Friday, July 23, 2010

Halestorm, Adelitas Way, Since October & New Medicine - July 23rd, 2010 at the Knitting Factory in Spokane, WA

This was the only stop we had to make on our family vacation to Mt. Rushmore and back. Sorry, but I don't have any pictures or video to add to this blog :(
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We checked in to our hotel and made our way over to the venue. This was the first concert that we were taking both kids to.We ran in to Audie Grantham, drummer of Since October, outside and I got my introduction hug from him. Little did he know, the kids also had a gift for him and Ben. Mike & Ike's! Their favorite candy.

This was our first time to this venue. It looked pretty much like the Boise Knitting Factory on the inside. It has a 21+ section as well as all ages. I like venues like this. The kids and I were escorted to our own little section of the balcony where the bands can watch the bands on stage. Ryan was beyond excited to see Arejay Hale from Halestorm.

This was the first time we had seen New Medicine. They were great. They are a little punk band with Linkin Park mixed with a little Green Day. Check out their CD 'Race You To The Bottom' from Photo Finish Records. The whole CD is great. I believe iTunes has a few bonus songs that aren't on the physical CD.

Since October is just a fabulous live band. Ben's dreds a full stage usage made him a lead singer that you can't take your eyes off of. Luke flicked a pick up to me in the balcony. How did he know I have a pick collection. I will see them play anytime they are in the Pacific NW! :)

Adelitas Way was much better than the first time I saw them earlier in the year. I absolutely love watching the guitar player Creighton Bibbs. He's my favorite part of the band. The singer doesn't do much for me. Nice voice but just kinda blah on stage.

Halestorm, as always, is just the absolute best. There isn't one thing about that band that ever disappoints. Lzzy's vocals, Joe's guitar, Josh's bass and Arejay's drumming are always, always amazing. I couldn't wait for the kids to see Arejay's drum solo for the first time. The kids mouths dropped when they saw Arejay start to drum with his baseball bat sized sticks. Arejay's drum tech (his dad Roger) came over and tossed up drum sticks for myself and the kids. It was a really fun night. One I'm sure the kids will remember for a long time.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

The Dirty Heads & Sublime with Rome - July 7th @ Marymore Park in Remond, WA

Luckily, we know the Dirty Heads so we were set up to shoot them. Yes 'we'. This time, I got a photo pass as well. I found it facinating that we were the only photographers there! For Sublime??? And Dirty Heads at the time had a #1 song on Billboard!! Oh well, the venue was a sell out and both bands were just amazing!

We were able to meet the tour manager for both bands and got full access to both shows. Back stage, on stage and around the crowd. 

I was happy to see that a lot of the crowd new The Dirty Heads music. They are still pretty new on the scene. They are a blend of beach, ska, hip-hop and punk. Jared and Duddy are share vocals and Duddy is the lead guitar. At one point, Jared started to giggle and pointed out 3 girls who were at the back of the dance floor hula-hooping. He asked them to come on stage an hoop during their song 'Lay Me Down'. That was so fun!

When Sublime took the stage, the crowd erupted. Rome is not Bradley, but he has his own style and respects what Bradley did. I absolutely loved seeing them play.

If you have the chance to see either of these bands play, please do. You will have a great time letting go and having an absolute blast. You may also get a contact high - There was plenty of that in the air that night!