Otep’s “With A Vengeance” Tour 10/17/13
New York City has been home to many a memory in ANY genre of music for years. This event is NO different as Munsey Ricci of Skateboard Marketing LTD. held his annual showcase at The Marlin Room of Webster Hall for CMJ Music Marathon. In case you are ill-informed, CMJ Holdings inc. hold a yearly music showcase in the New York City during the month of October specially tailored to college radio stations and magazines across the United States and Canada. Last year Geoff Tate of QueensScrythe was the headliner along with local talent Killcode. This year, it was this whole “Otep” tour with “Stolen Babies” and Century Media artists “New Years Day” the BEST surprise was finding out E-one Entertainment recording artists “Fit For An Autopsy” was also on the bill. I was ELATED to discover this as well as be part of the “Stolen Babies” family and seeing them all once again. I have shot Stolen Babies twice before, this night being the 3rd. There is NO coverage of New Years Day here, only Fit For An Autopsy, Stolen Babies and Otep.
My first review goes to Fit For An Autopsy, who gave me amazing photos. The band is coming off a current release called “Hellbound” under Eone Entertainment. There set was rather short but they pack a punch live. I was very enthralled by the set and even though I have the album, I received a new stimulant which my ears needed. My “Full Effect” philosophy is good album, good live band, good people. That trifecta gives me the incentive to go all out for who I feel is genuinely human in the entertainment industry. I managed to talk to Nate (Lead Singer) , Shane (Bassist) and Jose (Drummer) after the show. All who I have photos with (See below) Their set, being short as it was, was disappointing to me but gives me all the reason to see them again. I was floored. Their set-list included the following in the photo provided below.
Stolen Babies are one of my crown jewels of music I TRULY love. Their approach to music and obscurity with their live set are ALWAYS entertaining. I discovered this band last year at Irving Plaza the same time I discovered the mighty Devin Townsend. I could NOT stop listening to either one, ESPECIALLY Stolen Babies. Love Love Love is all I can say about this band. It was ultimately their plan to get me onto this show, so believe me when I say, I consider them all family very much 🙂 Stolen Babies opened their set at 8:30pm to anxious fans. To the fanbase surprise the first song was their actual music video (found below) “Second Sleep” It was almost as if I was hit with a barrage of images from the music video. When you can envision the video work of a single, you know the material is STELLAR. There is a sense of “wonder” hearing this tune. It is almost obvious as to play this song first on the set-list as it CATCHES the ears of fans and people interested in the direction of their music. “Splatter”, “Philastata”, “Tall Tales”, “Table Scrap”, “Mouse Food”, “Never Come Back” and “Spill” rounded off the set-list for the night. No actual photo of the set-list as Ms. Persi stated to me it was all “Memorized” I managed to get my photo autographed by her after their set as she came out to greet fans and take photos. You can see it all down below.
Otep. Yes, the one word N.Y.C goes crazy about and always seems throw me into complete disarray when her mosh pits begin. She has been notorious for playing shows at Webster Hall (I.E, The Studio and now The Marlin Room) so this tour stop comes as no surprise to me. I honestly would love to see her play bigger venues but she still has alot of energy in the tank to accomplish this for the future. This was my third time shooting Otep live and meeting their brand new bassist. I have met Otep before in the past in a quick meet and greet she usually does at the end of her sets, but I always found a bond with Ari, her guitarist, more than anything. There’s a sense of unity within her style of music. In a commanding sense, she compels her fans to the current issues facing the United States today. As a fellow poet listening to her belief system within the stanzas of her writing I am usually impressed with the material she releases. Still reveling off her current release “Hydra”, Otep continues to bring the best out of her fans and leaves them wanting more each and every time. I remember framing a photo to snap and suddenly a mosh pit began in the center of the floor. Its those instances where I am running for my life (or equipment actually), than just enjoying the feeling of being alive. Don’t get me wrong, there are moments of energy where I wish to hit the pit. However, spending money on cameras that are COSTLY to repair is a sacrifice I DO NOT TAKE. Since there was no photo pit in The Marlin Room (Or any other floor in Webster Hall at that), many of the photos were far off crowd interactions. As I have shot many up-close photos before, This tour meant something to the FAN BASE more than ever mainly because Otep Shamaya was NOT returning to the tour grounds. Guess she does like keeping us on our toes eh?? Check out the photo galleries below, the set-list (Photo taken by Ari from my Iphone) and the photo Ari autographed for me that I shot last year. Thank you for reading and once more, I would also like to thank Munsey Ricci on his success for this year’s CMJ showcase, created by Skateboard Marketing LTD.
Check out The Hi-Res Full Gallery of all bands on the flickr link provided: CLICK HERE
Fit For An Autopsy Gallery
STOLEN BABIES Gallery
Otep Gallery
