Live Hinder, Saving Abel, My Darkest Days and Kopek Concert REVIEW! Sold Out Show!
Time for Turbo (that’s me lol) to get into some Twisted Metal! That is exactly what I did this past week at the Osage Event Center here in Tulsa, OK. Even being a small venue, about 1000 people at capacity, the line up of bands I personally was thrilled to see LIVE! So I have been looking forward to this show for a couple months. Before we get into the metal of screaming guitars, the metal edge through and through of music and all things twisted beautifully by fabrication. No intention of saying, I went, they rocked, I came home. Whats next? A glimpse for those of you who might not have made it to the concert or haven’t heard some of the newer songs these bands are out there rocking tours with. Or even if you did, a perspective for the love of. Just an insight to what I intend to deliver…an honest ROCK SHOW review. On that note, if you will. Please welcome the first act of the evening, KOPEK!
KOPEK is a trio band having played together for a decade, from Dublin Ireland that traveled 10,000 miles to rock the United States and that is exactly what they did. On tour for their 2010 Debut Album ” White Collar Lies”. Kopek delivered nothing short of a enthusiastic ”HEY AMERICA, WANNA PLAY?” to the Tulsa crowd ! Sixty seconds or less into this performance of rock layer upon layer of talent, I found myself looking to see if I had mistaken and possibly they had more members but they were indeed a trio. Very talented group musically speaking. The thing that really grabbed me not only as writer but as a music lover was Kopek’s Charisma on stage ! Their music has a lot of power. It says rock and roll in so many ways, words fall short. Concert goers could visibly feel that and loved every beat as did I. The lyrics are well written and run deep. Overall Kopek leaves you wanting more, a lot more. Debut album? Dark, edgy, inspiring and talented, rock and roll. Delicious introduction !
Next out comes a sharp, stylish My Darkest Days. Hailing from Ontario, Canada. Each member of My Darkest Days were very crowd interactive. My Darkest Days put on a fun, high octane show that almost made you feel as if you were a member of the band too! Matt Walst is at home on stage and keeps the interactive modern rock vibe going at all times and still manages to throw out a very strong voice with amazing range. Matt has raw talent dripping off of him, live. The Lead Guitarist Sal Coz Costa has a mesmerizing sound that just won’t quit! Shred. rinse, repeat. Fantastic! Brendan McMillan the bass guitar player rocked with a unique bass style that taunted us all! The drumming of Doug Oliver just revved up the audio of all of this together. Reid Henry on keyboard/guitar is all guts and passion in playing. My Darkest Days belted out “Coming Undone” the Duran Duran cover and the switch over to the alternative sound of the song with ease. Having the crowd pose for Live Facebook pictures was an instant hit! Another interactive thing My Darkest Days did was have a meet and greet after the show with…the fans. No one left out. This band has heart. I am not sure who is having more fun the concert go-er or the musician but it worked awesome, live. Move Your Body and the closing song Porn Star Dancing (on the billboard charts 30 weeks now) many have termed “provocative”. Well, that is exactly the word I would use to describe this bands sound and show. Provocative Rock that has a very promising future! If my guess is right My Darkest Days is here to, play and stay.
Almost pouncing onto the stage next was Saving Abel! What a concert!!! These guys rocked the house! I was indeed impressed. On Tour for their current album Miss America. Giving homage to those who have served and are serving which Saving Abel did twice during the concert here in Tulsa. The audience loved it and so did I, classy for sure. They also talked about the small town in Mississippi (Corinth) that they came from with nostalgia in their voice that was unmistakable. These guys did not only rock their hearts out, they shared some of themselves with the audience as well. I interviewed lead guitarist Jason Null before the show (see here at Kick Acts) and the thing that struck me most about how he felt about Saving Abel’s progressive was that they all were still having a blast making and playing music!! He also said they felt “very blessed”. Playing the red, white and blue American flag themed guitar Null never missed a beat during the Tulsa Concert. Jared Weeks voice is a weapon! WOW! the drumming was screaming! Just an all around awesome rock show! This is what rock should be and is ! Jared Weeks visited the interview with a splash of pre-show fun and a couple laughs! Down to earth doesn’t cover it. I also had a chance to visit with Jonathon Martin, Saving Abel’s Tour Manager who said the guys from Saving Abel really are all about the music. More from Jonathon Martin in my next article on “Saving Abel – Miss America ” look for that in the next week or so, only here at Kick Acts. Saving Abel has come a long way since 2005 and performed a slamming good old rock show! No pyro, no hydraulics, no dragon side show, just great stage presence and letting their music do the talking and it was screaming ROCK ME AGAIN SAVING ABEL – THE SEX IS GOOD!
After all this great rock music the crowd was excited and rocking that was easy to see and then it happens! Lynn Hernandez of KMOD (97.5FM) Tulsa, OK get on stage to announce the sold out Headliner and really get the crowd going, clapping hands in the air, chanting HIN – DER, HINDER, HINDER out comes the amazing lights and the band and yes the crowd goes wild! I thought I couldn’t possibly see a better performance than the night had already delivered. But Hinder did steal the show ! They are at the top of their game in my opinion. Playing their guts out, loving every minute of it, each member giving it 100% on stage and a lot of talent in each member. They sound AWESOME Live! Playing several songs from the recently released All American Nightmare CD, Hinders third album. Austin Winkler and Hinder nailed a live version of “Better Than Me” the ballad off Extreme Behavior. It was refreshing to hear the range Hinder can carry. Ground pounding rock that will break your windows to ballads that reach in and touch your heart right in the place where it …beats. After touring since 2004 at least I couldn’t believe how hard these guys rocked. Guitar shredding at its finest. One of a kind drumming and gritty, almost southern rock style with a unique splash of hinder modern rock and roll. This band has proved they have staying power and have something to say. They ripped the knobs off and rocked Tulsa in All American Nightmare fashion. Tulsa will sleep well tonight.
The only thing I really felt lacked was the Event Center and its staff. A filthy square room with 2 small entrances. And staff that had no interest in assisting in anything. With great shows like this and others visiting the Osage Event Center would do good to step it up a notch with a new coat of paint, if you know what I mean. We rocked anyway! \m/
Until next time, keep the Metal twisted, in the player!
I would like to thank Joseph Garza of www.okfightnews.com for assisting me at this event. See his photography in the Saving Abel article coming soon!
Turbos Twisted Metal sits down to visit with Saving Abel’s Jason Null and has a guest visitor pop by!
Saving Abel along with Hinder, My Darkest Days and Kopek played in concert here in Tulsa, OK on Feb 17th 2011. Before the show I had a chance to visit with lead guitarist Jason Null from Saving Abel about Miss America, Saving Abel’s sophomore album. We also about living the “rockstar” life and upcoming concerts and festivals. We had a surprise guest appear on the interview and had some fun! Take a peek! Live sound checking during the interview was so cool! I will be reviewing the concert performance of all four bands at this show soon so check back for that. Wanna get Turbo Twisted? PRESS PLAY!
Whether you ROCK or you ROLL it’s time to KICK ACTS 2011!
The 2011 concert season is in full swing already. Even with most of the country snowed in the past few weeks there are many bands on tour. The best place to see if your favorite band is coming to a town or city near you is to check their website and/or social networking sites such as Myspace music or Facebook.
Tonight, Kick Acts will be rocking to Hinder, Saving Abel, My Darkest Days and Kopek at the Osage Event Center (http://www.milliondollarelm.com/event-center) Tulsa, OK. A tentative interview is in the works with one of these awesome rockers (it’s a surprise) stay tuned here for the show review and individual band stories to come! It promises to be a night of kick ass fun!
I am going to list a few of the bands on tour currently and in the near future. Get to a LIVE show soon, you will be glad you did! Linkin Park, Ozzy Osbourne (who played here in Tulsa OK this month also) SLASH, The Avalanche Tour featuring Stone Sour, Art of Dying, Halestorm, Theory of a Deadman and Skillet. Other bands on tour or have upcoming tours include but are not limited to Korn, Whitesnake, Rise Against, RUSH, Bob Segar, Kid Rock, U2 and the list goes on and on! So it is a great year for the concert go-er its a great year to get out and ROCK OUT!
Also the ROCKLAHOMA 2011 line-up has been announced with more bands to come and let me just say WOW! Motley Crue is headlining along with many other great groups! Check it out! www.rocklahoma.com. Pre-sale tickets can be bought now. Time for Turbo’s Twisted Metal to go KICK ACTS in 2011 !
Taddy Porter brings it, home!
On an almost blue in color rigidly cold January eve, the sound of steel guitars crying in the night was not only heard but felt at the legendary Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, OK. One of the first things that caught my attention as I was standing stage-front while Taddy Porter walked by getting ready to set up was that I made eye contact with Andy Brewer. Immediately he stopped and shook my hand, I said hello I’m with KICK ACTS MAGAZINE and he said “I remember visiting with you at Rocklahoma!” I was surprised! That is how down to earth each member of Taddy Porter is, even with 2010 being very successful for them. Taddy Porter, hailing from Stillwater, Oklahoma, show how much they enjoy coming home to Oklahoma (Tulsa being 77 miles from Stillwater is “home” also) calling the Tulsa Concert at the Cain’s “The time of their lives” on their Facebook page the day after. Being at the Cain’s Ballroom with all of the history there is in itself surreal. Open since 1924. You can see more about one of the country’s most historic music destinations anywhere. Look for that story in the near future as well here at KICK ACTS.
Taddy Porter have traveled at almost warp speed on the tour circuit and done as much PR as humanly possible in my opinion while staying in touch with fans on tour and online at Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and their website. The members of Taddy Porter have hometown sincerity, that is great to see and hear from musicians. It was an “All Ages” show which The Cain’s Ballroom holds unless otherwise specified so it was fantastic to see people of all ages rocking along with the bands playing this night. I would never tire of seeing this band perform. Now … the performance!
The opening acts were Red Line Chemistry and Vandevander. Red Line Chemistry played a ground pounding, awesome rock show all in their own right. I will be writing a review on Red Line Chemistry’s performance from this show very soon. Keep an eye out for that here at Kick Acts Magazine. Vandevander was a pleasure to listen to as well and I expect to hear their name and music more over 2011.
Lynn Hernandez from KMOD’s (97.5FM – Tulsa, OK) took stage and was the MC for the nights activities. He got the crowd’s excitement going with fun filled announcing! Lynn…bravo!
Now it was time for Taddy Porter to take the stage. That is exactly what they did. Took the stage and set it a blaze with rock n roll. The show delivery nothing short of, delicious. An unmatched blusey, gritty, southern, old fashioned smoky roadhouse sound with a splash of modern rock on top at just the right time show! That really is the best way I could sum up the musically awesome night! One rock pulse after another collectively as all things “rock” should sound and feel. It is obvious to see that these four are having a blast putting on the show! Lets face it, they DO have great hair too!! Worth every dime to see them and then some. Also their Debut CD you gotta get! I highly recommend it. They have the musical range that comes with not just rocking your ass off but making several styles of rock, that kind of talent. Every time I hear Joe Selby’s guitar solos they seem more amazing and unique in the best way! One in the song “Big Enough”. “Shake Me” the first release from the debut CD is so true. Concert comers were “Shaking” and dancing and it can’t be helped. Exciting rhythms. The smooth bass line guitar is as if Kevin Jones has been playing bass live for decades. Brother Doug on drums throws out a unique beat, demanding your attention. The drumming at the same time melts into the other band members sound. That is almost hypnotic. Different! Uniquely Taddy Porter but unmistakably … all rock. You would recognize this band’s music apart from the stream of rock and roll as a cut above in my opinion. When you hear Taddy Porter on the radio, they will make you wanna …rip the knobs off and sit there rocking out in the car even if you are in the driveway at …home. The rock Taddy Porter is bringing is truly contagious. Catch it! You will be glad you did. There is no place like home, I agree. Taddy Porter was right at home in all the rock glory at the Cain’s last Thursday night.
They will return to the Cain’s Ballroom in the 2011 Original Music Showcase, March 4th 2011. You can get the DEBUT CD on Sale now at the Taddy Porter website www.taddyporter.com be sure to bookmark that page. It’s a keeper.
The Dragon – 1/2 Machine 1/2 Man
Most of the car show, drag, street racing and stock show car season slowly is going to sleep for the few months of winter. Don’t close your garage door just yet. There is one car that has been lighting up the New England (hailing from Maryland) car show circuit all summer, not going without notice. Seen recently at a show, November 6th 2010 in New Jersey. The DragOn. Ken Waldron’s 2004 Nissan 350Z. Modified…yes. Fantastically. From the outside….in. This machine is a collaboration of Nissan (manufacturing) Ken Waldron, Tom Bostic, Tom Strait and a whose who of sponsors that would make any car lover… grin. More on the collaboration soon.
Screaming down the highway this automobile sounds like a Jet is landing next to you …that would be the Vortec Supercharger delivering massive boost to the already sporty 350Z engine. In 2003 the Nissan won the International Car of the Year ” Most Sex Appeal” award from Road and Travel Magazine. In 2006 Nissan 350Z wins Best Performance Award from Auto Express. The awards don’t stop there rest assured.
Under the hood the Z comes stock with VQ35DE 3.5 L (210 cu in) V6, 287 bhp (214 kW) at 6,200 rpm, 274 ft·lbf (371 N·m) at 4,800 rpm.
With the master modifications of Tom Bostic and his team these numbers grow each year. This automobile is a rolling canvas you just have to HEAR to believe. While you are listening, your eyes surely will widen with The Dragons appearance. No detail left out. The theme is tantalizing mix of Japanese, Dragon, Good, Evil, and for sure POWER, as well as the power of each mentioned. You can see this in the amazing paint job and airbrushing detail of Tom Strait of Air Asylum. A hand painted, airbushed bottle that is art at its finest..in metals. The rollcage is painted a beautiful enticing bamboo with what appears to be a hollow end…which of course is solid metal. Katana swords grace the inside of the doors and I do mean grace fluidly. The MTX audio sound system in the dragon is nothing short of stereo nirvana. Custom made snake skin designed leather bucket seats that invite and tempt. Iconz Wheels will almost hypnotize you if you are looking to long. Paddle shifters make the gear change just that much faster. No detail left untouched. A delicious blend of metal and machine with a seductive touch this automobile is. Well done doesn’t cover it.
So what is in the future for such a fine polished machine you ask? More edge. More aggression. More Power. More detail. Rumors of a Corvette LS-1 engine, larger concave wheels, bigger injectors, cut throat front end body work a rear diffuser and so much more. I have to admit I am on the edge of my seat as I listen to Ken describe…an industrial edge not duplicated. That’s right this collaboration is on going and sure to be catching even more eyes and ears during the 2011 season.
If you’re lucky one of the eyes will be yours. Drag…on.
Ken Waldron would like to sincerely thank all the collaborators as well as the sponsors on his 2004 350Z in this article. They are as follows, Tom Bostic – Tommy Built, Tom Strait – Air Asylum Kustoms, On A Dime Performance Brakes – Alex Byrd, Iconz Wheels, Assaultech – Danny Spitery, MTX Audio, StreetWires -RedLine Design Justin Good
