CONCERT REVIEW

P.O.D. and Blindside
The Vic Theatre
Chicago, Ill.
June 2, 2004

Entertainment
Art

Story by MATTHEW SIEFERT
Photos by BRIAN MALCOLM

This isn't the first time that the San Diego reggae-rap-rock foursome P.O.D. and the Swedish hardcore quartet Blindside have toured together. Actually, they've been doing this for quite some time now. In fact, if you were to wander into a small nightclub or a miscellaneous festival in 1998, you might have been stumbling into a underground rock show that would soon be sweeping the nation with excessive radio play, TV time, record sales. And of course at the brink of rise in popularity this genre would have to be given a name; to which kids would then derogatorily coin the phrase nü-metal.

Thankfully, I think it's safe to say that the coast is clear on that term, by way of it hopefully making its permanent deletion from the rock language lexicon. With that, rap-metal has all but come and gone with the exception of a few bands. And those few bands, and some of those who were unfortunately lumped in with all the others, have managed to survive the impact. What is left are but a few rock bands that are still making records and touring extensively.

There is no question about what has shifted in the rock world these days as compared to just a few years ago. Even the atmosphere at the Vic Theater can tell that the climate of rock music has changed. With the Strokes, the White Stripes, and about 50 other bands riding on the coattails of the success of the Strokes and the White Stripes coming through Chicago these days I have to say, for better of for worse, it's a bit refreshing to see a rock band stick to their guns and more importantly continue to write significant music.

Blindside was first up to the task, as they took over the stage after openers Lacuna Coil and Hazen Street. Their opener "Eye of the Storm" was brought to force with the impressive vocal range from vocalist Christian Lindskog dueling with the band's heavy yet melodic song structure. Blindside played a few songs from 2002's Silence, while heavily debuting songs off their latest record, "About A Burning Fire."

Throughout the set Blindside brought the energy of a good live show making Bruce Lee-like jump kicks in the air, throwing around guitars over their shoulders, and standing high atop the monitors pleading for noise from the audience.

Meanwhile, a distinct few of us had our fingers crossed hoping that the song "Hooray, It's L.A." made its way into the set list. It was a long shot, but one could hope that hometown favorite Billy Corgan would take the stage and join Simon Grenehed on guitar duties. Unfortunately Corgan was MIA, and instead the band took a minute to talk about World Vision (an organization dedicated to helping impoverished children around the world) and then concluded with the chaotic "About A Burning Fire."

The largely anticipated P.O.D. capped off the night looking as poised as ever. New guitarist Jason Truby handled the old material with ease as well taking songs off of the new record to new heights.

Singer Sonny Sandoval's slight rasp to his voice made him more fit to give the mic to the crowd. For the band's anthemic "Youth of the Nation," Sandoval invited a few grade school kids in the audience on stage. Unfortunately, though, the assembled choir were too shy to sing the "We are, We are / The Youth of the Nation" on the chorus.

P.O.D. played songs off their latest record like "Wildfire", "Freedom Fighters", and "Execute the Sounds" as well as old favorites like the hard-hitting "Southtown," the punk funk jam "Without Jah, Nothin'," and the harmonious audience favorite "Alive".

In general the night stacked up quite like all the other P.O.D./Blindside shows of the past. What will be most intriguing is to see which direction they end up going musically. Whatever it is, lets be thankful that it won't most likely involve stealing old Stones and Kinks riffs, dawning ripped blue jeans and leather jackets, while cashing in on a tiring rock scene that is just waiting for an overthrow.