STAIND/SEETHER/ASKING ALEXANDRIA – THE BIG GIG

STAIND/SEETHER/ASKING ALEXANDRIA – THE BIG GIG

By Kat Gullage

THE BIG SHOW AT DCU CENTER, WORCESTER, MA FEATURING STAIND, SEETHER, ASKING ALEXANDRIA & TIM MONTANA

The Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) Center is a standard 14,800 capacity multi-purpose arena located in Worcester, MA. A nearby venue, The Palladium, was hosting Queensryche (sans Geoff Tate), so we found a $20 parking spot nearby that allowed for easy in and out. I found the DCU staff and security to be welcoming and accommodating to us (well me).

Tim Montana was the first. I've never heard of him before, but this guy has five studio albums! His sixth Wild, is scheduled for release 12/7/24. His nine-song setlist included seven from the upcoming LP. It has a country rock sound, leaning a little more country, with Stone Temple Pilots. 'Get You Some', 'Ain't Coming Down' and 'Die Today' kicked off. The crowd was very small at the moment, but it didn't deter him. “I'm comfortable playing in front of two people, I don't get down.”

Photos by Holly Roy Photography

Another three of Wild “Shut Me Out”, “Lovely” and the title track “Savage” followed. A cut from American yarn, “Mostly Stoned” mixed them up. Charlie Sheen (my spirit animal) is a huge fan of Tim Montana and directed the video. Check it out! “Beard Came Here To Party” by Tim Montana & The Shrednecks was a crowd favorite as the Boston Red Sox used it as their anthem in 2013.

Montana is an avid supporter of US Military Veterans and gave them a shout out before finishing it off with one more Wild track, “Devil You Know.” The band sounded good and confident, they held my attention and were a fitting opening for a Staind projection. Tim was backed by Jackson Moody on bass and Kyle Law on drums. My photographer and I had to do some deep dive forensics to figure this out as we didn't see them tagged in any of Tim Montana's social posts or posted on his Website.

Asking Alexandria was formed in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2006, but originally from England. They reorganized and morphed into their current line-up in 2008 and have released nine studio albums. The setlist will include tracks from six of them. I had heard Asking Alexandria before and I know a lot of people who love them, but they didn't excite me enough to become a true follower.

They came out and jumped straight to “Close” from Reckless & Merciless. It was strong on my face too and I loved it! More fans are now filtering the space. The band: Cameron Liddell – lead guitar, Sam Bettley – bass, Paul Bartolome – guitars and James Cassells on drums are energetic, jumping and giving off English punk vibes. The singer, Danny Worsnop, sounds good but his moves don't match his bandmates.

His “Alone Again” off See What's Inside stirs before Danny thanks the audience for coming out and then scoops a bunch of water off the stage. Like a house on fire“Down To Hell” comes with an ineffective and unnecessary smoke cannon. I'm in the pit getting tighter for space, the place is about 75% full now.

Photos by Holly Roy Photography

Danny, after another off-stage thirst, addresses the masses “You're at a rock and roll show! Let's dance all the way back! Jump! Jump! Fuck you!” Two of Asking Alexandria are “Into The Fire” and “Where Did It Go”. The opening chords of “Dark Void”, from 2013 Where do we go from here?, they barely get off and the performance is abruptly interrupted. Danny yells for security and the house lights. The issue was toward the front of the pit, but my 5'4″ self couldn't quite see what was going on.

There was a ten minute delay to treat what was rumored to be an injury. At five minutes Danny thanked everyone for their patience, pointed to the problem area and shouted “Hello! Hello! Calm the hell down!” We finally have permission to take off. “Okay, we're going to start the show. Take two. This is the current song playing on the radio. Please don't hurt yourself, have fun!”

We have a full replay of “Dark Void”. The sound is great, the band's energy is on fire, but the singer's movements remain stagnant. And then he surprises me as, accompanied by only a guitarist, he belts out a Backstreet Boys cover of 'I Want It That Way'. I was like “Is this true?” So unexpected. The fans eat it up. Danny states “This is the best song you'll hear tonight, I promise.”

An acoustic version of “Someone, Somewhere” off of Reckless & Merciless served before the band finished the set with from Death To Destinyof “Moving On”, Stand Up & Scream“The Final Episode (Let's Change The Channel)” and another from Asking Alexandria, “Alone in a Room.” It was a great high energy set (sans Danny) and got us pumped up for the next act.

A kettle is defined as “a person who is in an agitated state.” the band Seether, which followed, formed in South Africa in 1999 and released eight studio albums that yielded several number one hits. The place is about 90% full now and very crowded. Seether, John Humphrey – drums, Dale Stewart – bass, Corey Lowery – lead guitar and Shaun Morgan – vocals and rhythm guitar take the stage.

Photos by Holly Roy Photography

Shaun is the frontman but he is on the side, not under any spotlight, equal to the band. I understand the focus was on the band and not just the singer, but my heart went out to the photographers because it was dark up there. Seether hasn't released new music since 2020. It didn't matter. They delivered a tight set of nine songs from their seven LPs.

“Gasoline” set the pace, Shaun provided a downbeat “Thanks” before giving us another cut from Disclaimer I & II, “Thank God”. They sounded perfect and we ate them. Enter a very big change introduced by “Broken”, the Disclaimer I version (Shaun on guitar and singing accompanied only by an acoustic guitarist and not Amy Lee). The public relied heavily on it, and this strange echo happened. Shaun's straight vocals were genuine and beautiful, but that echo didn't enhance the song.

Back to the good stuff with “Country Song” off Holding the strings Better left to break out“Rise Above This” by Finding beauty in negative spacesand 'Nobody Praying for Me' which are from Isolation and medication. The crowd was jumping but there were no mosh pits. Security measures were tightened shortly after the incident at the Asking Alexandria pit.

The band sounded great, absolutely on point. The short set wrapped with “Dangerous” by Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum (a Latin motto that translates to “If you want peace, prepare for war”) and fan favorite “Fake It” by Karma and result followed by “Remedy” another track from FBINS. It was over too soon but we still had a full set of Staind on the horizon. Seether is working on new music and mentioned that fans can look forward to a new album in the fall. The band made it difficult for photographers with their subdued lighting and checked my writing pieces with their album titles, but as you can see Seether, Challenge Accepted.

The crowd was 100% there for the Massachusetts boys Staind. The place was packed, almost sold out. I have seen Staind probably dozens of times and I've never seen a bad performance. You love Aaron Lewis and Staind? The jury is out in my circle of friends, it's 50/50. If they're one of your favorites, then you know, their live performance will deliver a nearly perfect sound. StaindHis portfolio includes eight studio albums, many platinum and gold, which spawned twenty-five singles.

The first was “Lost in Me” from 2023 Confessions of the Fallen. It was my first time hearing it live and they nailed it. “Eyes Wide Open” by Staind followed by “Fade” from Break the cycle. Break the cycle released in 2001 and the live version takes you back to whatever the hell you were doing
twenty plus years ago when you wore the LP. These guys are ageless.

One of my favorites “Raw”, a track from Malfunction, I was very excited. I love it so much when they put on a heavy setlist. None of that “Epiphany” crap. Staind kept the hits coming: “Not Again,” another by Staind and “Here and Now” a second track from COTF. Everything slowed down for a beautiful performance by him Staind“Something to Remind You” featuring Aaron on vocals and Mike Mushok on guitar. Bassist Johnny April and drummer Sal Giancarelli were sitting outside. Aaron smokes cigarettes a few times during the show and makes me want a con so bad!

They are uploading it again Chapter V's “Right Here” and then the unimaginative jab at internet trolls, that is Staindof “Wannabe”. The crowd is lame when it comes to movement, but then again we've had that happen before. StaindThe “Freebird” that is “Outside”. Break the cycle wake the people up, they lost their minds to this anthem.

Photos by Holly Roy Photography

Back to their latest LP, COTF for “Better Days” before joining the audience in a sing-a-long and again for a cut 14 Shades of Gray, “So far away”. They visit again Vacation to finish it off with “For you”. The fans earn an encore with their cheers and chants. Aaron addressed them “It's a great crowd for a Saturday night. Thanks for coming to see us and forget about life for a while.” They return to Vacation
again to feed us “It's Been Awhile” and end the show with the classic track from Malfunction, “Mudshovel,” which gives us a lonely crowd surfer. They join for a customary bow and exit.

I found a Mike Mushok guitar pick on the floor! It's the color of every concert floor I've ever stood on. If the light hadn't hit it just right to describe the shape, I would have missed it. You won't get extravagant light shows and pyro and dance moves at this kind of concert. The point is that the music is loud enough to give you the feeling and is performed at an optimal level. With music this good, you don't need all that other bullshit.

Thanks loyal readers and rockers! Stay tuned, lots more concert stories to come
your way!

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