SOIL @ The Palladium Feb 1, 2002

 

After a great interview with Soil vocalist Ryan McCombs the day before the show, I was very anxious to see the band in action.  Unfortunately, the asshole security guards and even bigger asshole President of the Palladium, Alan Shuman, put a HUGE damper on my good mood. 

 

My pissieness went away temporarily when Soil hit the stage.  The Chicago based quintet churned out a blistering assault of hook heavy tunes off their explosive debut Scars (J Records).  Propelled by a pile-driver rhythm section, a loud but disciplined guitar style, and melodic yet intense vocals Soil displayed the right amount of physical energy to compliment their music, especially with the small amount of space they had to work with.  Soil challenged the audience to join in and come along for the ride and everyone in attendance was a willing participant.

 

As much as I wanted to stay and see Static-X and Soulfly I didn’t stick around.  After being treated worse than a prisoner on death row and witnessing everyone entering the venue receiving the same treatment I wasn’t about to give the Palladium a dime of my money for alcohol, or soda, or anything.  If the members of Soil hadn’t been so cool, I wouldn’t have attended the show to begin with. 

 

Whatever you do – DO NOT ATTEND ANY SHOWS AT THE PALLADIUM.  Urge your favorite bands to play at another venue in Hollywood.  If you go to the Palladium be prepared to be treated like shit.  They will make you throw away all of your personal belongings.  They forced a girl to throw away a stack of Static-X promo CD’s and stickers.  They will take all of your loose change, whether it’s in your purse or pockets, and will keep it for themselves.  I know this because they made everyone dump their change on tables located in front of the entrance to the club, and when I left the venue, the concertgoers were still inside but all their change was conveniently gone from the tables.  They have no valid excuse to steal people’s money.  Furthermore, when you leave the venue they won’t let you retrieve your belongings from the trashcans that they make you dump them in.  After the club is cleared they divide whatever is in the cans amongst themselves, along with your change.  Worse yet, they denied access to a girl in a wheelchair and wouldn’t give her or her boyfriend a refund.  Now that I think of it, I’ve NEVER seen anyone in a wheelchair inside the venue.  Funny, I’ve seen someone in a wheelchair at every other concert/show I’ve attended.  I’ve put up with the Palladium’s abuse in the past, but after witnessing the refusal of access to a person in a wheel chair and the blatant stealing of people’s money I will never set foot in that shit hole again.   -NIN

 

 

 

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