There once was a band that was in search of a name. They would meet each week to practice, it was always the same day and the practice session would always end the same way, they would tell each other: "See you next Thursday." And so it was, a band name was born. If you couldn't already guess, this was the band I was there to see. A friend, and co-worker, is in the band as the lead guitarist, and since I have never seen him play since I've known who he was (I saw him years ago in a different band). So, there I was just there to have a little fun on a Saturday night, and they did not disappoint.
This show's lineup went through some last minute changes. The original headliner was an Ozzy Osborne tribute, S.A.T.O., a band that puts on a really good show and features a singer that actually sounds like Ozzy. Well, for some reason they dropped off the card and Judas Rising took over the headlining slot. In addition to that, a couple of bands that were scheduled to play at a smaller club in the same complex, The Chance Complex, were moved down into the bigger theater to lead off the show. By the time I had gotten there, the first band had already played, and the second was getting set to go.
The first band that I saw was called Bleed the Broken. They looked awfully young, If they averaged 18 years old I'd be surprised. Their sound was a blend of screamo and melodic death, although I think that makes it sound better than it was. They definitely played well together and had the whole melodic playing down, but the songwriting was a little bland and the singer needs to turn around and remember where the audience is, he spent most of his time looking to the other band members and the back of the stage. The drummer, working behind a very small kit, was quite impressive, the best of the bunch. He got a lot of mileage out of that kit, and from my brief exposure to them, has the brightest future. It will be interesting to see how they progress as they mature.
Now it was time for the band who was my only reason for being there, C U Next Thursday. After the set, I asked my friend if he wanted a serious review or a fun one, he responded: "I don't care, rip me apart." The serious review would be too easy as it would consist of simply: They were awful. However, that would be besides the point. This band, one of many he has played with, is a cover, scratch that, an unoriginal band that plays covers. Their setlist was comprised of an eclectic mix of bands that you would likely never see together, but they were not true covers in the sense that they were attempting to sound anything like the originals. Rather, they were all put through a garage punk/bar band filter. Their set consisted of songs like Lita Ford's "Kiss Me Deadly," Fear's "Livin in the City," Bon Jovi's "You GiveLove a Bad Name," Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell," a Rancid track I did not recognize, before closing with "Blitzkrieg Bop." Now, you could not call it, by any stretch, good. Especially when my friend missed as many notes as he did. Still, they was an energy, an aura of fun that surrounded them and infected the small crowd that was there. This is exactly the kind of band you would expect to see in a smokey bar filled with empty beer bottles. You bring the beer, they bring the fun. Definitely infectious, absolutely fun, but nowhere near good.
They were followed by an original band that tossed in a few covers. The band was called In Question and they played a decent brand of hard rock. The band played well together and offered a varied sound that was supported by three members sharing lead vocal duties. I cannot really say that I liked them, much of the material came across as bland, but they did put on a solid show and the performed as a tight unit. I did not not like them, but I would have been just as happy had C U Next Thursday played another half hour. The primary singer's voice reminded me of someone, as did the overall sound, but I can not quite place who. They closed their set with a pretty strong cover of Alice in Chains' "Man in the Box."
The final act was Judas Rising, the second Judas Priest tribute band that I have experienced. The other was a few years ago, they were called British Steel, and were not all that good. Judas Rising came out and they had the look down, all of the five members were covered in metal studded leather. Musically, they did not sound all that bad, but the singer was not all that good. Sure, he could hit the high notes, but that was about as far as a comparison could go. Also, I know that Rob Halford is gay, but the way this guy was acting, I began to wonder if this was meant as a Priest parody. Anyway, my friends and I decided about four songs in, that it was time to go. We quietly left the theater and went on about our night.
To recap: Bleed the Broken is young and they have the melodic playing down, but they have plenty of room and time to grow. C U Next Thursday is a fun bar cover band that isn't good, but have infectious energy. In Question put on a solid, if unspectacular, rock show. Judas Rising, well, let's justs ay I have not heard a band that has been able to match what Judas Priest has done. Still, it was a fun night out.
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