Appetite for Construction
Stabler Arena, Bethlehem, PA
Friday November 16, 2007
Local Crew

I had the privilege of working local crew for this show so I decided to do a sort of photo journal about the experience to help others understand what goes on before and after a show. Before I start, my disclaimer is that I used my cheap camera and since I was working, I could not take a lot of time to get the best pictures. Stick around to the end of the article for photos taken during the concert with a better camera.

The work began at about 9 AM with unloading the first of two tractor-trailers. Before we began, the tour crew, normally holding some form of caffeinated beverage, assessed the stage area so they would have a better understanding how to set up for the show. Many of the crew looked liked they just woke up. They have long days as the load in begins early in the morning and load out ends early the next morning.

Their first album in nearly three years, Switchfoot have said Hello Hurricane has been the hardest record they have ever made. The band tracked over 80 songs out of 150 written, the end result being 12 remarkably cohesive tracks. Between the aggressive rock numbers and powerful ballads, Hello Hurricane is a solid release embodying tales of struggle and loss intertwined with the overlying theme of hope and love. Their seventh studio release, Switchfoot prove their music is as important now than ever.

Much of America these days is, as it always has been, defined by the coasts.  The East Coast is the birthplace of America and the original states as well as the worldwide leaders in fashion and commerce. The west coast brought new avenues of trade, the gold rush, and now the worldwide leaders in technology and entertainment.

Although this is the image of America that many around the world hold, there are the unsung heroes of these United States.  These more simple folks work hard just to keep food on the table for their families.  They don't go down to the club on a Saturday night; they just stop by the bar for a drink with a few friends or sit on the front porch.

Thankfully, the honoring of these unsung heroes has continued through the decades of pop music, from Woody Guthrie to Credence Clearwater Revival on through John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen, and Tom Petty.  One band continuing this rich tradition is Seymour, Indiana's The Elms and their latest album, The Great American Midrange.

A few years back, I remember standing in the massive crowd at Creation Festival waiting for a band by the name of BarlowGirl to take the stage. There were a group of guys standing right behind me. I remember these guys making comments about having to stand through a "chick band" so that they wouldn't lose their spot for a later set they were waiting for.

BarlowGirl's set began, and it was great as always. I couldn't help but over hear those same guys from before the show, only now the comments changed to ones such as "Dude, they were so good!" Believers they now are.

Alright, close your eyes for a second. Imagine a hot summer day, surrounded by thousands of other sweaty, worn-out teen and college-age concertgoers. A guy sporting a slick hat steps up to the stage and begins to swoon the audience with a song that brings John Mayer to mind. He then  stands up, moves his wooden stool out of the way and somehow easily transitions into a hip hop track, jumping and bouncing all over the stage. Who else could do this, but Gotee’s fairly new artist, B-Reith.

Since we sat down with Matt Carter (guitar, vocals) and Josh Head (keyboards, vocals) of Emery at last year’s Purple Door Arts and Music Festival, the band has been busy.  Between touring and releasing an EP last fall, with a follow up full-length disc which hit the streets in June of this year, we wonder how they find time to spend with their families.  While inReview is getting ready to set sail on another Purple Door event, Emery is headlining a tour in support of their most recent release, … In Shallow Seas We Sail.  These veterans of the music scene spoke to inReview in this exclusive interview.

Approximately six years ago, The Classic Crime was born. This alternative rock band provides a little bit of musical brilliance for everyone. With a mixture of powerful vocals, great instrumental compositions and thought-provoking lyrics, this West Coast act is gaining national ground. "I guess we don't have many fans on the East Coast," vocalist Matt MacDonald shared before our interview at a meagerly attended New Jersey show, that also happened to be inconveniently scheduled on Father's Day. But if my estimations are correct, that fan count will soon be changing as they play a few large festivals this summer, including Cornerstone and Creation East.

Matt, along with Alan Clark (bass), Robert Negrin (guitar), Paul "Skip" Erickson (drums), and Justin DeQue (guitar), comprise the five-piece band. Listen in to what Matt had to share with inReview:

Tonight's hot off the press news comes from Relient K's Myspace blog.  Matt Thiessen logged on to tell fans they started recording a new record today with Mark Lee Townsend wearing the Producer hat at Dark Horse Recording studios outside of Nashville.  Next is a trip to California with John Feldmann at the helm.  A short west coast tour is planned for May.

Mark Nicks of Cool Hand Luke posted a detailed blog today on Myspace.  Sitting down at a coffee shop in Nashville with his wife, apparently people he knew kept walking in and asking him what was up with the band.  This prompted Mark to send out the latest news.  In short, upcoming shows are planned near Nashville, but without a band.  Mark will perform old and new Cool Hand Luke songs and play the piano.  For various reasons, his recent bandmates have left the band.  Despite this, Mark says Cool Hand Luke is not done and he hopes to tour to areas where the band has not been recently.  Furthermore, Mark is working on new music.

Meet Me In Motion - a band fairly new to the Christian music scene, but poised to quickly move up in the ranks. Comprised of three stellar guys, and based out of Columbus, Ohio, Me In Motion is off to a great start. And it sure doesn't look like they'll be slowing down anytime soon.

Let's begin with some introductions. Seth Mosley, lead vocalist and guitar player, is the one who started the band. When? Nobody seems to be exactly sure, but the consensus is that it was about two years ago. "I had been working in the studio as a producer for a couple of years, and knew for a fact that I couldn't sit down in one place for a long time. I just love the spontaneity of being on the road for a long time and meeting lots of cool people and playing music that reaches out to people," says Seth. When I asked him what he would like the fans to know, he replied with a very important fact. "If you ever come see us at a show and want to give us any presents, we really like Mamba candy."