(Photos and Review) Music as a Weapon Tour @ Yakima Valley Sundome

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St. Patty’s day in the Yakima Valley turned out to be the biggest rock party the Valley has ever seen, as the Music as a Weapon tour made its way to the Yakima Valley Sundome. The bill, which featured Korn and Disturbed co-headlining and Sevendust, In This Moment and Stillwell as the opening acts, proved to make a memorable St. Patty’s day. This was the first time in 3 years Yakima has had a rock show this big come to the Sundome and the fans couldn’t have been happier.

StillWell opened the show to a short set that got the crowd pumped. The side project of Fieldy from Korn and Wuv from P.O.D. had made a stop into the 94.5 KATS studio the day before to do an in-studio interview – a first for the band and a first for myself. In This Moment was up next with a stage full of theatrics and a microphone stand covered with doll heads. Lead singer Maria Brink and company showcased a raw metal sound that can only be heard to be explained. Sevendust was up next with a the patrons going nuts for Lajon Witherspoon and company. The band had recently played the Tri-Cities last summer during the “Carnival Of Madness” tour and for them to come to Yakima was a breath of fresh air. Disturbed made their way to the stage after an impromptu encore from Sevendust. This was probably the low point for the night as David Draiman was pitchy at times during the set, especially during “Prayer.” Other than that they still know how to put on a good show, to say the least.

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The moment everyone had waited for (including myself): Korn made their way to the stage kicking things of with “Blind”. Jonathan Davis’s vocals screaming “ARE YOU READY?” had the fans stomping the rafters to what felt like a mini earthquake. On top of that, what Korn concert (or St. Pattys Day) wouldn’t be complete without a little bagpipe action from Jonathan before busting into “Chutes and Ladders”? Korn never disappoints live and needless to say I still enjoy them today as I did when I was in high school.

The fact that Yakima needs more rock shows of this stature should grab the attention of bookers.

Review & photos by Xander Deccio

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KORN

Disturbed

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Sevendust

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In This Moment

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StillWell

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To see more, click the following links:

Korn
Disturbed
Sevendust
In This Moment
StillWell
StillWell 94.5 KATS In-Studio Interview

Videos: Akron/Family, Jessica 6 & Lazerbeak

Akron/Family will be in Seattle on March 24th at Neumos. Here’s a video of their song “Silly Bears” from their latest release, Akron/Family II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT. It’s got robots and bears in it!

Silly Bears by Akron/Family from Secretly Jag on Vimeo.


Akron/Family

New York’s Jessica 6 is actually a trio that includes the singer Nomi Ruiz. Their debut comes out in May – check out the video for “White Horse”:


Jessica 6 – photo by Marco Ovando

The video for Lazerbeak‘s “Dream Team” features jellyfish. It’s quite awesome, and fits the song in a strange way.

Lazerbeak “Dream Team” from Isaac Gale on Vimeo.


Lazerbeak – photo by Allison Allen

Photos: Chris Thomas King @ Jazz Alley

I had the privilege of hearing Grammy Award-winning, blues musician, Chris Thomas King at Jazz Alley on March 15th. Inspired by his father Tabby Thomas, Chris honed his skills as a teenager in his dad’s blues club. Not only is he a master of his incredibly soulful blues guitar, he has composed and acted in such movies as Oh Brother Where Art Thou and Ray. Listening to Chris Thomas King while enjoying a fine Manhattan in an upscale jazz club is a real slice of heaven.

Chris Thomas King
“The King of 21st Century Blues”

Photographer: John Rudolph