It was time to spit out that work week tastes outta my mouth and refresh it with a solid rock show at the House of Blues last Friday night. Devilstrip, Akron's popular rock trio opened the evening playing popular hits such as "Kill the Headlights" and introducing a few new tracks off their upcoming album, "Testify", which releases next month on Broken Road Records. Feelin' some Akron pride for Devilstrip with all the familiar faces that showed up and rockin' the bands' new threads.
The Everyday Losers, a hard-rock band out of Washington, Indiana, followed Devilstrip with a little more intensity and spunk in their step. With their distinct hard-rock sound, the band also complemented it with an alternative, grunge harmony accompanied by Dylan Seidel on guitar and vocals.
It's been a year since seeing Saliva, but I welcomed their subsequent return from Ink in the Clink. Bobby Amaru is a great frontman. Working the crowd, interacting with them, and making all of us part of the show. He even dedicated the song "Rest in Pieces" to the late Chris Cornell. The volume got turned up a bit mid-set when the audience opened the middle for a little moshing. Ahh yes, love seeing people let loose and those bodies tossed around like rag dolls.
Saliva Setlist:
1. Superstar
2. Ladies and Gentlemen
3. Survival of the Sickest
4. Trust
5. After Me
6. Rest in Pieces
7. Doperide
8. Always
9. T.N.T. (AC/DC cover)
10. Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin cover)(Snippet)
11. Click, Click, Boom
12. Your Disease
I need to send out a special thank you to Graig and the whole band of Devilstrip for inviting me out and letting me deliver some great shots that evening. The new album sounds great and looking forward to its release!