Once I made it into the venue I headed for the concessions to get something to eat and drink. I found a spot on the lawn and listened to the last of Drowning Pool. 37 Stitches and another song I recognized but can't remember the title now. I've heard Drowning Pool in a small venue setting and now outdoor amphitheater. They translate well wherever they are. Unlike some other bands I've heard.
Cavo's set started at 6:15p, so as I was starting to go over to their set, Theory of a Deadman came onstage. So I stayed for Theory. Theory didn't sound too great. I think Tyler's voice sounded strained. Must have been not feeling well that day. The rest of the band sounded great though. They played songs mostly from their latest album Scars and Souvenirs, saving Hate My Life and Bad Girlfriend for the end. At one point Tyler during his dialogue with the audience started to play the opening chords for Sweet Home Alabama. I thought, "Alright!" but he didn't play the rest of it. The crowd started yelling but he cut it off. His lead into Hate My Life was asking what people did when they had a bad day. The crowd shouted answers and he said that the guys always typically yelled "Have a Beer!" and the girls yell "Sex!". LOL Theory seriously needs to work on their stage presence when playing big arenas. They pretty much just stand there. Not very energetic and the rest of the band just stands there too. The last time I saw them was at an indoor smaller venue and the bass player did some hopping around which was great but the other guitarist didn't do much. At some points he had his back to the audience. Very off putting when artists do that. Not sure why they do that. They'll lean their head against a speaker and play facing the speaker. Strange. Theory needs to talk amongst themselves to the audience as well. Get Dean or Dave talking too. Dave is extremely talkative in interviews so the two of them could get the crowd going more I believe. Just a thought. I digress. Once Bad Girlfriend started playing all the girls starting dancing wildly. The guys near me were very appreciative of the two girls dancing sexily down the hill from me.
Once Theory left the stage, I went to the Monster Stage to see who was playing. Rev Theory was getting ready to come on stage. Up until the concert, I wasn't really into Rev Theory but decided to stay and hear them play. Many friends on Myspace love them in concert so thought I'd give them a chance. I was not disappointed. Rev Theory was a lot of fun. Very energetic and the lead definitely got the crowd going. People moshed a bit but it never lasted long. I just moved back every time it would start but thankfully it died off quick and I could move forward again. They played songs from their second album such as Light It Up, Hell Yeah, and Far From Over. It really was too bad that they weren't on the main stage. They would have definitely gotten the crowd pumped for Godsmack. After their set, I went and bought their second album. They earned a new fan that's for sure!
Rev Theory on Monster Stage at Cruefest 2
Dust cloud raised from mosh pit.
After, Rev Theory, I tried to get a margarita before heading back to the main arena. Unfortunately, I forgot to grab my driver's license out of my backpack so even after telling them my birthdate, I was turned away. *sigh* I headed back into the arena and Godsmack was doing a drum battle between the drummer and someone else. It was off the hook. Sounded awesome. I just love anything with drums anyway so it was a real treat. After the drum interlude, the lead singer came back on stage and starting yelling at the crowd to get up off their asses. "This is a fucking rock concert so you need to be on their feet. If you are just going to sit on your fucking ass, then you shouldn't be here! If you see anyone sitting on their fucking ass, yank them up by their neck!" LMAO. I watched people slowly get to their feet. I could understand it if they were older people sitting down but they weren't! It was young people sitting too! Godsmack played about 3 more songs and then left the stage. Godsmack was my other favorite band to discover/watch. They're very entertaining.
I started talking to a guy near me who was wearing a Nickelback t-shirt. Pretty much the only person there wearing a Nickelback shirt. I think I saw one guy wearing a Theory of a Deadman shirt and the funny part was I saw that same guy at the last TOAD concert/meet and greet. Small world. I asked the Nickelback guy if he was going to the concert on Aug 25. He said he was and we got to talking about Fiddler's Green versus Red Rocks Amphitheater. We both agreed that Red Rocks was the better venue but bands seem to be avoiding it. He thought it was due the exorbitant fees the city charges to play there. Too bad. He said he hadn't been to Fiddler's in a long time due to the noise ordinance issues. The last time he'd been there, a band was playing and all of a sudden they cut the speakers off and you couldn't hear them anymore. Crazy. After awhile when I started getting antsy for the next band, a huge wheelchair cranked out on stage with some nurses and doctors pushing it and a crazy patient riding it. Soon the curtains came up to show Motley Crue playing in a padded room. Nice effect. This is the first time I've seen the Crue live. In the 80's when they were big, I was more into the new wave stuff like Duran Duran. I did listen to some hair bands like Ratt, Quiet Riot, Van Halen, but my preferences leaned toward Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, Prince, Thompson Twins, and Michael Jackson. Later it was the Cure. So it was interesting to see what they were like. I was familiar with some of their popular songs like Smoking in the Boys Room and Dr Feelgood. Their set list for the night was mainly playing through the Dr Feelgood album (since it was an anniversary for it) and then after that played some more recent tunes. I liked how they interacted with the crowd. Stepping through the vinyl record, saying when it was time to flip to the other side. Tommy Lee(?) came out and sat with the crowd sharing a drink and giving a virtual hug. The set design was interesting with scantily clad girls dancing at different levels. I had read about people's concerns with the sex based show design and film. Saw the posted signs warning of adult content. But seriously it wasn't that bad. First off, people bringing their kids to a rock concert should know that it isn't going to be virtuous. Give me a freaking break. Don't bring them if you are going to take issue with what goes on. If you can't find a babysitter than stay home. Otherwise shut the hell up. At the encore I had to leave. I needed to hand out cards and stickers for Roadrunner records. I was a bit nervous about it as I hadn't seen much fan presentation of the bands I was supporting but once I started yelling about free shit, people crowded around wanting what I was handing out. All in all a successful night. Look forward to doing it again. If there is a Cruefest 2 concert coming to your town, get tickets!
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