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| Sevendust Nonpoint Skindred Review |
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| Sevendust w/Nonpoint, Skindred & Travesty Theory Canopy Club, Champaign/Urbana, IL - 8/2/04 by Karma E. Omowale |
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| Fiery and Expressive Performances Given By Each Band. Erika, Sharita and myself caught Sevendust, Nonpoint and Skindred at the Canopy Club located near the campus of University of Illinois in Champaign, IL. Unfortunately Champaign/Urbana is not a quick drive from Chicago (2 1/2 hour one way ride and 3 in traffic). We missed Travesty Theory's performance; however TT got an okay review from a couple people we talked to. To satisfy my curiosity, I listened to a song off their website and to a couple of song samples off the web. After hearing these tunes a big question mark was raised in my mind...why was TT on this bill considering their music radically differs from the other 3 bands. Sevendust I think this band should be dubbed "The Hardest Working Band In Show Business" as one would believe the band is going for the Guinness Book of World Records for most shows performed. Never letting up from their incessant quest for world domination, this band has performed an overwhelming 450+ shows in a mere span of 5 years. Their drive to become a household name has not gone in vain as the efforts for this Atlanta quartet have paid off, especially with the well received new acoustic release, Southside Double - Wide. The band chose to open the set with a new opener, "Suffocate". Interesting that they chose to change the setlist considering their tour is winding down. However the new setlist will leave you breathless. Highlights included: "Enemy, Disgrace, Bitch, Face To Face, Angel's Son, Separate, Black, Crucified, Denial, Praise, Trust, Disease, Waffle, Broken Down, Seasons, Gone..." Lineup: vocals - LaJon Witherspoon, guitar & backing vocals - Clint Lowery, bass - Vinnie Hornsby, guitar - John Connelly, drums - Morgan Rose. The one thing that can be said about Sevendust is musically, they kick ass. A regular force to be reckoned with. They make you feel at Home as the luscious vocals of Lajon take a hold of you with Clint's seemingly angelic backing vocals accompanied by the musical emmantions of the band will envelope the rest of your being. It is quite a Headtrip to experience the soulful, vocal projections as the rest of the band rocks out. Vinnie is an awesome bass player as he contantly runs about the stage on both sides making sure the crowd is moving. It's usually hard to see John's face as he is always headbanging still being able to keep time with the guitar. Morgan is one fine drummer. This was my seventh time seeing Sevendust and their performances keep getting better and better. There is always a new nuance added to each and every show... It was great to see the sea of girl rockers body surfing and moshing (which is kind of a rare thing to witness these days). The band was very interactive with the crowd making sure audience participation never died down. Sevendust is one of few bands that can bridge their studio efforts with their live performances. This band is one of the premiere live acts today delivering 110% of themselves if not more. Nonpoint What a Day indeed. I remember seeing Nonpoint a while back at the House of Blues in Chicago where that particular performance did not stand out in my memory; Nonpoint rocked my lame ass this go round. They tore the house down and got the crowd going. Bodies starting to fly, constant devil's horns being displayed to the band, and fans were singing along to every song. In conjunction with the new tour, Nonpoint is dropping their 3rd and newest release entitled Recoil on Tuesday, 8/3. This Ft. Lauderdale, aggressive rock quartet consists of: Elias Soriano - vocals, Andrew Goldman - guitar, KB - bass, and Robb Riveria - drums. Their sound has an aggressive edge infused with a raggae undercurrent heard through Soriano's soulful voice. He can definitely carry a tune. There's a lot of power coming from this group...being only 4 people and all. Highlights included "The Truth", first single from their latest, "Endure, What A Day, and In The Air Tonight." The funniest thing happened when the crowd recognized "In The Air Tonight". Those who were old enough to remember the tune all started to sing along LOUDLY! We all felt our age, but damn was this rendition inspiring. I am expecting Nonpoint to do well on their own now that Sevendust is dropping off the tour. As the crowd responded well to the band's onstage presence they played one hell of a bomb ass set. Skindred Skindred bridges the gap between Reggae, Punk, and Metal. I cannot think of another band being this big, bold and bad as shit to be able to pull this feat off. The lineup consists of: Benji Webbe - vocals, Mickey Dee - guitar, Dan Pugsley - bass, and Dirty Arya - drums. Benji captured the audience as the crowd swayed from side to side and bodies started flailing. I thought it was rather early in the set for people to start moving about like their asses were on fire...but hey man, Skindred was on... They have an infectious beat that would get any wallflower shaking their tail feather. Never been to Jamaica; through Benji's potowa, Dan's thumping bass and Arya's drumming you'd expect a cabana boy to pass you a piņa colada and a doobie as the warmth of the salty sea air caresses your face. Touring with Nonpoint and Sevendust (briefly), will definitely turn some heads as they are bound to become a household name. |
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| Sevendust Setlist Suffocate Enemy Broken Down Trust Crucified Gone Angel's Son Disgrace Face To Face Waffle ***Encore*** Black Denial Praise |
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| Check out Sharita's rant that was fueled by the Sevendust performance |
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