MUSHROOMHEAD

The Webster Theater’s Underground
Hartford, Connecticut
May 2, 2017

After immersing myself in a 80s metal-fest, bands such as, Autograph, Vain, Vixen, Kix and so many more, I had to change it up a bit. There is no better way than to do then with some really Heavy Metal from the folks known as Mushroomhead.

Anyone who has been following my stuff for awhile now, knows how I feel about bands with a theatrical feel to them and this show was something I was looking forward to. Not only for Mushroomhead, but another band I have had on my radar for a year or so now, Sunflower Dead.

The only problem, The Webster was putting them into the Underground. You’re kidding me right, a band like Mushroomhead, with their stage set up in the Underground???

Well the night started off as usual, I was late and missed the opening band, but did catch some of Relic Seed, I can’t really say much about them. I think they are suffering from opening band syndrome. Bad sound coupled with the fact they were on the floor in front of the stage. They definitely put energy into their set, but it sounded muddy, with no distinction between bass and guitar. I hope to catch them again, and give them a chance to change my mind.

The night was proving to be interesting as the next band up was also setting up on the floor in front of the stage. Well everything but the drums. With Mushroomhead’s stage setup that was the only thing that could fit on the stage.

The Browning came to the floor, this is the first time I have seen of heard of them, I was surprised. I do not know what to make of these guys. A mix of metalcore and EDM? I am thinking another victim of poor sound could be affecting my judgement. Another band where everything seemed melded into one sound, except for the electronic backtracks. I wasn’t impressed.

Sunflower Dead – I have been wanting to catch these guys live for awhile now, and finally had the chance. To bad it had to be in the Underground. The sound mixing was definitely a bit better, but not perfect. They tore through a scorchingly small set, trying not to knock over any of the spectators that were trying not to crowd them on the floor. A couple of times, they came close as a mic stand almost took out one or two people.

But when the accordion came out. Yes an accordion! That was amazing, keyboards are one thing in heavy metal but an accordion? That was cool! The lead singer, Michael Del Pizzo, plays accordion and I dare you to call this bald white painted guy a nerd! A fantastic stage presence whipping all around the floor and playing up the crowd. Fantastic set! He is joined by Jaboo and Jamie Teissere on guitars and Leighton ‘Lats’ Kearns on bass. The guy on drums is filling in for the tour and his name is Chris. I wish I could tell ya all more about him but I don’t know anything more, other than the fact he knew what M3 was and asked how the show was.

I hope these guys will be coming thru New England again soon. They put on a high energy and very entertaining show.

Mushroomhead, cramped together on a small stage in a venue that has the worst lighting for shooting than any other place I have been to, with no photo pit and squeezed in with a lot of other people. My expectations for some good, much less great shots were very low.

As the lights went down and the crowd roared their approval the band came to the stage, Jeffrey Nothing and J Mann on vocals with some assistance from the beautiful Jackie LaPonza (who would’ve thought that word would end up in a Mushroomhead concert review) Skinny on drums, Stitch on samples and water drums, Church on guitar, Dr. F on bass and Roberto Diablo on drums. Personally, I have never kept up on their names just their music and visuals, so forgive me if I got them wrong.

The crowd was going wild as the water drums were pounded into submission getting anyone and everyone soaked and water dripping off of the ceiling of the Underground. Vocals being traded off between J Mann and Jeffrey were fantastic with Jackie popping up on stage a few songs in. It was tight. Not just because there was hardly any room on stage, but their playing was tight. Maybe because it was the first night of their tour, but I wasn’t complaining.

The crowd tho smaller than I was expecting, enjoyed the closeness that only being in the Underground could give and the band played it up with constant hand slapping and pointing at people. There was not much room to move around and they still pulled off a great set.

A band as visual as they are, the best way to review their show is with pictures: