Scum of the Earth Review

Scum Of The Earth
Brand New Sin
Society1
Review

Scum Of The Earth

Brand New Sin

Society1

Hurtlocker
Metro
June 17,2005
Reviewer: Sharita Lumpkin
Photo: Erika Kristen Watt

Matt "The Lord" Zane of Society1 (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt)

Tonight's show at the Metro featured four bands with very different sounds. Hurtlocker, a local Chicago band, has played with some heavy hitters and gained some national attention with their no holds barred music. Society1, a band out of California that has garnered a lot of attention because of the stage antics of lead singer, Matt Zane. Brand New Sin, a tough, rugged band from Syracuse, that just plays good, honest, fuckin' metal and headliner Scum Of The Earth, this project is the brainchild of Rob Zombie guitarist, Riggs and drummer John Tempesta (White Zombie, Rob Zombie, Helmet, Testament, and Exodus). SoTE immortalized the Metro once more by filming one of their songs during tonight's performance for their next video single. How cool is that!

The patrons of this show definitely mirrored the bands on stage, goth kids, metal heads, and just normal people like my cohorts and I. The place had just enough breathing room and space for people to mosh and dance freely, which was cool, even though I'm sure the bands would've liked a better turn out. However, all was not lost. All bands in attendance put on an awesome show and gave the few hundred that paid $9.47 all that they came for and more. Due to the timing of the interview with Society1, I was not able to see Scum of The Earth, but from what I heard; they put on an awesome set.

HURTLOCKER Lineup: Grant Becher - Vocals; Tim Moe - Guitars; Chris "Serial Kille" Olsen - Bass; Murilo Nobrega - Drums

Hurtlocker opened the night with their brand of kick ass metal. This Chicago band has played with the likes of Dying Fetus, Skinless, Lamb Of God, Misery Index, Skinlab, and Anthrax, just to name a few. They've also caught the attention of some of metals best labels like Victory and Century Media. Since 1998 when Tim Moe and Grant Belcher put this band together, they have endured some lineup changes but have soldiered on to release three demos and become one the newest bands on the Napalm Records label.

Looks like all the hard work has paid of for these metalcore heroes that seemed to get the fire started for an already exciting bill. Check out Hurtlocker as soon as you can, they are definitely on their way to an exciting career.

SOCIETY1 Lineup: Matt "The Lord" Zane - vocalist; Sin - guitarist; Bezerk Kirk - drums; Dirt - bass

After taking a break, Society 1 hit the stage and really got the crowd going. Starting out with "It Isn’t Me" seemed to be the perfect song for the audience to start banging their heads and moshing. Society1, who are touring in support of their latest release, The Sound That Ends Creation off Earache, have just returned from England's Download Festival where "The Lord", Matt Zane, was suspended 40 feet over the crowd for part of their set. The band has received a lot of press because of the suspension, as well as The Lords’ former career in the porn industry, and his need to strip on stage. He's also gained some bad publicity with his antics of grabbing the heads of hecklers and shoving them into his crotch. None of that was needed though, the band put on a hell of a set that included a guitar solo by the bands ace, Sin and some heavy percussion by bassist Dirt and newest addition to the fold, drummer, former medical student, Berzerk Kirk.

Between songs, the lord spread some wisdom to his followers and us normal fans. "I love pussy and how you get pussy is by singing love songs. You make love to a girl then you kill her; how long do you fuck her, till she's dead." That was his speech before going into his own tribute to Type O' Negative, "I Love Her", the eighth track off The Sounds CD. Several times during their set, the lord, pranced around the stage in his skin tight jeans, leaning over the crowd, shaking hands, humping speakers, and blowing kisses at the ladies. He even took a minute to sing in the ear of one of the bouncers, who was not phased. Amazing how Matt can keep the energy up for as long as he does, especially since in our interview, he says he's no spring chicken anymore.

Matt and company would also endear us with "Slacker Jesus", the song that got them noticed as well as "Lord" that is a tribute not to the higher power but a song about himself. Throughout the show, the crowd was pumping their fists when he asked and raising the devil horns as thanks to the lord, all puns intended. Finally to close, Matt would thank the crowd for coming out and asked them to visit the merch booth. "Bring us a beer”, he bellowed. "Never stop fuckin, never stop fuckin' shit up, cause everyone dies." The mood of the crowd was somewhat reserved at that point; maybe Matt's energy tired them out. At any rate, they seemed pleased with the seemingly tame thirty minute set and ready to get beer in preparation for Brand New Sin.

This was my first time catching them live and I must say I was quite impressed with their set. Matt's energy along with the expert guitar work of Sin is a perfect fit for this metal outfit. Dirt and Berzerk bring it all together into a very solid band. Maybe the lord will achieve his goal as making Society 1 a band that will be immortalized; they're certainly on the right track.

Setlist: It Isn't Me, Lord, Enraptured, Slacker Jesus, No Father, I Love Her, Wounded Veins, Everyone Dies

BRAND NEW SIN Lineup: Joe Altier - vocals; Kris Wiechmann - guitars; Ken Dunham - guitars; Chuck Kahl - bass; Kevin Dean - drums

After the fans got their break from brutal attack of Society1, they were given an even stronger kick in the ass by Syracuse hard rockers, Brand New Sin. Lead by less flashy but straightforward singer Joe Altier, Brand New Sin brings old school metal back without the frills or fancy stage shows. The band just released their latest album Recipe Of Disaster from Century Media after their self-titled debut catapulted them into the spotlight just three years earlier. This band knows how to combine the blues and country sounds of Lynyrd Skynyrd with the raw power of Slayer and Pantera. During their forty-five minute set, they got the fans to tap their toes and snap their fingers, something not typical at metal concerts.

After their first couple of songs, Joe mentioned the hardcore kids in Syracuse hate them. That's probably because the kids aren't into anything they can't slamdance to, but true metal fans can appreciate their heavy riffs and pounding rhythms. "For the next forty-five minutes where gonna to crush your faces in", he bellowed. Altier is an imposing figure that you don't want to mess with, but neither are any members of the band who look like they belong in a motorcycle gang. Guitarists, Kenny Dunham and Kris Wiechmann provided the sounds that would make Dimebag proud and bassist Chuck Kahl and drummer Kevin Dean complimented them well with throbbing beats that felt like a kick in the chest.

Recently, their video "Black and Blue" was played on Headbangers Ball, which in response, Joe said, "Our dreams were realized." Enjoying the crowds response to that song Joe also said, "I came out here feelin' the blahs, but I want to thank you for wakin' my ass up." Fists were pumping in the air and there was a fan holding up the promo poster that he'd snatched off the wall, and Kris pointed to him and smiled. Altier also talked about today’s state of radio, in between songs. He praised local station, 94.7 The Zone, for playing the music that metal heads want to hear. "Where else can you hear fuckin' Cradle of Filth in the middle of the day." I don't recall hearing anything but Metallica at that time, but I only listen to radio when there is no CD in the car. "We need more stations that play bands like Soil, Black Label Society and COC!" Joe also spoke of Soil guitarist Shaun Glass being in attendance, looking to get laid, which drew hysterical laughter from the crowd. Since the iron was still hot, Altier added, "Well man they're laughing, that must means they know you!"

Before playing the song "Days Are Numbered", Joe spoke of the song being about the one person that brings pain to your life and is a thorn in your side. All in the audience could relate, telling by the yells coming from them. All in attendance were very pleased by the pummeling they received from Brand New Sin. Joe's last speech was regarding how the fans would get their music, "Buy it, download it, pirate it, I don't give a shit!" After a performance like that, maybe you should check out the rockin' sounds of Brand New Sin and preferably buy it, I'm sure Joe and the boys would appreciate that a lot more.

Setlist: Desperate, Arrived, Judgment, The Lower, Black & Blue, Days, Dead Man, S.P.P., Did You, Freight Train

Jun. 10 – Manchester, NH @ Manch Vegas Rockfest (SCUM only)
Jun. 14 - Springfield, MO @ Rockwell Theatre
Jun. 15 - Cudahy, WI @ Vnuks
Jun. 16 - Edgerton, WI @ Big E's
Jun. 17 - Chicago, IL @ Metro
Jun. 18 - Freeport, IL @ Convention Center
Jun. 19 - Omaha, NE @ Ranch Bowl
Jun. 20 - St. Louis, MO @ Creepy Crawl
Jun. 21 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Ten Bells
Jun. 22 - Detroit, MI @ Token Lounge
Jun. 23 - Buffalo, NY @ The Continental
Jun. 24 - Orono, ME @ Ushuia
Jun. 25 - Levittown, NY @ Ritual
Jun. 26 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Music Terminal
Jun. 29 - White Marsh, MD @ House of Rock
Jun. 30 - Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
Jul. 01 - Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre
Jul. 02 - Jacksonville, FL @ Imperial Lounge
Jul. 03 - Mobile, AL @ The Cellblock
Jul. 04 - Seminole, FL @ Boomerz Boiler Room
Jul. 06 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
Jul. 07 - Houston, TX @ Cardis 2000
Jul. 08 - Dallas, TX @ Galaxy
Jul. 09 - Austin, TX @ Backroom
Jul. 11 - Tucson, AZ @ Ghost Lounge
Jul. 12 - Corona, CA @ Showcase
Jul. 13 - Concord, CA @ Bourbon Street
Jul. 14 - Modesto, CA @ Fat Cat Theatre
Jul. 15 - Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
Jul. 16 - Portland, OR @ Rock N Roll Pizza
Jul. 18 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Blind Pig
Jul. 20 - Moorhead, MN @ East Gate Lounge
Jul. 21 - Columbia Heights, MN @ Star Central