Exit/In show on Friday, September 15, 2006
Generation Down
Spencer - Vocals, Guitar Gary - Drums, Percussion Tommy - Guitar, Backing Vocals Scott - Bass, Backing Vocals
When we arrived at Exit/In, these guys were already set up. My wife said something about Gary's bass drum looking big. I told her it was just because of the way the tom was sitting so low right next to it. "You're just not used to seeing the tom that low," I told her in my infinite drum set wisdom. When the band actually came out on stage, I could see that not only was I mistaken, but I was flat out WRONG! This bass drum is bigger than most people's faith in God. Tommy Lee would have said "That's a big F****IN bass drum!" Since he wasn't there just take my word on it.
Oh yeah - the band. They were very tight yet seemed to lack the 'togetherness' of the other bands that night. Spencer has a great voice for the music they were playing. He was very comfortable on the stage and with his abilities. Tommy also knew what was going on and looked to be enjoying the heck out of being up there. Scott was by far our favorite. He sold the performance, always into the groove. You just don't see enough bass players actually getting into the show these days. Gary is a great drummer, somehow pulling off what I never could…playing just enough yet not too much.
I'd definitely go see these guys again. Check them out!
http://www.generationdown.com
One Less Reason
Cris Brown – Vocals, Guitar Jerome Hubble – Bass Kevin Scott – Drums
These guys are originally from Tennessee, but somehow ended up in Florida. That makes them local, right?
When I first saw the singer walking around the stage, I thought he was a roadie. He doesn't look at all what you'd think a lead singer would look like. Shows me for judging a book by it's cover, huh? Then again, any guy wearing a Danzig T-Shirt can do whatever he wants – especially if he looks like he's bigger than me. And he was.
At first, they came out with a very heavy sound then slowed it down a notch and did a few softer songs. Cris was very into the show. He moved a little too…what's the word I'm looking for?..."oddly" on stage. He wasn't really dancing, wasn't really doing the robot, but somewhere in the middle. He's got a great set of pipes, especially when they slowed it down. Sing, scream, he does it all.
From what I remember, they actually had four guys on the stage but I could only find three names on their website. I'm not even sure if these guys were the ones on stage other than Cris. They did cover "When doves cry" by Prince so that got them an extra point with my 80's loving wife. And I must admit I don't think I've ever heard a better Prince cover.
If you ever get a chance to see these guys, take it. Tell 'em I said hi.
http://www.onelessreason.net
DEADSUN
Todd Cadorette – Vocals Dee Adman – Bass Rex Arthur - Guitars Adam Davis – Drums
I've told almost everyone I know about these guys. This was the best live band I've seen in years. It's not like I go out and see a lot of shows anymore, but holy crap these guys were awesome. Something that really set these guys apart was their look. They look like lifetime musicians, not just guys that happened to be off work. They reminded me a lot of the early 90's metal bands…not hair metal but not really grunge.
I should also mention two things. First, I work with Rex's wife. I didn't know until the night of the show. She was kind enough to take me backstage to meet the band. It was like being 18 again, winning backstage passes to hang out with Gun's –N- Roses. Wait, that wasn't me. Anyway… They were extremely gracious to give me a minute before the show and Todd also gave NashvilleRock.net a shout-out from the stage.
The show started with what sounded like a news clip playing over the PA system. At first I thought it was a little cheesy but the longer it played the more I liked it. After the canned audio, they ripped it up. I went to the show not knowing any of their songs and was sorry afterwards. Obviously, a lot of people do know the songs and it showed by the people singing/screaming along with Todd, including Spencer from Generation Down.
Todd has a great vocal range from a fairly high scream to a low growl. He seems to really work on the Melodies just as much as the lyrics which is something I miss about a lot of bands these days. Dee and Rex are fantastic on stage both with presence and their respective musical talent. Adam is probably the tightest drummer I've heard live in Nashville. They must spend about 40 hours a week just practicing and it shows by how tight they are. I found myself analyzing everything being played looking for mistakes…I couldn't hear any that stuck out.
Go. See. Deadsun.
http://www.DeadsunBand.com http://www.myspace.com/deadsun
Beauty School Dropouts
Jimmy Chandler – Vocals Josh Baker – Guitar, Vocals Jagger Coleman – Bass Joey Daniels – Guitar Indy Campbell – Drums.
Any band that comes out and does a cover of Tatu's "All the things she says," is alright with me. With the name Beauty School Dropouts I was expecting a Poison-ish band; makeup and hairspray and at least one of them wearing PVC pants. Nope. They do have a glam/emo thing going on but it's not over the top. It really looked like they were just being themselves, which is sometimes harder to pull off than playing a character. It works for BSD.
Before I get too far into this I have admit that we left before these guys ended. Hey, I don't get out much so I start turning into a pumpkin after 10. BSD didn't even hit the stage until 11:30 or so and I was fried.
They must be popular with the ladies because as soon as they came out, Jimmy's shirt came off and the stage was crowded. Added to that the fact he sings a decent tune and you've got a rock star. Jagger and Indy stuck together like glue while keeping the rhythm. (Indy joined BSD earlier this year and I don't think you could tell he's 'new') Joey and Josh were ripping up the guitars very well. I think two guitars in a band sometimes are a bit much but I rarely see a five or more piece band I really love. I really like the vibe these guys throw at you from the stage. They belong up there.
Again, I would have like to have known their music before I got to the show. I'm definitely going to see these guys again and do a better write up, I promise.
http://myspace.com/beautyschooldropouts
Now everybody leave me alone. I'm playing solitaire.