Sunday, September 23, 2007

Concert Review: Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Hinder at Nokia

By Kenneth Smith of 2K7 Photography

If you hear the term "Bad Boys of Rock Tour" you might be inclined to think that one of the infamous drugged-out 80's hair bands are coming through town. That, however, is not the case. This day and age, the Bad Boys are none other than Buckcherry, Papa Roach, and Hinder and they brought their tour to Grand Prairie's Nokia Theatre on Friday night.

Buckcherry graced the stage at around 7:40 pm to an already hyped up crowd and vocalist Josh Todd immediately began jumping and dancing around to the music. The most notable part of the set was the long build up and introduction of the bands huge hit "Crazy Bitch". For those that might not know, this song is an anthem to "crazy" women who, according to Todd, are quite good in bed. The crowd went nuts when the song started and people began pouring into the theater that had been out getting concessions, smoking or just waiting on that song.

Papa Roach followed Buckcherry and just as last time I saw them, vocalist Jacoby Shaddix had more energy then a 5 year old hopped up on sugar. He could rarely be seen standing still, constantly working the crowd. The entire theater was on their feet jumping and singing along to the very smoothly performed tracks. While performing their new single "Time Is Running Out" Shaddix jumped from the stage and ran up the isle and into the seated area. He finished the song from the crowd with a sea of fans around him singing along.

By the time Hinder took the stage the theater was packed. All but the top level which was closed off was full. The stage was empty and a white projection screen hung about midway back. The lights went dim and a giant video began showing on the screen. It showed the band getting off a private jet and into a limo, then being dropped off at a venue and going into their dressing room. The band were then shown taking shots with fans in the dressing room (the fans all happened to be female, and dressed in clothes the seemed to cover less then a bikini). The last shot was of the band walking to the stage before the screen dropped and low-and-behold, there they were. All on a giant catwalk that ran behind the drums.

The crowd screamed and surged forward as the set began. Vocalist Austin Winkler ran from side to side as the crowd reached forward to try and touch him. Half way through the set they performed a cover of Steppenwolf's "Born to be Wild" for which Papa Roach's Jacoby Shaddix joined Winlker on stage to sing. Afterwards, a mic stand that was covered in bras was brought out onto the stage before they began performing "Thing For You" (for which, drummer Cody Hanson played acoustic guitar). Winkler then announced the next song by saying "This song is about a 1 night stand" and then giving us all a lesson on exactly what a 1 night stand was. During the song (room 21) Winkler introduced each band member as the Papa Roach drummer Dave Buckner poured a shot into Hansons mouth from the catwalk above his drums. Also, I might have seen at least 2 more bras end up on stage by the end of the song. My guess is that the stand gets new additions each night.

After leaving the stage for about 2 minutes the band re-appeared (as did the bra-covered mic stand) to perform the smash hit "Lips of an Angel". The theater was lit up with cell phone screens and lighters as the crowd sang along. Last to be performed was "Get Stoned". I don't think that song needs much of a description. Everyone at the show seemed to be having a great time and I was too. The performances were great and who doesn't love this collective brand of not-too-hard, yet not-too-soft pure American rock music.

This review was submitted by a member of the Pegasus News community.

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