Purrrrphery PLEZ!!! 2/12/15

Nothing says the start of a massive press day, like beginning your morning with a drum clinic. Periphery drummer Matt Halpern held a special Thursday edition drum clinic at the recently built Guitar Center in Times Square. Although the scheduled time was for 12pm, Matt was already in the room preparing for the clinic. Compared to this clinic, other musicians did not appear until their scheduled time. Fortunately for Periphery fans, Matt was very friendly and conversational to the patrons who skipped work or school to be there earlier than expected. For me however, this was my job haha. If you arrived around 11:30am, you got a full two hour clinic. If you arrived at 12pm, it was only an hour and a half. The impromptu arrival at 11:30am was worth waking up early for. Matt discussed his democratic reasoning with the crowd as Periphery maintains equal credibility and talent alignment in songs. His word of the day was “pulse” as that was spoken more than Peyton Manning use to say Omaha. Interdependence of limbs and grooves have been the core of his style. Many members of the clinic were members of last summers drum camp in Asbury Park, NJ, so it was a mini reunion of sorts. His humor and humbleness was very noticeable during the two hour clinic, and at the end he signed quick autographs before running off to Sirius XM for an interview. Matt Halpern’s passion is outlined by his ability to listen and conscientiously detail the notions of writing and structuring democratic values with the band. He also compared his teachings and styling to everyday life. In one example, he told drummers who have trouble with practicing and breaking blocks is to practice nursery rhymes. The ability to use simple rhythms and melodies in different combinations was the best practice possible. You can use different tempos and recycle till you find the one that fits your desired needs. The man is open and in tune with people as well as his music. This ability to blend, has allowed him to be the man he is. For me, watching him work and train drummers of the future was a nice psychological lesson for me. It was one I won’t forget. The photos are jointed with Periphery’s live show down below.

NOW ONTO THE SHOW!

Sumerian Records “BIG 4” roster members (least they are in my big 4 bands on the label) Periphery, released a monstrous 16 song, 2 album catalog called “Juggernaut” recently. Enclosed in that box set is The Beginning (Alpha) and The End (Omega) with one album enclosed with a DVD documentary of behind the scenes material and one album having an art book. The Juggernaut tour rolled out with Wovenwar (ex-As I Lay Dying and Oh, Sleeper!), and Nothing More. There will be no coverage of Thank You, Scientist for this review.

Wovenwar’s 30 minute set was disappointing. I’m getting that out the way now. The poor lighting and short set-list consisting of only six songs (excluding the intro) left more to be desired. I understand that they are new and this is their first tour to come across NYC, but COME ON. All of those guys up there have proved they can play a 45 minute + set and yet we get teased with a short set? Never the less, the band was kick ass. Shane Blay and Josh Gilbert’s chemistry as bassist/vocalist and guitarist/vocalist is something to be seen with your own two eyes. I found myself singing to the songs All Rise and Death To Rights while I shot my photos. Nick Hipa, Phil Sgrosso and Jordan Mancino I have seen on stage time and time again, so their show was no different than what I experienced in the past. Energetic, fun and full of laughs. I was very happy to see them continue trucking as a musical family. But the overall experience was lackluster. THEIR SHOW IS NOT LACKLUSTER, but my expectations for their set should of been longer and treated with more respect by the venue. The lights ruined it for me. End of story.

Wovenwar Set-list:

Wovenwar Photos:

Nothing More got the better end of the stick here. The Eleven Seven records boys, who hail from San Antonio and New Orleans, combined their cultural aspects into their show with one of energy, resilience and power. With a bass drum near Jonny Hawkins microphone stand, the front man focused his attention in specific sections of the set. He was on fire. Without a shout of a doubt each member fed off their energies in a cohesive fashion. Ramp up better lighting to a longer set time and you have a win-win situation. My first impression was one left to be desired. But as the set went on (and this goes for almost every show I go to), after the photographers leave the pit it becomes more of a monstrous circus which eye cannot be pulled away from. I was one of those spectators. I found myself going from “Ive seen this before,” to “holy s**t I haven’t.” Nothing More proved their dominance as direct support at Irving that night, the audience believed it so… and so do I.

Nothing More Set-list:

Nothing More Photos:

Finally the juggernaut’s. Periphery opened up their one hour and twenty minute show with a new and improved lighting system as well as new and improved hair for lead singer Spencer Sotelo. The captain of the U.S.S Periphery dawn a pink colored Mohawk and a new persona entirely. Far from what I witnessed when I experienced them the first time. This Juggernaut fueled set-list included songs like Alpha, 22 Faces, The Bad Thing, Graveless and Psychospehere while simultaneously mixing some Periphery II songs like Ragnarok, Scarlet, Ji, Make Total Destroy and the classic Icarus Lives! which is NOT on that album. Periphery clears room for pits and surfers with the snap of fingers. Six sets of fingers at that with 3 guitarists, 1 bass player, 1 drummer and a vocalist. Its not called the Juggernaut Tour for no reason. All the bands that graced the stage brought out their best and yet I still will ALWAYS look forward to seeing Periphery, Wovenwar and Nothing More. This was a classic example of fluidity and unison between all representing parties. Boy I tell ya, it was one HELL of a party.

Periphery Set-list:

Periphery Photos:

See you rockers on the flip side!
—Derek Soto—