“Have a groovy time”, has anyone ever told you that? On October 7th, 2017 at The Diesel Concert Lounge in Chesterfield, Michigan, with a lineup of bands ready to dish out the metal, a groovy time was waiting for all in attendance.
Kicking off the Broken Bones tour was Michigan’s own, Child Bite. This four-member group led by lead singer Shawn Knight produce some chaotic noise rock, Knight has the look, wild hair, and mannerisms to match the crazy music. I’ve seen these guys a few times and you never know what Knight might do, always be on alert in case he should storm out into the crowd. But he wasn’t too outlandish this time as he and the rest of the guys got the growing crowd in the right mood for the rest of the night.
Up next was a four-piece group out of New Orleans, Louisiana known as Cane Hill. With darker lighting came some darker beats and lyrics. Lead singer Elijah Witt belted out some strong vocals as the rest of the guys pummeled the guitars and drums that made the crowd jump, hoot and mosh along to the music.
From Australia them wild boys known as King Parrot brought their savagery of grindcore beats back to the folks in the United States. Fresh off a recent album release with ‘Ugly Produce’, King Parrot has been kicking ass and taking names once again. I first saw these guys a couple years ago and was impressed with their intensity, especially Matthew Young whose angst powered vocals reverberate deep into your brain. And there’s no worry about getting dry, especially if you are up front as Young splashes bottles of water onto the crowd. This band is hardcore yet have fun while doing it. Case in point when Young asked a lady up front for her heart shaped sun glasses so he can rock out with them on. King Parrot has improved their musical devastation since the last time I seen them. Their sound is tighter, don’t get me wrong, they haven’t mellowed, they’ve just gotten better at the musical carnage they create.
The place was packed by the time Devildriver hit the stage. This band out of Santa Barbara, California brought their brand of groove metal that had the fans cheering and moshing all night long. Lead singer Dez Fafara had the crowd at his fingertips as his bandmates Mike Spreitzer and Neal Tiemann on guitars with Austin D’Amond on drums and Diego Ibarra on bass tore it up time and time again as they ripped through their set. The place was so full of people I wasn’t sure I would be able to get back into the room after exiting briefly after using the photo pit. I was able to push through to the other side in the back of the room to find a spot to stand and watch. At this point I noticed how much the heat had risen, and I think many others noticed too, especially the moshers, many of whom had taken off their shirts. Devildriver put on a great show, they seemed ever better than the last time I seen them a couple years ago. And with last album, ‘Trust No One’, released last year, you have to feel this band will keep the groove rolling with some new tunes in the next year or so.
After several bands, tons of songs and many mosh pits taken place, there was still one more band to play. Superjoint, led by none other than front man Phil Anselmo whose stage presence was immediately felt when he entered the room, all calm and enjoying his cigarette while he soaked in the cheers from the fans but not without saying thank you to the fans and giving them applause. Anselmo seems like a humble dude who thoroughly enjoys what he does. With many fans crowd surfing to get up close to get a high five from Anselmo and Anselmo sometimes going out of his way to high five the fans, it’s easy to see why Anselmo has so many fans. The chemistry between the band is good natured as well. Especially during a moment in between a song, guitarist Jimmy Bower had his hands on his hips and a wide smile as if he was doing a photo shoot. Then Anselmo joins in with a similar pose. It’s not a moment in rock n roll history that’ll be known for anything vulgar or violent, it was just a nice fun moment that shows that not all rock shows are full of intense seriousness. Anselmo at one point even paused to make sure things weren’t getting too out of hand in the mosh pit as he said, “we aren’t here to fight”. That had an immediate impact as folks kept on moshing but not going overboard. I admire band members who take the time and look out for the best interests of the fans. Because no one wants to go to a concert and have harmful stuff happen.
With Kevin Bond on guitar, Stephen Taylor on bass and Jose Gonzalez on drums, Superjoint was rolling and cranking the groovy sludge metal. I’ve said it before, I’m not a huge fan of sludge metal but seeing Superjoint live again in concert, I must say they had me bopping to the beat many times. King Parrot’s Matthew Young even came out to sing a duet with Anselmo for a song. It’s getting close to a year ago that Superjoint’s latest album, ‘Caught Up in the Gears of Application’ was released. With only three albums from a band that formed in 1993, albeit they did take a 10-year hiatus, let’s hope there will be more new music on the horizon from these guys. Because according to the reception from the fans, they’re ready for more Superjoint.
It was a great night of heavy grooves, should the Broken Bones tour come near you, get on out and enjoy some good rocking times, because an impressive collection of talent on one tour doesn’t always happen, so get there early to soak it all in. Rock On!!