#RockRevoltMagazine

[rockrevoltmagazine]

IBOTW: LAKESHORE

Indie Band Of The Week is officially back!

Photo credit: Mackenzie Baker / Shadow Pine Media

To kick things off, we’re going to be taking a look at modern hard-rock outfit Lakeshore, from New Fairfield, Connecticut.

Lakeshore was formed by ex-Emmure brothers Joe and Ben Lionetti on the drums and guitar, along with Chris Segovia on the bass and lead guitarist Mitch LoBuglio. Vocalist Jesse Doran rounds off the five-piece act as the newest member of the band.

While reminiscent of old-school rock-and-roll, Lakeshore’s sound has a distinct modern feel and melodic proficiency that makes them stand out. There’s no better demonstration for this than their latest single, “Mountain View”, whose video debuted on February 24 on Alt Press.

Here’s what they had to say about the song:

“We are super excited to share this song with everyone, not only does the song hold deep personal meaning to us, but working with such an accomplished producer as Sahaj Ticotin (Motley Crue, Starset) and Directer Tom Flynn (Buckcherry, Lamb Of God) really made this vision come together. We are very excited to share more music with you soon, and to see what else 2020 has in store.”

We got a chance to chat with guitarist Ben Lionetti about “Mountain View”, Lakeshore, their upcoming EP Ok, Psychopath, and Music Stuff in general.

Who are you, and what is your role in the band?

My name is Ben Lionetti and I play guitar in Lakeshore.

How did you guys come about forming Lakeshore, and how has the response from fans been?

My brother (Joe Lionetti) and I have always been in bands together. We have had success in the past and decided it was time to put forth a new project. The response has been amazing thus far.

You recently debuted the video for “Mountain View”. What was the inspiration behind the track and the video, and did its reception surprise you?

There’s a lot of meaning and emotion that went into that song. It’s pretty much just about staying true to yourself and keeping it real. The response so far has been great. You never know how a music video is going to go over even if you have the best idea ever, but the response to this song has been nothing short of awesome.

What’s your favourite aspect of touring or playing shows?

Just connecting with the crowd and being able to play songs that mean so much to you. It’s a nice relief from the behind the scenes work and struggles.

Who are some of your biggest influences and/or inspirations?

Aerosmith, Stone Temple Pilots, Steely Dan and Korn have been absolutely the biggest influences in my life for playing and musically.

How would you say you’ve changed or evolved since 41?

Well, we’ve grown so much since that first EP, obviously. It’s hard to even look back and consider that the same band.

Is there a song or band you’ve been listening to a lot lately?

I’m really into the new Fire From The Gods. I always keep Nickelback on repeat though!

If you had to describe your upcoming EP, Ok, Psychopath, in five words, they would be…

Good old fashioned homemade cooking.

Yum! What’s next for Lakeshore?

We are really trying to put a good team together behind the scenes so we can get the wheels turning. We hope to really accelerate the touring side of things.

Any parting words?

Please go share the “Mountain View” video with your friends and save it to your Spotify playlist ….best played at full volume!

Connect with Lakeshore (click icons):

by Stan Rastogi

IBOTW: LAKESHORE was originally published on RockRevolt Mag

[current-mcr-news]

kinseylimpfy: So excited that I can finally share these portraits I made of @frankieromustdie for @rockrevoltmagazine! Special guest, @ifuckwithphil! #frankiero #mcr #mychemicalromance#blackflag #thefutureviolents#thepatience#frankieroandthefutureviolents#frankieroandthepatience #saturn#birmingham #alabama#birminghamalabama #joejonas#jonasbrothers #phil #rabbit#ifuckwithphil #kinsey #kinseybh#kinseyblakehaynes#kinseyblakehaynesphotography#kinseylimpfy

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@sammidoll wearing a new prototype 🖤 #Repost @bulletheight ・・・ @sammidoll Towering over the @regenttheaterla crowd supporting @stabbingwestward last Saturday. Catch us in two weeks at @clubbarsinister Halloween Special 10.31.18 ————————————————- 📸 @anabeldflux for @rockrevoltmagazine Harness Dress: @ritual_official #rockrevoltmagazine #anabeldflux #livemusic #livereview #bulletheight #LAmusicscene #losangelesmusic #Electronicrock #industrialrock #ritualfashion #sammidoll #fashion #stylist #style https://www.instagram.com/p/BpBLIChhC_b/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=r9xe64a3s1r0

[sky--burial]

Johannes Eckerström at Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR | 30.10.2018

(photos by RockRevoltMagazine)

[tdkjusettes]

"It was a party, straight up, and I can not think of another show where I have seen a singer of a band look as if he was having the absolute time of his life" Kansas City April 08th 2018 Review by Ace Sims for @rockrevoltmagazine Pics by Amber Miller Outfit @angbright13 . . . #justinhawkins #jushawk #tdkjusette #theactualdarkness #thedarkness #leopardcatsuit #whithelespaul #gibsonguitar #leadsinger#concertphotography #musicphotography #rockphotography #songwriter #rockgod #rockstar #rocknroll #glamrock #glammetal#hardrock #rockmusic #music #ustour #tourdeprance #pinewoodsmile #kansascity #gigreview #concertreview (presso Kansas City, Kansas) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqA2aK5BgT9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1kf67xxg7rn34

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Vegan Monster Kipp Angel..... 1974 All Original Gibson Les Paul Custom ITS A GIBSON THING.. @gibsunday @gibsonguitar @gibsoncustom @gibsonespanol @gibsonguitarsusa @gibsonfrance @gibsonsofinstagram @gibsonguitaruk @gibsonmemphis @gibsongermany @gibsonguitarbrasil @gibson_italy @gibson.guitars @lespaulshowcase @lespaulfoundation @lespaulsociety @voxamplification @marshallamps_uk @splawnamplification @caltoncases @cartervintageguitars @gruhnguitars @normansrareguitars @chicagomusicexchange @kramerguitarsus @kramerguitars @morleypedals @jimdunlopusa @wdmusicproducts @wilkinsondirect @stewmac_guitar @guitarpartsfactory @historicmakeovers @hipshotproducts @stepaudio @bluesmagazine @bluesfoundation @blackwolfmountain @kippangel @paddyceo @thelawlessmen @wendyp_85 @jackbruno70 @cha_dikito @r.p.swirl @rockermissy @rockstarguitar @rockhall @rock_vault @rockrebelmagazine @rockrevoltmagazine @rockstarmagazin @rock.scene.magazine @kramerspiekermann @alejandrokramerspiekermann @fckfmmag @fckfm69 @fck.fm @michaelanthonyalago @guitar @guitarworldmagazine @guitarplayer @vintageguitarmagazine @imperial_vintage @vintageguitarnerds @autismspeaks @stjude #gibson #gibsonguitars #gibsonlespaul #gibsonsg #gibsonfirebird #gibsoncustomshop #gibsones335 #gibsonexplorer #vintagetone #nativeamerican #bodybuilding #lovedogs #noexcuses #nofucksgiven https://www.instagram.com/p/CHpz9TXswKU/?igshid=1fx4gd8tubxnj

[itsonlyrocknrolliluvit]

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[pacificorock]

Check out this awesome interview we got to do with @rockrevoltmagazine about our new album Everest and our national tour: http://rockrevoltmagazine.com/indie-band-of-the-week-pacifico/

[earpeeler]

RockRevolt Magazine Video – Gabriel And The Apocalypse RockRevoltmagazine's Ace Sims caught up with Lindy, Jake and Jace of Gabriel and the Apocalypse during their run on the Condolences Across America tour.

[devilsenvyart-blog]

Thank you so much, @rockrevoltmagazine ❤️🙏 • • • • • #newmusic #rockrevoltmagazine #bandoftheweek #music #art #centralflorida #orlandofl #devilsenvy (at Orlando, Florida)

[rockrevoltmagazine]

INTERVIEW: HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD

Photo by Darren Craig

An amazing week thus far, and it’s just getting better. There is NOTHING better than putting our ears on New Empire Vol. I of Hollywood Undead, and then speaking to them about it.

Feast and quench your reading thirst with this conversation had with Johnny 3 Tears about all things Hollywood Undead and New Empire Vol I.!

Thanks, so much for talking to me today! I have a few questions about the New Empire Vol. I. Is there one phrase you would use to describe the new album? If you could keep it short and sweet how would you sum up your new album?

It’s a piece of shit, honestly. No, I’m just kidding. I don’t know! That’s such a… I hate when people ask me that stuff. It’s like when my wife asks me why do I love her. It’s like dude, I don’t know! I don’t have any reasons. I just think it’s a great album and it’s a step forward and something we’re proud of. It’s work we’ve never put out before so the whole message I would give is prepare yourself for the unknown.

Okay, Awesome! So why did you change directions with the album and go with one specific producer?

Well, honestly… oof. You know uhm…A.) with the sound and stuff like that it’s never a particular type of record it’s kind of comes to be. We’re kind of instinctual and we go with our guts and our emotions and that’s what was there. As far as the production went, I think we just, things happened a lot quicker than we thought. We worked with a lot of the same guys, who are great guys by the way, you know I love all the guys we’ve worked with for a long time. I think there’s a certain comfort level you know. A lot of them are my friends. Matt, who we worked with, we knew him, and we toured with him when was with From First to Last and Drugs and some other bands and we’d known him for a long time. When we got into the studio the work ethic was certainly different and it sort of brought the best out of us. As we started our plan was still to go in with multiple producers but as we kept rolling with him it came to a point where it was like look, this is really clicking this is really working, let’s just stick with what we’re doing. And that was kind of why. It wasn’t like some kind of decision. It was just like, why stop doing what we’re doing this is really working for us. We ended up just doing the whole thing with him. It was never intentional and honestly, it’s kind of refreshing because starting up with someone new in the studio you always have to go through a lot of different rigamaroo to get going. And it’s kind of nice to stay on all cylinders straight through until you’re done with the album. It was refreshing, it was different. We might do it again or we might do it differently next time but certainly this time it worked for us.

Looking back and working with Matt Good, I know you said everything kind of clicked when you went into it and that there wasn’t any rhyme or reason to it. Looking back on it was there anything that you think he brought to the table production wise that really stood out for you while creating the album?

I mean, the guys cutting edge, but I think honestly the main role of a producer in a studio is to make sure you’re doing your job. So, it’s very easy to get complacent and you just want to finish so let’s just write some songs. And most people can write incessantly and constantly but that doesn’t reflect on the quality and he was really good at pushing us. You know, we haven’t been a band forever but we’ve been a band for a pretty long time and we have five records and we’ve released like 50 songs that were never on albums so we, it’s been a lot of material there and I think it’s easy to kind of get in a box and kind of get used to running through the same system to create an album. He didn’t allow us to do that. He really pushed us, and he’d tell you “You know, hey, this isn’t good enough.” Sometimes that hurts to hear and sometimes he’s wrong, but a lot of the times he’s right and you end up going back and rewriting and reworking things and looking back on it going, “Oh, I’m really glad we did that.”. So, I think that is his principle role is pushing the writers and the band to push themselves and he did a phenomenal job of that. And that goes back to knowing the producer too well because eventually you just don’t listen because eh, what are you gonna fucking do? You know, you start and you’re kind of like, “Okay, I gotta listen to this guy because he’s my new boss in a sense.”. You know, there’s a lack of discomfort that I think drives artistic expression. If you’re really comfortable it’s really easy to get lazy about it so that’s what I liked about it was the extra push to do my best.

Right, so you didn’t get too complacent and he kind of helped you push those boundaries.

Yeah, and you know just someone there to say, “That’s not good, that sucks.”. We’ve written plenty of songs that suck. I’ll be the first to tell you that. You want to at least enable your yourself to be honest with yourself and be truthful. I think that is the main role of any producer with any band is to make sure that the band does what the band does. What they’re capable of doing. So, yeah, anyhow.

Was it his idea to bring in Kellin Quin from Sleeping with Sirens or was that more your idea because you saw the connection there and wanted to broaden it? Whose idea was that?

Kellin? No, that was totally random! So, we uh, our manager where we recorded it, the office has a huge… a bunch of studios in it. So you have people bouncing around in there hanging out recording their own stuff and in a different studio or just sitting there and one day like, he was hanging out because they manage Sleeping with Sirens and he was just drinking some tequila, and we were drinking some tequila, and we were writing a song and we’re like, “Hey man, would you want to jump in with us?”. And he was like, “Yeah!” and that was it. That was really it. And I’ve always been a Sleeping with Sirens fan so there’s that. I mean, obviously if I thought it wasn’t, they weren’t good, it wasn’t my thing, I would have never asked. But, uhm, it was really actually just completely random. He was there. We were there and we all like to play music so we played music together. I love that stuff too. Especially like when you read about bands back in the 60’s. Jonny Cash would write stuff with Bob Dylan because they were just sitting around together and they both liked to play music and there was a lot of comradery in the music scene and now I don’t sense that so much. So, it was really cool in that sense. All the guests on our album we were all just hanging out so it’s very natural, I guess. It wasn’t like, “You know who would sound good right here at this moment is blah blah blah.”. It was kind of just a natural progression from just hanging out to we’re all in the studio together let’s make something and if it sucks it sucks, if it doesn’t it doesn’t. It was just a natural thing.

So, there was really a sense of “community” on this album then?

Yeah, no you’re totally right, there really was.

After being around for 15 plus years what sort of propels or compels you to keep going and to keep wanting to break boundaries and keep creating? What is it would you say is your driving force?

I guess the same thing that really made me want to start doing music to begin with. It’s really hard to explain to someone who doesn’t like look at it that way. The best way I can explain it is you don’t really have a choice. I know for a fact if I wasn’t writing music, I don’t know what would happen.

So basically, it’s just a part of you?

Yeah, I’d say it’s just a part of everybody. Even people who just listen to music. They have the same drive towards it just on the other end of it. Like I know there are a lot of people without the ability to listen to music would lose their shit too. I mean, I think it’s kind of a universal thing at least with the musical community that we all rely on it fairly heavily to get through things. That’s really kind of all I’ve got is that it’s a part of me whether I want it to be or not. I’ve often thought “Man, it would be really nice to not have that drive.”, because I really wouldn’t mind just being a happy whistling mailman like you see in like Mayberry or something. That seems pretty nice too, but I guess that’s really just not my fate. You know, music is just an amazing thing and I’m glad to be a part of it and I’m glad there’s people who feel that strongly about our music too and that support the band because the connection certainly transcends most. So, we’re just happy to be able to do it in general.

I can totally relate to that. Now with the album this is a Volume I, so this isn’t all of the tracks? The rest of the tracks are finished though, right?

Yeah, Yeah. We finished everything over the summer this year, but everything is done, and Volume II is ready to go. Everything is fired up Bro.

Can you walk me through the decision process on breaking up the tracks? What made you pick this first set of tracks for this volume? What was the thought process on how you split them up? Was there a specific reason you picked these?

There is to a degree. There’s heavier songs I think, or more up-tempo songs on the first one because you kind of want to come out of the gate with that. The second one has some ballads on it and some different kind of material that’s probably a bit more experimental. So, I think it’s more like, hey let’s make the fanbase happy and that immediate sort of need for it and kind of take care of that on the first one. There’s still heavy material on the second one. I actually like the second volume better, personally. So, it’s more about taste but yeah, I mean it was kind of like that. I guess that was the ballpark was let’s keep the first one like kind of punch-you-in-the-face-style even though there is a ballad on there called “Nightmare” and stuff like that. But that was kind of where we were at is just kick them in the teeth on the first one and then go into the artistic driven stuff so the people who hate that stuff kind of already got what they wanted, I guess.

I had a chance to read over some of the comments you had made about the new album and everything and I read your comments about “Time bomb” and the pressures that kids deal with, in regard to social media. Can you describe what you were speaking about in this comment?

Social media is one of those things I can look at from sort of a distance. I mean, because it’s all kind of silly. But when I started to understand the effect that it had on very young people especially it really isn’t just them. It’s like this worldwide version of keeping up with the Jonses, you know? So, it’s this mythological lifestyle that everybody has. It doesn’t really exist and what it does from my observation is it puts pressure on the person next to you to go, “How come I’m not like these people?”, They seem happy and they seem to have their act together, which is obviously not true because nobody is going to discuss or divulge, you know, the worst parts of life or the lesser parts of life. I found that at first, I thought of it as kind of like this just pocket little fad that was going to come and go but I think social media has a greater effect on the general thinking of the population than anything else. I think its superseded music, its superseded movies, it superseded any type of entertainment and I think it has had a disastrous effect on people’s lives in general. Now some people can use it and just use it for business, or you know, talking to their friends in high school, I don’t know. But in general, I think it’s kind of by nature itself, because human nature starts getting involved, it’s an evil kind of like algorithm because what you have is this constant state of comparison. Which in my mind, is the absolute worst thing a person can do is to compare themselves to the person next to them or the person down the street or in this case, a person across the world. What starts to happen is these feelings come through that they’re not good enough or they’re not doing what someone else is doing. Because there’s so many people on earth, there’s always going to be something that they’re not doing and they’re always not going to be good enough. And I think that projection on to people’s lives is extremely negative. I’ve read a lot of stuff about kids and especially with suicide is driven by bullying on social media. I mean, I think almost everybody has heard about that at this point. And you start to see the really ill effects it has on society as a whole and it really just made me think about this thing because I don’t think it’s going away. In fact, I think it’s going to grow and grow and grow and at some point, we have to deal with the ramifications of what this does to people and how it makes them feel about themselves. “Time bomb” was kind of just a reflection on that and from a different person’s perspective and how it can affect them. Obviously, it’s going to take a lot of resources and time to time to get to the bottom of this stuff and I think this was just Hollywood Undead’s take on this modern disease that people have of the constant comparison on the internet that people have with on another. It’s pretty wild.

Also, in the comments Jimmy said how you guys don’t want your fans to get comfortable. Why would you say you don’t want them to be comfortable? What do you mean by that?

Well, then that would mean I’m comfortable and I don’t think you can write good music from a position of comfort. You have to push yourself; you have to make yourself uncomfortable emotionally. Emotion is the bedrock of music if you look at it. No matter what your progression looks like or how catchy your melody is there has to be something underneath it. If they’re comfortable that means I’m comfortable which means I’m not pushing myself and I’m not doing what I’m supposed to do. Also, it goes to the effect that if someone that’s been listening to our records thinks they know what they’re gonna hear before they hear it that’s a very negative thing to me. Now, there’s a lot of fans that wish, I’m not arguing against this, that would love to hear duplications of records from the past. We hear it all the time. “Why don’t you write a record like this. Why don’t you write a record like that?”.  That would be extremely uninteresting to us. I don’t think we’d have much of a purpose if we had to duplicate past work. And then whether they realize it or not, if you did do a record like that, then they’d just be asking you why your record sounds like another one. So, it’s like one of these things is duplicitous. I mean, I think a band in order to do what it’s supposed to do has to constantly kind of push boundaries and if we’re doing that then that should push listeners boundaries to some degree. So, discomfort to me is very vital to writing good music and even from the listeners perspective I would hate the idea of someone releasing an album that I’m looking forward to and almost knowing what’s going to be there before I listen to it. That’s all I meant by it.

Real quick, just a fun question here. If it were your last day what song off of your discography would you want to be remembered for? What’s your number one, holy grail, this is what I want people to remember me for?

Ooh… “I’ll be there” off of the deluxe version of Day of the Dead. That’s a no brainer for me. Yes ma’am!

Interview by Heather Householder

Connect with Hollywood Undead (click icons):

INTERVIEW: HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD was originally published on RockRevolt Mag

[current-mcr-news]

kinseylimpfy: So excited that I can finally share these portraits I made of @frankieromustdie for @rockrevoltmagazine! Special guest, @ifuckwithphil! #frankiero #mcr #mychemicalromance#blackflag#thefutureviolents#thepatience#frankieroandthefutureviolents#frankieroandthepatience #saturn#birmingham #alabama#birminghamalabama#joejonas#jonasbrothers #phil #rabbit#ifuckwithphil #kinsey#kinseybh#kinseyblakehaynes#kinseyblakehaynesphotography#kinseylimpfy

[smiphotog]

@chrissythebutcher at the Riot Room in Kansas City. Photo by: @smi_photog / @rockrevoltmagazine #butcherbabies #streetmetalimage #rockrevoltmagazine (at The Riot Room)

[rockrevoltmagazine]

INTERVIEW: George Lynch of Lynch Mob, KXM, & Dokken

Tom Leu from Sound Matters Radio, and RockRevolt photojournalist talked to guitar-master George Lynch from Lynch Mob, KXM, and formerly of Dokken recently about KXM’s new album Circle of Dolls, The End Machine, the future of Dokken, a possible George Lynch memoir, and also get off the beaten path with a bit of philosophy and politics that is classic George Lynch… listen to the full podcast episode above:

Connect with George & KXM (click icons):

Interviews by RockRevolt Photojournalist & Radio Host – Tom Leu

INTERVIEW: George Lynch of Lynch Mob, KXM, & Dokken was originally published on RockRevolt Mag

[rockrevoltmagazine]

Louder Than Life 2019

Louder Than Life 2019

Louder Than Life

The World’s Largest Rock ‘N’ Roll Whiskey Festival

Returns To Louisville Bigger And Better

With Most Thrilling Music Lineup In Its History Featuring

Friday: Slipknot, Staind, A Day To Remember

Saturday: Guns N’ Roses, Godsmack, Ice Cube

Sunday: Disturbed, Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson

Including Guns N’ Roses First Performance In 2019

And Staind’s First Show…

[rockrevoltmagazine]

LIVE SHOW REVIEW: Starset w/ Gemini Syndrome

It’s not every day I get the chance to drive two hours into a city I have not spent much time in to review a show for a band I have not witnessed live (but have always wanted to), Gemini Syndrome, who happens to be playing a show with my favorite band, Starset. However, fortunately for me, the stars aligned to deliver one of those chances to my doorstep on Friday, February 17, 2017. And align they did!

As I arrived at the Rex Theatre in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – roughly two hours from my Akron, Ohio-area home – I was not sure what to expect. I ended up walking down the sidewalk right past the guys in Gemini Syndrome like it was no big deal, this happens to me all the time. I nodded and smiled, unsure what to say in my own socially awkward way, and got in line for what was sure to be an incredible night of music. Little did I know that my mind was about to be blown in ways innumerable.

The house slowly packed up around me after I took part in the Starset VIP experience (again, do this, people!!). It was a lovely time as always, and I do appreciate getting the chance to say hello to them and make those memories. As people made their way inside, I kept thinking to myself, this place is not that big. How many people can they shove in here? Well, Pittsburgh clearly answered me, “Challenge Accepted!” There were two opening bands before Gemini Syndrome came out, both very talented in their own rights, but I was working out some details for the night and was not able to pay them the attention they deserved. So, for that, I apologize. I do know that they were exactly what the crowd needed to get ready for what was to come, and what I did hear out of both bands, I did enjoy. So, kudos to both of those acts for their performances.

It wasn’t long before the air was abuzz with energy and frenzy as the Gemini Syndrome crew set up the stage. Since my vantage point was very, very good – quite literally at the feet of Charles Lee Salvaggio – I was able to see everything, and I have to say, this gig here at RockRevolt has led me to really appreciate the time, energy, and precision of a well-oiled crew. From drum set up to cords being spread across the stage floor, everything was done with such precision that I couldn’t look away. I stood next to a family – a father, mother, and their young son – who had seen Gemini Syndrome quite a bit and were regular fixtures at their shows. The boy seemed to be mesmerized as well, and I do believe members of the band and crew recognized him as more than once, he got a little wave or nod of recognition. It’s always awesome to see a band recognize their fans, especially the regulars who come out and support their favorite acts. I like these little touches and try to find them wherever I can. I have been on the receiving end of it, and I know how special it makes people feel – a touch of kindness is always free and is usually rare these days.

As the stage lights dimmed, the crowd roared around me. For being a smaller venue, it sure sounded like we were all packed into an arena! The pure cacophony around me was enough to make my hairs stand on end – it was a beautiful moment. Gemini Syndrome – Aaron Nordstrom (vocals), Brian Steele Medina (drums), Alessandro Paveri (bass), Daniel Sahagun (guitar), and Charles Lee Salvaggio (guitars/backing vocals) – filled the stage with their physical presence and the theatre with their sound like nothing I’d seen in a while. The crowd was aching for them, and they delivered a short set that, honestly if time would have allowed, could have gone on for twice as long and no one would have complained – we all would have totally been fine with it.

To watch Aaron take command of the people around him was pure magic. Every word he sang got delivered right back to him by those around me. The energy Brian Steele Medina brought behind the drum kit kept my chest vibrating the whole set long- I was close enough to see the drums actually vibrating with each hit. His smile showed the crowd how much fun he was having, and it was obvious: there was nowhere else he’d have rather been. Alessandro and Daniel were on the other side of the stage from me, but I got to see the fans throwing their hands up, rock fists proudly displayed at their feet as they did the things they do best – rock the crowds with their incredible talent on the strings. I was right in front of the box that Charles was on, and I was a frequent recipient of a drop of sweat from his hard-working brow and oft-tossed locks while head-banging. I couldn’t have cared less; you don’t stand that close to the stage without some understanding that a bodily fluid may be passed once or twice. All is fair in love and rock shows – no regrets!

The set was peppered with some inspirational and motivational speech bits by Aaron reminding us that yes, we all die, but the time to truly live and do something with our lives is now. And that message resonated with the crowd. My favorite moment of their set would have been when they played one of my favorite songs of theirs, “Remember We Die” off of their current release, Momento Mori. That song has such a powerful message of “get off your ass and live” behind it, and the crowd reacted! Rock fists were pumping, all eyes were on the stage, and we all sang every single word alongside Aaron. Every heart in there beat as one to the rhythm driven by Brian Steele Medina – it was such a beautiful moment to share with a group who gives so much of themselves and expects literally nothing in return. But, we gave it to them as hard as they gave it to us, that’s for sure. At one point, I reached up and Aaron grabbed my hand in his; that connection was enough to show that we were all in it together – moments like that one just testify to the giving nature of the band and the connection they have with their fans.

As the set came to an end, no one was ready to say goodbye. Their set was pure energy and deafening riffs combined with uplifting reality and motivation to do more than what we’ve been doing in our lives – Gemini Syndrome took us all to church and left us breathless in the pews. And it left me – and many others – waiting impatiently for our next taste of Gemini Syndrome live in front of us.

Luckily, we don’t have to wait long! If you have not seen them live, oh my God, get out there and do it. They are coming out with In This Moment, Motionless in White, and Avatar for the Half God/Half Devil tour, surely coming to a city near you. This tour is not one you want to miss, and I know I have already put things into motion to be there myself. I’ll do you a solid here and add the dates below. Go, go, go get your tickets and see Gemini Syndrome live. You may like them on recording; you’ll absolutely love them live! I promise. Check them out, and tell them I sent you. It may not mean much, but hey, it can’t hurt!

After the incredible experience that was Gemini Syndrome came the night’s headliners – and another crowd favorite judging by the bodies around me – Starset. I was blessed to be able to see them just four weeks before for the start of their headlining tour promoting their new album, Vessels, which also turned a month old as of this write up. Starset live is unlike anything I’ve experienced in my 35 trips around the sun. Combining the incredible stage presence of Ron DeChant (bass, backing vocals, keyboard) and Brock Richards (guitar), with Adam Gilbert on drums now in what I have deemed “The Incredible Cube of Wonders” (seriously, you need to see it) and, of course, Master of The Whole Damned Thing (my words, not his), Dustin Bates on emulator and vocals, their live performances are second to none.

Starting with “Into the Unknown” off of Vessels and leading into “Halo” all the way through to “The Future is Now” and “My Demons” from Transmissions, the sixteen-song set was nonstop. Dustin, as per usual, thanked the crowd after each song, which is another touch I always appreciate – artists whom many admire who are truly grateful for their fans and audience go a long way with me, and with others I am sure. Dustin even humored a fan who yelled out, “We love you!” with a “Love you, too” and a little chuckle, and that fan may or not have been me (and it was; I am not ashamed to admit this to you, kind reader. It was so me!).

The light show on the side video panels on each side of the stage combined with the projections on the cube while Adam drove the show forward on his drum kit added a cinematic element to the performance that long-time fans of the band have come to expect. Lights shined out of seemingly everywhere on stage; their shows are a feast for the eyes, ears, and spirit alike. It’s a true mind/soul connection, and it was apparent to see why a band like Gemini Syndrome was on this ticket with them – they offer a lot of the same elements in terms of making connections with people’s brains and hearts as well as their ears. The fans seemed to really appreciate both bands’ messages, for sure, and the connection between the two was obvious.

I was standing not in my usual spot at the feet of Brock Richards, but instead I planted myself right below (literally) Ron DeChant, and this position gave me a view of the stage I haven’t had yet in my experiences with them. Ron is absolutely savage on his bass and with his vocals, and it took me aback to see how soft – seeming almost sentimental at times – he plays on the keyboards. He really can do it all. I only regret that I hadn’t been able to fully witness this for myself until this particular show. I was also able to have full view of their touring violinist, Siobhan Cronin, as well as their touring cellist, Jonathan Kamfe. The talent between those two individuals lends something so special to the songs and presence of Starset that it’s almost impossible to think of the band and not think of them.

As for the music, every song, including “Richochet,” “Everglow,” and “Monster” from Vessels were met with complete adulation as the crowd sang along with every word, while “Down With the Fallen,” “Telescope,” “Dark on Me,” and “My Demons” from Transmissions were crowd favorites as well. In all, the set was everything I’d hoped it would be – and it’s never enough, is it? We all wanted “one more song” as the band left the stage and the lights came up. It was an exceptional performance from another hard-working band on a short break before they hit up the festival circuit this spring, and we can’t wait to bring you coverage from those shows as well. I’m already trying to figure out my way to get to their Saturday date for Rock on the Range (I will get there!!). Their tour schedule can be found below.

In its entirety, it was an incredible musical adventure and an excellent night at the Rex. The whole night was definitely one for the books for this rock and roll writer! I’d do it again and again, as often as I’d be able, that’s for sure!

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Show Review/Live Photos by Devon Anderson, RockRevolt Managing Editor/Journalist

Half God/Half Devil Tour In This Moment, Motionless in White, Avatar, Gemini Syndrome 2017 Tour Dates

4/07 — Milwaukee, Wis. @ Eagles Ballroom

4/08 — Green Bay, Wis. @ The Sandlot

4/09 — Maplewood, Minn. @ Myth Live

4/11 — Omaha, Neb. @ Sokol Auditorium/Underground

4/12 — Kansas City, Mo. @ Arvest Bank Theater at The Midland

4/14 — Indianapolis, Ind. @ Egyptian Room at Old National Centre

4/15 — Columbus, Ohio @ Express Live

4/16 — Toronto, Ontario @ The Danforth Music Hall

4/18 — Philadelphia, Pa. @ Electric Factory

4/19 — Albany, N.Y. @ Palace Theatre

4/21 — Baltimore, Md. @ Rams Head Live!

4/22 — Stroudsburg, Pa. @ Sherman Theater

4/23 — Worcester, Mass. @ The Palladium

4/25 — Pittsburgh, Pa. @ Stage AE

4/26 — Detroit, Mich. @ The Fillmore Detroit

4/28 — Atlanta, Ga. @ The Masquerade – Heaven

4/29 — Fort Myers, Fla. @ Fort Rock *

4/30 — Jacksonville, Fla. @ Welcome To Rockville *

5/02 — Birmingham, Ala. @ Iron City

5/03 — Cincinnati, Ohio @ Bogart’s

5/05 — Nashville, Tenn. @ War Memorial Auditorium

5/06 — Concord, N.C. @ Carolina Rebellion *

*festival appearance, not all bands will perform

Connect with GEMINI SYNDROME (click icons):

Starset Demonstrations

April 28, 2017         98 Rock Fest                   Tampa, FL

April 29, 2017         Fort Rock Festival         Fort Myers, FL

April 29, 2017         Welcome to Rockville   Jacksonville, FL

April 30, 2017         JetBlue Park                   Fort Myers, FL

May 5, 2017             Carolina Rebellion        Kannapolis, NC

May 14, 2017           Northern Invasion        Somerset, WI

May 20, 2017          Rock on the Range        Columbus, OH

May 26, 2017          Rocklahoma                    Pryor, OK

  Connect with Starset!(click icons):

LIVE SHOW REVIEW: Starset w/ Gemini Syndrome was originally published on RockRevolt Mag