build Your Cage" was a crowd favorite and also got the most response from the crowd. "Phase 1," "Big Brother" and "Culprit" were all played after being requested from the crowd. Pulse Ultra cares about their fans and played for nearly 45 minutes, the self proclaimed longest set they've ever played. The closing song even found Chevelle on stage for a thank you.
Chevelle may have been headlining the show, but during 30 Seconds to Mars set, they were the main act of the night. After nearly 20 minutes of space-age-introduction music, 30 Seconds to Mars took the stage. Lead singer Jared Leto, most recently seen in Jodi Foster's "Panic Room," performed dressed in a white tuxedo, sporting a black "X" drawn on his forehead. Jared spent the majority of the first song crouched on top of one of the near ceiling tall speaker. I still found it hard to believe this was the same kid I grew up watching on a little known MTV teen-age situation drama. The crowd wasted no time getting into the music. Swaying, moshing and crowd surfing as soon as the first note was struck. On their return trip to Des Moines, 30 Seconds to Mars was just as thankful, if not more thankful, to their fans for their support. It was rather disturbing seen Jared poised on stage, looking strongly like a young version of Kurt Cobain. Joe, bassist of Chevelle, found the time to join the band on stage for their final song of the evening, being back by other members of Chevelle and Pulse Ultra for the final chorus. Jared Leto had stepped out of the actor's limelight long enough the prove himself as a musician, and he had the band to back his near angelic voice.
Chris Hayes and Tom Kunstle, two quiet young men, drove 6 hours in the snow from Mitchell, South Dakota to see Chevelle. Slamming into a heavy version of "Family System" sent the crowd into a near frenzy. Few people were immune to the moshing, head banging and crowd surfing. "You guys wanna hear the new single?" "Send the Pain Below" was a crowd favorite, gaining an incredible response for the third song of the set. The trio of Brother's from Cook County; Illinois proved their capability as a headlining band. Pete even shared vocal duties with Joe, who didn't keep his shirt on for very long, while Sam mercilessly pounded the drums. Intense lighting effects enhanced the Chevelle's show. Sound bytes filled the gaps between songs on this, the last night of a headlining tour, during a set that included selections from their major label debut, as well as their independent release. During technical difficulties with Joe's Bass, Pete took the opportunity to give a short speech and talk about Iowa's most recent snowstorm. Chevelle has infinitely improved since OZZfest 2002 and are more then ready to play the main stage on OZZfest 2003. The crowd seemed to be holding back as Chevelle played, but all hell broke loose as the band played "Comfortable Liar." The crowd was invited to sing along to their current radio hit, "The Red," and not one person who accepted the invitation missed a note. Chevelle had used the night to gain a stronger fan following and with any luck, they will be back to Des Moines.
Not one person at Toad Holler expected such a turn out with nearly 7 inches of newly fallen snow in the Des Moines metro area. The show sold over 700 tickets.
Sam Loeffler, a very warm and friendly young man, was found signing autographs and talking with fans long after their set was over.
Chevelle's set list
Family System
Forfeit
Send the pain below
MIA
Point #1
Closure
Grab thy hand
An evening with El Diablo
Comfortable liar
Don't fake this
The red
It's no good
Wonder what's next
February 28, 2003
Toad Holler
SOLD OUT
Des Moines, Iowa
Noise Therapy
Social Burn
RA
Seether
A hand written sign reading "SOLD OUT Must be have ticket or be on guest list to enter" hung on the entrance door. What every band wants to hear, and what no fan with out a ticket likes to see. This is not an unusual sign for Toad Holler to post. Fans had begun to wait in the cold at 3 oclock in the afternoon; despite 30-degree weather and a four-hour wait for doors to open. People had come from as far as Omaha, Minneapolis and Chicago to see this show.
Playing Des Moines for the first time, Canadas Noise Therapy was the first to take to the stage, feeding off of the energy of performing in front of a packed house. Surprising many on lookers, the band was not even listed as being on the bill. "They just pulled up in their bus and said Can we play? Shawn Taylor of KAZR, Des Moines Lazer 103.3 told us. Even though their appearance was a pleasant surprise, fans were already familiar with GET UP, which is currently being played on KAZR. A few were even caught singing along to their favorite tracks, bobbing their head with the beat and even crowd surfing. Not a very bad start for a concert that would eventually last 5 hours!
Social Burn took the stage, picking up where Noise Therapy left off. Not holding back, Social Burn plunged into a set full of heavy beats and head banging rifts.
RA, playing Des Moines for their second time, took off and didnt look back. A crowd favorite, RAs music set the bar for crowd response that night. Starting heavy and not backing down for their time on stage.
Seether, having built a strong fan base by playing Des Moines summer outdoor festival, LAZERfest, was more then welcome as they came onto the stage. Not one person was caught standing still and nearly everyone was singing along. Seethers set lasted over and hour and it left fans only wanting more. We were even treated to a new song, only recently played live. Des Moines really does seem the place for bands to test newly written songs.
After the show was finished members of all four bands were found milling about the crowd, having fan photos taken, signing autographs and making new friends in the middle of Iowa. I doubt if any of these bands, after the incredible response, never again played in Des Moines.
Sadly, I arrived late and missed the majority of downthesun's New Year's Eve performance. The final song's preformance, "Wonderful Life," wasn't wasted on the crowd however. Downthesun only set the foundation of the energy that would be built on that night.
The murderdolls took the stage around 9:30pm, after half an hour of sitcom and movie theme songs (Addam's Family, Bat-Man television series, Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.) The gothic-punk-glam band didn't waste anytime whipping the crowd into a frenzy. Acey Slade's energy carried over from his days with DOPE and greatly helped the stage show. The band's set, over an hour long, featured nearly every track from Beyond the Valley of the Murderdolls, included a new track, The Devil Made Me Do It (and I'll Do It Again) and a Misfit's Cover (Devil's Whore House). The performance of the Misfit's cover was the first time the song had been performed live. It seems the Midwest is a favorite place for bands to test new tracks. Grave Robbing USA featured Wednesday 13 marching around the stage, a gravedigger's shovel attached to his microphone. During the chorus of People Hate Me, Wednesday 13 brushed his teeth with an oversized toothbrush, spitting a mixture of toothpaste and water into the crowd and onto the security guards. Towards the end of the set, a fan had thrown a nearly full bottle of water onto the stage and hit Wednesday 13 in square in the face. Even though threats were thrown from the stage, it was the crowd that finally ended the "pussy's" two minutes of fame and threw the kid out. Recovering quickly, the crowd was led in chanting "FUCK." "I Love To Say Fuck's" set had Wednesday 13 chasing Joey (1), wearing what looked like Marilyn Manson's antipolice cap, around the stage under a huge, black, open umbrella prancing around like a demonic Mary Poppins. And the umbrella? Painted on the umbrella was F. U. C. K.
And what of Des Moines home-town-heros? Has the entire music industry gone to hell? According to Corey Taylor of STONESOUR it has, and they are here to change that. Sick of the music industry thinking fans are idiots, STONESOUR has vowed to take a stand and bring back metal music. Taylor seemed honestly worried the crowd wasn't having fun and during breaks in the set continually asked "How is everyone?" "Are you having fun?" STONESOUR also performed a new, non-album track. "Rules of Evidence" is rarely performed life. The always emotional track "Bother" had set the entire venue ablaze in lighters. And a the stroke of midnight? The band refused to play the typical New Year's song, instead imbibing Jack Daniel's. We were promised STONESOUR would be back to perform for their hometown.
FRAT BOYS SHOULDN'T MOSH!!!
FLAW, THE COLOR RED & NOISE THERAPY
OCTOBER 24, 2002
THE RANCH BOWL, OMAHA NEBRASKA
Flaw's upcoming DVD was being recorded at The Ranch Bowl, and no outside photography was being allowed. The night could only get better.
It was announced during NOISE THERAPY's set that 3rd Strike's vocalist had lost his voice, and the band wouldn't be preforming. No one seemed to mind. Musically beating the crowd into submission, NOISE THERAPY quickly worked them into a frenzy. Though barely heard of before tonight the boys from Canada were not going to be upset by the Americans, and they prooved with out a doubt that Canada rocks. NOISE THERAPY was a band no one would foret.
The wicked light effects of The Color Red's set seemed lost on the crowd as they mulled about like zombies or stood near motionless until almost halfway through the set. Come the fourth song, The Color Red had worked the crowd up enough to mosh, and the band's upcoming second single (The Other) sent the crowd over the edge.
Flaw took the stage leaving no room to question their ability to satisfy the crowd. There was no introduction, they didn't need one. Ripping into "Reliance", Flaw left the crowd begging for me. To Chris Volz, true showman that he is, there was no holding back. Mixing gutteral growls with harmonizing vocals, Chris blended perfectly with the music brutallaly assaulting the crowds senses. There is no doubting, this band has matured since their first national tour last year with COLD and DOPE.
The emotional intensity of the night peaked with the preformance of "Whole". The crowd not only heard the music, but felt it in their souls. Chris ended the song with a kiss aimed towards heaven, and a silent "thank you."
We were even gifted enough to hear a track recorded for "Through the Eyes" that didn't make the final cut. A song rarely preformed live. Where "Whole" and "Only the Strong" gained the greatest crowd response, "My Letter" (rarely played live) brought the crowd together. Dedicated to all the parents trying not to repeat the mistakes their parents made, "Best I Am" spoke the loudest to the Generation X portion of the corwd.
Flaw finished a monumental night with a dedication to Dave Williams. Fallen hero, mentor and friend. Lead singer of Drowning Pool. "One More Time" was Flaw's Tribute to a lost friend.
"Flaw is an idea. An emotion. A feeling," Volz explained to the crowd. "Art is more inspiring when music is listened to with the heart."
Noise Therapy Setlist:
Get Up
Ride
Far Away
G-Hole
*-69
Inside
FLAW SetList:
RELIANCE
AMENDMENT
WHAT I HAVE TO DO
INNER STRENGTH
WHOLE
AWAY
ONLY THE STRONG
MY LETTER
"MEDLEY"
SCHEME
BEST I AM
GET UP AGAIN
ONE MORE TIME
PAYBACK
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