Live Gig Review and Photos: DJ
The long awaited rescheduled show for Pop Evil finally made it’s way to Huntsville. If you recall the bands guitar player Nick Fuelling broke his ankle after a show in Michigan, how unfortunate for Nick and for a few of the shows that had to be pushed back. The band did well on their promise to still come down here and play the show this past Friday September 9th.
First we get Shallow Side however, the Hard Rockers from local Cullman Alabama, are here opening for Pop Evil. A band that up to this point has been grinding hard to make a name for itself in the business. We had a chance to review their debut album “Saints and Sinners” in 2019 and their own brand of Modern Hard Rock managed to stand out on it’s own, and that in it’s self is a very tough feat in that often crowded arena. The life of a traveling musician is tough, but the guys in Shallow Side have managed to keep trucking forward. We start the night with a bang, as singer Eric Boatright comes thrilling the crowd with his range. Guitar player Seth Trimble plays well with a couple of younger fans who are up front by the stage and attending their first Rock concert. Cool of Seth to give them some guitar picks during the performance. I thought the guys did well to jump start the energy and deliver a nice performance. I’m sure if fans didn’t know who they were before, they know now. Having opened for the likes of Halestorm and now Pop Evil, this is a must check out band. Also check out their new single when you get get a chance!!! Do yourself a favor and support the smaller bands trying to make it, they will surely be grateful.
Next, we have the very interesting and unique band Zillion. Providing some laughter for the fans in more ways than once. Mystery cube man comes out in a strange king costume, that bit and the band’s drummer wearing a head costume all add to the intrigue and hilarity in the band’s performance. Is nice to see the guys don’t take themselves too seriously. The actual set was pretty good, to be honest, and songs like “War Inside of Me” and “The Basement” plays very well live and this mix of industrial sounds with edgier mainstream choruses, stands out in the set. Is hard enough to stand out in the saturated crowd of Modern Rock bands, is refreshing to see a band that it’s doing there on the thing with enough conviction to have fun and not take themselves too seriously, even if the cube workshipping thing was weird as hell. I’m sure this old grump probably missed the point here with the imagery, regardless a good show from the guys.
Pop Evil is locked and loaded as drummer Hayley Cramer’s drum kit is sitting at an elevated pedestal ready to embark on this night of Hard Rock. Frontman Leigh Kakaty comes out firing on all cylinders with heavy hitters “Eye of the Storm” and “Set Me Free” getting the crowd moving with an edge. And even better news Eye Of The Storm” Reached #1 on the Active Rock Chart Marking their 8th career #1 Single, a sign the guys have been incredibly sucessfull with catchy and driven tunes. One of the more catchy and commercial tunes for the band comes via “Be Legendary” which plays well in the order of the setlist. One thing I will say about Pop Evil, is they are consistent with their lives shows, and provide tons of energy, Cramer is fantastic hammering the skins like there is no tomorrow. Leigh is not messing about as he delivers some powerful vocal lines throughout the gig. Another underrated number comes via “Torn to Pieces”, which has a nice crunchy guitar groove. The night ends with some more killer songs in “Trenches” and of course one of the band’s most popular tunes in “Waking Lions”. Pop brings their brand of Modern Hard Rock, a little rap in there reminiscent of Rage Against The Machine, some commercial undertones that were very noticeable on albums like the band’s title effort in 2018 and you get a group who is peaking at the right time and if their last album was a precursor to more killer stuff, then expect to see and hear more from Pop Evil as they continue to navigate the often diluted waters of the mainstream Rock industry.
North American Tour:
09/13 – Evansville, IN @ Old National Events Plaza+
09/14 – Erie, PA @ Warner Theatre+
09/16 – West Palm Beach, FL @ Raymond F Kravid Center+
09/17 – Fort Myers, FL @ The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon+
09/18 – Melbourne, FL @ King Center+
09/20 – Destin, FL @ Club LA^
09/22 – Flint, MI @ Machine Shop (SOLD OUT)^
09/23 – Flint, MI @ Machine Shop (SOLD OUT)^
09/24 – Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life
^ support from ZILLION
+ supporting Daughtry
UK/EU Tour:
11/01 – Glasgow, UK @ King Tuts Wah Wah Hut
11/02 – Manchester, UK @ Rebellion
11/03 – Birmingham, UK @ O2 Institute
11/05 – London, UK @ The Dome
11/07 – Paris, FR @ Trabendo
11/08 – Vosselaar, BE @ Biebob
11/09 – Hamburg, DE @ Logo
11/11 – Munich, DE @ Backstage Halle
11/12 – Stuttgart, DE @ Im Wizemann
11/14 – Köln, DE @ Luxor
11/15 – Frankfurt, DE @ Nachtleben
11/16 – Haarlem, NL @ Patronaat
Connect with Pop Evil
www.popevil.com
www.facebook.com/popevil
www.twitter.com/popevil
www.instagram.com/popevil
Tell Us How You Feel
