What a packed house tonight at the Basement East. Usually, it’s not crowded till the Main act, but tonight, the fans were out in force at the start of the night from when the doors opened. Once you claimed your tiny place, you were there for the duration. Typically, there is enough room for the photographers to slide around the back of the crowds to get to the other side, but there was no way at this show. Fans also got a very close and personal show because there was no barricade in front of them, keeping them from the stage.
Alien Ant Farm has been around since 1996, with six studio albums and “Anthology” reaching Platinum by the RIAA. Their newest album, “Mantras,” was released in 2024; you can find it here.
The way Alien Ant Farm came up with its name was about aliens and the Earth: “It was just my daydream about our planet being seeded by entities from other dimensions.” This is definitely an interesting way to get an original band name.
One of their best-known singles was a remake of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” as an homage to him but on their level. It was really fun to see it in person. Alien Ant Farms’ creative energy brought the place alive as they played one hit after another, including some sing-alongs to “Bulls on Parade” by Rage Against the Machine and “Moms Spaghetti” by Eminem.
Members
Dryden Vera Mitchell – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Michael “Mike” Cosgrove – drums
Terence “Terry” Corso – lead guitar, backing vocals
Tim “Timmy” Peugh – bass, backing vocals
SETLIST
Courage
Wish
Flesh & Bone
So Cold
Whisper
Movies
These Days
Attitude
Fade
Sticks & Stones
Smooth Criminal
ALIEN ANT FARM
The fans were waiting for each member of Saliva to come out, with the band’s entrance being introduced by the US Anthem, “The Star Spangle Banner.” Since 1996, Saliva has entertained the masses with their extensive 12 albums released with hits like their most successful song, “Always,” which hit number 1, and Ladies and Gentlemen“, which peaked at No. 2 on the Mainstream Rock Chart. Another one of their most memorable songs ‘Click Click Boom, is highly used at sporting events, WWE, and Military functions. Their latest album, “Revelation,” was recorded during the pandemic. It is their 11th studio album and the last to feature Wayne Swinny on the guitar. It was released in September of 2023, and you can check it out here.
Saliva interacted with the fans throughout the entire set and kept the energy going. One of the cool things that Bobby Amaru said was that even though we may disagree on things, music unites us all, brings everyone together, and makes us one, no matter our differences. In these times when everything is so divided, it’s nice that we can all come together and still get along and have a great time. At the end of their set, they dedicated “Click, Click Boom” to all the men and women of the military past and present and their families and friends who support them.
Current members
Bobby Amaru – lead vocals
Brad Stewart – bass, backing vocals
Sammi Jo Bishop – drums
Current touring members
Josh Kulack – lead guitar, backing vocals
Sebastian LaBar – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
SETLIST
Ladies and Gentlemen
Come Back Stronger
I Walk Alone
High on Me
Doperide
Crows
They Don’t Care About Us / Lose Yourself / Bulls on Parade
Always
Your Disease
Click Click Boom
SALIVA
Socials
https://www.facebook.com/Saliva/
https://mobile.twitter.com/OfficialSaliva
https://www.instagram.com/officialsaliva/
Wasting no time, Drowning Pool got straight into the hits. Starting with one of the hit songs, “Sinner,” from their 2001 certified platinum debut album, the fans showed their excitement by letting their bodies go with the flow of the music. Ryan McCombs raised his cane-style mic stand to the air, and the crowd was eager to sing along with him. Continuous mosh pits, which stayed tight in this already sardine-like environment (which we all love for these shows), erupted almost every song. From the first note to the last, these fans brought the intensity to match that of Drowning Pools’ performance the entire show. Throughout the set, some very inspirational things were said. The one that stuck with me was something Ryan said midway through: “Music starts with you and ends with you. As the fans, you are the reason we can do what we do.” It is always comforting to see bands that I enjoy supporting our troops. But Drowning Pool does more than admit their support. They show it from countless USO and MWR tours to donating proceeds to military organizations. Every show is intense and off the wall. It is the perfect opportunity for the service members to have some fun, relax, and let out some deep-down stored energy that needs to be released.
As the final song,” Bodies,” started nice and calm with a rhythmic beat, the fans began to ramp up their tempo as the music increased. The final growling “FLOOOOOOORRRR ignited the crowd, and Ryan climbed into the middle of the crowd and let loose with the fans, belting every note with the help of those around him. Drummer Mike Luce also had to get into the excitement as he stage-dove into the crowd. As the last note was struck, Ryan was helped out of the crowd, stood facing the crowd, and placed his hand in front of his mouth. It showed on his face how much the night meant to him. One final bit of fun info is the meaning behind “Bodies.” Per Drowning Pool, ‘Bodies’ was written about the brotherhood of the moshpit and was never about violence.”
CURRENT MEMBERS
C.J Pierce – guitars (1996-present), backing vocals
Mike Luce – drums (1996-present), backing vocals
Stevie Benton – bass (1996-present), backing vocals
Ryan McCombs – lead vocals
SETLIST
Sinner
Step Up
Let the Sin Begin
Enemy
37
Rebel Yell
Feel Like I Do
Pity
Tear Away
Bodies
DROWNING POOL
Socials
https://www.facebook.com/drowningpool
