|
No Blindfold, Gatlin,
Three Miles Out, Lords of the Highway, and Leo
The Odeon
03-18-03
This concert was co-sponsored by 92.3 WTXM and
Budweiser, so you may be wondering what the hell Utter Trash was doing
there. Well mainly I came to see The Lords of the Highway who were the odd
band out on this bill, so to speak. I’d also heard good things about Gatlin
so I figured this was as good a time as any to check them out. The show was
a contest, with the winning band being awarded tour support form Budweiser.
Leo started things off with a set of commercial modern
rock that seemed to win over a good portion of the crowd. I wasn’t quite as
thrilled. Then again, most of the bands I like won’t ever get played on the
radio, and Leo seems to have their sights set on bigger things than
appealing to the likes of me.
The Lords of the Highway were much more entertaining
for me. The band plays psychobilly ala The Cramps or Reverend Horton Heat,
and they do it well. The group’s female bass player/vocalist “Sugar” plays
her upright bass in a very physical manner, at times riding it cowgirl
style, at other times lying on her back. Aside from the “Sugar” show, the
band just flat out rocks. They went over fairly well with the audience,
too. Maybe there’s hope for 92.3 listeners after all.
Playing a more radio friendly brand of rock was Three
Miles Out. The guys played happy poppy rock that sounded just like any
number of bands you've already heard. Judging by the crowd response that
was just fine with most of them. Next.
Gatlin took to the stage like they were already
international rock stars and the crowd (which had grown noticeably larger
just before their set began) went crazy for it. The band put on a very pro
level rock show, complete with balloons and confetti. They lean way too
much towards nu metal for my tastes, but if that’s your thing check ‘em
out. They’re very good at what they do.
No Blindfold won the tour support, but I didn’t stick
around to hear them and so can’t really comment on whether they deserved it
or not. What I’ve heard of them is sort of industrial lite. However, I was
stunned to find out Gatlin didn’t even make it to the final three. All the
bands I saw were good for what they were doing, my personal tastes aside.
But as far as stage presence, performance, and crowd response Gatlin were
by far the most impressive. (Bob Ignizio)
For pictures, click
here.
 |
