Suicide Machines rock fans at the Roxy
By Sean Clark Steward
Special to the Daily Forty-Niner
As pop-rock music grows more predictable
day by day, Detroit's The Suicide Machines mix a variety of its old school
style of punk-ska music with their new tunes to rock a free concert at
the Roxy Theater Friday night.
After fighting the standard traffic on
Hollywood's popular Sunset Strip, the Roxy Theater was jam packed with
500 plus fans anxiously waiting for The Suicide Machines to take the stage.
This all ages show was filled with fans
ranging from your typical punk rocker with a spike-stud belt and numerous
tattoos to an older crowd that has been listening to the band since its
debut in 1994.
At 10:30 p.m. the lights dimmed low and
the sparkles of the hanging disco ball glimmered on fans rushing to the
front of the stage.
The Suicide Machines filled the stage while
the dedicated crowd screamed for approval.
With a 20-song play list to pump up their
fans, The Suicide Machines jammed an assortment of old school songs from
their band's first two albums "Destruction by Definition" and "Battle Hymns."
With fast guitar riffs and pounding bass
lines, the band started the concert with "Island" off their first album.
An excited crowd bounced around to this up beat punk song with a solid
mosh-pit that swarmed throughout the floor of the theater.
Jason Navaro, lead singer for the band,
sang with extreme passion while fellow band members poured their hearts
into their music. A mixture of other old school songs such as, "No Face,"
and "S.O.S," also blared through the excellent sound system.
The crowd truly went crazy for "New Girl"
from the first album "Destruction by Definition," which is also the sound
track for the popular Activision video game, "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater."
"My wife and I play that game every freaking'
day," said Navaro. "It's my favorite game. I almost pass the entire thing
with Kareem Campbell with no codes. I really feel apart of skating history."
The band continued to fill the air with
songs from the past like "Too Much," and "Vans Song."
A few dedicated fans grasped on to the
front of the stage singing with the band while receiving blows to their
skulls from the numerous stage divers.
Half way through the set, The Suicide Machines
played a new song "Sometimes I Don't Mind," from the band's new self-titled
album. The crowd seemed pleased to hear the new track, however the vibe
went mellow. There was still the bouncing of heads to the trendy beat,
however the mosh-pit attendance faded.
Other new songs from the new album, such
as "Permanent Holiday," "All Out" and "Sincerity" filled out The Suicide
Machines' play list. The up beat guitar riffs and soothing vocal melodies
gave the fans a preview of what to expect from the new album.
The people in the crowd looked as if they
enjoyed the new tunes that turned away from the old Suicide Machines' punk-ska
style.
"I am really excited and surprised about
the crowds reaction to the new stuff," said Navaro. "Our crowd is getting
older and they have to open their minds."
The Suicide Machines ended the set with
some more old school tunes. The intensity of the crowd grew while the band
played even harder and with more passion. |
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