BITE ME! 2006 KROQ Weenie Roast Live

KROQ 2006 WEENIE ROAST

May13th, Irvine

A year older, and maybe a year wiser, I’m sitting at home where by the wonders of the Inter web I’m about to enjoy this year’s KROQ Weenie Roast. On initial announcement I have to say I wasn’t exactly enamored by the main stage line up this year. Strangely, I was more interested by most of the second stage or stage Dos. I didn’t mind missing it though, as a week before I was fortunate enough to have been working at the Bamboozle Fest in sunny New Jersey and some acts were the same there. At the designated time, with a cocktail in hand and speakers turned to 11, I get set to start the show. I haven’t seen Rock Kills Kid yet and thanks to "video issues" it didn’t look as though I was going to anytime soon. I listen attentively and, to be honest, am pretty underwhelmed. Simple Minds cover band is about the best I can conjure up, and without any visuals to aid me I decide that if indeed the rock did kill the kid then he was probably half dead already.

So far a pretty weak kick off and still no pretty pictures until The Academy Is blast into "Checkmarks". I’m really surprised with how off key the vocalist is. I’ve seen these guys a few times, and they can certainly bring the rock when needed, but today I think they left it in their bus. Things pick up for "Skeptics and Believers," but by now I’ve written them off for today.

An abundance of sombrero's welcome Matchbook Romance to the stage - a band I love to listen to, but have yet to blow me away in the flesh. Musically, I adore their complex yet tuneful arrangements, as they are head and shoulders beyond anything so far today and now I am enjoying the show. By the time they roll out "Chasing Shadows" I’m wishing I was there for real, and the pictures in my Los Feliz chateau are starting to rattle off the walls. Flying in this morning from Japan to do this then returning for another show there tomorrow proves either a desperation to please suits or commitment to heavily plugging the new album Voices, which is A Ok with me, as I’m a huge supporter of it. The chorus of oldie but goody "Promise" proves they have always had the potential to play with the big boys. The star of the show, so far, goes to the new record’s sing-a-long track that even from this vantage point I can see has everyone smiling.

Reefa smokers and acid casualties alike must think they are having severe flashbacks as they hear vintage Sabbath pouring from the P.A. Oh, hold on…Ozzy's not here…it’s the phenomenal Wolfmother, who have come to kick your skinny asses into next year with "Dimension". The next minute they are channeling Zeppelin, Deep Purple and even The White Stripes before fuzzing it up with wave after beautiful wave of sonic indulgence. Hardly innovative, sure, but rock ‘n’ roll rarely is these days. Invoking classic 70's trios like Cream and Jimi Hendrix Experience the kids here are getting a Rock School lesson that Jack Black himself would be honored to give. The riff from "Mother" burns the faces of the first three rows leaving "Minds Eye" to obliterate those left. Excellent! On to the main stage now.

Having your biggest fan on MTV pretty much every freakin’ day has done no harm to His Infernal Majesty's popularity (aka HIM.). Personally, I still don't get it. (YA! I’m not the only one – NIN) I think Queensrÿche did it first and did it way better. I didn’t like them last week and I didn’t like them today. Oh, and you know what…chain smoking your way through your set just makes you look like a tit. Next!

How Damian Marley gets all these big gigs is beyond me, but not to worry because he makes an interesting diversion to proceedings and after watching him on the Coachella cast a few weeks ago he succeeds once again in getting the crowd to stand up and dance in the midday sun. Taking Back Sunday start off by asking "What it Feels Like to be a Ghost”. The camera struggles to keep up with singer Adam Lezarra as he jumps and struts from side to side of the huge stage, so instead decides to zoom in on the boobs of people jumping in the crowd. Not only are TBS ‘Louder Now’ they are also way tighter then ever before. Guitarist Fred does the extra shouty bits brilliantly whilst Adam concentrates on keeping the girls moist at the front. Tight editing adds to the excitement during "We Can’t go Back" and closes a great set.

A message to everyone’s favorite new band: when Panic! At The Disco played in New Jersey last week the rush of crowd surfers and manic circle pits was a surprise to everyone present. Berating the organizers for sticking way too few people in the pit today Brendan Urie spits, "Someone should get their dick slapped for this bullshit" and the band charge with style and grace through most of the songs on their debut (fuck me) record. Smacking himself with the microphone to a nosebleed on only the second song Brendan says, "Enjoy this one it’s about fucking," and pretty soon I realize just how special this band is just as my modem decides to take a shit. A quick reset later and they sound even better than they did and just in time for the big wedding drama of "I Write Sins Not Tragedies". But, it’s just the start of the dramatics because with each song the singer exhibits more confidence—part Morrissey swagger and part punk rock diva—and when he sarcastically tells someone they are wearing a "Sweet motocross shirt" he becomes my hero of the day. Have to say - best live band hitting stages right now.

Playing way too early for their dark selves She Wants Revenges proves that even without a moody lightshow they can still pull a shit hot gig out of their beanies. The voice of Justin Warfield is about as good as it gets, both warm and angsty in equal measures, he actually sounds better live than on cold metal disc. Depeche Mode rip offs they may be, but damn they do it well. [Um…no. Not even close to Depeche. They aren’t good enough to scrub Dave Gahan’s socks with their tongues. –J] Their songs ooze sex appeal and best of all they know it too. Fat sleazy basslines and sharp melodies all perfectly paced and amazingly from the same record. Today, once again, they play a belter. Best live band hitting stages right now.....oh wait?

I've only ever seen Chris Carrabba solo before, so seeing Dashboard Confessional as a full band was a nice treat. I cannot admit to being a Dashboard fan so I couldn’t tell you what songs were played and what were missed, but I can tell you that I enjoyed their set way more than I thought I would have. I enjoyed their Big Country cover though, and I never imagined I would be saying that. Also, full marks to my girlfriend for tearing up as she sang "Screaming Infidelities" to me.

The stage turns into a wall of Marshall stacks and it’s Zombie time. I was surprised to see Rob Zombie on the bill because the last I heard he was now an Indie 103 DJ. Whatever. Hollywood's Toy and Costume shelves have been cleared out and Rob bounces around on and offstage like a hell bound aerobics instructor. Complaining about the lack of crowd participation, "Anyone out there on there fucking Blackberry or fucking Sidekick I’m gonna come out there stick it up your ass," Rob spends more time charging through the pit like a thing possessed. You better hide your cell phones kids unless you want a T-mobile enema. I haven’t heard "More Human than Human" for quite some time and today it still sounds as ball busting as ever. The band played the shit out of it, as they should cuz our boy is not in the mood to fuck about right now, and isn’t that ex-Mansonite John 5 shredding it right there? No one but Mr. Zombie can look as downright mean whilst singing the words "Foxy, foxy," and before we know it he’s in the pit again shouting at the "lazy fuckers". I love it! Nothing like a pissed off performer to stir the blood. Getting a stage instantly built at the front so he can turn the show into a metal karaoke show the band ends with an explosive "Thunder Kiss 65," and I make a pledge to see him again when he comes to town. Fuck yeah. Nice one Rob.

Onto Tom De Longe's Boxcar Racer v.2. Angels and Airwaves really has no right to play so high up on the bill. Their debut isn’t even out yet, and the majority of people only know one song of theirs so they are gonna have their work cut out for them. If people wanna hear Blink songs think again - there ain’t no boobs and wanking tales here. Tom's not scared though; he's played a thousand of these outdoor sheds in his life. The fact that no one has heard them yet is a minor formality. I hear a punked up Cure with many layers and effects. On an infinitely more serious tone, "Distraction" tells of the horror and devastation of the WTC attacks and dedicating it to his brother serving in Iraq made it more poignant. Thus, imploring everyone in the place to get to their feet and become part of the experience in Tom's head. After a lengthy intro "The Adventure" sounds glorious and soaring - packed full of guitar straight out The Edge's kitbag.

Biggest cheer of the night so far goes to local heroes AFI, who are playing their first hometown show for quite some time. Davey Havok, with new hairdo and more slap than Max Factor, bursts to life with "Girls Not Grey" and then erupts into "The Leaving Song Pt 2". I never could say I was a big fan of the band, but I was surprised at how many songs I knew of theirs. At this point I’d imagine the singer from HIM backstage thinking to himself “Why the hell am I so popular?” After tonight’s performance I realize why every cool car in my neighborhood sports an AFI sticker.

Surprise time! Howzabout Dave Grohl solo and acoustic. That’s pretty damn cool. "Everlong" begins a short Foo's medley of hits and hands are held throughout the arena. (I'd guess) "My Hero" and "The Best" both sounded strong before a story of why he can’t do the Dylan headgear harmonica thing -"It’s really fucking hard". As far as surprises go Dave's was a great one, and it nicely set the scene for the FF's upcoming acoustic tour.

It's not a vampire thing, but Matisyahu's religious belief means he cannot take to the stage until dark, he cannot travel with the sun up, and so it guarantees him a good slot for a festival. Seeing the guy bounce around in his Hasidic Jew get up is certainly entertaining, for a few minutes at least, and the boy sure knows how to flow. However, save for a few blistering guitar solos from his session player, I felt kinda disappointed by the live show. Stepping onto the drum riser, stepping off the drum riser, ad infinitum, I can’t help thinking if anyone would really think twice about him if it wasn’t for his gimmick.

By the time the Chili Peppers hit the stage my eyelids were seriously dropping and sure enough I fell asleep almost as soon as they began. I did note though that Anthony's vocals sounded the best I’ve ever heard them - crisp and clean. A bunch of new songs were played, Mr. Kiedis had more energy than the national grid, John Frusciante continues to be one of the cool as fucks with a guitar, and even Flea managed to not annoy me. But, an overly hot apartment and too many Coronas overcome me and I drift to sleep happy that I’m not in a jacked up parking lot leaving Irvine right now. -Glenurse