Drowning Pool Revisited

Stevie Benton of Drowning Pool
Originally uploaded by photobycourtney

Well the past always seems to have a way of catching up to oneself and I have to say at least in this instance it was a good thing. Having seen Drowning Pool many times prior to the death of their frontman Dave Williams, I had only caught a couple of songs of theirs on Crue Fest last year with their current singer Ryan McCombs. What I heard of their old music with Ryan I liked and I did like the new songs I had heard but I still had avoided full immersion until now.

Drowning Pool booked another date at Bourbon Street in Batlimore and it was time to reintroduce myself to this band that I once loved and saw in many venues almost 10 years ago.

They kicked off their set with "Sinner" and although here was Ryan onstage singing, the rest of the band was the same and I really focused on Stevie and C.J. up front. As they went through the set, they intersperced their older material with their newer but you knew that they were building up to "Bodies". At one point Ryan was talking prior to a song working up to it and you could hear fans yelling for "Bodies" which you knew wasn't yet to be played. One just had to be patient.

Of course when "Bodies" finally came it was a bit of a let down. I knew the set was finishing and I was still looking for something that I wasn't finding. There was something missing in tonight's show and it wasn't just the missing of their former frontman. I felt the band was just off tonight. The crowd wasn't as engaging as they could be as well and one knows that a band feeds off a crowd. I ended up walking away a bit disappointed overall but glad that I did come out and see Drowning Pool. Of course afterwards I did the comment that I looked familiar from one of the band members. Yes, it's been a long time but it was nice to here that. See you next time Drowning Pool..

Bamboozle Road Show Kicks Off!

benji madden of good charlotte
Originally uploaded by photobycourtney

Did you know that Bamboozle is coming to you? You can catch the 2010 Bamboozle Road Show at a venue near you and Merriweather Post Pavilion had the honor of hosting the first show of the tour. Great way to kick off the summer (well almost summer) with two hometown bands sharing the stage - Good Charlotte & All Time Low.

Here was a pop punk scenester's dream line up with All Time Low, Good Charlotte, Boys Like Girls and Forever the Sickest Kids all on the main stage with support from Drive A, Mercy Mercedes, Great Big Planes and more on the side stage.

The day started with Drive A on the side stage. This stage began just as some kids were getting out of school so a bit of a worry that there wouldn't be a crowd but thankfully those worries were put to rest. The area filled in quite nice while the band played and thanks for a few young men there actually was a pit going when frontman Bruno Mascolo took to the pavement.

It wasn't until Forever the Sickest Kids hit the main stage that things got heated up. The packed floor and front of the pavilion were rockin' as they played and this didn't stop until the end of All Time Low. Even Boys Like Girls' frontman Martin Johnson got into the crowd as he did a stage dive towards the end of their set. Those at Merriweather Post Pavilion definitely gave the other tour stops something to live up to as they closed the night out with their two hometown bands.

Daryl Hall & John Oates Rockin' the Pier

It was a beautiful night for a concert at Pier 6. An earlier storm knocked the humidity down and it was a beautiful night for music - Daryl Hall & John Oates were in town. Out promoting their recently released box set the tour was named Do What You Want, Be What You Are tour.

Here's a duo who ruled the pop charts in the mid-80s with hit songs such as ""Rich Girl", "Kiss on My List", "Private Eyes", "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)", "Maneater", and "Out of Touch" - all of which hit #1 on Billboard's Top 100. Here we are many years later and they are still giving it their all to a packed house.

Young and old combined to fill the pavilion and could be heard singing along from the first song of the set to the last. It was great to see young kids with their parents enjoying great pop songs. These are songs that have lasted through the test of time. They don't need flashy videos or anything else to popularize them either. A great pop song is just that, a great song. This is what pop music is all about.

Backstreet Boys are Back!

It's been 14 years since their first single and the Backstreet Boys show no sign of slowing down. In the midst of their year long This Is Us Tour, for their album of the same name the group made a stop at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City and earplugsrequired.com was there.

So yes this is a venture into unknown territory for earplugsrequired.com but seriously now, one must appreciate a good pop song and the Backstreet Boys certainly have a corner in that market! Having seen the Backstreet Boys two years ago on their Unbreakable tour, it was so easy to get caught up in the hype that surrounds this group. This time, it wasn't any different.

There was definitely a buzz in the air as the time grew closer to when they would take the stage. Finally the house lights went down, the curtains opened and a screen at the top of the catwalk started the countdown. Flashes onto that screen told the crowd to get their camera phones ready and to scream, not that this audience needed any prompting. A video showed the Backstreet Boys approaching, they crashed through the screen and it was on!

Kicking off with "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)", the arena was moving and shaking along with those on stage, which included the DJ and dancers. Their stage setup, unlike the 2008 tour, was stripped down, simple with a catwalk and a DJ set up in the middle so the focus was on the group members and the songs that they were performing. Also intersperced within the set were videos that highlighted each member individually.

These video spoofs had each member playing a part in a popular movie and definitely were a highlight of the night (oh and at the end of the show, the credits rolled with outtakes!). Howie's video was scenes from The Fast and the Furious, A.J.'s was Fight Club, Brian's was Enchanted and Nick's was The Matrix.

For about an hour and half the Backstreet Boys entertained the packed arena with their hit songs both old and new. And I have to say that they don't forget who put them where they were and still are today. Frequently throughout the show they thanked their fans for being there and for staying with them through the years. It's great to see an artist not forget who supported them.

So if you are looking for a trip back to your youth or just a fun night of entertainment - go see the Backstreet Boys. Oh and for those of you in my hometown area, they will be there in August playing the Mixfest at Pier 6! Hope to see you there!

A Night with PiL

John Lydon aka Johnny Rotten
Originally uploaded by photobycourtney

When one hears about a band having a reunion tour, there are many thoughts that go through your mind regarding how they will sound, how they will look, are my expectations too high,will I be disappointed, etc. Many of these thoughts I'm sure went through the minds of those contemplating seeing PiL on their announced tour but those all vanished when John Lydon and company took the stage. Without an opening act, PiL took to the stage around 8:30pm with a simple backdrop of their logo. Now here was basically the Godfather of Punk Rock. The crowd, which I have to say was lacking as pre-sale was less than 300, was made up mainly 40 somethings and older with a few younger tossed in for good measure. It wasn't a very active crowd but I did see an older man near the front pogo for most of the show. Of course there were those at the show that were there because this was Johnny Rotten onstage and they really didn't know PiL's material but hopefully by the end of the night they were able to see Johnny as the performer that he is and not just his personification in the Sex Pistols. PiL's music is multidimentional. I don't believe it to be something for just the casual listener either; it's something that grows on you and seeps into your soul. This was a night for looking back to where we all came from and also a night to look forward. Younger performers should take note and strive to be more like those that have come before them.

Another note to make regarding this show was that it was being filmed for a documentary. After the show Johnny came out and signed autographs for people as well as had photos taken with people. Other bands should take note of this too. Here's a man that is basically the Godfather of Punk Rock/DIY attitude and here he is out meeting fans.

Do You Look Good on the Dance Floor?

Another sold out show at Ramshead Live! in Baltimore. This time is was the UK's Arctic Monkeys that filled the place on April 7th, 2010. Having recently completed a European tour, the Arctic Monkeys booked a two week tour of the United States which luckily included a stop in Baltimore.

Still out on the road in support of their 2009 release, Humbug, the Arctic monkeys came out on the stage kicking off their set with "Dance Little Liar" off that recent album. The set proceeded with the majority of the songs coming from this album but that was to be expected. Tossed in amongst though was the Nick Cave cover "Red Right Hand" which is included on Humbug as well as two songs that are b-sides of singles ("Joining the Dots" and the last song of the night "Nettles"). Surprisingly missing was "Fake Tales of San Francisco" which left many fans at the end of the night wanting more.

The crowd for the most part was playing along with the planned stops in the middle of songs for them to cheer even though you could tell it was mapped out. The Arctic Monkeys have been criticized over the years for their seemingly planned sing-a-longs that take away from the spontaneity of a live concert. But if that is all we can criticize about them, then I say take it with a grain of salt. This is a band that sells out stadiums back home and they have the sound of a stadium band even when playing on a club stage. Watch out America, the Arctic Monkeys have your number.

Celebrating Happy Hour on Easter!

Not sure what type of crowd there would be on Easter Sunday evening for a concert but the Baltimore area represented when Uncle Kracker came to town. Promoting his new album Happy Hour, Uncle Kracker headlined the Recher Theatre in Towson MD on April 4th. The audience was small comparably but those in attendance were rocking along with Uncle Kracker from the first song until the last. The set was comprised of songs from all four albums and even had a cover of Kenny Rogers "The Gambler" thrown in. The audience was comprised of people of all ages. There were two small children up front on the barricade whos mother told me that her daughter, who appeared to be about eight years old, loved Uncle Kracker and had since hearing his single "Follow Me".

Though Uncle Kracker is probably best known for being the DJ for Kid Rock's band, he has carved out a devout following with his own music that crosses over between the pop and country charts. Though the set wasn't anything spectacular, it was solid.

First two songs, no flash

Funeral Party
Originally uploaded by photobycourtney

So if you are a concert photographer, you know the drill. It's usually the first two or three songs, no flash and then we are done photographing. Many times I get to shoot more than that at one of the venues which is definitely a bonus. While I love to shoot an entire set, I'm like, whatever, it's their rule, I have to follow..

But. . .

If you are going to limit us photographers please give us something to work with. For Julian Casablancas the rule was first two, no flash. Well there wasn't ANY light. If you went into the bathroom, closed the door, turned off the lights and had a nightlight - that would be more light than was on the stage. AND he kept asking to make it darker.

If You Don't Ask. . .

Alicia Keys
Originally uploaded by photobycourtney

So Alicia Keys is totally not what I usually cover for earplugsrequired.com but I thought it would be a cool show to shoot. Why not? I love the production of the R&B artists. They know how to do a concert. There is no harm is asking to cover a show, worst thing is I get the answer "no" but at least I tried.

Well I got the Alicia Keys/Robin Thicke show in Baltimore. Had first two songs of each artist. The barricade was narrow and the stage was high so a bit tough of a shoot. Plus for Alicia, the intro which was all video screens was included as one of the songs. No complaining here - sorry..

Alicia started out in a cage that she broke out from and this was hard to shoot as the stage was high, there was quite a bit of smoke/fog and there were bright white lights.. All in all I am quite happy with what I came away with!

Who Cares About #1?

There are times and places where being number 1 isn't the best way to end. For Chris Daughtry that was definitely the truth as he came in 4th on the 5th season of American Idol. American Idol gave him the recognition and exposure needed and look at him now. With two consecutive number 1 albums under his belt, Daughtry brought him show to Baltimore on the 18th of March, 2010.

Sporting a new look - with hair - Daughtry took to the stage after a brief intro using the Batman theme. Tonight was the first night on this leg of the tour and it was not without difficulties but I don't believe those in attendance cared. The Daughtry crowd isn't the same crowd as many similar bands have as Daughtry pulls from the American Idol crowd. I didn't feel that same excitement as I have at other rock shows while waiting for the band to take the stage. That isn't to say that were weren't screaming girls since there were, it's just overall the atmosphere was subdued.

After seeing recently concerts of Muse and the Black Eyed Peas, this was definitely a good performance but not a great one. The songs were solid and the addition of Phil Collins' " "In The Air Tonight" and Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell" were nice suprises as was the B-side of "What We Have Become". But in order to be a spectacular performance this needed to be taken up a few notches and it wasn't. Maybe it was due to the arena size and it basically was partially full but considered a sold-out crowd. Or maybe I'm just expecting a little too much.

Three and Out!

Dave Mustaine of Megadeth
Originally uploaded by photobycourtney

Well Megadeth's Rust in Pieces 20th Anniversary tour came to Baltimore on March 16th, 2010. Unfortunately due to a series of events their set was cut short at 3 songs. First their soundboard blew and then the house board had issues due to a fan throwing his drink on the house console. The band took the stage basically when they would have been finishing their set and left three songs later. For the packed venue it was a major disappointment but the announcement was made to keep the ticket stubs and that the show would be rescheduled - which it was for the following night.