Concert Review: Making Some Noise with the Boys
You know you have been to a great rock show when you are still buzzing with the energy two days later! Pop Evil, Red Sun Rising and Badflower played Revolution Live on Sunday, January 15th in Fort Lauderdale as part of their Rock and Roll Now Tour, and it was everything a high energy rock show should be!
Revolution Live is a small, intimate venue. There isn’t a bad spot for viewing in the entire house, but of course, it’s absolutely the most fun when you can “ride the rail” and get an up-close and personal experience of the bands and their music. It’s my favorite venue for concerts in Fort Lauderdale because of this (hint: more bands should play there).
Newcomers Badflower opened the evening with electric energy. Performing songs from their new EP “Temper,” including their single “Animal” as well as their hit “Soap,” and my favorite, “Let The Band Play,” these guys were alive with the vibe. Dancing, prancing, and simply owning the stage, lead singer Josh Katz has a dynamic voice and terrific showmanship. You could just tell from the looks on their faces that these guys from Los Angeles were having the time of their lives up there, and their enthusiasm was contagious. I spoke briefly with Josh and bass player Alex Espiritu after the show, and I told them it looked as if they were having the time of their lives up there. Alex flashed his charming grin and confirmed: “Every minute of it!”
If Badflower owned the stage, then Red Sun Rising commandeered it. Lead singer Mike Protich has a Jim Morrison aura about him; he is a powerhouse of a front man. The band gave it all they’ve got, promoting their new record “Polyester Zeal.” But the highlight of the set was their cover of Alanis Morissette’s “Uninvited.” Profound, chilling and passionate, it sent chills down my spine and even as I type this, the hairs on my arm stand up. The band is relatively new to the rock scene, forming in 2013, but with a performance like this, I predict this band is going to be huge.
Badflower owned the stage; Red Sun Rising commandeered, but Pop Evil dominated it. Celebrating their tenth anniversary as a band, the guys played songs from their latest release, “Up,” including their hit “Footsteps.” They went old school as well, performing “100 in a 55” off their first CD, “Lipstick on the Mirror.” The setlist also included “Ghost of Muskegon,” “Torn to Pieces,” “Hero,” and “Lux,” and the beautiful “If Only For Now.” Leigh Kakaty is a seasoned performer, dramatic, and epic, especially when swinging the mic stand around and waving their flag. I always enjoy watching bass player Matt DiRito flip his hair while killing his instrument, and lead guitarist Nick Fuelling knows how to whip up the crowd. Band newcomer Hayley Cramer was just sick on drums – I’ve never seen a woman pound the daylights out of a drum kit like her. She also played keyboard during one of the band’s slower numbers. Hayley, you are my new hero.
The Rock and Roll Now show was what every great rock show should be: loud, passionate, powerful, engaging and energetic. The tour continues through the end of February. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, and prices are extremely reasonable. No excuses! Go!
Tour Dates:
Jan 21
WorkPlay Theatre
Birmingham, AL
Jan 22
Soul Kitchen
Mobile, AL
Jan 24
House of Blues
New Orleans, LA
Jan 25
House Of Blues
Dallas, TX
Jan 27
House Of Blues
Houston, TX
Jan 28
The Aztec Theater
San Antonio, TX
Jan 29
Tricky Falls
El Paso, TX
Jan 31
House Of Blues
Las Vegas, NV
Feb 01
Rialto Theatre
Tucson, AZ
Feb 03
Summit Music Hall
Denver, CO
Feb 04
The Bourbon Theatre
Lincoln, NE
Feb 06
Wooly’s
Des Moines, IA
Feb 07
Arvest Bank Theatre At The Midland
Kansas City, MO
Feb 09
The Cabooze
Minneapolis, MN
Feb 10
House of Blues
Chicago, IL
Feb 11
The Rav
Milwaukee, WI
Feb 12
Bogarts
Cincinnati, OH
Feb 14
House of Blues
Cleveland, OH
Feb 16
Brighton Music Hall
Allston, MA
Feb 17
Mohegan Sun
Uncasville, CT
Feb 18
Starland Ballroom
Sayreville, NJ
Feb 19
Theatre of Living Arts
Philadelphia, PA
Feb 22
Deluxe at Old National Centre
Indianapolis, IN
Feb 23
Rapids Theatre
Niagara Falls, NY
Feb 24
The Fillmore
Detroit, MI
Feb 25
20 Monroe Live
Grand Rapids, MI
Feb 26
Dreammakers Theater
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Be sure to follow the bands on social media, and check out their latest releases – “Temper,” “Polyester Zeal” and “Up”.