Hyro da Hero was first on the bill and it was quite apparent that not many of us new who this guy was. But Goddamn! What a treat! He rapped faster than Ludacris, with a de la Rocha style and his DJ was right there fucking shit up along with him. They both had us bobbing our heads, letting us all forget that the majority of us in attendance were just a bunch of Caucasian Hessians. He only got to bang out about 4 songs but it left an impression on all of us. Keep an ear and eye out for Hyro because this lad is truly an amazing artist. This was ruthless and clever hip hop and it was obvious why The Deftones had this cat open for them.
A Jameson's and a smoke and then back to the Mosh I went to witness the coming onslaught that is Letlive (and that's putting it mildly!) The band took to the stage and manned their weapons, then out ran Jason Butler (lead vocals and the last original founding member) arms and legs akimbo. Christ, I've never seen a white guy jump so high!! He leapt over security and landed on the speaker stacks some 6ft away and 4ft higher than where he began - all this with mic in hand and belting out a tune. Seriously, I reckon I'd have to snort ten lines of coke just to be on this dudes level when he's asleep!! He was truly a sight to behold. I remember thinking to myself 'ah yes, this is where Punk Rock went'. Maybe the reason why Jason is the last original founder is because the others simply succumbed to exhaustion trying to keep up with him! Needless to say, the men who made up the rest of the band just took it all in their stride. They've obviously lived through this tempest quite a few times together and let the madness ensue, culminating with Jason doing a front-flip-back flop onto the drum kit, then a barrel roll over his kneeling lead guitarist who was busy scratching the mic along his strings and making an awesome racket! I should name a few of the songs they played but who gives a shit, they all ripped, and Letlive is officially my new favourite band! Thanks be to Chino and the boys for bringing them with.
So here I am, happy and humbled by the nights events thus far and blessing my good fortune for being able to attend this gig. I stumble up the blue LED lit stairs of HQ and make my way to the bar. I caught up with an old mate who told me that this was about to be his 7th time seeing the Deftones. Fuck man, I've listened to these guys since I was a teen and I'm about to see them for the first time. We geeked out on this, but not for long because out they came. The sons from Sacramento, the storm makers... The Deftones!!!!
Moreno is so damn cool, a big lovely smile on his face while he inspects his troops. Starting off with Rocket, they firmly set the hook in our mouths and away we went. The set list was a full variety spanning from old to new with songs like Knife Party, Swerve City and the very sexy Change. Chino would suck us in and bring us close all warm and fuzzy like, only to have Cunningham and the lads kick us straight in the teeth when the beat dropped. It was an emotional ride!
It's very easy for a band to be placed in a certain category of music, but its fucking amazing when a band creates that category to begin with. The Sex Pistols did it, and The Deftones are continuing to do so. Nu Metal from back in the day - what I'd like to call just plan old 'Fuck Yeah!'
"The Deftones, I'm not familiar with them, what kind of music do they play?" - "FUCK YEAH!" I'd exclaim!
"Oh, word! I love FUCK YEAH. hook me up!"
Moreno is so damn cool, a big lovely smile on his face while he inspects his troops. Starting off with Rocket, they firmly set the hook in our mouths and away we went. The set list was a full variety spanning from old to new with songs like Knife Party, Swerve City and the very sexy Change. Chino would suck us in and bring us close all warm and fuzzy like, only to have Cunningham and the lads kick us straight in the teeth when the beat dropped. It was an emotional ride!
It's very easy for a band to be placed in a certain category of music, but its fucking amazing when a band creates that category to begin with. The Sex Pistols did it, and The Deftones are continuing to do so. Nu Metal from back in the day - what I'd like to call just plan old 'Fuck Yeah!'
"The Deftones, I'm not familiar with them, what kind of music do they play?" - "FUCK YEAH!" I'd exclaim!
"Oh, word! I love FUCK YEAH. hook me up!"
These guys blessed my eardrums for the first time over two decades ago when I was a senior in high school in New Mexico. And it truly is a testament to these gentlemen that the crowd roared and frothed over their new stuff just as much as their old. Case in point - Poltergeist! That's a secure future kids and it was so sick to see people half my age loving what I was addicted to when I was their age. What a band, what a beautiful noise. Chi, we miss you amigo...
Review by Beau Williams
Photos by Melissa Donato - Full gallery can be seen here
Review by Beau Williams
Photos by Melissa Donato - Full gallery can be seen here
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