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Silverstein At House Of Blues Sunset: Review

Michelle Tiu |
January 31, 2015 | 1:00 p.m. PST

Associate Entertainment Editor

Josh Bradford and Shane Told of Silverstein (Michelle Tiu / Neon Tommy)
Josh Bradford and Shane Told of Silverstein (Michelle Tiu / Neon Tommy)
Friday night, Canadian post-hardcore band Silverstein took over the House of Blues on Sunset Boulevard as part of their "Discovering the Waterfront" 10 Year Anniversary Tour.

Although the 2015 tour mostly celebrates the tenth anniversary of the band's second album "Discovering the Waterfront" (2005), this year also marks fifteen years together, along with the beginning of a new chapter as Silverstein has just finished recording their highly anticipated eighth record "I Am Alive In Everything I Touch," which comes out on May 15.

For this very special occasion, the band was joined by four (yes, that's right - FOUR) supporting acts: My Iron Lung, Major League, Hands Like Houses, and Beartooth.

These up-and-coming post-hardcore and punk groups all helped set the evening's tone thanks to their never-ending energy onstage. Kamron Bradbury of Beartooth even surfed the crowd while playing guitar during his band's set!

When Silverstein finally came onstage, the band kicked off their set with the single that started it all - "Smashed Into Pieces" from 2003's "When Broken Is Easily Fixed."

The Canadian five-piece played many of their biggest hits over the years, including "Massachusetts" from their previous album "This Is How the Wind Shifts" (2013) and "Vices" from "A Shipwreck In the Sand" (2011). 

READ MORE: Silverstein Shines On New Record 'This Is How The Wind Shifts'

Silverstein also played their brand new single "A Midwestern State of Emergency," which was released a little over two weeks ago.

But ultimately, the night was all about celebrating "Discovering the Waterfront," so Silverstein quickly shifted gears (complete with a new backdrop featuring the album's cover art) and began playing the classic record in its entirety.

In a way, lead singer Shane Told said, this concert in Los Angeles was "almost like a hometown show for the record" because the band had recorded parts of the the album in the city's historic Capitol Records building.

From the "Romeo and Juliet"-inspired "Your Sword Versus My Dagger" to "Smile In Your Sleep" and "My Heroine" (still one of the band's most well-known songs to date), the men of Silverstein put on a show that sounded exactly like the studio version released ten years ago, making it hard to believe that so much time has passed since fans first gave the album a listen in 2005.

Told smoothly transitioned from clean vocals to harsh screams, which is always impressive given the high risk of vocalists destroying their vocal cords in this particular genre of music. Guitarists Josh Bradford and Paul Marc Rosseau, bassist Billy Hamilton, and drummer Paul Koehler also gave some of the best instrumental performances of their lives.

The band's boundless energy easily flowed into the audience members as well - all of whom were singing, head banging, fist pumping, crowd surfing, and moshing the night away.

READ MORE: Night Terrors Of 1927 At The Roxy: Review

Ending their set with a half-acoustic performance of "Call It Karma," Silverstein clearly brought the house down with this unforgettable live performance, further cementing their place at the forefront of the post-hardcore and punk music scenes, as well as amping up the anticipation for their upcoming record.

And with all the recent band drama going on in the media, it's nice to see a band that's stuck through thick and thin together with a consistent and (mostly) unchanged lineup. We have a feeling that these guys will be around for a very long time.

Silverstein Setlist

  1. "Smashed Into Pieces"
  2. "Massachusetts"
  3. "Sacrifice"
  4. "Stand Amid the Roar"
  5. "Vices"
  6. "Giving Up"
  7. "A Midwestern State of Emergency"
  8. "Bleeds No More"
  9. "Your Sword Versus My Dagger"
  10. "Smile In Your Sleep"
  11. "Ides of March"
  12. "Fist Wrapped In Blood"
  13. "Discovering the Waterfront"
  14. "Defend You"
  15. "My Heroine"
  16. "Always and Never"
  17. "Already Dead"
  18. "Three Hours Back"
  19. "Call It Karma"

Reach Associate Entertainment Editor Michelle Tiu here and follow her on Twitter.

 



 

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