This past Tuesday night Five Finger Death Punch, Breaking Benjamin, Nothing More and Bad Wolves brought their tour through the Bay Area to play an epic show at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View. When most of the summer tours were announced earlier this year, this is one of the main ones I was looking forward on seeing the most. The lineup consist of some of the biggest hitters in today’s active rock genre. I always feel it’s important for myself and other rock fans in the Bay Area to attend these type of concerts, to show support and fill up the venue, that way these bands will have a reason to keep coming back for years to come. Sure, we are spoiled here in the Bay Area because every year so many tours come through, as expected since we are large market in the country. While most of these tours are classic rock acts, I have seen most of those bands live at point or another. So it’s refreshing to see newer, younger bands come through that are leading the charge to keep rock alive and well.
I was stuck in traffic and by the time I arrived to the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, I missed Bad Wolves set. I was so bummed because I really wanted to see them live. Bad Wolves has been blowing up over the last few months with the cover of The Cranberries classic “Zombie.” I will make sure to catch them at this year’s Aftershock Festival in Sacramento. As I walked into the venue Nothing More were on stage and while I didn’t know too much about them they put on a fun stage show. Lead singer Jonny Hawkins brought out this huge contraption called “The Scorpion Tail” that he stood on to sing into to change his voice with different effects.
Breaking Benjamin came out next and once again blew me away. Ever since Breaking Benjamin reformed with a new lineup in 2014 and I finally saw them live for the first time at the Aftershock Festival in 2015, they keep getting better and better every time I see them. Maybe it’s from the fact they have been together for a few years now, but I can tell they are having fun playing live with one another. Everyone in the band compliments each other and while Ben Burnley has a powerful voice, Keith Wallen and Aaron Bruch provide amazing backup vocals that adds another layer to their live sound. I’m a big fan of Breaking Benjamin’s heavy rock but can incorporate deep melodic tones and notes to give their music such catchy songs. I loved their setlist, great mixture of their classic hits plus new songs from their latest album “Ember.”
Five Finger Death Punch went on last and once again delivered an action packed set. I was happy they played a lot of their big radio hits in the first half of their set because I had to leave early and get to bed ASAP since I had to get up for the morning show at 4am the next day. Five Finger Death Punch have a new album out now called “And Justice For None” that they are touring in support of. While a lot of hard rock and metalheads can be critical of Five Finger Death Punch and say their style of metal is very mainstream, I say who cares. If a band can help keep rock relevant and get radio love and do their part to keep rock music reaching the masses, that’s a win in my book. I like their heavy, in your face sound that also has a catchy, sing along aspect to it.
Thank you to all the bands for putting on a fun show and I look forward on seeing all them again next time they come through the Bay Area.
Listen to Baby Huey and Chasta’s interview with Five Finger Death Punch bassist Chris Kael.
Here are some photos Baby Huey took from Breaking Benjamin’s set:
Here are some videos Baby Huey filmed from Breaking Benjamin’s set:
Follow Breaking Benjamin here.
Here are some photos Baby Huey took from Five Finger Death Punch’s set:
Here are some videos Baby Huey filmed from Five Finger Death Punch’s set:
Follow Five Finger Death Punch here.