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CrueFest 2 - August 4, 2009 Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater
Charm City Devils Theory of a Deadman Drowning Pool Godsmack Motley Crue Rock n’ rollers unite for this balls to the wall music festival! As with last year’s CrueFest, this show did not disappoint. Hot, sticky, August afternoon, with no breeze, Fiddler’s Green became an inferno of blazing guitars and ass kickin’, feel it thumping in your chest, classic, hard, ROCK AND ROLL! Because of the locations of the stages, I was not able to catch all the bands. But I will say this, I am happy to see Motley Crue opening up their tour to newcomers such as Charm City Devils, and give these guys a little exposure....Last year’s line up was amazing, but this year’s crew was far different. Baltimore’s Charm City Devils opened up on the main stage, and their singer, John Allen, belted out their fairly popular "Let’s Rock N’ Roll" with great tenacity. I clearly remember hearing the lyrics "Stepped off the train, and I told myself there’s no way back" and I thought to myself....so true - - - after playing CrueFest 2, there is no way back for this band. I see good things happening for these guys. They have such a unique sound, and for them just blasting onto the scene, their stage performance looked like they were totally comfortable playing together. It doesn’t hurt that these Baltimore-bred guys are great eye candy for the females....and maybe even some of the males!! Allen has been quoted as saying: "I truly believe that raw emotion and honesty transcend all trends, and that if music has that classic kind of sound, it will have longevity," he states. "That’s our goal: to transcend the times and not compromise the integrity of what we do." Look for these guys next time they make a stop in Colorado!! The ever popular song "Bad Girlfriend" gave the next band their running start....Theory of a Deadman. Honestly, that was the only song from this band that I had ever heard, and so much airplay kinda wore it out. BUT, I was pleasantly surprised to hear some other tunes from these guys. Not sure they really "fit" with the rest of the line up, but they definitely used their time on stage to their advantage. Again, I have to say that Motley Crue tried to diversify the line up a bit, and have something for everyone....I’m sure Theory of a Deadman was more than a few people’s favorite guessing from the response of the crowd. Drowning Pool....what can be said about these veteran rockers that hasn’t already been said a million times? Ryan McCombs (ex-SOiL vocalist) has to be the epitome of what a metal head should look like. He has that long, straight, stringy dishwater blonde hair, that just hovers over his head like a halo while he’s thrashing his head to the beat of the drums!! That deep, sultry voice lends itself to the ever popular "Bodies" and it just explodes from there. A little 37 Stitches and Step up....By this time, The Pit at Fiddler’s is beginning to fell somewhat like a coffin. Droves and droves of fans keep filtering in. I will say that I was disappointed in the size of The Pit. Oddly enough, I have been to several shows at this venue, and the area roped off for The Pit always seemed a little tight, but nothing like I encountered for CrueFest 2. According to reps from Fiddler’s, this was due to the request of Motley Crue. Honestly guys, there was not even half enough room for all the fans that purchased Pit tickets. I made my way out toward the end of Drowning Pool’s set, and was never able to get myself back in there. I was told by one of the security guys that they were "at capacity" and if I wanted to try and muscle my way back in, I could, but he wouldn’t advise it. I was highly disappointed to say the least!! I made my way up to the "lawn" area for Godsmack, and let me tell you....as loud as they were up in the lawn seats, I can’t even imagine what they sounded like down in The Pit!! I have to say, my favorite part of Godsmack’s set was the drum dual. Back and forth, back and forth....Shannon Larkin and Sully Ena playing on two separate drum sets. The crowd of course went totally crazy when they played "I Stand Alone" and "Voodoo." These guys have such a unique sound, and of course they put the whole amphitheater in prime rock your ass off mode for MOTLEY CRUE!! Of course they save the BEST for LAST...and - the concert is called "CRUE" Fest! So it is only fitting that Motley Crue close the show, playing the whole set list of Dr. Feelgood, as a homage to Dr. Feelgood’s 20th anniversary as it was a multi-million seller, and one of the BEST albums for the band. After their opening "Dr. Feelgood" bit, Vince Neil announced he had "blown" his voice two stops prior to coming to Denver, and that he was going to need help from the crowd....and each and every person in that place was more than happy to oblige! In usual Nikki Sixx fashion, he was dressed to the nines and had each and every girl screaming for more sex-latent guitar rifts. I will say I was a tad disappointed that Sixx a.m. wasn’t part of this year’s line up, but, my heart will mend, as I ran into DJ Ashba and James Michael of Sixx a.m. in the VIP Lounge during the show. Of course, Mr. Ashba being one of my favs, I requested a photo, and he and James Michael were more than happy to let me have my "fan" moment with them. They were so nice, I just had to add that little bit of info in my review! And, let's not forget reality star Daisy DeLaHoya from "Daisy of Love" was also in attendance at the show. She was nice enough to let us get a photo with her as well-bleached blond hair extensions, fake boobs, fake lips and all. JL |
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