NYS Music 20​13

Tag: bearfest

  • XFACTOR1 Blows Bearfest Away

    The eager concert junkies let out the occasional yelps of excitement as the outdoor music melted into silence. It was time for Xfactor1 to rock the stage and blow everyone away with what they had in store for us. One by one, each band member appeared: Zack (drums), Jerry D (bass), CLok (guitar), Cody (guitar), and QBall Wolf (vocals). They were more than ready to get Bearfest started the right way with “Bring It On.” What they unleashed was something different. Something refreshing and new. In a way, very erratic, if you will. “An xfactor is an unpredictable intangible,” explained Wolf to Upstate Metal’s Kate Drexel. “Our name simply means we want to be the number one xfactor in all things and all situations.”

    Xfactor1 continued their set with “It’s My Life” and a cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black,” followed by “Break You.”

    “Xfactor1 song writing is a group effort,” Wolf said. “Usually I will come up with a melody theme, and the guys will run with it until we add our influences. I think that influences are more than just ‘how do you sound?’ It’s attitude, passion, and ideals about life and music. Because of that, Metallica, Pantera, Korn, and other ass kickers come to mind.” These influences can definitely be heard in QBall’s unique voice as they proceeded with “You Suck.” Fans began to wave their horns in the air to the beat of the song followed by head banging.

    “I’m a huge Deftones fan so that would be awesome,” said Wolf when asked if he had the opportunity to collaborate with another artist. “Five Finger Death Punch would be great as well.”

    Before finishing the set, QBall had the fans gather in closer so the band could take a picture with the crowd in the background making an X with their arms in the air, a very similar moment the band shared at this year’s Rock on the Range. “We absolutely love playing the Rock on the Range festival (twice, ’09 and ’13), because it’s held in our hometown of Columbus, OH at Crew Stadium, and it’s like a huge family reunion.” Xfactor1 finished their set with “Never” and “Live Another Day,” leaving the crowd feeling warmed up, yet they wanted more from this killer band. Xfactor1 left the stage to presumably “film porn, party, play Texas Hold ‘Em poker,” according to QBall when asked what they do during their downtime.

    All in all, this band was beyond words. Just an absolutely mind blowing performance filled with catchy songs, and they definitely set the mood right for the night. Be sure to check out the band on Facebook. Their record, Famous.Last.Words was release in June 2012.

    Xfactor1 can put on one hell of a show. One you will not want to miss.

  • Review: OTHERWISE Dominates the Stage at Bearfest

    IMG_4239The booming introductory music to Otherwise’s setlist filled the eager ears of the Wise Ones at Bearfest, all crowding in closer and closer to the barricade, animated cheers escaping from them as one by one each band member made their appearance, Corky Gainsford (drums), Vassilios “V” Metropoulos (bass), Andrew Pugh (guitar), Ryan Patrick (guitar), then finally, Adrian Patrick (vocals) emerged from behind the crates. His deep, powerful voice washed over the crowd as he began to sing “Die for You”, the fans shouted out the rest of the chorus as he held out the mic towards them. Next was “Lighthouse” which Adrian dedicated to all the “good girls”, followed by “the song that goes out to all the bad girls”, their party anthem, “Vegas Girl”. The number of fans increased every second, eager for more of Otherwise; however, they were just getting warmed up. The next to play was “Silence Reigns” followed by their single, “I Don’t Apologize”, the fans belting out the lyrics whole-heartedly, their eyes stared in wonder as Otherwise continued to unleash their unbelievable energy.

    IMG_4263The fun didn’t stop there; Adrian then encouraged the Wise Ones to raise their middle fingers as they began to chant, “fuck you” rapidly, starting up the next song, “Full Circle”. This was followed by “Scream Now” and from one of their earlier records, Some Kind of Alchemy, “Stop, Drop, and Roll”. The music changed abruptly to a familiar tune, “Killing in the Name Of” by Rage Against the Machine. Fans head-banged to the rhythm of the song, pumped fists and rocker horns in the air as well as mouthed the lyrics enthusiastically. To say the least, Otherwise did a killer cover. Of course, the band saved the best for last, the song that got their name out there, “Soldiers”. At the end of the song, Adrian jumped off the stage and ran towards the barricade, bringing the mic to the fans and having them harmonize with the band, and then he stood on top of the railing, one hell of a way to end an awesome setlist.

    As always, Otherwise brought their game to the stage. No matter the size of the crowd, they always have a way to connect with their ever-growing fan base.

  • Review: SEVENDUST Blacks Out Bearfest

    The crowd moved in closer and closer to the barricade, some could no longer contain their excitement and let out the occasional overeager cheers. Finally, the moment they were all waiting for at Bearfest Sevendust’s arrival. The lights dimmed to a dark red hue, a very daunting setting to the outdoor stage. One by one, the band members emerged from the shadows, Morgan Rose (drums), Vince Hornsby (bass), Clint Lowery (guitar), John Connolly (guitar), and finally, the one and only, Lajon Witherspoon. The way the red and green lights hit his features gave off a very bone-chilling, terrifying view of Witherspoon. The band began their set with “Pieces” followed by a track from their latest record, Black Out the Sun, “Till Death”, the fans waving their horns in the air to the beat of the song, mouthing along to the words whole-heartedly. After playing “Denial” and “Praise”, Lajon asked some of his ever-adoring fans not to mosh but to march in a circle to the rhythm of the next song, “Waffle”, purple lights complimenting the mood of the song, a very intimate feeling. The set was then slowed down with “Got a Feeling” followed by “Angel’s Son”, the fans with their loved ones holding each other from behind and swaying along. The pace was picked back up with “Black”, “Strong Arm Broken”, and Black Out the Sun’s leading single, “Decay”. Witherspoon walked toward the front of the stage and reached out for the fans, holding some of their hands.

    At the end of the song, the stage lights suddenly shut off and all of Sevendust disappeared into the darkness. The dedicated fans chanted for an encore for what seemed like a long while, every living soul hungry for more. Then the stage was lit with an orange and green-like hue as Lajon appeared on stage with the rest of the band and the familiar lyrics to “Bitch” filled the ears of the crowd, which encouraged them to roar with cheer and excitement. They all sang along loudly and some quite drunkenly. The set was then finished with “Splinter” and “Face to Face”, a great way to end the warm, lively summer evening.

    All in all, it was one hell of a performance. The band broke the country silence with their powerful classics as well as new and incredibly catchy songs. In the end, Sevendust let all of West Virginia know that they have left their mark. Be sure to check out their latest record, Black Out the Sun, available at your nearest music store and for digital download. More tour dates are on their website as well as their Facebook page, if you have a chance, see where Sevendust will black out a stage near you.

  • Review: DEVOUR THE DAY Heats Up West Virginia

    IMG_4130The outdoor music came to a screeching halt, bringing a moment of silence to the summer air, a strong hint that Devour the Day was ready to knock everyone out of the ballpark. The setting sun’s light hit the stage as one by one, each band member stepped out from behind; Dustin Schoenhofer (drums), Joey “Chicago” Walser (bass), Jeff James (guitar), and last but not least, Blake Allison (vocals). The band was more than eager to put the pedal to the metal as they started their set with the first track from their debut record, Time & Pressure, “Respect”, definitely the right way to begin the evening with such an explosive track. Following was “You and Not Me”, as the fellow concert junkies stared in amazement as the band rocked out like there was no tomorrow. As soon as “Get Out of My Way” started, the energy from Devour the Day combined with the fans’ was absolutely through the roof, fairly certain the residents across the Ohio border could hear and feel the band’s pulsating power. “Blackout” brought on the heavy head-banging and the drunken loud cheers of excitement. The fans watched with such a thrill as Walser rapidly spun around with his bass, jumping with such glee on his face.

    IMG_4146It was clear that Devour the Day was way past warmed up, as evidenced by the fact that they were dripping with sweat. The summer heat didn’t stop them from continuing their set with “Reckless”, as some of the fans waved their arms in the air to the beat of the song. The pace was nowhere near slowed down as they played “Oath”, finishing the set with “Hand Shakes to Fist Fights” and their current as well as the album’s leading single, “Good Man”, the music lovers singing along very passionately, some dancing to the rhythm. It was definitely the perfect track to end a killer setlist.

    IMG_4138Overall, no other words to describe Devour the Day’s performance except for: WOW. Absolutely mind blowing and an indescribable experience, one would have to witness these moments to get a better understanding of what a superlative show the band puts on. They will be hitting the stage at X-Fest in Syracuse this Sunday. Be sure to check out their debut record, Time & Pressure, available for digital download and to purchase at your nearest music store. Also, check their Facebook page for tour dates or visit their website (www.devourtheday.com). This is a band you will not want to miss!