Tonight's show was called "Night Out On The Town" and was sponsored by Miller Genuine Draft. It featured a couple of the hottest new bands, Seether & Trapt, whose music is seeing heavy rotation on modern rock stations like 106.7 KROQ and 100.1 The Edge. It was an early sold out show and I had to get there early so I could grab one of the few barstools in the joint. With that accomplished I started getting my camera gear going when the band Smile Empty Soul came on. I wasn't aware that there was another band so I had to load the film (disk?) and grab some quick shots. This band kicked some ass with their semi-grunge kind of sound and I enjoyed their high-energy. I talked with the bass player for a few minutes after the show and learned that they are local (Santa Clarita), have a new CD out on a major label, and they are getting some airplay. The bass player promised me some info. but by press time but hadn't received anything. Don't I bitch about this a lot?

After a quick turnaround Seether hit the stage and really boosted the adrenaline. This band out of South Africa is fronted by singer/guitarist Shaun Morgan who writes most of the music, which deals with the trials and tribulations of life. The only song of theirs that I am familiar with is their radio hit "Driven Under" with its brooding melody and dark lyrics. That song kind of reminded me a little of Bush but the majority of the rest of their material was much heavier with some serious head-banging going on. Songs like Gasoline and Hang On have actually got me convinced to go out and buy the CD. I don't buy many CD's so for me to go to the store and purchase this one is testimony to how much I enjoyed the set. This band rocks and everybody must go to their website at www.seether.com and see for yourself. I command you!

Topping off the night was the northern California based Trapt. Famous for their song "Headstrong" I would classify their music as modern punk rock. The set started off a little slow and the P.A. stopped for awhile but once they got it up and going again things started rocking. The vocalist, Chris Brown, was energetic and animated and put on quite a show. Putting all his emotion into his singing you could tell he really felt the music. It's a shame that the rest of the band couldn't match his energy. I don't know if they were having a bad night or playing at the limit of their skill but they were definitely not keeping pace with the vocalist. Since the show I have had a chance to listen to their debut CD "Trapt" and it is well done with tons of energy. This tells me that the band has the energy, but not tonight. I also visited their website at www.trapt.com and found it very cool with all the info and downloads a fan could want. If you want to download a piece of me then go to www.revnkevin.com and grab a chunk.