Irvine, California
Epicenter Festival, Part II: Redlight King, Asking Alexandria, P.O.D.
(Be sure to check out Part I of this review for Drive A, Crossfade and Middle Class Rut)
Continuing on with my experience at the 2011 Epicenter Festival…
The fourth band on the Monster Energy Drink stage brought about much more than just the halfway point. Redlight King, the only Canadian band on the bill, was one of the bands I most anticipated. Prior to the concert, I’d only heard two of their songs. “Old Man” is a slower paced tune that samples Neil Young’s classic of the same name. It’s become a staple on alt rock stations around the country. On the flip side, “Bullet in my Hand” showcases a heavier beat and gritty chorus, landing the single solidly on modern rock channels. So I was curious where the band would end up during their live performance. Alternative? Hard rock? Or somewhere neatly in between?
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| Mark "Kaz" Kasprzyk of Redlight King on the Monster Energy Stage Of Epicenter 2011. |
The result was a unique mesh between the two genres, though anything but cookie cutter. Led by Hamilton, Ontario’s Mark “Kaz” Kasprzyk, it’s obvious this band has found their niche in an industry where standing apart from the pack is as essential as breathing. Their live sound is just as impressive as the recorded version they worked so long and hard to produce. Their album, Something for the Pain, is one I couldn’t wait to get home and download.
Next up was a band I’d heard plenty about, but never had the pleasure to witness firsthand. Until now. Asking Alexandria is one of those acts whose reputation definitely precedes them as they have a penchant for booze, foul language and wild antics. In other words, the ultimate rock and roll lifestyle. My wake up call for what was about to happen came when the Epicenter staff changed out the security railing to a more heavy duty railing just before the band took the stage.
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| Asking Alexandira take the stage to a throng of fans and media |
The harsh vocals/screams, breakneck guitar riffs and heavy-footed drum beats set the tone for the metalcore band from England. Their style was completely different than anything else showcased thus far during Epicenter, and this was highlighted by the change in the crowd as well. Many people moved away from the stage as a swarm of new, young rockers flooded the stage area. Decked out in their finest band apparel straight from Hot Topic, it seemed a new era was being ushered in. These kids are as much a part of the show as the band is.
Though the music is not exactly “my cup of tea” (I’m a bit more of a Bullet for My Valentine girl), the spectacle that is Asking Alexandria must be seen for oneself to fully understand. No one can say that the band doesn’t give people what they paid for. The fans themselves even leave behind their own blood, sweat and tears (literally) amid the multiple mosh pits and occasional “wall of death.”
And then it was time for P.O.D., the hometown boys, to close out the Monster Energy Drink Stage. As the acts on this stage were running a little behind, P.O.D. actually overlapped the beginning of Red’s performance over on the main stage. I was told that there were barely any people in the crowd for Red, since so many people stayed behind to watch P.O.D.
(I can attest to this as I actually cut out a few songs early to head over to the main stage. In addition to the gi-normous crowd, I also saw some of the other artists milling around to catch P.O.D.’s performance, including the guys from Asking Alexandria and Keith Nelson and Stevie D. of Buckcherry.)
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| Southern Cali boys, P.O.D. close out the Monster Energy Drink Stage at the Epicenter Festival |
On this day, the Southern Cali boys showed their chops in a stellar performance that had the fans going wild. Opening with “Boom,” the band had the crowd interacting from the get-go. The engaging performance seemed to resonate from backstage as well, as many of the band members had family and friends in attendance in the standing room only space.
The band continued onto other hits like “Alive,” “Youth of a Nation,” and “Southtown.” Overall, P.O.D. was a force to be reckoned with. They were hard when they needed to be hard, soft when they needed to be soft. They played the crowd just as well (if not better) than they played their instruments, like when being five feet away from the barricade seemed to be too much for lead singer Sonny Sandoval. With security scrambling behind him, he jumped from the stage and climbed the barricade lining the crowd, encouraging the fans to pump their fists in the air to the beat of the music. Caught up in the moment, he flung himself into the masses, trusting them to bring him back.
And they did.
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| P.O.D. lead singer, Sonny Sandoval, brings the action to the fans |
For P.O.D., this show was truly about the give and take with the fans. As I stood there watching, I was ever so thankful to be a fan.
Stay tuned for Part III of my Epicenter coverage when I’ll wrap up my experience with a recap of the action from the main stage, including: Skillet, Puddle of Mudd, Buckcherry, Five Finger Death Punch, Staind and Limp Bizkit.
Click here to see more of my pictures from the event...
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