Sunday, 22 March 2009 11:35
The first thing that hits after clambering down the Transmission Room stairwell, is a blanket of heat that envelops everything it encounters. But it’s not the Auckland humidity that warmed up the dark little Mayoral Drive dungeon – it’s a fog of human sweat that’s so thick, it’s like being immersed in a steam room fuelled on forehead fluid. The walls are black and dimly illuminated in scarlet, as strobes indiscriminately interrupt the darkness. The smell of the guy behind me is only alleviated by my own exhalation. Some people might think this is hell. I disagree. It was fantastic.
Underoath have only been to New Zealand once before tonight – two years ago, supporting Taking Back Sunday, Anti-Flag, Thursday, Senses Fail & Saosin, on the Taste of Chaos tour. I still remember my excitement that night, as I finally got to see a band perform who have dominated my playlist for years. The sheer talent and raw passion of six guys, giving everything they’ve got on stage... and this time! They were headlining.
Underoath know how to please a crowd. Not just sticking to their latest album, the band pulled out favourites from Define The Great Line and They’re Only Chasing Safety (though not going back any further than that). There was plenty of crowd sing-alongs, which may sound like an odd feature for a hardcore band, unless you know their music. 'A Boy Brushed Red'... was an obvious favourite; 'Desperate Times, Desperate Measures' was fun. The crowd, though not the most intense I’ve seen (given the PG rating of the show – unfortunate in my opinion), still proved that 'It’s Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door', as did the band. Thrash pits opened up front and back and I even caught a glimpse of a guy, being launched like a volleyball into the crowd. (Security had to flick on their flashlights to assess whether he’d landed it or fallen straight through). It wasn’t all screaming and shoving though – they brought it down for some slower ones and lead vocalist Spencer Chamberlain, even gave a short testimonial.
Actually, that brings me to another qualm: supporting bands. Underoath had three. I think one is good. Supporting bands exist to warm up the crowd for the show; they’re not to be confused with the show. Admittedly I missed two of the bands this evening when I turned up after 8:00PM (which I thought was an appropriate time to attend a hardcore show but evidently this one started at 6:30PM). I had a chance to see Every Time I Die and will admit, to not being a fan. They had a few excited devotees up the front but the sound quality was poor at best and lead singer Keith Buckley was on an ego trip: “You guys are awesome; we know we’re awesome – that goes without saying”. If it goes without saying Keith, you could have just not said it.
Underoath have only been to New Zealand once before tonight – two years ago, supporting Taking Back Sunday, Anti-Flag, Thursday, Senses Fail & Saosin, on the Taste of Chaos tour. I still remember my excitement that night, as I finally got to see a band perform who have dominated my playlist for years. The sheer talent and raw passion of six guys, giving everything they’ve got on stage... and this time! They were headlining.
Underoath know how to please a crowd. Not just sticking to their latest album, the band pulled out favourites from Define The Great Line and They’re Only Chasing Safety (though not going back any further than that). There was plenty of crowd sing-alongs, which may sound like an odd feature for a hardcore band, unless you know their music. 'A Boy Brushed Red'... was an obvious favourite; 'Desperate Times, Desperate Measures' was fun. The crowd, though not the most intense I’ve seen (given the PG rating of the show – unfortunate in my opinion), still proved that 'It’s Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door', as did the band. Thrash pits opened up front and back and I even caught a glimpse of a guy, being launched like a volleyball into the crowd. (Security had to flick on their flashlights to assess whether he’d landed it or fallen straight through). It wasn’t all screaming and shoving though – they brought it down for some slower ones and lead vocalist Spencer Chamberlain, even gave a short testimonial.
Actually, that brings me to another qualm: supporting bands. Underoath had three. I think one is good. Supporting bands exist to warm up the crowd for the show; they’re not to be confused with the show. Admittedly I missed two of the bands this evening when I turned up after 8:00PM (which I thought was an appropriate time to attend a hardcore show but evidently this one started at 6:30PM). I had a chance to see Every Time I Die and will admit, to not being a fan. They had a few excited devotees up the front but the sound quality was poor at best and lead singer Keith Buckley was on an ego trip: “You guys are awesome; we know we’re awesome – that goes without saying”. If it goes without saying Keith, you could have just not said it.
Interview/Pavlova eating, with Underoath
Underoath, Everytime I Die & Poison The Well, live at the Transmission Room, Feb 19:
Underoath, Everytime I Die & Poison The Well, live at the Transmission Room, Feb 19:
