Genres are funny things, Sometimes we have a hard time putting things into a category and other times we struggle, regardless, we as humans have some sort of need to put things into their proper place to describe them. Three bands that have been placed in many different genres came to Pittsburgh and put on a plain old great rock show.
The Toronto based Three Days Grace took the stage after openers Diamante and Dorothy. The band can trace their roots back to 1992, but the band really did not get any recognition until “I Hate Everything About You” in 2003. The departure of lead singer Adam Gontier left most betting on the demise of the band, but actually, the band have not only survived but have thrived with Matt Waist as lead vox.
The band was outstanding at Key Bank Pavilion and really revved up the crowd with hits such as “The Good Life,” “Riot,” and of course the aforementioned first hit. The little intro of ‘Seven Nation Army’ before “Animal I Have Become” was a nice touch as well.
‘Chevelle out of Illinois has sold over 4 million records making their stake with their second record Wonder What’s Next (2002), which went platinum on a sound that was very reminiscent of TOOL, especially with “The Red“. But, Chevelle has continued to make outstanding records despite not getting a ton of airplay since “Closure“, and “Send the Pain Below“, hit the charts.
In fact, the band has come more into their own if anything and has produced a slew of great songs. The energy and dynamic that Chevelle put out on their records come off outstandingly live. The trio of brothers Pete and Sam Loeffler with brother in law Dean Bernardini are a must-see that relies on their musical prowess rather than stage tricks to entertain.
Headliner Breaking Benjamin are PA residents out of Wilkes-Barre. Despite a few line-up changes, the band has continued to gain more and more popularity and for good reason.
Headliner Breaking Benjamin are PA residents out of Wilkes-Barre. Despite a few line-up changes, the band has continued to gain more and more popularity and for good reason.
| The current line-up of Benjamin Burnley, Aaron Bruch, Shaun Foist, Jasen Rauch, and Keith Wallen put together a top-notch show complete with great lighting and pyro. But what was most impressive was the care the band has for their fans. Singer Benjamin Burnley came down into the crowd and pulled two young fans up to watch the show from small tiers built into the stage left and right areas. It was endearing and genuine as well as thrilling. The setlist ( Red Cold River, I Will Not Bow, Never Again, Breath Sugarcoat, Polyamorous, The Imperial March / Cowboys From Hell / Smells Like Teen Spirit / Bohemian Rhapsody / Enter Sandman / Bulls On Parade / Drum Solo, Sooner or Later, Blow Me Away, So Cold, Tourniquet, Angels Fall, Dance with the Devil, Failure, Torn in Two, Rain, and The Diary of Jane) was massive and kept the crowd enraptured the entire evening. |
