Radiotakeover Tour Review

Radiotakeover Tour E.Town Concrete Diecast Twelve Tribes DevilInside Bottom Lounge 11/18/04 Interviewer: Karma E. Omowale Photos: Erika Kristen Watt

The Radiotakeover Tour blew into Chicago’s Bottom Lounge on November 18, 2004 virtually unnoticed; the reason to have a show so POORLY promoted is utterly ridiculous considering it was a Thursday night. As a result, 55 people remained, including the staff, by the time E.Town Concrete took the stage. Something you definitely hate to see, an empty venue when bands are playing their asses off. In this particular case, the unlucky recipients in the Bermuda Triangle of promotions were E.Town Concrete, Diecast, Twelve Tribes, and DevilInside.

Unfortunately, I missed all of DevilInside’s and the majority of Twelve Tribe’s set due to me interviewing Anthony Martini, vocals for E.Town Concrete. Honestly, I am happy I did miss it; I hated to lay witness to the pained expressions on the bands’ faces with only 10 people to play to. From what I could hear, DevilInside was awesome. However, the Bottom Lounge did not grasp the concept that having the speakers on blast was probably not the best idea; there were no bodies to absorb the sound. The fact that had their monitors on “open air setting” compounded the painful evening. If the promoters had done their jobs and advertised, the show would have not only been a success but more exposure for them as well… Holy shit, what a novel concept, eh!? I wish these bands a better fate during their next tours.

E.Town Concrete Lineup: Anthony Martini – vocals; De Lux - guitar; Eric DeNault - bass; Teddy P. - drums

Elizabeth Town’s own E.Town Concrete’s billed as the most hated band in hardcore. But they have not allowed the haters to deter them; they have been spittin’ albums out since four childhood friends came together to form the band in ’95 and they have not looked back. This band has attained some marginal success; they appeared on the Headbangers Ball CD with their hit “Mandibles” and have done all they can to get their name out there. I will say that I too was one of the eye rollers whenever the name of E.Town’s was mentioned up until I heard “Pariah” the band’s first single off their new release, Made For War. Not only did the song own but the album blew me away as well! Check out my review of the album.

ETC got a rough start, frontman Anthony Martini was not feeling well and definitely was not feeling the Bottom Lounge; he was more than frustrated with the meager turnout, a fate he foretold earlier in the interview. His aggravation spilled over onto the stage; shockingly enough, he entered stage with his parka on. After the second song, he saw the 40+ onlookers were getting into it. He quickly apologized for his behavior, removed his coat, and really got down to business. The band rocked the house. By this time, the soundman got a clue and leveled the volume to make E.Town’s set more pleasing. I was disappointed that they did not opt to play my favorite, "Pariah", Anthony said that the song was a little slow paced but maybe they will perform it one day. Hopefully they will next time they come through. Over all, their show was a damn good one!

Setlist: Ploughshares vs. Swords, Nothanx, Shaydee, The Distance, Mandibles, Ashes To Ashes, Punch The Walls

Diecast Lineup: Paul Stoddard - vocals; Jeremy Wooden - bass; Jon Kita - guitars; Kirk Kolatis - guitars; Jason Costa - drums

The first time I heard of Diecast was through I Music Choice as how I familiarize myself with a plethora of bands these days. I loved their song “Fire/Damage” off their new Century Media album, Tearing Down Your Blue Skies. This Boston hardcore/metalcore band exploded on the stage. They commanded the attention of the smallish crowd! Singer, Paul Stoddard owned the audience and rightly, so, that man has one hell of a voice. The band held our attention hostage until they exited the stage.

A Diecast fan represented by singing along to “Fire/Damage”, the band was more than stoked! This band does not follow the normal cookie cutter metalcore sound by having clean and death metal vocals to round out their sound. Paul’s vocals are amazing not to mention he is backed up by some pretty marvelous musicians. Founders of the band bassist, Jeremy Wooden and drummer Jason Costa form a dense, tight rhythm section where guitarists Jon Kita and Kirk Kolatis bring more melody to the band which compliment Stoddard’s vocals. I cannot wait to see these guys on the Heavyweights of Hardcore Tour early next year. Whenever you have the chance, you need to check this band out, they do not disappoint!

Click here for my interview with the guys in Diecast,

where they share their frustrations with

tonight's show and much more

Click here for photos of the band

on tour with

American Head Charge, Index Case, & Bleed The Sky

Radiotakeover Tour Winter 2004 Dates:
Nov-12 in Danbury, CT - Empress Ballroom
Nov-13 in Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
Nov-14 in Buffalo, NY - The Icon
Nov-15 in Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
Nov-16 in Columbus, OH - Al Rosa Villa
Nov-17 in Pittsburgh, PA - The World
Nov-18 in Chicago, IL - The Bottom Lounge
Nov-19 in St. Louis, MO - Creepy Crawl
Nov-20 in Kansas City, MO - El Torreon
Nov-22 in Detroit, MI - Shelter
Nov-23 in Milwaukee, WI - The Rave / Eagles Club
Nov-26 in Worcester, MA - The Palladium Upstairs
Nov-27 in Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance
Nov-28 in Bucksport, ME - The Kave
Nov-30 in Providence, RI - The Living Room
Dec-01 in Allentown, PA - Crocodile Rock
Dec-03 in Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero
Dec-04 in Latham, NY - Saratoga Winners
Dec-05 in W. Springfield, VA - Jaxx
Dec-07 in Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
Dec-08 in St. Petersburg, FL - State Theatre
Dec-09 in Orlando, FL - Back Booth
Dec-10 in Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits
Dec-11 in Winston-Salem, NC - Ziggy's
Dec-12 in Baltimore, MD - The Ottobar
Dec-14 in New York, NY - Knitting Factory

Click here for more pix of Diecast

All photos Copyright © 2004. Pictures not to be used without written permission by FourteenG