NASHVILLEROCK.NET PRESENTS
MONSTERS OF MOSH
Featuring….
THE END
JANUARY 7, 2005
PHOTO SLIDE SHOW
2006 started off with a bang for us at NashvilleRock.net. We opened our year by finally getting out with the public to stage the inaugural show of the 2006 “NashvilleRock.net Concert Series” with the Monsters of Mosh show at The End. We had high hopes for this show and expected a good crowd. Well, our expectations were met and exceeded by a mile with this show!
I arrived at the venue early and hung out with some of the bands as they loaded in. It was nice to finally put some faces with the names. I felt a strong sense of unity between the bands and those of us that were working the show. The last time that I was this heavily involved in the local rock scene was the mid 90’s and it feels like the friendship and respect between acts in this town has grown by leaps and bounds. We only hope that our little internet corner of the world can help the local rock industry continue doing the great work that it does.
As mentioned previously, our expectations were shattered at this show. When doors opened at 8:30 pm, the admission line reached all the way to the street. We also introduced the official NashvilleRock.net t-shirts at the show, which are also available at http://www.nashvillerock.net/StoreFront/tabid/264/Default.aspx . Before I get into the review we would like to toss out kudos and thanks to Bruce Fitzgerald from The End, Mike Heath and all the crew at Big Daddy Productions, Miller Lite, 102.9 The Buzz Rocks and most importantly the bands and everyone who came out to celebrate with us.
EVERYBODY HATES JOSH
The first act of the evening is Dickson-based (and most cleverly named) Everybody Hates Josh. I had the opportunity to speak with guitarist, Hedge and vocalist, Doug before the show and quickly learned how dedicated this band is to their craft. This was their first foray into the Nashville rock circuit but they schooled me in regards to the widespread growth of the rock/metal audience in the Dickson area citing large crowds and fantastic audience response to rock and metal acts that perform shows there. The EHJ performance was, in a word, energetic. Vocalist, Doug stalked the stage throughout the set, even descending to the floor at certain points thanks to a wireless microphone. His vocal style is charismatic; ranging from clear, hardcore verses to paint-peeling screams on certain choruses. Highlights of the Everybody Hates Josh set were ‘In My Cell’, featuring a tight backline with drummer, Gregg and bassist, Tommy and finale ‘The Pawn’ showcasing the riffing talents of guitarist, Hedge in a song that reminds me of ‘Adrenaline’- era Deftones.
While Everybody Hates Josh is a very young band, only being together a few months, I couldn’t help but notice a strong chemistry between the members. They received a resounding audience response for their first Nashville show, no doubt leading to many more nights in the big city. To watch Everybody Hates Josh’s performance of “Inside” at the Monsters of Mosh show click http://www.youtube.com/?v=g5LKUifhs2o.
DESTROY BY DESIGN
I was beginning to wonder if I would ever see this band perform live. That’s not due to them not playing shows, but due to something always putting a hitch into my schedule. Well, let me start by saying that it was well worth the wait. Destroy by Design launched into a thoroughly mesmerizing performance; opening up with ‘No Good’, which featured rapid fire vocals from singer, Josh and some slamming skin work from drummer, Jason. The large crowd came alive singing along with one of Destroy by Design’s better known songs, ‘Police State’. I’ve begun to outgrow the “rap-rock” style that has been so prevalent in the rock world but this band seems to put such a unique spin on it. I can’t really put my finger on it but there is such an energy that runs through their songs that you can’t help but be impressed. Vocalist, Josh had the audience in the palm of his hand throughout the set; provoking them to get involved, which didn’t take too much effort. Guitarists, BJ and James delivered tight, creative riffs all night; especially on songs such as ‘My Nation’ and ‘Hollow’.
The biggest highlight of Destroy by Design’s set was unquestionably their newest song ‘Explicit’. Armed with a jazzy bass intro from bassist, Jamie Danish, ‘Explicit’ uses a formula that I have never seen before; a combination of Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Metal. And the craziest part…..it worked! This is one of the most creative original rock songs that I’ve ever heard come out of Nashville. We at NashvilleRock.net are so thankful that this song has been recorded for an upcoming compilation CD that we are producing (but more on that another day). Destroy by Design finished their set off with a spirited rendition of ‘Just’ that included a guest vocalist and crowd chanting a very raw, explicit chorus. This was my first time seeing Destroy by Design, but it definitely will not be my last. To watch Destroy by Design’s amazing performance of ‘Explicit’ at the Monsters of Mosh show click
http://www.destroybydesign.net/video/explicit-1.wmv
3 MINUTES TO LIVE
I have a small bit of history with 3 Minutes to Live. I’ve followed guitarist, Chris since his days in Tribal Assault and with bassist Rickey in Four Man March. I went to high school with drummer, Roger. So, needless to say, I was excited to see what these guys would deliver with 3 Minutes to Live. I had the opportunity to meet the entire band before the show and learned that they are going all out with this group in an attempt to “live the dream”. The hard work has definitely paid off.
3 Minutes to Live provided a fantastic follow up to Destroy by Design’s set. Vocalist, Brian mentioned before the show that he had been sick for the previous week and was continuing to fight it. You sure couldn’t tell by the brutal, thick vocals that he unleashed on songs such as ‘Pimps Up’ and ‘Medicated’ (kind of ironic, huh?). Drummer, Roger provided steady, hard-hitting rhythm on all of the songs but the sound mix wasn’t the best for his performance. I continuously strained to hear his playing. Marlon and Chris provided a searing twin-guitar attack on 3MTL’s newest song, ‘Shadow of My Shame’ and bassist, Rickey added the solid, steady bass lines that he’s been known for throughout the years. With a solid work ethic, and more importantly catchy rock songs, the future certainly looks bright for 3 Minutes to Live.
ADRENALINE THEORY
This would be my second time seeing Adrenaline Theory live. The previous show that I saw was the Backwoods Metalfest in Cadiz, KY where they performed to a small, but enthusiastic crowd. Tonight would be different due to the fact that a huge crowd was fired up and ready to roll when they hit the stage. Adrenaline Theory came firing out of the gates with set opener ‘Broken Mirror’. The clock struck midnight for AT’s second song, a quick rendition of Judas Priest classic ‘Livin After Midnight’. The other cover from their set was a strange choice of ‘Wicked Game’ by Chris Isaak. But, just as they proved when I saw them in Kentucky, they turn this song into a thrashy ballad that holds up. Singer, Patrick Garrett, prowled the stage throughout the set displaying a dizzying vocal range and a scream built to bleed your eardrums. Guitarist, Mike Gill threw down with a wide array of heavy riffs and leads while bassist, Beau Garrow, thumped and slapped his bass with sharp precision. Drummer Creg Gregory put on a show all his own with a display of double bass work that provides the spine of the Adrenaline Theory live set.
102.9 The Local Buzz recently honored Adrenaline Theory for the title track of their debut album ‘Reborn’. The song features a tightly woven mix of melody and metal. The mosh pit was cranked up during AT’s set, proving that they got what they came for.
DISARRAY
Disarray have become a mythical local legend for Nashville. They have toured the world with numerous metal greats and produced a number of albums. I remember hearing about this band scaling the heights when I was in high school. I had never had the opportunity to hear them live until this show. I was very impressed with their set. A large part of the crowd departed after Adrenaline Theory’s set. Nashville still seems to be an early night town in many ways. For those that left, you missed one hell of a set by a band that knows what hardcore thrash is all about. The rest of us were treated to a 12-song performance of pure aggression. Guitarist/Vocalist, Chuck Bonnett rose to the occasion; belting out vocals that are an example of hard rock/ metal perfection. While singing with determination and conviction, Bonnett’s vocals display a soulfulness that is rare amongst bands in this genre. It’s a matter of control without going off the deep end, as so many rock/metal singers are apt to do. Bassist, Vance Wright broke loose with some seriously tight low-end bass lines that sounded hot in tandem with Bonnett’s guitar gymnastics. Drummer, Shane Harmon blew me away with his double bass, creativity, and tempo shifts that you could stop on a dime.
It was hard to believe that I was hearing a trio due to the fact that they provide such a full sound. The highlight of their set, for me, was a song entitled ‘Punishment for Being Born’ featuring Bonnett’s “in your face” vocals and Wright and Harmon’s solid backline. There is a tightness to Disarray’s sound that only comes through hard work and experience. One can only hope that this band continues to carry the torch for Nashville Metal.
WRAP-UP:
The Monsters of Mosh show was a huge success and a wonderful way to kick off the 2006 “NashvilleRock.net Concert Series”. I left The End feeling thoroughly exhausted but satisfied (no jokes, please). As I mentioned earlier we appreciate everyone’s support for this show and thanks to all of the bands for showing so much appreciation for what we do. I lost count of how many times our site was thanked from the stage. It seems like a small gesture but it means the world to all of us that contribute to this site. Knowing that what we do is appreciated, is the best gift we could have received. Stay tuned for many more “NashvilleRock.net Concert Series” shows throughout 2006 as we plan to cover the spectrum of genres in our local rock scene.
That’ll do it for this time.
Until next time, I’m out like the Denver Broncos (THANK GOD!!)
Chris “Uncle Daddy Longlegs” Czynszak
Message from Uncle Daddy: Remember, only YOU can prevent a lame local music scene.
To reach Chris Czynszak, send e-mail to:
cczynszak@nashvillerock.net