Concert review: Distillers, Trapt treat fans to free concert

Thuy Chu/On-line Forty-Niner

Fans in Yorba Linda rocked on with The Distillers Saturday afternoon

By Thuy Chu
On-line Forty-Niner

YORBA LINDA -- KROQ listeners and Best Buy customers in Yorba Linda were treated to a free concert Saturday, featuring Trapt and The Distillers in two high energy performances. The concert was sponsored by KROQ for its annual calendar signing event and took place in the parking lot of Best Buy.

After waiting in line in the scorching sun fans were allowed to enter into the parking lot where more waiting took place. Trapt finally took the stage after being over an hour late to chants of "start the show" by restless concert-goers. The band, which consists of Chris Brown on vocals and guitar, guitarist Simon Ormandy, bassist Peter Charell and drummer Monty, performed among others, "Still Frame," the catchy "Echo" and their hit, "Headstrong."

Despite giving it their all, the performance can be described as lackluster at best. The audience just wasn't into it except for "Headstrong," which built up some momentum, but unfortunately it was their last song on their play list.

Up next was the band most people there wanted to see: The Distillers. Frontwoman Brody Dalle (formerly Armstrong, who recently divorced Tim Armstrong of Rancid) took the stage to thunderous applause. Dalle, along with guitarist Tony Bradley, bassist Ryan Sinn and drummer Andy Granelli, opened the set with "Die on a Rope."

The beautiful Dalle, with her stage presence and distinctive style, is the punk version of No Doubt's Gwen Stefani. Like Stefani, Dalle has the respect of both male and female fans, and as seeing the numerous Dalle look-a-likes in the crowd only prove that she is a style icon in the making.

With her deep, grainy voice, Dalle drove the crowd into a frenzy by performing songs from The Distillers' new album, "Coral Fang" as well as their old album, "Sing Sing Death House." Among the highlights include "The Gallow is God," "City of Angels," "Hall of Mirrors" and their hit song, "Drain The Blood."

The band performed "Death Sex" as the encore and was whisked away, leaving fans yearning for more.