THE NORTHERN WAY ( FORMERLY SET FORTH - Great live performance especially considering they were opening. AT least 125 in the house when the started so that was a very good thing. One of the guys was celebrating his 21st b-day so you can imagine the post-debauchery that happened in their camp! The band was extremely tight and showed great musicianship and connectivity with each other and the audience. Most of their songs are mid tempo, yet it fits into a mold that the band is going for. Sounds like: Jason Mraz, Jamiroquai, Coldplay
THE LEGENDARY BEEP BEEPS - For not playing out that much, Frankie A. and crew put on a upper level performance. Frankie likes to tie dead roses onto his mic stand - not too sure what it means yet. For a 3 piece, the sound was full, thanks to some lush guitar chord banging by Frankie and his Vox. Definetly want to catch these guys again - my only knock - Hey Frankie, talk louder between songs! Your voice is deep and too soft spoken and we really couldn't hear what the hell you were saying. Sounds like: The Church, U2, Love and Rockets
(photo by Stu Kennedy) 
STRANGE CONDITION - After going thru some line-up changes, I think they got it right with 4. Shaun Nelson (ex Plastic Parachute) brings a presence and harmonies to the band that were desperately missing. Of course anyone that has seen them knows that Cody and Jas do a great job on drums and guitar respectively. Ryan Malloy has the confident pipes and presence. The mix was pretty good - could have used more guitar. SC has a couple great gems in the new song category: The hook laden NEVER FADE and CONSEQUENCE. They did some old school SC too as well as a cool cover of U2's WITH OR WITHOUT YOU. Sound like: 3 Doors Down, The Kinks, Finger Eleven
(photo by Tommy Nahulu)
RANDOM FRIEND GENERATOR - A super group of sorts - Chris Thomas from Spools of Dark Thread, Chris Reidy from a ton of bands, Pat Searcy - also from a ton of bands and Dr. Rich Ross, who suprise - plays in a ton of bands too. Tons of talent abound, which is obvious from the start. Thomas does a good job on adding a thicker sound with his guitar playing. Its definetly a bit more mainstream than anything I have heard from Thomas, who doesn't mind the change. Its still rock, with a bit more alternative and Indie mixed in and much less metal and Screamo. You can tell the band is still looking for an image though. The character of the band has not taken shape yet, and it is ok since they need to get the collective stage legs together as a unit. Look for this band to continue to polish its live presence to match the quality of the recorded material.
Sounds Like: Go see a show and find out!
(photo by Tommy Nahulu)
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