Wow, and I thought I was a fan of these bands before I saw them. First on deck was From Ashes to New. I have never seen this band before and don’t know a whole lot about them but I was pleasantly surprised at their energy on stage. They effortlessly engaged the crowd on the floors and I was watching the people up front eating them up from the get go. They released a CD in February called Day One. I am going to have to go and purchase this and find out a little bit more about this Lancaster band.
SIXX AM hit the stage with so much force I thought the fans were going to burst at the seams. Listening to them while I was standing in the pit you would have thought the headliner was about to hit the stage. If you like loud guitars, screaming kick ass vocals and drums as big as canons this is the band for you. Their sound filled the General Motors Centre with ease from the first note of “This Is Gonna Hurt” all the way to the last note of “Life Is Beautiful”
The fans were eating up every second of SIXX AM as they watched these guys on stage. The fans screamed the loudest when James Michael said “I wanna light this room up old school rock and roll style” then asked everyone to open the flash light on their phones to light up the arena. What a great way to start “Say A Prayer For The Damned”
James Michael is the ultimate front man giving it his all with amazing energy while keeping vocals intact, not to be out shadowed DJ Ashba is someone I won’t soon forget. His ease at playing the guitar is flawless and it seems like it is effortless for him. I could have stayed in the pit all night watching him. How could I not mention the man, the myth, the legend Mr. Nikki Sixx. Someone I have been watching for many decades on the stage. He has only gotten better over the years and I couldn’t have asked for a better performance. Last but certainly not least Dustin Steinke, the back bone of SIXX AM, with his unquestionable talent. An amazing group with an incredible sound and a CD jam packed full of hit after hit. What more can you ask for.
SIXX AM blew the roof off General Motors Centre and I will be forever thankful that I was able to shoot one of my favourite bands in the pit, I won’t be forgetting this one for a long time.
“Looks like we got a rock show motherfucker” (Jacoby Shaddix) and I couldn’t agree more. Papa Roach hit the stage and the crowd started bouncing from the front of the General Motors Centre all the way to the back of the arena, and seriously who could blame them. We were here for one kick ass show and that is exactly what Papa Roach gave us. Jacoby Shaddix was bouncing around on stage with such stamina that I wish I could bottle it and sell it. Not once during the entire performance did I see any of Papa Roach not give it their all. Sitting in the back of the venue I was even able to see the lighting tech dancing to their songs. Always nice to see someone into their job. Papa Roach played of course “Last Resort” which the crowd ate up every second of it. Even when the “Wall Of Death” opportunity presented itself the crowd was willing and able! This is something I have never seen in person and at this moment of the night I was very thankful that I was sitting in a seat rather than down on the floors. Papa Roach is great with interacting with their fans, leaning into the fans encouraging them to sing into the mic. Getting the crowd to do an “old school” circle pit and they happily obliged. Hopefully I will be able to see Papa Roach again in the near future. Maybe a little closer than where I was seated but not too close that I would be involved in the “Wall of Death” I am not 20 anymore.
I am starting the Five Finger Death Punch review first by saying this is my new favourite band to shoot. I will shoot them any time, any place. They are the most animated band and I can’t say thank you enough. Great lights, amazing atmosphere and some kick ass music made the walls shake at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa.
From quick covers of Ozzy, AC/DC and even Rush was performed by Five Finger Death Punch to some of my favourite songs like “Remember Everything”, “Bad Company” and “Got Your Six” came blaring out of the PA. Ivan even said after Jason started Rush “Is that Rush? Jason is gonna beat me up later for not knowing that”. Ivan is very daring for mentioning he didn’t know who Rush was in Rush country. I have been to pretty loud shows doing what I do but this one almost topped the loud factor. My ears are still hurting almost 24 hours later, but it was worth every second. If there was any dust in the rafters of the General Motors Centre it is now resting comfortably on the floor.
The stage presence of Five Finger Death Punch is one up and coming bands should take notice of. The witty banter from Ivan towards the crowd and the facial expressions along with the hand gestures from Chris and Zoltan are classic. This is what the fans came for and got exactly what they wanted. It is always amazing when you get to see a band who sells themselves with conviction.
I went into the Five Finger Death Punch performance with high expectations and they did not disappoint. I can’t wait until they perform here again and it was worth the 3 hour drive to get there, I would do it all over again.
Once again thanks to the crew because without them there is no show!
