Events Article
The Bamboozle Left Festival
Irvine, CA Apr 04, 2008
Dozens of SABIAN artists showcased their talents at The Bamboozle Left festival last weekend in Irvine, CA. The event drew almost 50,000 music fans from all over the Southwest. No wonder, with The All-American Rejects and My Chemical Romance headlining! There were 11 straight hours of music running on 6 different stages. Kicking things off on the main stage were The Cab from Las Vegas. Drummer Alex Johnson and company brought their clever songs to the early crowd who will soon be saying, “I saw them when?”. Next was Four Year Strong with Jake Massucco displaying his fierce double-bass chops. Jake got his first set of HHX Legacy cymbals the day after Chris from Bayside recommended them to him. He discovered what the likes of Chris and Andy from The Academy Is already knew: Though developed with Dave Weckl and seen as jazz cymbals, Legacys are some of the sweetest crash/rides for any style. Alex and Jake are both new SABIAN endorsers so, welcome to the family!
Bayside with Chris Guglielmo were up next and the crowd was looking forward to them. Always on tour, they?ve amassed a huge following in North America. They impressed with new songs from their latest album, The Walking Wounded. Right after Bayside was Rx Bandits. Drummer Chris Tsagakis is a very accomplished player with grooves coming from all styles and an explosive streak! Reel Big Fish were up next. They are another band that is always on the road, and with Ryland Steen?s steady groove there?s no reason to break. Alkaline Trio followed with their first set after a very long break. It was obvious they were ready to play. Derek Grant is a legendary drummer who could pound nails with a drum stick! Another crusher performing on Saturday was Tony Peck with The Forecast. Tony and company performed their unique brand of melodic alternative led by the tip-top vocals of Shannon Burns and Dustin Addis. Nate Van Dame with Hit the Lights and Spencer Peterson and his band Charlotte Sometimes both had sets on Saturday as well. Headliners The All-American Rejects had been holed up in an LA studio for the last few weeks, working on a follow-up album to the smash, Move Along. They were looking forward to getting back in front of fans at Bamboozle and did not disappoint. Drummer Chris Gaylor is still enjoying the soaring success the group found last year, but is humbled by the many long years on the road leading up to that. These four Midwestern boys from Oklahoma know how to stay grounded and man, can they write a catchy tune!
All that was only the first day!
Sunday booted up with a set by Protest the Hero. Their latest album, Fortress, debuted at #1 in their home country of Canada. That?s impressive for a prog/metal band! Drummer Moe Carlson is a young powerhouse who you?ll hear much more about in the future. Catch them on this summer?s Warped Tour. Hot Water Music was a favorite of the other musicians in the house with many of them watching sidestage and from the front of house. Drummer George Rebelo is a supremely confident player. Another is Aaron Solowoniuk with Billy Talent, who also graced the main stage. BT is currently on tour with My Chemical Romance. Alex Lopez with Suicide Silence was one of the only no-nonsense metal bands on the bill and the fans were happy to let loose. Catch Suicide Silence on the Rockstar Mayhem tour this summer opening for Disturbed and Slipknot. Chiodos is a band that has, but one goal: Destroy every crowd they play in front of. They always do, whether it?s a 10am spot on the Warped Tour or a main stage set at a huge festival like Bamboozle. Drummer Derrick Frost has a full arsenal of metal and hardcore chops that whip the band into a frenzy. Closing the festival was our buddy Bob Bryar with a little band called My Chemical Romance. His quote of the day was “Holy S*#t! Jon Bon Jovi was just on my bus!” Bob was flying around the grounds all day enjoying himself listening to other bands and catching up with friends. My Chem isn?t doing any press at shows anymore after almost 2 years on a tour of the earth, playing everywhere! Bob is happy with the free time after such a stressful few months. He had some wrist problems that sidelined him for a little while, but he?s taking care of it and is wearing heat pads underneath his wrist bands on stage to help with the discomfort. If there was any pain it didn?t show when he played. My Chem is a fireball on stage. Frontman Gerard Way is just one of those guys who can put a crowd in the palm of his hand. The band is at full strength with Frank, Mikey and Ray all in top form. Jon Bon Jovi watches from side stage as eagerly as all 25,000 fans. The boys rip through tracks off The Black Parade and Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. Bob pounds his set up of Paragons and I think what a remarkable thing it is that they sound so good and don?t break under such punishment. One more month on the road for My Chem and then a nice long, well deserved break!
We hope to see the Bamboozle Left festival back in California again next year. Those on the East Coast are getting ready for the original Bamboozle Fest the first weekend in May at The Meadowlands in New Jersey. Be sure to catch the sets by SABIAN artists Bless The Fall, Chiodos, Cute Is What We Aim For, Emery, Endeverafter, Fiction Plane, Hit The Lights, Less Than Jake, The Rocket Summer, Coheed & Cambria, As Tall As Lions, Charlotte Sometimes, Circa Survive, Envy On The Coast, Every Time I Die, Four Year Strong, Greeley Estates, Motion City Soundtrack, My American Heart, The Academy Is, The Cab and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. There. That ought to keep you busy!
www.TheBamboozle.com
Report and Photography: Chris Stankee
