JayPnay
03/01/07, 11:35 PM
Umm... I co-wrote this review with a friend of mine for theowlmag. If you want to check it out, http://www.theowlmag.com/livereviews.asp?cdPage=1&lrPage=1&vPage=1&fPage=1&month=2&year=2007&date=2/28/2007&id=107... that's the website. But if you're too lazy to click on that, then here:
Taste of Chaos @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (http://www.theowlmag.com/venues.asp?cdPage=1&lrPage=1&vPage=1&fPage=1&month=2&year=2007&date=2/28/2007&id=67) 2/17/2007
A scratchy throat, sore limbs, and throbbing headache are among the classic post-show hangover symptoms from downing the Taste of Chaos. This year's tour brought in lieges of swanky scenesters, pseudo-punks, and rabid fan girls, who squeezed into the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on Saturday, February 17 like a pair of skinny jeans.
Noticeably absent in this year's Chaos tour, however, were the heavier acts of past line-ups like Killswitch Engage and As I Lay Dying. Though some fans may have come to catch bands such as Saosin or Senses Fail, most, if not all, were curious in seeing actor-turned-singer Jared Leto rock out with his band 30 Seconds to Mars.
Another key feature missing this year was the junior-sized second stage, but the addition of a new stage design more than made up for it. Organizers Kevin Lyman and John Reese implemented a rotating turntable stage, allowing all acts more room for performance, while cutting down the usually long set-up times in between. Nifty.
The show began at an unusually early 5:30PM, with the Ernie Ball Battle of the Band victors, San Jose's My Former Self, followed by Evaline, whose latest EP Postpartum Modesty. A Portrait of Skin was produced by Used guitarist Quinn Allman. Lead singer Jonathan "R.J." Perry could've easily been mistaken for a hippie drunkard down the street, as he staggered across the stage, garbling lyrics to "La De Da" and "Calm Touching." In one point of their performance, Perry walked atop his keyboard, toe to heel in sobriety test style, which he'd have failed miserably as he fell off the keyboard in a pitiful and resounding thud.
The chaos officially began when Aiden hit the stage, fashionably zombie-esque with their pale-powdered skin, midnight manes, and blackened eye makeup. Aiden's reckless passion in performance easily fueled concertgoers into obeying their whims.
"Fuckin' push each other out of the way!" demanded vocalist WiL, impressively parting the crowd like the Red Sea - an Aiden activity referred to by fans as the "Wall of Death." The face off between 'walls' looked like the climactic pre-battle scene in Braveheart, only with no kilts and more makeup. Upon WiL's command, the two sides collided together in a mass of mayhem. Aiden fittingly ended their set with "Die Romantic."
As soon as Chiodos stepped foot on stage, the zealous teenies pushed their way towards the front, closer to Chiodos' charmer Craig Owens. The front man's cuddly good-boy looks aren't reflective of him as a performer, however. His ferocious stage presence and death-metal growling were executed with punk-rock precision. Chiodos hit a high note when favored line "I'll stop stabbing, when you stop screaming" from the song "There's No Penguins in Alaska" pounded through the speakers, exciting fans into a moshing, crowd-surfing frenzy. The band also debuted a new song from their upcoming album.
The anticipation for 30 Seconds to Mars peaked when the stage revolved to reveal their full-scale Asian-themed production, complete with Chinese screens, lanterns, and flags.
When Jared Leto (in an all-white ninja suit) finally emerged out of a foggy haze, the crowd welcomed him into a tremendous roar. His pretty face had a later entrance though, as Leto appeared in a kabuki mask.
The vocals were on point, evoking an introspective and matured tone parallel to that of the album. Leto made way for plenty of fan interaction, as he's known for, pointing his mic toward the masses. The audiences' hype eventually mellowed out at the song "R-Evolve" but Leto and the gang were able to win back the energy with their smash single "The Kill."
During the climax of their last song, Leto disappeared off the face of the stage, magically resurfacing in the back of the auditorium, creating pandemonium as eager fans flocked to get a hold of him.
Last but not least, the Used hit the stage amidst deafening cheers, and looking as dirty and dingy as ever.
"Look at us, we look like shit, but we don't care," exclaimed the newly blonde-haired singer Bert McCracken. "All we care about is the music, and that's what this whole tour is about."
The Used immediately roused fans with their high-octane song "Take It Away." Former drummer Branden Steineckert was kicked out of the band last summer, and replacement Dan Whitesides (formerly of The New Transit Direction) was impressive, hitting every single beat, and erasing any doubt of his fit in the band.
Never failing to perplex and amuse the audience, McCracken carried out an obscure hip-hop freestyle with lyrics like, "When I say whoop, whoop, you say woo!/ When I say suck it, you say how long?"
The Used performed new songs "Liar, Liar" and "Handsome Awkward," of which is reportedly about a certain singer with blond hair whom McCracken has had a well-known falling out with (cough-Gerard Way-cough). Lights dimmed and moods hushed for harmonious acoustic song "On My Own."
"What's more hardcore then playing an acoustic song and drinking hot tea?" said McCracken, throwing his warm tea bag into the crowd.
The Taste of Chaos strangely became the flavor for love when the band played overtly saccharine "I Caught Fire," which couples took as their cue to huddle up and suck face. McCracken wasn't shy about showing his affections toward his fans either, constantly proclaiming his love and calling all "beautiful."
The Used rounded out their hour-long set with another new song and their action-packed "A Box Full of Sharp Objects," while moshers tried to get in their last-minute beat-downs.
-Jaime Evangelista and Robbie Salapuddin
ps. you may have noticed that there's scarce coverage on the set for Saosin and Senses Fail. The reason behind that is I missed their sets because I was waiting in line for the Chiodos meet and greet.... so yeah that sucked. :-(
Taste of Chaos @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (http://www.theowlmag.com/venues.asp?cdPage=1&lrPage=1&vPage=1&fPage=1&month=2&year=2007&date=2/28/2007&id=67) 2/17/2007
A scratchy throat, sore limbs, and throbbing headache are among the classic post-show hangover symptoms from downing the Taste of Chaos. This year's tour brought in lieges of swanky scenesters, pseudo-punks, and rabid fan girls, who squeezed into the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on Saturday, February 17 like a pair of skinny jeans.
Noticeably absent in this year's Chaos tour, however, were the heavier acts of past line-ups like Killswitch Engage and As I Lay Dying. Though some fans may have come to catch bands such as Saosin or Senses Fail, most, if not all, were curious in seeing actor-turned-singer Jared Leto rock out with his band 30 Seconds to Mars.
Another key feature missing this year was the junior-sized second stage, but the addition of a new stage design more than made up for it. Organizers Kevin Lyman and John Reese implemented a rotating turntable stage, allowing all acts more room for performance, while cutting down the usually long set-up times in between. Nifty.
The show began at an unusually early 5:30PM, with the Ernie Ball Battle of the Band victors, San Jose's My Former Self, followed by Evaline, whose latest EP Postpartum Modesty. A Portrait of Skin was produced by Used guitarist Quinn Allman. Lead singer Jonathan "R.J." Perry could've easily been mistaken for a hippie drunkard down the street, as he staggered across the stage, garbling lyrics to "La De Da" and "Calm Touching." In one point of their performance, Perry walked atop his keyboard, toe to heel in sobriety test style, which he'd have failed miserably as he fell off the keyboard in a pitiful and resounding thud.
The chaos officially began when Aiden hit the stage, fashionably zombie-esque with their pale-powdered skin, midnight manes, and blackened eye makeup. Aiden's reckless passion in performance easily fueled concertgoers into obeying their whims.
"Fuckin' push each other out of the way!" demanded vocalist WiL, impressively parting the crowd like the Red Sea - an Aiden activity referred to by fans as the "Wall of Death." The face off between 'walls' looked like the climactic pre-battle scene in Braveheart, only with no kilts and more makeup. Upon WiL's command, the two sides collided together in a mass of mayhem. Aiden fittingly ended their set with "Die Romantic."
As soon as Chiodos stepped foot on stage, the zealous teenies pushed their way towards the front, closer to Chiodos' charmer Craig Owens. The front man's cuddly good-boy looks aren't reflective of him as a performer, however. His ferocious stage presence and death-metal growling were executed with punk-rock precision. Chiodos hit a high note when favored line "I'll stop stabbing, when you stop screaming" from the song "There's No Penguins in Alaska" pounded through the speakers, exciting fans into a moshing, crowd-surfing frenzy. The band also debuted a new song from their upcoming album.
The anticipation for 30 Seconds to Mars peaked when the stage revolved to reveal their full-scale Asian-themed production, complete with Chinese screens, lanterns, and flags.
When Jared Leto (in an all-white ninja suit) finally emerged out of a foggy haze, the crowd welcomed him into a tremendous roar. His pretty face had a later entrance though, as Leto appeared in a kabuki mask.
The vocals were on point, evoking an introspective and matured tone parallel to that of the album. Leto made way for plenty of fan interaction, as he's known for, pointing his mic toward the masses. The audiences' hype eventually mellowed out at the song "R-Evolve" but Leto and the gang were able to win back the energy with their smash single "The Kill."
During the climax of their last song, Leto disappeared off the face of the stage, magically resurfacing in the back of the auditorium, creating pandemonium as eager fans flocked to get a hold of him.
Last but not least, the Used hit the stage amidst deafening cheers, and looking as dirty and dingy as ever.
"Look at us, we look like shit, but we don't care," exclaimed the newly blonde-haired singer Bert McCracken. "All we care about is the music, and that's what this whole tour is about."
The Used immediately roused fans with their high-octane song "Take It Away." Former drummer Branden Steineckert was kicked out of the band last summer, and replacement Dan Whitesides (formerly of The New Transit Direction) was impressive, hitting every single beat, and erasing any doubt of his fit in the band.
Never failing to perplex and amuse the audience, McCracken carried out an obscure hip-hop freestyle with lyrics like, "When I say whoop, whoop, you say woo!/ When I say suck it, you say how long?"
The Used performed new songs "Liar, Liar" and "Handsome Awkward," of which is reportedly about a certain singer with blond hair whom McCracken has had a well-known falling out with (cough-Gerard Way-cough). Lights dimmed and moods hushed for harmonious acoustic song "On My Own."
"What's more hardcore then playing an acoustic song and drinking hot tea?" said McCracken, throwing his warm tea bag into the crowd.
The Taste of Chaos strangely became the flavor for love when the band played overtly saccharine "I Caught Fire," which couples took as their cue to huddle up and suck face. McCracken wasn't shy about showing his affections toward his fans either, constantly proclaiming his love and calling all "beautiful."
The Used rounded out their hour-long set with another new song and their action-packed "A Box Full of Sharp Objects," while moshers tried to get in their last-minute beat-downs.
-Jaime Evangelista and Robbie Salapuddin
ps. you may have noticed that there's scarce coverage on the set for Saosin and Senses Fail. The reason behind that is I missed their sets because I was waiting in line for the Chiodos meet and greet.... so yeah that sucked. :-(