Good Music For Bad People Tour
Review
Good Music For Bad People Tour
Every Time I Die
High on Fire
The Red Chord
The Esoteric
HOB
10/4/05

Reviewer: Karma E. Omowale
Photos: Erika Kristen Watt
Good Music For Bad People Tour
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“Decibel’s Good Music For Bad People Tour is a hardcore wet dream, with some good old fashioned hard and heavy rock n’ roll slid in for good measure!”

 

Realizing the description of this bill sounds more like the intro for a review of a porn movie as opposed to a concert, but now that we have your attention...let the review begin! Decibel Magazine and Music Choice teamed up together to sponsor tonight’s soirée. This was a gStephanie Marlow of Victory Records and Jon Hunt of Dead To Fall (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt)reat lineup for any hardcore fan with an extra-added bonus, High On Fire. It was an extra added kick in the tail, a change of pace if you will especially considering the night started off at a snail’s pace. It was a welcomed sight to see the venue almost fill up to capacity for hardworking headliners, Every Time I Die. Of course, no hxc show is complete without the presence of Jon Hunt, lead singer of Victory Record’s, Dead To Fall. Mr. Hunt attended the show in support his friends The Red Chord.

 

Tonight's bill was quite the tasty treat, but let's go a little further with the change of pace aspect, shall we. One could say it was a skosh on the mismatched side. Lead singer for The Esoteric, Steve Cruz agreed, "the bands clash on this tour. You've got HOF, and they're just straight up rock and roll. There's not a blast beat or a break down to it." Then again, The Red Chord is a hybrid between hardcore and death metal and with Every Time I Die, Cruz eloquently put it, "combines all of these elements". It's definitely a colorful lineup by way of all of the band's on tonight's bill Cruz adds, "everybody's way more into their own element and more of an individual type of band". Very well said Mr. Cruz, very well said indeed. And just to be fair here, The Esoteric's music is a good mixture between a heavy rhythm section latent with thought provoking lyrics along with technical and intricate guitar work with powerfully delivered vocals, post hardcore style to default to a safer-haven. Again, all bands were doing their own thing!

 

All in all, it was a good show, it could be classified as good music, different types for different people. Hopefully the vast differences in the types of music that were played this evening opened up new doors to those that had never seen the likes of a High On Fire or the HOF crowd would have enjoyed Every Time I Die, and so forth. If your mind were open enough, one would have enjoyed all four bands.

 

No pictures of HOF were taken tonight as the interview with Cruz happened during their set. In the meantime, please feel free to check out pictures of the band we captured from Sounds of the Underground Tour this summer.

 

 

 

Lineup: Cory White - guitar, Eric Graves - guitar, Anthony Diale - bass; Steve Cruz - voice, electronics; Marshall Kilpatric – percussion, drums

 

Steve Cruz of The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt)Hailing from Lawrence, Kansas, this post hardcore quintet was quite dazzling regardless if the measly audience was appreciative or not. The band opened with a “Make Fine Dreams”, a real scorcher. The crowd barely threw a horn to the band, again complete and typical behavior from the immoveable Chicago crowd. Frontman Steve Cruz decided to address the zombified audience during the intro to “Your New Burden”. He announced that it was the Good Music For Bad People tour and asked the crowd if they were ready for ETID, HOF, and The Red Chord. He got a favorable round of applause and claps considering the venue was only ¼ full at the time. Slowly but surely the floor started to fill up a skosh during their set. Seemingly, the band also had some fans in their tourmates. The Red Chord’s vocalist Guy Kozowyk sat stage right, enjoying the band’s performance while eating his dinner and talked to some fans that approached him as well. Lead singer and guitarist from High on Fire, Matt Pike, also stopped to watch the band perform.

 

The Esoteric was captivating to say the very least. The twin guitar attack from Cory White and Eric Graves was sharp as well as the rockin’ rhythm section of Marshall Kilpatric on drums and Anthony Diale on bass down to Mr. Cruz’s searing vocals. Steve offers some insight on why some audiences are stoic during their performance, "I think with this tour, everybody's definitely into their own; it's really obvious. Sometimes the crowd is really unreceptive towards us. Because it's new, it's really fresh. But we love that! It means that we're doing something that's our own. It feels good!" Cruz had this to say as well, "We definitely want kids to be all about it but we're not writing music for the kids first, you know. We just hope that comes with it, hope they get into it!"

 

From the looks of it, it felt good to them too. They looked as if they had something to prove, the fact that these young men were not about to go down without a fight. By the end of their set, they won over some of the hard to please crowd. Heads were bopping and horns were a flying. At least the growing congregation created a small mosh pit when Cruz said, “What do you call it? A mosh pit! So spiral out”!! Overall, it was a solid and impressive set. Hopefully their next time through will be in front of way more people.

 

 

The Esoteric Setlist: Make Fine Dreams; Until The Grave Gives Up The Ghost; Your New Burden; This Is Dedicated…; Somnambulist; Ram Faced Boy; His Eternal Enemy.

 

 

Click here for interview with Steve Cruz

 

 

Steve Cruz of The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Steve Cruz of The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Anthony Diale of The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Steve Cruz of The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Steve Cruz of The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Steve Cruz of The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Anthony Diale of The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Marshall Kilpatric of The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Steve Cruz of The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Marshall Kilpatric of The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Anthony Diale of The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Steve Cruz of The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Steve Cruz of The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Anthony Diale of The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Steve Cruz of The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Steve Cruz and Anthony Diale of The Esoteric (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt)

To enlarge photo click the thumbnail

 

 

 

Click here to access interview with The Red ChordLineup: Guy Kozowyk – vocals; Mike McKenzie (a.k.a. Gunface) – guitars; Jonny Fay – guitars; Gregory Weeks – bass; Brad Fickeisen – drums

 

 

Massachusetts’ own The Red Chord came out the chute blazing. Vocalist Guy Kozowyk opened withGuy Kozowyk of The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt), “You’re gonna have an up close and personal night with The Red Chord, Every Time I Die and High On Fire! On whatever fucking night this is”! The crowd roared, well if you could consider this to be a crowd. Unfortunately, there was still a lot of space on the floor. Giving it the good old college try in order to make the most of his buddies' set, DTF’s Hunt violently started moshing with the rest of the yokels. It got the party started, that's for sure!

 

TRC's set was blistering; they are truly one hell of a live act, guessing they should be with their overly aggressive touring schedule that they keep. The Red Chord have probably toured more times than we've taken breaths! They recently toured with Between The Buried and Me, Darkest Hour, A Life Once Lost, and made a brief appearance on the SOTU tour…this list is psychotically endless to be quite honest! This band has taken what it seems as permanent residence on the road. How they do it is anyone’s guess. All hats and horns go off to them for their tenacity. It definitely seems like it is paying off!!

 

Kozowyk's vocals and growls are amazingly deep and penetrating. During "Black Santa", Kozowyk turned the mic over to a fan in the front row, the kid sang the entire chorus. He actually sounded pretty damn good, even the band was impressed. Guy then dedicated the next song,  "Antman", to "anyone with facial hair or a beard" as it was to protect themselves from the antman???? What? I think Mr. Kozowyk has been discussing one story too many with his clients! Just kidding!! Mr. Hunt once again resurrected the pit of death. On the intro to "Nihilist", Guy, with his best impression of a deranged killer stared at the fans in front and screamed, "I don't care if you don't know the words, as long as you are making noise!" And noise they definitely made afterwards!

 

The entertaining frontman totally lived up to his role as he continued to amuse the audience. "I don't care what you do after the show, but whatever you do, go home, and listen to Greg Weeks of The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt)Crowbar. It's an amazing album!" During "Blue Line Cretin" Hunt made good use of the floor once again, he started up a pretty sizable pit this go round he then made a beeline to the front of the barricades where Guy was to sing the rest of chorus. Guy exclaimed over Jon's fine moshing skills and job well done on "Blue Line". "That was beautiful Jon!" After the conclusion of the song, Guy then commented on how much he liked Jon's [newly grown] handlebar moustache. Guy stated again, "best way to fend yourself from clients". Guess Kozowyk was a step ahead of the game since he has been sporting a full beard for quite sometime now. You think Guy has a hair fetish or something?

 

Kozowyk ordered the audience to clap during "Upper Decker”. As the insistent clapping continued, he bellowed, "I wanted pyrotechnics for the set...” Then again we also know the good people at the HOB would rather die first than to allow something like that to occur in their sacred space. He then started to talk about Elwood, as in the Blues Brothers. Followed by, "Take my Elwood" as in his bassist, Gregory Weeks which scrawled the words Elwood on his knuckles. By the way, we are just reporting what happened, not that this occurrence made any sense. A lot of the on lookers were puzzled themselves however, a tale like this made for excellent entertainment. No doubt! Damn good set, young men!

 

The Red Chord will undoubtedly play in a venue near you, go and see them, as a matter of fact they are heading back out on the road for a mini tour with Converge following this one. And if you've seen them already, then go and see 'em again!

 

 

The Red Chord Setlist: Fixation on Plastics; Like a Train Through a Pigeon; Lay The Tarp; Black Santa; Antman; Clients; Nihilist; Blue Line Cretin; Upper Decker; Dreaming In Dog Years.

 

 

Click here for interview with Guy Kozowyk

 

 

Gregory Weeks of The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Gregory Weeks of The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Mike Gunface McKenzie of The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Jonny Fay McKenzie of The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Guy Kozowyk of The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Mike Gunface McKenzie of The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Greg Weeks of The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Guy Kozowyk of The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Guy Kozowyk of The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Jonny Fay of The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Guy Kozowyk of The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Guy Kozowyk of The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Jonny Fay of The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Guy Kozowyk of The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Guy Kozowyk of The Red Chord (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt)

 

 

Click here to access interview with Keith BuckleyLineup: Keith Buckley - vocals; Michael Novak Jr. - drums; Andy Williams - guitar; Jordan Buckley - guitar; Chris Byrnes - bass

 

 

Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt)Coming off the blockbuster underground hit of the summer, Sounds of The Underground Tour, Every Time I Die tore the stage up. With the assistance of High on Fire, they properly heated the crowd up for ETID! It was painfully obvious that the vast majority of the crowd was there to see the Buffalo, New York heroes and them alone. The new songs from their latest and critically acclaimed triumph, Gutter Phenomenon sounded great. With this release, they will undoubtedly rise above being lumped in amid the sea of their contemporaries again. They have definitely beefed up their instrumentation and vocals, both aspects have picked up by monstrous proportions.

 

The band was on fire, electrifying, was this said already? Speaking of vocals, frontman Keith Buckley was in rare form. He has obviously regained his sense of self since the aforementioned SOTU tour. Doing his classic “T-Rex” moves as Guy from the The Red Chord dubbed it. Mr. Kozowyk also told the FourteenG staff how "cool" he thought younger Buckley was and how he respected his showmanship. Of course elder Buckley, Keith’s brother and guitarist Jordan tore some shit up too! In between Jordan and the band’s other guitarist, Andy Williams, one would have thought they were either taping the show for an upcoming DVD or that someone had set fire to their asses. Of course, bassist Chris Byrnes gave good show as well; he sounded sinfully wonderful. Can’t leave the drummer out either, Ratboy aka Michael Novak. He was definitely a force to be reckoned with.

 

Simply put, Every Time I Die is one of the better live acts out there, they usually never fail to put on a stellar performance. Their set was one of the most energetic sets we have bared witness to in a while. Catch these gents out next go round, behold, you too will undoubtedly draw the same conclusion.

 

 

ETID Setlist: Intro; Bored Stiff; Apocalypse Now and Then; Ebolarama; Logic of Crocodiles; Champing at the Bit; Godspeed us to Sea; Guitarred and Feathered; Romeo A Go Go; Off Broadway; Kill the Music; Emergency Broadcast Syndrome; Floater; The New Black; I Been Gone A Long Time.

 

 

Click here for interview with Keith & here for interview with Andy

 

 

Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Andy Williams of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Chris Byrnes of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Jordan Buckley of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Chris Byrnes of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Andy Williams of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Jordan Buckley of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Chris Byrnes of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Jordan Buckley of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Andy Williams of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Chris Byrnes of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Jordan Buckley of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Andy Williams of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Andy Williams of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Chris Byrnes of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Andy Williams of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Jordan Buckley of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Jordan Buckley of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Jordan Buckley of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Andy Williams of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Chris Byrnes of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Andy Wiliams of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Jordan Buckley of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Andy Williams of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Chris Byrnes of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Chris Byrnes of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Chris Byrnes of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Andy Williams of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Keoth Buckley of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Andy Williams of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Andy Williams of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt) Chris Byrnes of Every Time I Die (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt)

 

 


 

Related Links of Interest

 

 


 

 

Decibel's 2005 Good Music For Band People Tour Dates with Every Time I Die

with support High On Fire, The Red Chord, The Chariot (9/07-9/25), The Esoteric (9/26-10/07)


9/07 - The Chance - Poughkeepsie, NY
9/08 - Irving Plaza - New York, NY
9/09 - The Palladium - Worcester, MA w/ Skatefest
9/10 - Theatre of the Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA
9/12 - Recher Theatre - Towson, MD
9/13 - Alley Katz - Richmond, VA
9/14 - Tremont Music Hall - Charlotte, NC
9/15 - Rocketown - Nashville, TN
9/16 - Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
9/17 - Masquerade - Tampa, FL
9/19 - Engine Room - Houston, TX
9/20 - Trees - Dallas, TX
9/21 - Emo's - Austin, TX
9/23 - Marquee Theatre - Tempe, AZ
9/24 - Soma - San Diego, CA
9/25 - House of Blues - Los Angeles, CA
9/26 - Slim's - San Francisco, CA
9/27 - Loveland (Meow Meow) - Portland, OR
9/28 - El Corazon - Seattle, WA
9/30 - Lo-Fi Café - Salt Lake City, UT
10/01 - Cervantes - Denver, CO
10/02 - Granada - Lawrence, KS
10/03 - The Ascot Room - Minneapolis, MN
10/04 - House of Blues - Chicago, IL
10/05 - St. Andrews Hall - Detroit, MI
10/06 - Peabody's - Cleveland, OH
10/07 - Water Street Music Hall - Rochester, NY

 

 

All photos Copyright © 2005. Pictures may not be used without the written consent/permission of FourteenG