We were eventually let into the Venue and after strapping the Photo Pass onto my wrist I made my way into the converted sanctuary where the stage was set. Before the opening band begin, there was an announcement that if you bought the Memento Mori the band would sign the CD’s after the concert (yeah I bought another copy of the CD I got the extended version this time.)

Then it was time for the actual concert to begin. Paper Tongues http://www.myspace.com/papertongues took the stage. I have heard several of you in the comments and on twitter telling me to check out the band and I just didn’t have time to check them out. That was my bad. Paper Tongues was a great show on its own, The band, made up of 7 people, including 2 guitarists and 2 keyboards came out and began to pump the crowd up. Paper Tongues is a band that could easily be headlining shows. I found their music to be well layered and mature. I expect much more from the band in the future now that they seem to have their “Big Break” with touring with Flyleaf. They ended their set with the song “Ride to California” Aswan North, the lead singer opened this song by saying “One of the biggest problems in this country is that people have stopped singing.” while I don’t know if they are serious about the “Biggest” problem I will admit that I have noticed a lack of singing along. When the song ended the band got the crowd all pumped up for Flyleaf. I was able to pick up their EP “Ride to California” for 5$ as well as getting it signed from all the band members and I am working on getting their songs on the show. You can see more from Paper Tongues at my Flickr Page

When Flyleaf took the stage, they didn’t dither around, not that I expected them to. instead they began a hard hitting set of sound that assaulted my senses left my ears ringing, my chest heaving and my mind wanting more. After playing “Again” and “Beautiful Bride” from the new album, Lacey to a moment to speak for the first time from the stage. “This is our love song to Jesus.” she said simply, almost quietly. As quiet as a voice can be when projected through 2 ten foot high stacks of speakers. The song “All around me” began playing to the cheers and screams from the crowd. The scream were made a bit louder (I would like to think) by my own voice added to the cheers. Any Idea that Flyleaf is not a Christ Based Band (I know the band doesn’t think of themselves as a “Christian Band” and I can’t blame them for that) Was set aside first by the album itself which is more of a Christian album than many other albums that call themselves “Christian” and secondly by Lacey herself who took the time to talk to the crowd on several occasions, each of these occasions were marked by a message of hope. A one point she said “the only reason anyone of us is here is because God loves Each of us.” I found it refreshing.

This being my first Flyleaf concert (and for sure not my last) I was really impressed by the talent and showmanship of all of the members of the band. The Concert was a joy to attend and the sound work by the many behind the scenes people just goes to show you how things should work. Lights, sounds and performances were all spectacular, and if I went a bit deaf, that can only be expected from standing much to close to the aforementioned Speaker stacks while trying to get pictures worth showing.

The second to last song of the night surprised me, and I do love a surprise, by being what I can only define as worship – Flyleaf style. The crowd didn’t exactly go still, there was a marked change and I would like to imagine that the hands raised in the crowd were for a different and better reason. The Show ended with the song “Arise” and Lacey announced it as the last song saying “We don’t play encores so it really is the last song.” I like this idea while finding it strange at the same time.

After the show I did indeed get the CD signed by the band and I appreciated the fact that while they were signing the Cd the band not only took a moment to say something to each of the fans but also thanked them for showing up. I know it sounds like a small and simple thing, but it is neither small nor simple. Each of the members of the band made each of the fans who were standing in the long line feel welcome, and that is no small feat. Over all as concerts go this is one of the one I enjoyed the most this year. I look forward to getting to see Flyleaf again. You can Find more photos of the Flyleaf Concert at my Flickr Page.

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Well last Friday was another concert at The Net outreach in butler Pa. (insert link for the net) and on Friday’s Bill was Becoming Less, Third from first and Everlife, Yeah that Everlife, the Disney girls. What you may not know is that Everlife started out as a local band that played at the Net an uncounted number of times and even shared the stage with our band Splintered on several occasions.

Now Mike and I got to the concert a bit late and as we walked in we were spotted by one of the girls taking the tickets “I was wondering where you guys were.” She told us. I got to tell you, it is a little strange to me to be recognized. Mike and I paid our money and headed up to the Third floor to see the concert, we could already hear the music playing and I was worried that we were missing Third from First who we had seen at our last trip out to the net, but as it turns out we got there just as Becoming Less was finishing up. So I only got to hear the very end of Becoming less, a group of younger kids in a band they formed in October. I did manage to make a contact with the band and they are supposed to be sending me music so you might be hearing them on the show in the future. So we pretty much got to the show just in time to see Third from first.

I was very excited to be getting to see the guys from Third from First and I got to say that they didn’t let me down in the least. Once again the boys put on an incredible show Rocking out the large crowd. With some of my favorite songs as well as some newer songs that I found out will be on a new soon to be released EP that should be out later in this summer. This is a CD I am really looking forward to getting my greedy ears on.

If I can take a minute of your time I want to tell you about something that Third From First, about halfway through their set they stopped and began to worship, and I don’t mean they just played a worship song in their set, I mean they BEGAN to Worship, and if you heard me talk about having to worship God in 140 characters or less in Episode 62 you might begin to understand what an effect this had on me. I am happy to say that is wasn’t just me enjoying this, I looked into the crowd and saw that most of the people either deep in worship or enjoying this time spent honoring our creator.

After third from first finished the show we were all herded down to the first floor while they changed out the stage for the headliners Everlife So with just enough time to get a strawberry smoothie and a brain freeze we headed back up to the concert where we were greeted with simply three stools and two guitars onstage. the Girls took the stage.

It is at this time I feel like I need to confess something to all of you. If you follow me on twitter or know me in person you know that I was teasing the girls of Everlife. I mean I never doubted their talent but as the Disney chicks I have to think they took their share of teasing and more importantly what I am guilty of, Not taking their music or passion seriously. Well if you follow me on twitter you know that I took the time to apologize to them live on twitter. They are very talented, women who are passionate about their music and their faith. With that I want to return you to the regularly schedule review.

It was only halfway through the first song that I remembered what it was about these girls that I enjoyed so much before they got their huge break. Talent, pure 180 proof crystal clear talent. now mix that with the fact they are not only doing something they love to do but they are doing what God wants them to do and you cant really be surprised that they are so good at what they do. I will say this, the crowd at the NET was a little larger (and smaller) than it was the other times. Larger in the sense that there was about 3 times the usual number, smaller in that most of them were young teen girls. Now let me just remind all of you that I happen to be a great big galumphing guy, so a crowd of little girls that doesn’t even come up to my shoulders should not be a problem. Well after 10 min of being beaten up by these tiny teenlets I found myself off to the side where I wasn’t in anyone’s way and I’m happy to say that the bruises are healing and now only my ego is wounded.

by the end of the night, I was half deaf, happy and tired. Still I got the chance to talk to both Everlife and Third from first and let them all know just how much I enjoyed the show. Now before i end this Review with a Song from the Everlife Acoustic EP I just want to let you all know that I am in the middle of Scheduling Interviews with both Bands and will be bringing them to you here.

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Last night I headed on down to the southside for the RED concert, I shared the event with Mike (as usual) and our friend Jen from church. The whole thing started for me just the way any special day should start, at Primantis. I just have to say that if you are from the Pittsburgh area, then you will know just how special Primantis is, and well if you’re not from Pittsburgh, well all I can say is… SUCKS TO BE YOU!! Sorry about that.. Well after Dinner at Primantis I had some time to kill and ended up going to the BeeHive Coffee shop for a Pot of Assam (that would be tea) while I waited for Mike and Jen to show up.

I didn’t have long to wait and we sat at the BeeHive enjoying the beverages until it was time to take the long walk (2 blocks) to the concert. 15bucks later we were in. The last warm up band “Halestorm” was onstage, we had missed the first Band “Inept” (More on that later) But I did manage to pick up CD’s from both the bands and even got my picture with LZZY Hale from Halestorm.

A moment if I may, We walked into the place just in time to be subjected to the ubiquitous DRUM SOLO. I use the word subjected since I have seen quite a few live concerts and being part of a band I have been subjected to far to many drum solos, and when the drum solo started I have to admit that I had several disparaging comments on my lips. That was until the drummer pulled out the biggest set of drum sticks I have ever seen. that or he suddenly shrank to a tiny size, kinda like Stephen at church size. It was just after this that all the members of Halestorm returned to the stage carrying, yes you guessed it, More drums. It was then I realized that they must of all met in the drum core in high school. Still it was an impressive display that went on just long enough to enjoy and not so long that I got bored.

The rocking continued after that and I was treated to a display of vocals I must say I see all to infrequently. LZZY HALE has a very serious set of pipes. Now I have a long standing bias toward chick vocalists so yeah Im still enjoying last nights show but long standing bias aside you will be selling yourself short if you enjoy rock and NOT check out Halestorm at myspace.com/halestorm Just check out the write up at jtindie.com

Now as I said I missed the First Band Inept and usually I don’t mind missing the first band, but I really think I missed out on things last night. I was talking with the band members and they noticed I was wearing my Skillet shirt, it turns out they played with skillet for awhile and their musical style compliments Skillet quite well. (If you want to hear them check out the recorded version of this review.)

Enough of all of this, You all came to hear me talk about the mainliner, RED. I use the term mainliner in the idea that RED must be some kind of drug, I have seen them 4 times now and it seems like I have some kind of addiction, There aren’t many bands I would make it a point to see over and over again. Disciple, RED, FireFlight, and yes Skillet. Watching RED perform reminds me each time I see them why I enjoy the live shows, even more than I enjoy their music. RED knows how to put on a jawdropping show, it is that simple. From the moment they took the stage until the final guitar screech faded they dominated the stage and demanded the complete attention of everyone. Perhaps the only down note was their choice to sign autographs out by their tour bus, as the rain started, not sure how that worked out, I already got their autographs on a poster and got my picture with them from last summers Vertical Fest.

Aside from the fact that just about everyone at the concert managed to stomp on my size 13’s the whole night was an unqualified success. I also enjoyed the fact that I ran into several people I know, People I have met at a lot of the other concerts in and around Pittsburgh, as well as Members of the band Third from First, A band I have played on my podcast as well as will be going back up to the NET at the end of this month to see them perform again with Everlife.

so to end this review Im gonna play some music from Halestorm and Inept. And before I go and leave you with the music I want to just say that it turns out I have been a fan of Halestorm since 2001 as I found a CD I bought at one of the Three rivers Arts Festivals and it is Halestorm “Breaking the silence” so there yall I am a long term indie music professional.. or something like that.

Here is Halestorm with I’m not an Angel followed by Inept with Finding Reasons. You can hear more of Inept on my next episode of JTindie.com Podcast.

Hillcity Lights

Manic Drive

Last night I went to the Skillet, Disciple, Decyfer Down Concert in Greensburg Pa. Due to a slight scheduling error we ended up missing Most of Decyfer Down but we did get to hear the last two songs of their set. I was interested in how the new vocalist TJ Harris would fit in and how the overall sound would change. Well I’m happy to say that from what I got to hear Decyfer Down is better than ever.

Next up was Disciple, and to tell the truth Disciple was the reason I went last night. I enjoy both Decyfer Down and Skillet but there is just something about the southern Rock sound of Disciple that really strikes a chord in me. So when they started their set with Game On and continued to rock their way through their set I was more than enjoying myself. Disciple is what I think of when I think Rock. Halfway through their set Kevin (the vocalist) took the time to remind people that God doesn’t care what you look like, what you have done in the past, or anything else. That God loves you just the way are, He goes on to say that God also Loves you to much to leave you the way you are. He then urged everyone no matter where they were in their lives or what was going on to reach out and trust Christ.

Disciple played a great set including several of the songs from their newest CD Southern Hospitality — which I reviewed here the day it came out Read it here. Of the three times I have seen Disciple play live, I would rank last night as the best show I have seen them put out. As usual I was left wanting more and looking forward to the next time they are in the area. I told Mike during the break that Skillet would have to go along way to impress me more than Disciple did.

Let me just stop here and explain. I like Skillet, I really do, I just like Disciple more. it has more to do with individual styles than anything else. With that being said I was looking forward to the skillet concert.

As the Concert started I knew I was in for enjoyable time as two spotlights picked out the violinist and cello players on the top of the speaker stacks. From that point on I had to admit that skillet deserved to be headlining the show and a live skillet show is not to be mocked or missed. I almost felt bad for my pastor who missed the show. (well ok I do feel bad he missed it). I was surprised to find out that as I sit here now listening to the skillet CD (comatose but more on the new CD in a little while) I find that I can see the live performance in my mind at the same time. While it is true that Disciple is still one of my favorite bands I can say that after that live show skillet is on that list as well.

One of the major themes of the night was, as John (lead singer for Skillet) said was the idea of Hope. The idea that no matter what happens, no matter what you are going through There is a God and He loves you more than you could ever know. Even at my great and advanced age I find this a message that I need reminded of, just as I hope that rest of the audience was reminded as well. Actually from the applause and shouts of AMEN! I know they were reminded of it.

Now I mentioned the New CD, well it seems they announced during the concert that they had just finished recording a New CD that will be out in August. They also played two new songs that were going to be on the new CD. “Hero” and “Monsters” both songs make my fingers itch in a primal desire to get this New CD. If I do manage to aquire a review copy before it is released in august I will promise two things. First you all will get the review the day I get the CD and Secondly I will try not to gloat.

My last words are if you have the chance to go to see Skillet play live you should go. Don’t let little things like life distance or pesky things like disease or death be an excuse. I can promise, If you miss the concert not only will you spend your days kicking yourself but I’m pretty sure God will kill a puppy just to make sure you feel bad.

You can see all the photos of the Concert by going to http://www.jtindie.com/2009/04/skillet-disciple-concert-photos/

Just to let you know, what I did for the concert was that I took my PDA to the concert with me and actually wrote what you are about to read while I was there so much of what you read below truly is my First Impressions

My first impressions of the concert weren’t really positive. Waiting for the concert to begin I stood out in front of the merchandise table, I now understand the term ‘teenage wasteland’. Between the young trying to act like the older ones and the ‘older’ ones striving for what can only be described as ‘rebellion’. That this is nominally a ‘Christian’ event I am at a loss to spot what it is that makes a difference. While I am sure that things will change when the concert actually starts, but as I sit on one of the couches, sipping my tea I can see nothing that tells me I’m at a ‘Christian’ event as opposed to just a secular event.

The Venue is a small concrete windowless room with a tiny stage set up at one end. First band on stage now. Thoughts of tomorrow. Not bad for opening band. Vocals not to my liking but guitarist has talent. I was exposed to a different form of moshing called two stepping. Sometimes I wonder about things, I noticed that someone was wearing a Batman mask in the audience, I wasn’t sure what was stranger that there is someone wearing a batman mask or that no one seems to notice’

The second band Severed Skies was better but what they had in raw talent, they lacked in the ability to motivate the crowd. While there were those who were active most of the audience just stood around. The bands are getting better and I am still excited for some of the more well known bands. I was noticing that the whole time the first and second bands were playing people were still arriving. By the time the bands who were on the bill took the stage there was about 150 people. I don’t know if I will be going to many more of these concerts where all the bands are the harder screamo bands. While I enjoy this kind of music it is not my mainstay and serves more to offer me a change. I do not really like this style as a steady diet.

The third band “Hope for the Dying” Shows me again the difference between garage bands and a band that has talent and determination. I noticed that the Bass player played on stage in his bare feet, I was sure he was going to end up with his feet just crushed. When I asked the Drummer why the Bass Player played in Bare Feet he said “He feels that Playing onstage is part of his act of worship to God, so he plays in Bare Feet”

You could feel the change in the audience as the band took the stage, this vibe carried through with “Inhale Exhale”, and “Destroy the Runner”. “Inhale Exhale” took the stage to opening of “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and consistently rocked the house. I seem to be enjoying the bands more and more as each of them come on stage. While there was talk of a wall of death it never materialized, I was a little let down by that fact, it is however for the best, it is a very small venue. “Destroy the Runner” while putting on a better show didn’t seem to rile up the audience the way inhale exhale did. Although I have noticed the visible lack of moshing during the entire concert. Perhaps part of this was because ‘Destroy the Runner’ performed with less than of a screaming content that I found more pleasing. We are down to the last band. War of ages. All in all a very enjoyable show so far.

The last band of the night was “War of Ages”. And it is clear to me why they are headlining t is show. Where some of the previous bands had talent and others got the crowd motivated war of ages is a complete package of talent and audience participation. The mosh pit was being well used, for the most part those in the pit were courtesy in their own way, and this is something I hadn’t noticed before. There were jerks, as there is with any groups, but the rules were posted on the wall, rule three was simple No whining, if you’re in the room during a Hard concert you have to expect the Moshing and understand you will be moshed on. I was punched, Kicked, shoved, knocked around, and stomped on and into, and yet there were people standing on the edge of the pit getting upset that they were getting hit and or shoved.

“War of Ages” ended with the song God save me. Got to like that. Over all the night has be a good solid 7 on a ten scale. If I learned anything on Saturday Night it is, there are two sides to every story. And it is when you think you know then you really don’t .

Well let’s see, I can’t hear anything, I have no voice and my feet are killing me. Oh did I mention I’m smiling from ear to ear? It can only mean one thing, RED Concert last night in the SouthSide. It was RED and three other bands, two of which were pretty good and one, well… Lets just say they needed work.

This is the Third or Fourth time I have seen red in concert and each time they show remind me of what a live show is supposed to be like.

Above is one of the photos of the opening acts that we got to enjoy. The crowd what alot smaller than I would of expected, still the night was great and RED sounded fantastic. It was rough getting home at midnight and still making it work.

This was the lead singer from the one band I really liked and of course the one band whose name I can’t remember. They put on the best show of the three opening bands.

And finally here is a picture of one my most favorite places in the world, The SouthSide. The home to some of the best live music in Pittsburgh.

Well the Concert went really well and the T-Shirt received much much love. In the Picture above from left to right is Jim (Keyboards) Roger (Drums) Dave (guitar) Tom (Guitar) and Julian (Bass). We played the concert at Lutherlyn Summer camp, so it was we ended up playing for a bunch o little kids and councilers. still it was alot fun. I did perform my heart out! Read the Words to my poem After the Jump

10 years old and he sits alone
A Dirty little kid in a dirty little Corner
Trying to Be Invisible and succeeding
Because momma Doesn’t see him
Momma doesn’t care
She Sold her Soul
For a 10 dollar piece of ROCK
And Daddy?
Theres no Daddy here
Only Momma’s Boyfriend this week
But Momma’s boyfriend taught him about God
Momma’s Boyfriend taught him
GOD”S GONNA GET YOU!!
Momma’s Boyfriend taught him
GOD DOESN’T LIKE BAD LITTLE BOYS LIKE YOU SO GET ME ANOTHER BEER BEFORE I SLAP YOU AGAIN
Yeah he’s learned all about God
He’s Even heard the PREACHER MAN on TV
Telling him JESUS LOVES HIM
But he can’t find this Jesus
He doesn’t See this Jesus
Maybe this Jesus doesn’t come down to the hood
He thinks as sits alone
10 years old and waiting to DIE
Who’s gonna be his JESUS?
Who’s gonna risk their life
To Change his world?
Who’s gonna SAVE THE CHILDREN!

allright as promised I have added the photos from the Alakrity Concert at Summer Slam Fest. You can find these photo and the photos of Eowyn can be found at the summer slam set for my flickr site.

These guys were great in concert and even greater when I got to spend some time with them in the green room interviewing them. Once I get the Mini-recorder transfered over to digital you will all get to hear it. These guys really made the early part of the day worthwhile. I look forward to their new CD coming out and when I get it you can be sure to hear it here.

Alright I have the first batch of Photos from Summer Slam Fest Posted on my Flickr Account. You can check it out over there.  you can access the photo set here. I will be adding more and more photos as time goes by and this will end up being the live concert photo set. Tomorrow I will add the alakrity concert photos.