I could not have chosen a better concert to start my 2017
live music experience! On an unseasonably warm February night I headed to the
Starland Ballroom in Sayervillle, New Jersey, to see Pop Evil for the first
time in almost 4 years. The last time I saw the band live was when they opened for Three Days Grace before Onyx had even been released. A lot has
changed for this band in those 4 years, most of it for the better.
This show was originally billed as Pop Evil with special
guests Red Sun Rising and Badflower. Yet, for some reason still unknown to me,
there was a last minute change and Red Sun Rising was not on the bill.
Badflower was moved up to the middle act, and local band Kid Felix were tapped
to be the openers. Officially, Red Sun Rising posted on their Facebook page
that due to reasons beyond their control, they are no longer on the Pop Evil
tour. Unofficially, there is speculation that the band dissed Pop Evil,
insinuating that they could not sing, and that got them kicked off the tour. If
that’s true, how stupid can you be? Sorry (not sorry) Red Sun Rising, but no
one knows who you are yet, you should be thankful that Pop Evil took you on
tour with them.
Kid Felix opened the night at the Starland Ballroom. They
are a local, south jersey band that I had never heard of before. I had zero
expectations for their set, but as always, I kept an open mind and waited to
see what they had to show me. What they showed me was simply magnificent. Their
set time was limited, but they used it to their advantage. Kid Felix was
terrific on stage, performing solid original music that was catchy and
impressive. I was also surprised by the number of people that showed up to see
their set. Just before Kid Felix took the stage, the Starland Ballroom was 75%
full. For an opening act, it’s usually 25% full, if that. It was nice to see so
many rockers come out and give support to Kid Felix.
Badflower was the second act and I have to say they just
weren’t for me. There were moments when I was hopeful that this band would be
decent and I would find a song or two that I could like, but it never happened.
The lead singer/guitarist was an odd little man that looked borderline psycho.
I’m sure the younger folks in the crowd thought that was really cool, but
that’s never been for me. I like positivity and inspiration in my musical
messages. Badflower just gave me anger, whining, and noise.
Shortly after Badflower finished their set it was time
for the headliners to grace the stage. As I mentioned, it had been a while
since I last saw Pop Evil live and I was looking forward to their show. The
stage set was very cool with a red brick wall, a chain link fence, and a
cardboard sign painted in black that read “Rock N Roll.” I wasn’t used to
seeing Pop Evil with any kind of stage (as they had always been the opening
act), so this was intriguing.
The house lights went dark and a man in a hoodie and a
bandana covering his face like a villain in an old western movie walked out. He
walked from the top of the stage to the cardboard sign with a can of red spray
paint in his hand. He sprayed painted the word “No” over “Rock N Roll” and the
crowd gave a disapproving boo. Then he added a W to the word “No” so the sign
read “Rock N Roll Now,” which is the name of the tour. The masked figure pulled
his bandana off and flipped his hood back and of course it was Leigh Kakaty.
The band then came out on stage and kicked into “Trenches.”
The show was not sold out prior to the night of the
concert, and arriving early, I was able to get a ticket with no trouble at all.
However, by the time Pop Evil took the stage it was clear that the show had
sold out (or was very close to it). The Starland was packed for Pop Evil’s
performance. Filled all the way through with loud New Jersey rock fans that
wanted to see an amazing night of music. Pop Evil was there to deliver.
“Trenches” was followed by “Last Man Standing,” a quick cover of “Eye of the
Tiger,” the ellipsis song “…” and “Ways To Get High.” It was a great way to get
the night going. I had not realized how beloved “Ways To Get High” was. The
crowd roared when the first notes hit and then sang every word back to the
band. And while it is far from my favorite Pop Evil song, I grew a stronger
appreciation for the song after seeing it live.
If you’ve read any of my other reviews on this band then
you know how much I appreciate them as a live act and how I think they are flat
out amazing in concert. Having now seen them as headliners and for the first
time in almost 4 years, I can only say that their live show has gone from great
to spectacular. The way they commanded the crowd, the stage presence that they
had, and their ability to rock the club was flawless. This band could easily be
headlining arenas with their material and ability. Pop Evil is truly one of the
best live acts out there. Their energy is infectious and the New Jersey crowd
clearly loved the band.
Leigh talked a lot about his love for New Jersey and his
appreciation for how much we care about the band, but that may have been the
traditional lead singer language that he will repeat the next night to the next
crowd. I want to believe that he really does have a soft spot for New Jersey
and that we really are the greatest crowd, but that’s my New Jersey bias
kicking in.
Leigh did reminisce on the first time the band played the
Starland Ballroom as an opening act. He talked about how they played to
approximately 20 people and 2 of them were his parents. That took me back to
the first time I saw the band perform live as openers for Theory of a Deadman. I remember not even wanting to
go in to see the opening act, but my wise friend Bobby talked me into it. I am
so glad that he did, because I fell in love with the band that night and I
haven’t looked back since.
The band performed “Purple” for what they said was the
first time in over a year. They stated that they wanted to do something special
for this special New Jersey crowd and I was delighted to hear the song.
“Purple” has always been one of my favorite Pop Evil songs and it was terrific
live.
Watching Pop Evil perform as headliners made me very
happy. Not only because the show was so awesome, but because the band was doing
so well and they looked so happy. Having watched and followed Pop Evil since
their first album when they were an opening act performing to a small number of
people and then slowly converting them to fans one member at a time, it was
nice to see them at such a level of success. I’ve always believed in this band
and it’s so good to see them doing so well. It’s akin to watching your children
grow up. Pop Evil has been through a lot over the years and they still come out
on top.
New drummer Hayley Cramer was a delight behind the drum
kit. And while I miss Chachi Riot and his animal like drum playing, Hayley is a
fantastic drummer in her own right and fits into the band well. She can also
play the keyboards, as was made evident during the first Encore. Leigh and
Hayley came out on stage together and played a slowed down version of
“Beautiful.” It was a nice arrangement for the song and it was neat seeing
Leigh sing it to only the keyboard playing in the background.
 |
| I am somewhere in that photo all the way toward the back of the crowd. |
The band would come out for a second encore which
consisted of “Footsteps” and “Take It All.” Toward the end of “Footsteps” Leigh
stopped the song and asked the crowd if it was all right if he came down to
them. Of course they were fine with that! Leigh walked down into the crowd and
asked everyone to crouch down low. He had the whole ballroom crouch low and he
did so as well. He then talked about how making music was a process that
started with great friends getting together working out songs. He wanted us to
share that experience, the way that songs began. He then had us all sing the
end of “Footsteps” together acapella. It sounded fantastic! Leigh thanked us
for being fans and friends and then jumped back onto the stage for the last
song of the night.
“Take It All” was jaw dropping and even though there are
other candidates for the title, I think this will become Pop Evil’s signature
song. It is a perfect ender, full of high energy and beloved by the crowd.
Every person was screaming it back to the band to end the night.
And when it was all over, I was sweaty, I couldn’t hear,
and it was hard to speak. But it was absolutely worth it. Pop Evil has grown
into a force to be reckoned with and it’s only a matter of time before they are
performing arenas across the United States and forcing me to see them from the
nosebleed sections. I know it will be worth it though and I’ll just be happy to
see the band live again.
Setlist
Trenches
Last Man Standing
Eye Of The Tiger
…
Ways To Get High
Ghost Of Muskegen
Torn To Pieces
Sick Sense
Boss’ Daughter
Divide
Purple
Lux
Deal With The Devil
Vendetta
Monster You Made
If Only For Now
Hero
100 In A 55
Encore
Beautiful (just Leigh and Hayley)
Second Encore
Footsteps
Take It All
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