Spring Break
Punk rock at the Fillmore
Toni Crocilla
Issue date: 11/25/08 Section: Features
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Gaslight Anthem took the stage first with a pretty powerful set. Not too many people seemed to know who they were, but by the middle of their set the crowd was definitely moving. They were surprisingly good for an opener and provided a deep mix of strong, yet mellow sounds. The singer sounded like he had been a smoker for 40 years, but I think the drummer made up for that deficit pretty well. Their new album "The '59 Sound" came out in August and from the sound of their set and crowd response it could be a good buy.
Thrice opened with a very substantial and heavy intro with the lead guitarist wailing away as he normally does. For the fan's sake they played an old favorite "The Artist In the Ambulance" and received a huge response. I think, by far, the lead guitarist makes this band as impressive as they are. This is fourth time seeing them, and I have never been let down.
Not only does the lead guitarist attribute to their piercing sound with his intense riffs, but during one song he even played the keyboard with the headstock of his guitar at the same time. No matter how hard the songs were, the keyboard was always cute and melodic. The group really provides a deep seated emotion when they play together and I think the crowd can notice it.
They covered Motley Crue's "Helter Skelter" which I don't think really fit with their image and it seemed like the crowd didn't respond to it very well either. For the parents who brought their high schoolers to the show, it may have been a break from all the screaming and moshing.
They did play "The Sky is Falling" off their new record "The Alchemy Index Volume 3 & 4: Air & Earth" and did a phenomenal job. This album is light in regards to intensity, but very moving.
As far as Alkaline Trio goes, I am a born and raised Chicago girl and have been listening to them since their first album "Goddammit" was released in '98 and am thrilled that after playing for so long they have not lost it at all. If you have been an A3 follower this set was perfect for you, because it focused mainly on their older songs. Surprisingly, they didn't play very much from their new album "Agony and Irony," but one of the songs they did play "In Vein" was great. The song has a neat drum track that just makes you want to move back and forth.
The only bad part about their set was the drum mics were just a little too loud in comparison to the other instruments, but then they covered "Astro Zombies" by the Misfits and everyone got a little rowdy.
Clearly, the crowd was ready for Rise Against by this point. As soon as the lights dimmed, everyone rose from their seats in preparation for what they knew was to be an amazing set. You can just tell by Tim's voice that he is pissed off and ready to belt it out anytime. The band opened with "Drones" from "The Sufferer and the Witness" album and Tim's voice just carried throughout the theater.
He really makes sure to connect with the crowd by initiating their involvement with his mannerisms and a lot of movement. The passion behind his words are so intense that it makes you want to go change the world.
They really did a great balance of songs from all their records and it was much appreciated. Songs like "Ready To Fall", "Give It All", "Everchanging", and "Re-Education Through Labor" were thrown into the mix. Their new album "Appeal To Reason" is pretty good, but I don't think anything will ever top their second CD "Siren Song of The Counter Culture."
And of course it wouldn't be a Rise Against show without Tim's political rants on President Bush and Senator John McCain. Also, as they do at nearly every show, Tim encored with an acoustic set, which of course, featured "Swing Life Away."
I think because all the groups haven't had their new CDs out for very long, they chose to focus on older songs that fans would know better, because everyone except Rise Against didn't play very many of their new tracks. However, each group did a great job, but sadly, the first three had to play short sets.
Detroit was the last stop of a six-week tour and it was obvious that everyone was pretty worn out. Rise Against will be starting their Canadian tour on Nov. 30.
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