[111] The Atlas Moth, Howl, Red Fang, Kylesa, Crowbar, Saint Vitus, Helmet (2011)

Quickie version: The Atlas Moth - okay. Howl - better than last time. Red Fang - MORE PLS. Kylesa & Crowbar - snore. Saint Vitus - freakin' nice. Helmet - whatever.

Out of the seven, this was my first time seeing four of the bands: The Atlas Moth, Kylesa, Crowbar, and Helmet. Out of those four, I was truly interested in seeing none of them live. I've been curious about Kylesa, but at this point I didn't really care if I saw them or not. Howl I've seen but wasn't into. So, for all the bands, I was really just there for Red Fang - making this the 12th time I've seen them - and Saint Vitus.

I'm not sure how it worked out that I made it to this show on time. From far out I'd have guessed I wouldn't have walked in until after Howl, but in learning about the short sets of the first three bands, I wanted to at least attend for sampling and awareness. I can't be a well-rounded supporter of music if I don't at least try not to be a fucking hypocrite and/or hipster.

Three songs was a nice, quick introduction to The Atlas Moth and I liked them better than the other bands I hadn't seen yet. Something about their tone or guitar sound reminded me of a slowed down Black Cobra; they were sludgy, but slower and developing like Isis. SRG said they were "slightly generic" and I have to agree. I liked one of their guitarists' Russian Circles-esque fretboard playing style, but overall they weren't really my cup of tea. Still, I'll give them another, proper chance later as I've never really listened to them before this date.

Something about Howl made me all kinds of irritated the last time I saw them live. I wanted to try again, and I was somewhat happy to see that they had a different guitarist, but it didn't really make a difference aside from making them more visually cohesive. They sounded a little better, but I still felt annoyed by them. I think it's the vocalist, maybe it's just their style. Who knows. I did like the guy's shoes, though.

What this tour should have done is considered the fact that Red Fang is local and switched their times with Kylesa. I don't know the logic behind this bill at all, but to me that makes perfect sense. Unfortunately, Red Fang still only had a small opener set.

They played:
- Reverse Thunder
- Sharks
- Painted Parade
- Wires
- Suicide
- Prehistoric Dog

In any case, Bryan apparently had a sore throat/was sick, so he wasn't doing much singing - Aaron took over. It didn't make a difference since they've switched vocals for songs in the past but I did notice I wanted to look at Bryan at times and he wouldn't be at the mic.

When Wino (from Saint Vitus) came out on stage right after "Wires", a smile instantly hit my face, and hearing the beginning of "Suicide" made my day. As far as my memory and notes say (and I don't have setlists for EVERY show), I have never heard them play that song live. 12 shows, no "Suicide". Having Wino guest sing made it seem all the more sweet. Fucking love it.

Now, I don't care for Kylesa much as-is. I like a few of their songs but I don't think what they do overall is what I need. They kind of fall under the same problem I have with Baroness - it's close but no dice, I can't get into it. I hoped the live experience would help with their sound/material. But, ultimately, I should have walked out after I realized they were going to take fucking forever to set up. I don't know if it was them or the venue or both, but they sounded washed out and dull. As I noted in my phone, they put the "meh" in "meh-taliance".

Crowbar, though a different genre and an entirely different demographic (free steroids! get yer free steroids here!), was more of the same. Blah blah blah, who cares, get the fuck off the stage already. In remembering how I know who Kirk is, the atmosphere and crowd and my resulting boredom was fully explained.

Between those two my mood was ruined. I assumed no hope.

But the douchebags cleared the room and Saint Vitus hit the stage. Oh Em Gee-zus. They didn't totally sound like the giant, all-compassing wall of HOLYFUCKILOVEBASS that they had last summer, but it was as close as you can get with the Roseland. The bass & drums were hitting me right in the throat and took some time getting used to. Watching them all was great, especially between Wino and Dave "Hey look at this face I can make!" Chandler. (First face I noticed and snickered about was a "guitar = screaming" mimic.)

Everything about them was uplifting, lightening. Kind of ironic considering their lyrics about shooting up and hating society and being so "dark" and heavy... but yeah. Good metal, it's like that.

I didn't keep a setlist of them but I got "Clear Windowpane", a new song teaser that sounded like it might be called "blessed night" in the end, "White Stallions", "Born Too Late"... There were a few others. I wanted to hear "Look Behind You" something awful but they didn't do it. May they return to Portland soon.

Helmet... not interested. I haven't been interested for two decades. "Unsung" is right. I knew this show wasn't going to do shit for my relationship with them. I'm also still mad that someone told me 12 years ago that they sounded like Tool. No they don't, fuck you, and you're not a real Tool fan. Either way, I ended up leaving early.

As I so easily guessed from far out, I really could have done with just Red Fang and Saint Vitus for this show. After Red Fang I was progressively getting more tired and achy - seven bands was, indeed, too many. Unfortunately for the blatant, often intentional ignorance of the masses, that tour would never make any money.

Anyway, the crowd was terrible for the first band and a half; there was hardly anyone there. I said 20 people but it could have been more. Red Fang had a decent crowd considering the hour (7:30?). Kylesa did even better. Crowbar's was full of meat. From my angle, Saint Vitus appeared to have lost some folks that apparently all came back for Helmet. I heard that people were leaving in advance of Helmet elsewhere, but this was definitely not the case for this date. I was surprised and found it a little blasphemous. I don't think this show sold out since there was still room to maneuver but it was at least 2/3 full by the end.

Oh yeah, and some of the boys were arguing/fighting in general proximity to Crowbar's set. They were kept under control unlike the last time I saw Down.

I wore a new costume to this, and three of the guys from the same band walked by me at different points. I got a weighted glance from their drummer which made me laugh. I, however, was not original. I saw the shirt on another, and I saw someone wearing the same hoodie as me as well as the same corresponding shirt design on another guy. I guess birds of a feather...?

Socially I ended up having to talk to some drunk guy who wanted to tell me I looked like some girl he knew. Well, good for you. I look like a lot of human beings. None of them are me.

For the "Suicide" cover and Saint Vitus being as amazing live as they are, this show experience was worth it, and now I know I don't need to stress when some of these other bands come to town. But, can we promoters/bookers/label folk please remember that seven bands over six hours is fucking cruel, both to the crowd and the bands themselves? Thank you.