Band:scum of the earth Album:blah...blah...blah Record Company:Eclipse Records Writer: Mark Carras Click Album Cover To Buy Now

During Charlie Drown I could only wonder what happened to this band. I know it isn't the guitarist or bassist because I have seen them kick major ass in other bands. It wasn't the drummer because he had perfect meter (with the help of a metronome). Leader (and namesake) Charlie however seemed more interested in being a drama queen and lifting up her dress. Her vocals were flat and monotone growls. What shocked me was when a 15 year old (daughter of a friend) girl Hi5 and me had with us wasn't impressed! She is a sucker for that whole mall goth thing. The bassist still impressed her though. Damn, I agree with a 15 year old about music! The world is coming to an end for sure.

Next up was a very talented 4 piece called Universal Measure. A very young (She told me later she was 20, but looked way younger) and talented singer who mixed it up with an amazing range and visceral growls. The band with her kept it just technical enough to keep an old fart like me interested, but with enough hooks to keep your foot tapping. I would say they keep the pace just short of headbanging. Although they sonicly fit like O.J's glove, they are in need of a more uniform look. They just don't 'LOOK' like they belong together. They have a great sound though and when they release their cd soon I highly recommend it. Definitely a band to watch! This jaded prick is impressed! This was the fav pick of the youngster with us as well. Of course that may be because the singer and her look like twins or something.

Next up was a band called 2 Headed Chang. Basically they were a second rate Chimera. They have a metalcore song called "Fuck your core". I wondered if the next song was going to be a love song to the word irony. They have the whole metalcore by numbers thing down too. The whole tuff-guy posturing, flat monotone growls, and simplistic chug-chug riffs. I have to say that the guitar work was decent for a metalcore band though. Just a slight bit more than the standard chug-chug thing. If they either got rid of the vocalist or forced him to do more than follow a recipe book on being tuff on stage, they might have something. He made it clear that quality music was not a priority with him.

Next up was The Braindead. What can you say about The Braindead except there is a reason they play right before the headliners so often. Not only do they move the crowd like no other, but they (usually) do it without jumping on any trends. They do it by being original! That being said, I have to say that this was the weakest show by The Braindead I have ever seen. The new vocalist seems to suck out a good portion of that signature animated vibe the band normally has. He seems to be more into that flat metalcore style displayed by 2 Headed Chang. I hope that this is not a permanent style change and the guy can study the classic Red cd a bit more. This band has so much going for it and it would be sad to see it go downhill from here. I never liked the band having two vocalists and this just makes me think this even more.

Last up was the headliners we came to see. Now I have said this many times on this site, but I will say it again. I have zero problem with a copy band. So what if Riggs has copied every aspect of Rob Zombie's shtick? Rob Zombie has made it pretty clear that music is taking a backseat to movies now and Riggs does a damn fine job at keeping the sound alive. If a band you like moves away from the sound and style of your favorite band, isn't it a great thing when another band picks up that sound...especially if they fucking nail it! Riggs nails it! It is on a way lower budget, but that is made up for the fact that you can see everything up close instead of some huge arena bullshit. Now for the negative. Way too much talking in between songs! I swear there were times when the talking in between songs was longer than the songs. When the band was playing it was great, but I think there was about 20 minutes worth of music done in the 45 minute set. Riggs also was drunker than fucking hell and downing shots in between each songs. I don't mean regular shots either. We are talking at least doubles and there was about ten of them total I think. I am shocked the man could stand by the end of it all. However, even up to the last song he was able to play the music as if he was as sober as a nun in a brand new habit. So let the Zombie rip off continue and may the drinks pour like vodka at a Russian bake sale. Just stop the talking in between songs and we are good. If you haven't checked out the new cd, I highly recommend it. Unless you didn't like the last White Zombie release, because that thing has Astro Creep written all over it.

Band:scum of the earth Album:blah...blah...blah Record Company:Eclipse Records Writer: Mark Carras Click Album Cover To Buy Now