Overkill at The Webster, CT 9/26/14

Nothing beats a journey out of New York City. I don’t get to travel enough as a journalist, but when I do… I make sure its for a damn good reason. Local music machine “Driven Mad” successfully pulled off what was to be in my opinion, one of the BIGGEST endeavors pulled off by any local act I have shot in the past three years. With the main stage acquired at The Webster Theater in Hartford, Connecticut it would seem that the strength was already attained. But, the big payoff was opening for Thrash metal legends overkill and Los Angeles BY WAY OF NEW YORK CITY metal monsters, Prong. Never having been to The Webster was already a good thing. Cap off these three bands of domination, and I can assure you, this was the trip worth taking.

Driven Mad is currently based in NYC with Sam Walters as the current and only lead singer since its inception. This new project is from two ex-members of local tour de force “King Hell”, who have been disbanded since 2013.  From the high pitched voice to the energy, he quickly turned the crowd ON to a bloody madhouse. Running to the front of the audience, to starting mosh pits, to even having a man lift him up as he rode on his shoulders WHILE he sang, the amount of theatricality and enthusiasm is HIGHLY disturbing, yet entertaining. You just don’t freaking know whats going to happen next. And that’s the best part. The unpredictability makes the live show a non-stop riot. With songs like “Gripping The Third Rail”, “Dead Slow”, and “I am The Mountain”, there is a uniqueness I have not seen in any group for such a long time. This band is refreshing, ridiculous live, and full of talented members that don’t demand your attention, they just grab your throat and don’t let go until you find yourself reveling in the madness that is Driven Mad. Check out links to their work here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drivenmadmetal

Reverbnation: http://www.reverbnation.com/drivenmadmetal

Driven Mad Photo Gallery

Los Angeles monsters Prong were up next. Now I have not seen this band since 2012 when I first shot them for the rocks off concert series as it was entitled “Prong on a boat”. Prong had not played New York City in approximately five years, so that show was a big deal. Having made friends with all the band members since then, I was ecstatic to see them again. Bassist Jason Christopher and Lead Guitar/Vocals Tommy Victor, are a dynamic pair that almost makes me feel like I am watching a New York Hardcore concert all in itself (even though that’s not their genre of music). The consistent jumping, making fun of audience members and sheer delight of the chemistry on stage reminded me what I missed when I first saw their show two years ago. Remind you, a small boat equals a small stage. This revision of Prong not only took my photos to new heights, but my perspective on the band. Not only did I shoot them, but Jason brought me backstage to see Tommy and drummer Art again beforehand. It was refreshing to see them all doing so well and still kicking ass on stage. After the show, all the guys were around to sign autographs and take photos with their fans. I was grateful to see them again, and I will be shooting them when they come to NYC (which is suppose to be on September 30th, 2014). Check out the set-list below and all the photos posted.

Set-List:
For Dear Life
Unconditional
Ruining Lives
Cut-Rate
Revenge…Best Served Cold
Turnover
Another Worldly Device
Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck
Power Of The Damager

Prong Photo Gallery

Overkill… is just OVERKILL. The statement is all within itself, a band that has surpassed 30 years and has NOT shown signs of slowing down. With only three other photographers in the pit, I was a kid in a candy store. Bobby runs out the back like a madman gunning down his lyrics to White devil armory and flips me the bird (Photo provided), when he notices I am in front of his peripheral vision. I have shot overkill for three different occasions and have personally met and talked to Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth during those times. The man is pure genius and is the personification of character within the music community. Nobody can touch his technique, his emotional attachment to his fans, and his undying love for telling people “Fuck you”. There is simply, none like him, and that notion makes me a fan and a supporter of Overkill. They are easily one of my top live acts in my eyes and my favorite thrash music around (next to Anthrax of course). Each member (except the drummer because high drum kit risers and fog machines are the devil to me and I have not gotten a clear shot of him since) manages to bring their personality to the table and a crowd interaction that is not surpassed. The sweat, the laughter, and the joy they see when the fans go ballistic, are all the reasons why doing this for 30 years doesn’t even feel like a job anymore. Bobby even congratulated the fans for taking White Devil Armory into the Billboard Top 40 (placing #31). The show, the spirit and the conviction of Overkill goes strong. My photos though, make it stronger. Congratulations to Overkill on breaking Billboard Top 40 and check out the set-list below and all the photos posted.

Set-List:
XDM
Armorist
Overkill
Electric Rattlesnake
Wrecking Crew
Black Daze
Rotten to the Core
Bring Me the Night
End of the Line
Long Time Dyin’
Under One
Pig
Hello From the Gutter
Ironbound

Encore:
Bitter Pill
Elimination
Fuck You

Overkill Photo Gallery

See you all on the flip side rockers!!

–Derek Soto–