American Beast Release Party
Colonial
Theater – January 25, 2003
Lowboy, Simplistic and Key to Arson – Veronica Valadez
A CD release show is a great experience for a band to share with
others, and even greater to the bands being able to play the show. Lowboy was the opening band at the Colonial Theater for the
release of LUXT’s CD “American Beast”.
Even though I made it to the show halfway through their set, I
got a good listen to an upcoming band.
Scott’s voice brings into this state of amazement at his vocal
abilities and hits you with unexpected screams.
It’s great when you can sing part of a song, and then next
scream the hell out of it. Charles
(bassist) and Matt (guitar) were really energized, which is surprising
considering that opening acts tend to have a small crowd to please, but
they played like they were playing for a packed house.
Charlie pounded out hard, loud beast to keep up with Matt’s
aggressive guitar playing. I
know I am not the only one who wants more information on these guys –
get a website up soon guys!
The next band of the night was Simplistic, which consists of Ivan
(vocals), Nick (bass/vocals), Danny (guitar) and Justin (drummer). One would describe their music as soft vocals, but hard
music. I have seen
Simplistic in the past and their live show was a little bland to me.
However, at the Colonial they seemed to have gained great
confidence and energy ~ and rocked the house!
Since I last saw them, Simplistic seems to be playing harder
live. The vocals are more
upfront and the vocal style has changed ~ more screams intertwined with
melodies. I was impressed
with Ivan’s ability to captivate the audience and do his job as the
“front man”. As for the
rest of the band, they were great, their playing style really
complemented Ivan’s singing. All
in all, if you’re looking for a great band that plays good music, the
band Simplistic is one you will not want to miss.
Check out their website www.simplisticmusic.com
for upcoming shows.
The third act of the evening was Key to Arson.
Fronted by Matt Franks, guitarist Zac, bassist Mike and drummer
Stixxx, were ready to rock. Even
though early on Matt claimed a sore throat, he gave it his all ~ full
energy and heart into pleasing the crowd and putting on a killer show. Throughout the show, Matt was thankful and sincere with the
crowd, and they ate it up. The
crowd’s reaction to Key to Arson was infectious, even Stixxx had a
smile a mile wide as he watched everyone getting off on the music being
fed. Guitarist Zac had
great enthusiasm as he bounded around the stage and singing along with
the crowd and helping on background vocals with bassist, Mike.
Mike was just sorta standing around and hanging on stage with his
4-string, but man did he look cool doing it.
The band played some crowed favorites like “One Last Night”
and “I’ll Be Gone”. Sacramento
is known for kick ass bands, and I’ll put my money on these keys being
the next ones breaking out of the scene and into the national circuit.
Check out their website www.keytoarson.com
for upcoming shows ~ you are not going to want to miss them!
Beat Officers and LUXT – Colin Stambusky
I walked into the Colonial Theater and saw Mark Gilmore of
98Rock’s Local Licks. The
first thing he said was, “If you write anything about Lowboy, tell
everyone how they kicked ass!”. I
missed them, but I trust Mark’s judgment (that and my band G.L.U.G.
has played with Lowboy, so they do kick ass).
The Beat Officers ruled the stage with an iron first dipped in
glow in the dark body paint. They
pumped the crowd of 200 plus, ranging in age from 8 to 45, with black
light and cool clothes. I
have seen the Beats and LUXT before, and know them to QUALITY.
The crowd had a new appreciation for Billy Idol, as the Beat’s
busted into their cover of “Rebel Yell”.
During the show, one performer stood out to me and made his
presence known, Matt Drose (a.k.a. Skitz).
His vocal tore through my brain and delivered a sound that rang
through my cranial cavity. Drummer
Weapon was solid and bassist Fuge was awesome ~ everything was grand.
Matt took the cake and shared it with everyone.
Thinking I had seen the of what the night had to give, I went to
the bar for a beer to kill time before LUXT took the stage.
I had planned sit, watch and write throughout LUXT’s
performance like I had during the Beats.
Well that didn’t happen. A
minute after LUXT took the stage; I dropped my pad of paper with my
notes (I just didn’t care), frantically clutched my camera and walked
into the theater mesmerized. I
have seen LUXT, I know what they have to offer, but they took it to the
next level for me. I thought the Beats performance had earned Matt the VIP award
of the evening, what a horrible injustice.
I was hypnotized as I walked down the ramp into the crowd,
watching the stage lights shimmer off of Anna Christine’s hair. I felt like I was watching a UFO, we have all seen in the
movies where some idiot walks right up to the alien craft with no worry
of the death ray sticking in his face.
Why? Because it’s
mysterious, it’s beautiful, intriguing and I was fascinated.
Shock must have over taken me.
This beautiful, wonderful, chaotic, and savage beast called LUXT
had its teeth in me and I didn’t care.
I was happy LUXT chose me to devour.
Consumed with stupidity mixed with innocence and the overwhelming
want to be 12 again, I dropped my shit and ran to the stage.
The camera wasn’t working fast enough to catch the images I was
seeing on stage. All these
images of chaos and wonder would have to be etched in my memory, since
so few were captured on film. I
was so caught up in the performance, I was yelling as I took pictures.
I couldn’t help myself, the energy was that intense.
This was truly one of the best shows I have gone to.
Anna, Erie, David., Frost and Crash took me somewhere that night.
They transported me to a place that I thought was dead and gone,
I was 12 again but this time I had an all access pass.
I felt proud that I knew them and watched them get the respect
they deserved.
