I realized when I sat down to write last nights review that my job is not to sugar coat every concert and make the bands all sound like works of genius. Why was that realization necessary to write the review? Well, you'll see...

How do I put this? They sucked. A lot. I mean, wow. I've seriously never heard a band that bad before play a major venue. They had absolutely no business being on such a top tour, and as my dad put it, the lead singer "is living proof that anyone can be the singer of a rock band." No amount of vocal training could save this man from his hellish rasps he screeched into the crowd, so out of tune that I'm pretty sure some of the wine-glasses shattered. They had no sense of rhythm or melody, they merely made noise in the worst way possible. I just stood there and said, "Where's the mute button?" Thank god they had a short set.

I was so relieved to hear this old-new rock band come on stage and play their amazing music. I had no idea what was coming except a short review I read describing them as a Led Zepplin+Black Sabbath type band This hairy trio walked on with a laid-back attitude that immediately switched to high energy from the first chord they struck. Head banging with their long hair flying all over, heavy chords, Ozzy-esque vocals, and a driving drum beat struck the audience with a fantastic revival from the last band. We decided to hail the Kyng instead. After a crowd-pleasing cover of VanHalen's "Hot For Teacher," we were all begging for 30 more minutes. Two more songs closed up the best set of the night leaving the audience crying encore and my dad so happy I thought he was ready to jump in a time-machine back to the old days. As you all know, I'm a sucker for great drumming, and their drummer was way up there on the great drummer front. He reminded me of the new drummer for Black Sabbath's tour. Awesome show!

I was looking forward to seeing MIW all week because I have been obsession over thier album Infamous since I bought it a month ago, and my disappointment was caused by a concert failed by technology. They had to start the set 15 minutes late because one of the speakers wasn't working, which cut off three or four songs from set. When they were finally able to play, Murphy decided he wasn't satisfied, and struck again. The already thrown-off band members were struggling to keep the show going as feedback shot from the guitars and the lead mic swam in and out of functioning. During a duet between Chris Motionless (lead singer) and an acoustic guitar, high-pitched screeches rang through the speakers every six or seven chords. Throughout the song, Chris Motionless's mic wasn't really working and it was impossible to hear. With two songs left to their disjointed set, it seemed most of the problems were fixed when Chris's mic started to only pick up sound in the lower register, throwing off everything. Between each song, the members were walking off to figure out what's going on and possibly to yell at the stage crew, and all of them seemed out of it and confused. The closer, "A-M-E-R-I-C-A," a synth solo falls towards the end of the song. Something broke and static filled the air awkwardly during that dreadful duration. It was obvious that the members didn't know how to handle the situation, and honestly a few jokes or recognition of the technical difficulties probably would've helped them a bit. The mix of songs had no flow, which I attribute to them having to pull out songs because of the loss of time at the beginning. It was a sad, sad time for MIW fans. I was especially let down after seeing their amazing performance at Rocklahoma, but this just as easily could have been that great, if there hadn't been so many problems.

The Kindred played first this time, and I listen more closely to write a more in-depth review. The band is really tight, they've got tons of energy, they have real musical skill. But...the singer just can't sing in tune for the life of him. He tried again and again and it burned my ears each time, and he just couldn't do it. Despite that sad piece, The Kindred played a really fun set. At one point the lead singer hurled himself into the crowd, and later brought a drum into the audience and started beating it and running in circles. Quite amusing. Their back-up vocalist (also the keyboardist) had these plugs in his ears, and whenever he sang his earlobes jiggled in the funniest way. Distracting... Fun show!

Affiance did not have any longer of a set, but I realized that they played five songs, not four. In addition to "Call To The Warrior," "Kings of Deceit," "We The Machines," and "You Will Be Replaced," they played "Peace Of Mind." In my opinion, this performance was better than the night before's. Affiance seemed to be filled with even more charisma and more excitement because it seemed that San Diego was the heart of the Affiance fan-base, with a whole mob of people singing the lines to EVERY SONG. No, not just "Call To The Warrior," but every song. Throughout their set, Dennis Tvrdik repetively mentioned his great need to throw up, and at the end of the concert, brought out a box and puked into it while convulsing dramatically to entertain the audience. That was...unnecessary. It was an amazing concert!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you The Kindred & AFFIANCE for an awesome night! I had a blast!
Look forward to an interview with Pat and Eric of AFFIANCE soon!

Last night, I had the privilege of seeing these four amazing bands at The Roxy. I was there for Affiance, but was impressed by all the bands.

Affiance

Now, I've seen these guys in concert twice before last night, and this was the first show I've seen them in with their bassist. Having their bassist really added to the music, I must say.  There were about five or so hardcore Affiance fans there (other than me and my dad). As sad as that may be, Affiance really impressed everyone else in the audience and converted them to future fans. There was one thing about their show that I HATED. Here it goes...THEY ONLY PLAYED FOUR SONGS!!!!!!!! Okay, I'm sorry, but seriously Protest The Hero, you could have at least given them time for a six song set. They played "Kings of Deceit," "We The Machines," "You Will Be Replaced," and "Call to the Warrior (with "Mad As Hell," a 30 sec monologue, tacked to the beginning)." They did an amazing job performing, always with this intensity that makes you want to get up there and sing with them, despite their small crowd and fan base. Dennis, the lead singer, was funny as usual, his entertainment acts included a lesson in squatting and a deep moment of confessions for the whole crowd, where he got everyone to admit that they used the restroom. Oh, Dennis! Great show!!!

Yes, I will be seeing the best band ever, not once, but twice this weekend! Hopefully I'll get reviews up as soon as possible!