Bad Ass Show At Amos' Southend feat. Brave The Pain, Tattermask, Ultralush, and The Coming Dawn

Hello all, Faded Frankenstein back again and this time to talk to all of you about the show i was lucky enough to witness at Amos' Southend on December 15th. I had been looking forward to this show for quite sometime and with the line up consisting of Brave The Pain, Tattermask, Ultralush, and The Coming Dawn, who can blame me. For those of you that have never been to Amos' before its a 1000+ person venue located on South Tryon Right outside the heart of uptown. They have free parking across from the venue, a great stage setup, and attractive bartenders and i mean really what else could you want.  As the clock was ticking the day away i called up my boy SimCity so we could meet up before the show get our minds right before we headed out. In the middle of it we saw on Facebook that the opening set time had been moved up so we threw on our shoes jumped in the car and sped off as to not miss anything. We arrived not a moment to soon, we paid our 8 dollars to get in which means paying only 2 dollars per band we got to see which is a hell of a deal. As we were walking in, on stage already performing  their set was.......

http://www.facebook.com/Ultralush

MEMBERS:
Bass/Vocals: Patrick Jason
Guitar/Vocals: Nick Plesz 
Drums: Mike Escalante


Ultralush is a Indie/Punk Rock band out of Charlotte N.C. that plays a mixture of originals and covers tweaked to their playing style. I'm a firm believer, since this isn't the first time I've seen this trio of badass, that low energy is not in their vocabulary. When they were playing the Ultralush version of Rebel Yell originally performed by Billy Idol for those of you who grew up under a rock I was blown away. Front man Patrick Jason  vocals, Nick's mind blowing guitar solos and Mike's energy and rhythm would've made even Billy Scream MORE MORE MORE!  Even though i didn't get to hear their entire set, having heard them before their originals are even better then their covers and if you ever get the chance to see them play take it its well worth it. On stage after Ultralush was a band I've never seen live before and they were.....

http://www.facebook.com/thecomingdawn

Members:
Bass/Vocals: Matt Grant
Guitar/Vocals: Bryan Guess
Guitar/Vocals: Jesse Brown
Drums: Chris McKinney 

The Coming Dawn is one of those bands that is hard to lump into any specific genre because they seem to pull from several different genres to make their sound, which is a cerebral journey in a musical wonderland. The first thing most people would notice when seeing the band is front man Matt Grants commanding stage presence coupled with a voice that takes the listener on a subconscious journey. Standing to his sides Bryan and Jesse add powerful riffs, killer solos and back up vocals that complete the lyrical sound. Chris McKinney on drums made the songs come to life and completed the instrumental sound. I'm surprised i haven't heard their song Stand Up and Fight on the radio twenty times already. They say several times that they were rushing but to my ear it didn't sound like it. Check them out and don't miss whenever their next show is because its an experience. After The Coming Dawn finished up with their set the next band to approach the stage was.....

http://www.facebook.com/tattermask

Members:
Vocals/Guitar: Amanda Caines
Lead Guitar: Josh Wright
Bass: Harley Quinn
Drums: Adam Blackmon 


Tattermask is a Alternative Metal group formed in late 2007 and have been growing since. Getting the opportunity to see this band live i could not pass up. The band is fronted by Amanda Caines whose diverse vocal range and melodic voice will pull anyone in. She pairs that with lyrics that are actually saying something and not just a jumble of words that sound good, like when they performed the song "No More" which was beautifully written both lyrically and instrumentally. Josh Wright on guitar added to the sound searing guitar riffs that were fast and heavy and solos that just made ya go DAMN. While watching Adam Blackmon on drums i kept think to myself he was going to pound those things through the bottom of the stage. Defiantly one of the best drummers I've seen in Charlotte. Last but not least is the bassist Harley Quinn which after seeing her in person a better fitting moniker you could not find. She stood on stage bass in hand Mohawk flying and was the rhythmic foundation for the band. It is a good thing we didn't make eye contact or i might have been turned into a fan boy lol. I was thoroughly impressed with what this band did on stage and can't wait to see them again. When they finished their set the next and final band to step up to the mic was.....

http://www.facebook.com/bravethepain

Members:

Vocals: David Workman

Guitar/Vocals: Randall Sehvan Hargrove

Guitar: Craig Cedillo 

Bass: Darren Miracco 

Drums: Gary Knight

Brave The Pain is a Rock band formed in Charlotte N.C. in late 2008. They have a tremendous amount of energy and do a fantastic job of playing off of each other. I was also impressed with how they had a little treat for fans besides their music when they started launching inflatable guitars into the crowd. The front man David Workman is packing an intense and unrestrained larynx which allows him to hit a wide array of notes which he showcases in the originals such as Sun Gods and Whipping Boy. He also does a great job when reincarnating Layne Staley when the band did their Alice in Chains cover. Standing next to him on guitar and doing back up vocals was Randall Sehvan Hargrove. On guitar he was impressive with his methodical riffs and solos, but when they started the song "Answer" you could hear the emotion coming out when he sang and to me it was when he shined the most. On rhythm guitar was Craig Cedillo and he could have put on a clinic on crowd interaction. Several time he came down off stage and played right up on the fans. He also possessed the precision, speed, and power that all rhythm guitarist strive to have. Darren on bass and Gary on drums did a fantastic job of syncing up playing with emotion and keeping the groove going. Brave The Pain is one of those bands that as soon as they play the right song in front of the right person will be going coast to coast on a bus spreading the word.

All in All it was a fantastic night at Amos' Southend watching these bands perform. Its always nice to see to when the bands stay and all support each other instead of playing and running out the door. Gotta give a shout to The Coming Dawn who stepped in and lent Brave the Pain some equipment after some technical difficulties. Also to SimCity for the pics above and for being my P.I.C. for the night. Can't wait to see all these bands again whenever i get the chance to and check out the facebook links below their pictures to check out their music, tour dates and everything else you want to know. Til next time.

-Faded-

Dec. 7th The Ultimate Basement Spindale, N.C.

THIS PAST FRIDAY ON DEC. 7TH I WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 85 ON MY WAY TO SPINDALE, N.C. I WAS HEADED TO THE ULTIMATE BASEMENT FOR THE FIRST SHOW THAT I ORGANIZED SINCE COMING TO THE CHARLOTTE AREA. MY BOY SIMCITY, THE FRONT MAN FOR THE (SNUFF)ALUFAFUNK, RODE OUT WITH ME EARLY SO WE COULD GET STRAIGHT BEFORE THE SHOW AND CHECK OUT THE TOWN BEFORE EVERYTHING STARTED. WHEN WE ARRIVED IN TOWN IT JUST HAD THE SMALL TOWN WELCOMING FEEL THAT EVERYONE ENJOYS. AFTER YELLING AT THE GPS FOR TELLING US THE WRONG WAY TO TURN WE ARRIVED AT OUR DESTINATION, THE ULTIMATE BASEMENT. WE COULD TELL THIS PLACE WAS AWESOME AS SOON AS WE PULLED UP. THE  FIRST THING YOU SEE WHEN YOU COME UP TO PARK IS THE LIT UP MARQUEE SIGN LISTING THE BANDS THAT ARE PERFORMING THAT NIGHT. I WALKED INSIDE TO CHECK IN AND MEET GERB, THE VENUE OWNER, AND HIS TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS. THE PEOPLE WHO WORK AT THIS VENUE ARE PROBABLY THE NICEST GROUP OF PEOPLE I'VE RUN INTO GOING TO SHOWS. THEY ARE ALL ABOUT SUPPORTING THE BANDS AND THE MUSIC AND MORE PEOPLE NEED TO START CHECKING THIS PLACE OUT BECAUSE IT IS AN AMAZING SET UP. THEY HAD HUGE STAGE SET UP TONS OF OPEN SPACE FOR PEOPLE, COUCHES LINING THE WALLS, A BACK ROOM WITH T.V.'S WITH VIDEO GAMES AND EVEN A SIDE ROOM FOR THE BAND WITH ALL YOU CAN DRINK COFFEE. HOWEVER I DID NOT ENJOY A CUP BECAUSE THE STAGE WAS SET AND THE FIRST BAND TO STEP UP TO THE MIC WAS.....

RED BAND MERCENARIES                                                                                                           

VOCALS: KERRY HUCKEBA 
GUITAR: SHAWN MOORE 
BASS: SCOTT MARTIN 
DRUMS: ZACK ATTACK HAMILTON 


THE RED BAND MERCENARIES WERE THE FIRST TO TAKE THE STAGE. THIS BAND FORMED IN OCTOBER 2012 AND IT WAS THERE FIRST TIME PERFORMING TOGETHER. IT WOULD BE HARD TO STICK THEM INTO A SPECIFIC GENRE BECAUSE THEY PULL FROM SEVERAL TO MAKE THEIR SOUND. BEING SUCH A NEW BAND AND HAVING ONLY HEARD A FEW OF THEIR SONGS THAT THEY HAD SENT ME I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN THEY STARTED THEIR SET. HOWEVER I WAS VERY QUICKLY DRAWN IN WHEN THEY STARTED AND STAYED UP FRONT FOR THEIR ENTIRE PERFORMANCE. ALL THE MEMBERS WERE TALENTED AND FOR THEIR FIRST SHOW KILLED IT. SHAWN'S RIFFS WERE SICK, KERRY'S VOICE, AND ZACK AND SCOTT'S ENERGY AND TALENT MAKE THIS BAND A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT ELSE THEY COME UP WITH! FOLLOWING THE MERCENARIES ON STAGE WAS THE TRIO THAT CALL THEMSELVES 

PINKO

VOCALS: LEX BIZARRO
GUITAR: RYAN SHANNON
DRUMS: JOHN CULPEPPER

PINKO IS A PUNK BAND THAT PROBABLY HAS THE MOST ENERGY AND STAGE PRESENCE I'VE SEEN IN AWHILE. FOR THE FIRST SONG GUITARIST RYAN WAS WEARING A MEDICAL MASK AND WHAT LOOKED LIKE TANNING GLASSES THAT MADE HIM LOOK BAD ASS UP ON STAGE. THE ENERGY WAS RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE FROM THE FIRST SONG TO THE LAST. LEAD SINGER LEX WAS ALL OVER THE STAGE JUMPING, DANCING, FALLING GRACEFULLY SOMETIMES I GUESS YOU COULD SAY. AS THEIR SET WENT ON THE CLOTHES STARTED TO COME OFF AND THE ENERGY PICKED UP EVEN MORE.  AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE PICTURE POSTED THESE GUYS WERE HERE TO ROCK AND THATS DEFIANTLY WHAT THEY DID, AND IN PUNK ROCKER FASHION THEIR SET ENDED WITH THE LEAD SINGER PUKING ON STAGE WHAT A SHOW!! AFTER THE CLEAN UP CREW FINISHED THE NEXT BAND TO TAKE THE STAGE WAS

MATT STACHE AND THE JACKKNIFE BARBERS 

KEYS/VOCALS: MATT STACHE 
DRUMS: DANIEL BIDDLECOME
GUITAR: TYLER MCMANUS 


MATT STACHE NEW TO THE CHARLOTTE SCENE FROM TALLAHASSEE FL WAS THE FIRST BAND I BOOKED ON TO THIS SHOW. HE AND HIS JACKKNIFE BARBERS ARE A GARAGE PROG BAND WITH AN EXCELLENT SOUND. THERE IS MANY THINGS THAT DRAW YOU UP TO THE BAND WHEN YOU SEE THEM ON STAGE, IF IT BE DANIEL'S IMPRESSIVE DRUM SET UP OR MATT'S WELL GROOMED AND FINALLY TUNED MUSTACHE OR TYLER'S QUIET GUY VIBE, WHATEVER IT IS THAT BROUGHT YOU UP TO THAT STAGE WHEN THEY START PLAYING YOU WILL STAY UP THERE. MATT ON THE KEYBOARD IS VERY HIGH ENERGY AND THE LYRICS TO THE SONGS HE WAS SINGING WERE VERY RAW AND UNIQUE YOU COULD SEE PEOPLE WHO HAD NEVER HEARD THEM BEFORE TRYING TO SING ALONG. DANIEL ON DRUMS WAS AMAZING THE COMBINATIONS HE WAS DOING WERE ASTOUNDING 

AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT OTHER LITTLE ADDITIONS HE IS GOING TO ADD TO THE DRUM KIT. LAST AND DEFIANTLY NOT LEAST THE GUITARIST TYLER. WHEN I FIRST SAW HIM STANDING NEXT TO MATT AND DANIEL HE LOOKED LIKE A KID NEXT TO THE SEASONED MUSICIANS. HOWEVER WHEN HE STARTED PLAYING YOU FORGOT ABOUT HIS AGE REAL FAST AND JUST FOCUSED ON HIS TALENT. HE SEEMED A LITTLE UNSURE ABOUT WHAT TO DO WHILE ON STAGE PLAYING BUT WHAT MUSICIAN HASN'T BEEN THERE BEFORE. I BET AFTER A FEW MORE SHOWS THIS 18 YEAR OLD  WILL BECOME THE TOTAL PACKAGE AND I CANT WAIT TO SEE IT. AFTER MATT STACHE AND THE JACKKNIFE BARBERS GOT DONE KILLING IT ON STAGE THE HEADLINING ACT WAS CALLED TO THE STAGE TO SET UP AND THEY WERE...

THE (SNUFF)ALUFAFUNK

VOCALS: SIMCITY
GUITAR/VOCALS: MR. ANDERSON
GUITAR: CARVER
BASS: ED THE WINO
DRUMS: JEFFUS 

THE (SNUFF)ALUFAFUNK ARE A ROCK/RAP FUSION BAND THAT HAS BEEN PLAYING TOGETHER FOR AROUND A YEAR AND ARE STARTING TO GAIN SOME MOMENTUM. THEY WERE PERFORMING TONIGHT WITH CARVER A NEW GUITARIST TO THE BAND THAT HAS ONLY PLAYED WITH THEM FOR THE SECOND TIME SINCE JOINING THE BAND. I WAS INTERESTED ON HOW HE WAS GOING TO PERFORM WITH THESE GUYS WHO HAVE BEEN PLAYING TOGETHER FOR AWHILE. FROM SONG ONE TIL THERE WAS NO MORE LEFT I WAS IMPRESSED WITH HIS COUNTER MELODIES ON GUITAR AND HIS OVERALL STAGE PRESENCE AND I BELIEVE THEY MADE A GOOD CHOICE BRINGING HIM IN. ED THE WINO ON BASS WAS ALL OVER THE STAGE WALKING AMONGST THE PEOPLE IN THE CROWD AND BEING AN OVERALL BADASS THAT YOU COULDN'T REALLY TELL IF HE WAS ACTING A WEEE TIPSY OR IF HE REALLY WAS. MR. ANDERSON'S GUITAR RIFFS AND BACK UP VOCALS WOULD BE ENOUGH TO GET ANY CROWD GOING. JEFFUS WHILE ON DRUMS REMINDED ME OF ANIMAL FROM THE MUPPETS WITH THE ENERGY HE HAD AND THE FACES HE WAS MAKING LOL. LAST BUT NOT LEAST THE FRONT MAN SIMCITY, A HIP/HOP ARTIST OUT OF ILLONOIS, WHOSE RHYMES AND ENERGY KEPT ME CAPTIVATED THE WHOLE SHOW. DEFIANTLY A MUST SEE BAND FOR THEIR ORIGINAL SOUND WOULD LIKE TO SEE A LITTLE MORE CROWD INTERACTION FROM THE WHOLE BAND THE NEXT TIME I SEE THEM!

ALL AND ALL THE SHOW WAS A FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE, BETWEEN GERB AND HIS PEOPLE AT THE ULTIMATE BASEMENT, THE SMALL TOWN FEEL THAT SPINDALE HAS, AND OF COURSE THE CHANCE TO SEE LOCAL BANDS PLAY MAKES ANY TRIP WORTH IT.