The first of two local openers for The Urge was The Adam Hansbrough Band. Their music was mostly instrumental with the keyboardist singing one song and Steve Ewing from The Urge singing their last song. They played a style of jazz/funk/blues jam music. The second act was a local band by the name of Unifyah. Featuring 9 members, they were quite the wall of sound. Their music style could be considered funky reggae. Both bands were very fun and easy to listen to.
Then it was time to PTMFUS and everyone knew it! After a three peat of Super Freak on the house music, the crowd was getting anxious with excitement. As soon as they started playing, I got it. I got why they have such a dedicated following. Their live performances are incredible. They are energetic, enthusiastic and each member brings something unique and is fun to watch in their own way. On top of being highly entertaining, they sounded amazing live. All of the musicians are great and Steve's voice is crystal clear. The stage set up was very unique and really awesome. There were 5 scaffolding beams that came from the back of the stage to out over the crowd that held lights and smoke machines. The Urge always has a great light show, but this added an extra element to the show because sometimes the lighting effects were all around you. The Urge's music is very up beat, high energy and anytime that things kind of slowed down, they picked it right back up the very next song to maximize the moshing time. Anyone who thinks that people only mosh at heavy metal concerts have clearly never heard of The Urge. As soon as the first note of the concert hit, about 15-20 people were moshing on the floor. The mosh pit hit it's peak during perhaps The Urge's heaviest song (and one of my favorites) Straight to Hell. But immediately following this very heavy song (basically a metal song), The Urge followed it up with a "ballad" in Closer. Despite it being a fan favorite, the crowd was anxious for Closer to be over so that they could continue dancing or moshing.
As the show was coming to a close it was obvious that the last four songs were going to be some combination of their most popular songs (It's Getting Hectic, All Washed Up, Jump Right In) and a Bob Marley cover (One Love), but I was hoping for a drum solo by John Pessoni. For those that don't know, John is basically the best kept musical secret in St. Louis. He has more talent in one hand than most musicians around the world. He sings. He drums with furious pace and precision. I've even seen him play guitar. As those four songs were played, my chances of getting to see a solo got smaller and smaller until BAM! it happened during band introductions in the middle of It's Getting Hectic. We were treated to a few minutes of drum solo from the great John Pessoni. I was satisfied. All that was left was a few more hectic (seriously) lines from It's Getting Hectic to get what dance moves, moshing, and sweat was left of the crowd.
They don't play often, but if you're a fan of anything remotely close to rock, funk, metal, or ska, you HAVE to check out The Urge.
PTMFUS!!!!!
Check out Todd Morgan's concert pictures of the show at Back Beat Photography.
Then it was time to PTMFUS and everyone knew it! After a three peat of Super Freak on the house music, the crowd was getting anxious with excitement. As soon as they started playing, I got it. I got why they have such a dedicated following. Their live performances are incredible. They are energetic, enthusiastic and each member brings something unique and is fun to watch in their own way. On top of being highly entertaining, they sounded amazing live. All of the musicians are great and Steve's voice is crystal clear. The stage set up was very unique and really awesome. There were 5 scaffolding beams that came from the back of the stage to out over the crowd that held lights and smoke machines. The Urge always has a great light show, but this added an extra element to the show because sometimes the lighting effects were all around you. The Urge's music is very up beat, high energy and anytime that things kind of slowed down, they picked it right back up the very next song to maximize the moshing time. Anyone who thinks that people only mosh at heavy metal concerts have clearly never heard of The Urge. As soon as the first note of the concert hit, about 15-20 people were moshing on the floor. The mosh pit hit it's peak during perhaps The Urge's heaviest song (and one of my favorites) Straight to Hell. But immediately following this very heavy song (basically a metal song), The Urge followed it up with a "ballad" in Closer. Despite it being a fan favorite, the crowd was anxious for Closer to be over so that they could continue dancing or moshing.
As the show was coming to a close it was obvious that the last four songs were going to be some combination of their most popular songs (It's Getting Hectic, All Washed Up, Jump Right In) and a Bob Marley cover (One Love), but I was hoping for a drum solo by John Pessoni. For those that don't know, John is basically the best kept musical secret in St. Louis. He has more talent in one hand than most musicians around the world. He sings. He drums with furious pace and precision. I've even seen him play guitar. As those four songs were played, my chances of getting to see a solo got smaller and smaller until BAM! it happened during band introductions in the middle of It's Getting Hectic. We were treated to a few minutes of drum solo from the great John Pessoni. I was satisfied. All that was left was a few more hectic (seriously) lines from It's Getting Hectic to get what dance moves, moshing, and sweat was left of the crowd.
They don't play often, but if you're a fan of anything remotely close to rock, funk, metal, or ska, you HAVE to check out The Urge.
PTMFUS!!!!!
Check out Todd Morgan's concert pictures of the show at Back Beat Photography.
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