Godsmack
The first time I photographed Godsmack was over 10 years ago, at the 48 Hours fest in Las Vegas. It’s was the first festival I’d photographed, and Godsmack was one of two bands that left a lasting impression on me – the other was KORN. I’ve been lucky enough to photograph them many times since, and honestly, it’s one of the best damn shows you’ll see. This is one of those bands I wish I could take photos on tour with. So it’s no surprise that when the Best of Times World Tour hit Fivepoint Amphitheater in Irvine Thursday night, with Staind, Mix Master Mike (of Beastie Boys fame), and Flat Black, that the show was insanely good. These guys are pros in every sense of the word. Their ability to play their songs on stage in a way that you feel like it’s the song you fell in love with, while making it something different for the live performance, is absolutely unmatched.
Sully Erna’s vocals are amazing. He is able to deliver the power of the Godsmack songs we all know in perfect form. This is going to sound weird, but it’s almost as though the music takes him over, like…. he’s possessed, but in a great way.
Bassist Robbie Merrill (above) is one of those artists I love to photograph. He plays to the crowd, and the photographers, in a way that brings you into the show even more. He’s having fun, or at least it sure seems that way. On drums you’ll find Shannon Larkin (below), and he is hands down one of the best showmen I’ve photographed. I could swear he saw me zoomed in on him, and he stared right down the lens. I honestly wish I could thanks these guys for even caring that we get great shots.
Guitarist Tony Rombola (below) is someone people need to talk about more often. He’s not the jumping 6 feet in the air type, but he’s always right there in the front, and always the one of the best guitarists you’ll find. Godsmack is nearing it’s 30th Birthday, having been formed in Massachusetts back in 1995, but you’d never know they weren’t the opening band – hungry to play to crowds everywhere.
Godsmack Setlist
- When Legends Rise
- 1000hp
- Cryin’ Like a Bitch!!
- You and I
- Something Different
- What About Me
- Awake
- Surrender
- Voodoo
- Batalla de los tambores
- Whatever Encore:
- Under Your Scars
- Bulletproof
- I Stand Alone Staind
Staind
The first time I photographed Staind was also in Vegas, at a festival called Rock Vegas. I remember being so surprised by this band. You hear songs like “It’s Been Awhile”, “Outside”, and “Eye’s Wide Open” and you get a picture in your mind of what they will be like live, but they’re so much more than that signature sound. There is so much energy on stage with these guys it’s pretty unexpected. Interestingly, Staind is also from Massachusetts, and was also formed back in 1995. Aaron Lewis’ live vocals sound so much like what I hear when I play Staind here on KCAL, and that makes every song just feel like home. He’s that damn good.
Guitarist Mike Mushok (above) is like no one I have ever seen. I can’t even imagine having the amount of energy he does. It’s almost like he’s from a different band, Non-stop go from this guy, and that guitar sound he’s famous for is just stuck in your head for the next few days. Again, I could photograph this guy all day, every day.
The bassist of the band is Johnny April (above), and along with drummer Sal Giancarelli (below) they help to blend Mike’s guitar and Aaron’s vocals together in a perfect pocket. It’s not often that a band that’s tight on their recorded stuff can translate on to a stage, Staind does.
Staind being on tour with Godsmack is a perfect pairing. Definitely check them, out.
Staind Setlist
- Lowest in Me
- Not Again
- Just Go
- Eyes Wide Open
- Fade
- Something to Remind You
- Epiphany
- Right Here
- Outside
- Wannabe
- So Far Away
- For You
- It’s Been Awhile
- Mudshovel
Mix Master Mike
Most people know Mix Master Mike from his work with Beastie Boys. He worked with the band on Hello Nasty (1998), To The 5 Boroughs (2004), and Hot Sauce Committee Part Two (2011), and is now effectively the Beastie Boys’ resident DJ. Mix Master Mike arrived on the scene back in 1992 when he won the New Music Seminar/Supermen Inc. DJ Battle for World Supremacy in New York City, the first West Coast DJ to accomplish that. Rumors are that he was asked to retire from competition, basically to give others a chance to win. That’s been disputed, but having seen him live I can see the point.
Flat Black
Flat Black is former Five Finger Death Punch guitarist Jason Hook’s new band, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they find some serious success. First of all you’ve got some killer vocals from Wrex Horten (above with Jason). This guy was born to sing, and he does it the entire time with a smile. It actually made me smile the whole set.
Jason is a top notch artist, seeing him in a band as the 6:00 pm opener was amazing. Those people that came late because they had not heard of the opening band missed out. You should always get there early enough for the opener.
Nick Diltz (above) handles Bass, while Rob Pierce (below) handles the drums. I am trying to find a way to express just how good these guys were. If you can see them in the first slot of a show soon, do it. My guess is you won’t be able to for long.
This was a fantastic night of music, and I don’t say this often enough, but Fivepoint Amphitheater is an absolute gem of a venue.
As usual, there is a gallery with many more photos below, and if you were at the show I’d love to hear your thoughts. Follow me online at:
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