The “Predatour” 11/16/13

The “Predatour” rolled into The basement of Santos Party House Saturday night on their 2nd to last tour stop with Famous Last Words of InVogue Records co-headlining with Fearless/Outerloop Records own Ice Nine Kills. I rolled into the venue around 4pm as did all of the bands on this tour (NOTE: Chasing Safety, ERRA and Sirens & Sailors DO NOT have coverage. This is only for Famous Last Words and Ice Nine Kills), The main difference is that I have been good friends with ALL the band members in Famous Last Words and their management since I got to do my first photo-shoot in Baltimore, Maryland back in 2011/2012. That was also right after I shot my first concert (In case anyone cares to wonder that was the “Crush ‘Em All 2 Tour with Veil of Maya, Misery Signals & After The Burial) I basically got to hang out with my brothers before their showtime, catch up on good times and listen to new material.

The basement at Santos was NEVER in my resume before, as the main room was always the norm for me. There no photo pit areas in any section of the establishment that has stages to it, so working in crowds is the best I had to deal with. Famous Last Words had a twenty-five minute set (disappointed by the set time to be honest) which included only 5 songs. The set-list is as follows: “Welcome To The Show”, “Victim of the Virtuoso”, “To Play Hide & Seek with Jealousy”, “Voices” and “Legends & Legacies” all from their debut album “Two-Faced Charade” JT Tollas, the lead singer, has had a bit of bad luck with venues in this city as of this year. From bad PA systems to microphone malfunctions, it was a huge relief to see him actually play a set with no problems and not straining his voice. There is talent behind these men and they deserve the best. I see it, their growing fan base see’s it. All it needs is more time and more proof. There is much power behind his lyrics. Not only are they catchy, but they make SENSE and have logic behind them. The entire album is based on one entire premise which unfolds like a story. Although storyline albums are risky in sense due to many topics of discussion (premise, budget, execution etc etc.), Famous Last Words manages to play out their music not only with pride, but with emotional context that allow their fan base to mold their own interpretations of the source material. It is not in any form “general”, and the use of orchestrated instrumentation really brings out the music to add that special punch to the lyricism. Ethan Osborn, Craig Simons, Jesse Maddy and Tyler Myklebust all compose themselves with reserved fashion and in duality, reveal their personalities onstage with such ease. Not only that, but their welcoming attitudes off-stage when they take pictures with fans, sign autographs or participate in discussion is a breath of fresh air the music scene really needs. Sometimes, bands and their members forget why the fans go to concerts. Its not only to see them perform, but its also to remind them that they are at times respected and even worshiped for the indirect support they provide to the struggles of humanity within their fan base. People CARE, bottom line because of those moments. This is why to me, This band in particular is so close to my heart. The music is poignant, the personalities are radiant and the sound is has a sublimity that cannot be denied. The photos came out as I expected. Sharp highlighted purples and white flooded the small stage with JT reaching out to his fans and allowing them to participate with the songs. At the last song, The Tour Manager came out to do vocals with JT. Talk about one big happy family. Check out the work below along with their music video off the Two-Faced Charade “The Show Must Go On”

Onto our headliner “Ice Nine Kills” Now I never seen this band live but have heard of them a while back and when this tour came to fruition I was for one excited. Coming off their freshly signed contract with Fearless/Outerloop Records along with a brand new single out “Connect The Cuts” this band dug deep in the performance section. Lead Singer Spencer Charnas gave the crowd what they deserved. Mosh pitting, him personally crowd surfing on 2 different occasions and allowing fans to sing along with him. Those were all the cards in his hand which he play with spectacular fashion. I was in the front on the left side of the stage (if you are on stage its the left side) which to my surprise hoisted the bands lighting system. I was NOT pleased about my positioning in the crowd as there was NO photo pit but the lighting system included flood lights and white florescence. The night was saved. This show just kept getting better. Their 45-minute set included 10 songs, to one which JT of Famous Last Words got on stage to sing with Spencer to increase the madness in the crowd area. The lighting, the sound and their performance was top-notch, just as a headliner is expected to do. Even when the show ended, fans took photos with the band members and got to talk to everyone before they were all asked to leave by security and management of the venue. Fans ripped the guitar picks off the microphone stands when the Encore finished, it was dark enough and nobody really could do anything about it either. Little sneaks. The energy of the room was embraced and radiated across the entire floor. Their set-list is as follows: “Intro”, “Coffins”, “Buildings Burn”, “Father’s Day Intro”, “People”, “Connect The Cuts”, “Adel”, “6 Feet”, “Proximity” and “Greatest”  These guys are in full on onslaught mode. With a new album coming out January 2014 under their new label, a new single out right now and a performance of that caliber, 2014 looks to be shining bright for these individuals and the band as a whole. I can only hope for their continued success and prosperity into the new year. I am eager to see what more this band can do.

Please check out the Hi-Res photos below and on Flickr Also. Thank you for taking the time out to read this review.
—Derek Soto—
Photographer, Journalist

To See Flickr Hi-Res Photos CLICK HERE!!!

Music Video For Famous Last Words “The Show Must Go On”

Famous Last Words Gallery

Ice Nine Kills Gallery