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Staind/Seether/Papa Roach
| October 4th, 2008 @ Merriweather Post Pavilion |
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by Courtney Campbell
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Having recently release The Illusion of Progress, Staind were back out on the road on a tour that would last them a couple of months, this time with Papa Roach and Seether in tow. The tour kicked off at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia MD and of course we were there. Being an outdoor venue and October 4th, one can never predict the weather, a little bit chilly but perfect for a rock show.
State of Shock kicked off the night though they weren't listed originally on the bill. We had seen them the week before on tour with Seether but really hadn't paid much attention to them as we were getting to the venue when they were on stage. Definitely have to check them out.
Papa Roach was next. As much as I enjoyed all three bands, I'm still perpluxed as to why Papa Roach wasn't direct support. When they were here on tour with Hinder, they blew Hinder away with their energy and here on this three band bill they again exploded. Papa Roach is one of those bands whos energy is just so addictive. Maryland loves Papa Roach and tonight was no different. The venue was packed when they came on stage and you could feel the excitement in the air. The set consisted of what I would call fan favorites - singles and those that keep the crowd moving. Would have loved to have heard "Take Me" as it always gets the crowd pumped up but they added two new songs "Hollywood Whores" and "Lifeline", both of which gave us a glimpse into what their new album would be like. Here is a band that consistently puts out albums that people love and are on the top of their game when they leave the road but when they return they seem to be always starting at the bottom. I don't understand it and if you asked those at this show, Papa Roach again stole the show.
Seether was direct support for Staind. Don't get me wrong, I love Seether and have from the beginning but this show, they just seemed to be a little bit off. There wasn't the energy I have seen in their previous shows (and I just saw them do a headlining show the weekend prior). Of course the crowd sang "Broken" which was great but overall, it just wasn't their night. Their set encompassed of course the singles but it also included "Needles" and a little change in the lyrics to "Gasoline" which is my favorite Seether song. If you were there or have seen Seether recently, did you notice the change?
Finally Staind hit the stage. I've seen Staind over the years starting back when "Mudshuvel" was a single and here is a band that has it. At times bands can become stagnant, almost boring but that didn't happen with Staind. Here was a rock show - full of energy and great production. When a band gets to the point where they are headlining amphetheaters, attention needs to be paid to detail and Staind has done that. Frontman Aaron Lewis who always looks like a tortured soul effortly guided us through a set that touched on all of their singles. Guitarist Mike Mushok was just a bundle of energy, never slowing even when playing acoustic. With the direction Staind have taken with their music, this band could be successful in a coffee shop playing acoustic as well as in a huge arena rocking out to the huge rock show. The music translates both ways.
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