The Menzingers say goodbye to exile

Although 'The Menzingers' new album is called "Hello Exile" they couldn't be more loved right now as they release another powerful yet personal album. Luckily for us they headed to Madison, Wi to play an intimate show at 'The Majestic'.

Another to great opening acts fill the tour bill, first up is 'Culture Abuse' that strive to be wild, with their awesome cords and unique vocals, if you closed your eyes you could almost feel a 'PIL' or 'Sex pistols' vibe from the sound they delivered. Next was, 'Tigers Jaw' who took a big bite of the action tonight, also delivering their unique sound and aura they blew away the audience. Big things are planned for these guys in the future I sense it.

One band tonight that does not require intuition is, 'The Menzingers' as we all know what their capable of. After six albums they deliver a hit filled set, focusing on the new record did not bother most as they new word for word or danced to the hypnotic rhythms.

Always A Day To Remember

I could be biased but 'A Day To Remember' are one of the coolest band on the planet. They have become one of them rare bands to rise from their own scene, "metal" and create a unique sound which appeals to everyone. From the heavy breakdowns to soothing ballads, singalongs to all round fun guys. This was the third time seeing the band but first time headlining their own show and it seriously was headline worthy.

The day for us started with some drinks in the sun and food at 'The Old Distillery' which could do with some improvement when it comes to food, it was either bland or overpowered garlic, but $3 beer is always helpful. Once we finished up all fresco we took the small walk to The Slyvee, still in its infancy as a venue but certainly not from the acts that have come through the doors, selling out shows every week it seems! Tonight was no different with the 'Raising Hell In The Heartland' tour. 

The first band to start the show was a UK band, 'Boston Manor', who I have interviewed many moons ago on a street in my home town, it is good to see how far they have come. There show reflected that ethos as well, working as a tight knit group of brothers playing passionate radio friendly rock. Second support tonight was, 'Knocked Loose' a raw energetic bunch of guys looking to cause trouble. Their sound is heavy and rough around the edges, not something i can get into live but okay to have briefly on a playlist.

Then it was time for the show to get kicked up a notch! From the get go, 'ADTR' were not going to take this tour/set lightly, they went all out playing hit after hit from their full discography. What excited me most was the amount of tracks they played off their official debut album, 'Homesick' an amazing and ever playable album to play on full. The band had everyone in the small venue captivated and on board with letting loose, giving out t-shirts, getting a fan on stage for their birthday and an emotional acoustic sing along for good measure. The show was one of the most memorable I have ever been to and I was drunk! Thanks to 'ADTR' for giving us a night to remember. 

 

Going with the flow

The one and only, ‘Queens of The Stoneage’ delivered a hit filled yet mellow set as they return to Madison once more.

Luckily the sun was out on show day, as we headed down to ‘Breeze Field’ in Madison, Wi. This outdoor football field was a great summer setting for a big show like this and our first at this venue. A small amount of seating was in the bleachers but their was plenty of grass to sit or stand on. I was excited about the show as there was an early start time and only two bands on the bill, meaning a big hit filled set by ‘QOTSA’. 

To start the show, basked in the summer sun was a UK band, known very well to me, ‘Royal Blood’. This two piece are like the love child of Robert Plant and Josh Homme, which makes them perfect for tonight’s addition. Their wild sound and energy flows through the crowd as they grace Madison for the first ever time. And I am sure it will not be the last as the crowd chant for more.

The same cannot be said for ‘QOTSA’ as they started off well but lost the crowd half way through as they stuck to a new album heavy set. I myself am a big Queens fan and the band were certainly on top form. The sound was full on but the crowd were just limp as a wet noodle, singing only a minimal amount of words back. It was no surprise then that the set was cut short but no encore. The set lasted about 1 hour 15 minutes which is short for a band who have hit after hit. They also had 40 minutes before their intended curfew, which left a lot including the venue confused as to why they did not come back out.

From the less than 4 hours we were there we enjoyed the memorable yet short sets from two great rock n roll bands of the modern age. Let’s hope Josh isn’t too much of a showman next time to play an encore.

www.qotsa.com/

www.royalbloodband.com/

From bottom to top.

From the bottom to the top is correct for the show I witnessed earlier this month. As ‘Basement’ quietly chart their rise from east to west.

The line up tonight was stretching both sides of the Atlantic, headliners Basement hail from the UK, while the rest of the line up, ‘Citizen’ and ‘Pronoun’ come from east coast USA. However, no one could feel more at home in the Madison ‘Majestic’ theater, even with the diverse fan base from age to style everyone is made to feel welcomed to this show. Opening band for the tour is the reason I was invited here, ‘pronoun’ are new onto the scene sounding out their distinct vibe. They manage to sedate the audiences gaze for the set but fail to land a punch, with an unfortunately heavy washed out vocal sound, it was hard to hear much more than the background track. They sound great online but did not transpire well live on this occasion.

Next band up and arguably joint headliners is ‘Citizen’. From the start of their set the energy is lifted tenfold, with fans screaming the lyrics back to their favorite songs from the ‘Citizen’ full discography. There was not a dull moment from their first cord to their last. Just like the latter band, ‘Basement’ takes the mood of the room up further. So much so crowd surfing and mosh pits become the norm for the rest of the set. Although they may be a long way from home, they seem to bring it with them including everyone in the room to join in with their energetic and exciting set.

That just leaves me a final note to deliver a quote from my wife, “isn’t it strange for a UK band to be called Basement, when the UK doesn’t really have them...”, too true.

http://basementuk.com/

http://citizentheband.net/

https://www.musicpronoun.com/