The Norva, one of my favorite venues to see bands, and tonight two of my favorite live bands playing. Nonpoint is the band I’ve seen live more than any other by a very large number… There is something infectious about the band that always leaves you wanting more. Nonpoint was formed in Fort Lauderdale, FL (USA) by drummer Robb Rivera and vocalist Elias Soriano in 1997 and have had a few lineup changes over the years and the current lineup includes Rasheed Thomas on guitar, Adam Woloszyn on bass and Jaysin Zeilstra on guitar. The band is very outgoing and very in touch with their fans and never pass up an opportunity to chat with people, discuss equipment or make the night memorable. While I know all the songs, have seen them performed countless times, If they’re playing, I’m there. They opened their set with Breaking Skin and got the crowd going. This was followed with Chaos and then What a Day. Tonight, the set list was only ten songs, but it is always a rousing sing along, because I am not the only fanatic who would rather be tired at work the next day, than from friends how good the show was. The set consisted of the following songs:
Breaking Skin
Chaos
What a Day
Endure
Ruthless
Underdog
Million Watts
Broken Bones
In the Air Tonight
Bullet With a Name
NONPOINT
But the night wasn’t done. Next up was another band that are pure energy on stage. Hailing from Edmonton, Kentucky (USA) and having formed in 2001, Black Stone Cherry is another band that is fun to watch play live, and also very close to their fan base and appreciative of their support. The band consists of Chris Robertson (lead vocals, lead guitar), Ben Wells (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Steve Jewell (bass, backing vocals) and John Fred Young (drums, backing vocals). And know this, you WILL get your cardio in while watching them play. They are running all over the stage, changing who is where and when. You just never know what person to focus on. They opened their set with Me and Mary Jane, followed with Burning and then, Again. The complete setlist consisted of:
Me and Mary Jane
Burnin’
Again
Out of Pocket
Blind Man
Nervous
Like I Roll
Cheaper to Drink Alone / Drum Solo
When the Pain Comes
In My Blood
Screamin’ at the Sky
White Trash Millionaire
Blame It on the Boom Boom
Lonely Train
BLACK STONE CHERRY
The Kicking and Screaming Tour will continue with both bands through mid-August and then each band will continue to tour through the US before Nonpoint heads to the UK and Black Stone Cherry does a full European tour. Catch them together, catch them on their own tours. Just don’t be the one who missed the show and hears about how good it was. You won’t regret it..
