I hadn't seen these guys in a very long while I must admit. I walked in just as they were starting and immediately liked the depth of the sound. They have a great sound overall, very balanced and the drums were able to be felt and heard, without being obnoxiously loud in comparison to the whole. The bass player never missed a note while I was there, and his harmonies were on 99% of the time. I am always impressed with a bass player who can harmonize and keep it all together. I’m jealous I admit it. The drummer was technically on point and the sound of his kit was tight and crisp. Likewise, he didn't miss a beat. The guitarist was better than most I've heard around town good in the gut and even better in the solos. The lead singer was pretty good at keeping the crowd involved, but it was kind of difficult understanding him when he wasn't singing because the effects on his vocals were as wet as San Antonio’s weather the previous week. The effects were ok for the music, but when he would try to talk to the crowd, I was never completely sure what he was saying. His vocals were pretty good. He had areas where he topped out as all vocalists do, and he knew where that “don’t go there” zone was, and let the effects do the work for him. Smart man. I would have liked to hear a bit more clarity and less mud in the vocals; the effects were just a bit too wet. But he had a good voice and good image. Songs that stuck out to me were “Amber,” overdone in San Antonio but these guys really go out of their way to do the song the way it was meant to be done – “Paralyzer,” by Finger Eleven was good as well, nice funky feel in the verses, and rockin' out the choruses. “Santeria” was probably the best I've heard in town in a long time. They started the song and I had no idea what it was. They weren't concerned at all with trying to make it sound anything like Sublime, which is why it was so good. For the first time I can remember, the pop sounding song really rocked - Well Done. Loved the solo played with that dirty-ass mudded up guitar. “It's Not Over,” by Daughtry was done pretty well; first time I've heard anyone in town cover that. I was interested to see what the crowd response would be. Guys could care less, every girl in the place singing every single word. Ah well, that's what you gotta do sometimes. (Whatever keeps ladies coming to your gigs - otherwise you don't have any). I was surprised after doing Daughtry, which really appeared to be very vocally demanding, the singer went into “Pain,” by 3 Days Grace. He had a little trouble getting through that one, but I gotta give him and the band some serious love for a very progressive set list, and the singer got through it somehow. The only song that I thought was off - to the point that they might need to revisit it in the practice hall - was “Hey Jealousy,” by the Gin Blossoms. I think the lyrics were all over the place, or maybe they were shortening the song. If you guys were shortening the song, then for you because it's too damn long anyway. I did hear a few spots in it where the musicality kinda dropped right out of it, almost like there were parts someone didn't quite know completely. Maybe it was a new addition for the band or something, but one song outta the whole ain't bad fellas. I was diggin' it.
I agree with the Manager who was saying the lights and smoke were well done for the most part. We agreed you need a bit more constant light though on the gels, looks like they had a delay in the chase or something and every once in a while the stage would go dark for too long in an already dark corner of the club. But this is the kinda crap club-owners and managers notice. They want a show, not just a band. He did like you guys alot by the way. All in all, I was very entertained and will definitely go to see these guys again when I’m not having to stay sober… On a scale of one to five Stars, I'll give Flipside 4 out of 5 Stars.
Covering San Antonio's music scene since 2005