Hot Alternative Powerhouse Godsmack Rocks Audience
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Page 24 THE RETRIEVER WEEKLY FEATURES December 2, 2003 Mike Myers Amazes in The Interesting New Screen Version Of Dr. Seuss’ Classic The Cat from THE CAT IN THE HAT, page 22 hoe…that was dirty. In another question- meaning additions, which has been done to able scene, the Cat spoofs on television the Dr. Seuss’s original manuscript. For cooking shows only to accidentally cut off example, the children’s mom, played by his tail and scream, “Son of a Bit-” before Kelly Preston, is dating the deceitful next the movie cut to a quick commercial break. door neighbor Lawrence Quinn, performed Joining Myers, Baldwin, and Preston by Alec Baldwin. is Sean Hayes, better known as Jack from There are also several scenes hilarious NBC’s hit show Will and Grace. Hayes per- enough to be considered questionable in a forms two different but strikingly similar “children’s movie,” such as the Cat scream- characters in Mr. Humberfloob, the Mom’s ing “Dirty Hoe” presumably at the dog he neat freak boss, and the children’s pet Fish, is chasing, only to bend over and pick up a who learns to talk only to lecture the chil- dren about what their mother would not approve of. Spencer Breslin, playing unruly Conrad, and nine- year-old Dakota Fanning, (I am Sam) playing his control freak sister Sally, also give good performances in the Anita Field / Retriever Weekly Staff movie, aside from the fact And The Crowd Goes Wild: Concert goers got the full force of Godsmack’s that I spent a significant por- enthusiasm and returned it two-fold. tion of time secretly wishing that the Cat would smack the annoying lisp out of Conrad. Hot Alternative Powerhouse The Cat in the Hat will be a movie without a home at Blockbusters. While not Godsmack Rocks Audience exactly a typical children’s from GODSMACK, page 21 movie, it is a far cry from sometimes psychedelic compositions. Shrek. Although I definitely Artista before even playing a single live This included a segment set to an ethe- would not recommend pay- show. Featuring every modern rock real video where guitarist Tony Rambola ing money to watch it, it is cliché, right down to a bald member of played hypnotic aural textures on his genuinely entertaining and is the group who has a long goatee and instrument with a violin bow, accompa- a good waste of about 90 “chin-bangs,” Adema may be the most nied by otherworldly screaming from minutes if you ever come carbon copy rock band on MTV right singer Sully Erna. across it on HBO and are now. For a band so rooted in radio-friend- Courtesy Of Universal Pictures sick of watching your However, the group was quite enter- ly hits, it was interesting that at least a Acting Out: New Stories, New Tricks, In the form of FRIENDS. season three col- taining live. Adema’s sound is reason- third of Godsmack’s set was instrumen- a Flick. Old Cat, New Hat, and That is That,. lection. ably pop friendly nu-metal, with no lack tal. Unlike many of their nu-metal of catchy hooks. Singer Chavez did not brethren, Godsmack’s musicians can have much in the way of stage charisma, actually play their instruments, even but has a very good voice for the genre. including real heavy metal guitar solos Overall, the crowd seemed to enjoy the in many of their songs. One particularly band’s set that included semi-hits like exciting instrumental involved the band “Immortal” and “Unstable.” employing two drum kits for a rhythmic Despite the opening band’s best tribal drumming solo that recalled the attempts at distraction, the Fieldhouse sound of alternative legends Course of crowd was clearly here for Godsmack. Empire. The headliners did not disappoint, send- Frontman Sully was not particularly ing the packed crowd into frenzy from polite to the UMBC crowd, but proved the very first moment. to be a formidable vocalist and a multi- Originating from the Boston alter- talented instrumentalist. Godsmack’s native scene, Godsmack broke big in lyrics get quite pedestrian, but Sully has 1998 with their triple-platinum self- a voice that makes them work, convey- titled debut. Mixing metal with grunge ing surprising conviction and sincerity. and some industrial influences, The frontman also served as a solid Godsmack has always embraced darker rhythm guitarist, and proved surprising- imagery and misanthropic lyrics while ly apt as a second drummer. remaining reasonably commercial- Sully Erna has said in interviews friendly. Compared to the popular music that “Godsmack is the new Metallica” – scene of today, the band’s sound is quite a presumptuous statement, but one that out of fashion and the group’s last may actually be true. Godsmack has the album, Faceless, was not particularly same general style and working class Movie Tickets...$0 well received. appeal as Metallica, and both bands’ New CD’s...$0 Judging by the UMBC crowd, recent albums have been poorly Godsmack remains a significant draw received. Concert Tickets...$0 live. Clearly a hardworking, profession- They also both appear to draw a Rockstar Interviews...$0 al band, Godsmack was supported by a similarly age diverse audience. The Backstage Passes...$0 dynamic live setup that utilized video Fieldhouse show had a surprising num- backdrops, mesmerizing laser lights, and ber of loyal fan attendees that appeared Writing for TRW Features... rotating drum risers. to be in their 30’s and 40’s, in addition Priceless Godsmack’s Fieldhouse set con- to the Godsmack’s very substantial tained all the expected hits like youth fan base. If this is any indication Write to “Voodoo,” “Whatever,” “I Stand Alone,” of the band’s national appeal, Godsmack [email protected] to get more information on living the life of a and “Straight out of Line.” However, may live up to Metallica and enjoy a UMBC Features Reporter often the most interesting moments of strong touring career for years to come, the show involved experimental and even as the album sales drop off. .