Coheed and Cambria, Russian Circles - Viejas
July 27th 2008

Coheed. With that word, you know it will be a great show. And they didn't let the fans down. For me, it was only the second time apart from the Casbah that I've seen Coheed and Cambria outside the standard Soma venue, and it was gooood. Viejas outdoors and under the stars, torches flaming in the background and fog machines a roarin', the atmosphere was unexpectedly intimate and the crowd was diverse and fun as always.

 

The opening act, Russian Circles, was unfortunately missed as myself and co-writer felt obligated to give our money to the casino after the parking lot, pre-show ritual involving a handful of PBRs. But, after taking some old lady bingo money and KFC eats, we were ready to get on it. As we managed to pull an ego boosting stroll to the media pit (props to Cole!) and settle in mere feet from the band, all we had to do was keep from smiling too much or risk getting kicked out from obvious signs that we weren’t really supposed to be there.

I haven't seen Coheed since the release of No World For Tomorrow and the recent addition of former Dillinger Escape Plan drummer Chris Pennie, and was pretty stoked. Of course it was a flawless performance, with some added flavor and changeups that make each of their shows unique. The crowd was into it, and the band was feeling the love as they showered us in their musical glory. The classic setup of stage right Travis Stever on guitar, stage left Michael Todd on bass, center stage lamp shade fro Cludio Sanchez and the aforementioned Pennie layin’ down the beats, the other differences on the stage were the absence of the blondie-backup singers. They mixed newer songs in without forgetting the classics.

First up was No World For Tomorrow, the “opening” track from the newest release, and instantly got the crowd, and definitely me, singing. It’s a diverse song with technical licks and a mini breakdown and is a great new opening song. Quickly into the first released single from the latest album, we had Grave Makers and Gun Slingers and without any delay the instant hit Ten Speed (of God’s Blood). After a quick beer run (in which I believe I am forgetting one song) the glow of lights off fog was at its prime and we were back into it with the fun sing along The Suffering and then topped with the newer, ballad rich Feathers. This doosie has some of my more favorite fills from Pennie, albeit not his most technical moves, which never lets me off without some air-drumming. For us Maiden fans, The Trooper put many raised fists up and led right into one of the first songs I ever bobbed my head to from Coheed, Devil in Jersey City, which like the first time, had me moving. Everything Evil up next, and by now the crowd was at it, stirred up by the classics, and wasn’t going to stop as we got into back-to-back favorites we know as A Favor House Atlantic and Running Free. To me, the show hit its apex with the pre encore In Keeping Secrets, which brought the crowd to its full frenzy. This song reminds me every time I hear it of the excitement of Coheed, the monster sci-fi epic track that, in my eyes, is Coheed’s finest work. With an intro that gets the adrenaline pumping, the whole crowd was rearing once the drums kicked in. This “closed” the show, but as we know, we weren’t leaving without an encore. I wasn’t expecting the once show opening act of Welcome Home, with Claudio rockin’ a dual neck white SG behind his head, but did expect and loved the famed closer-jam sesh The Final Cut. This 20-something minute free-styled shred is different each time I see it, and shows off the bands tremendous abilities, utilizing squawk-boxes, solos all over the place, and is truly remarkable.

If you’re still reading this, you probably are a Coheed fan and most likely have seen them live. I don’t have to explain to you that there is no disappointing show from this New York born act. But, for those who haven’t given these guys a fair listen or seen them in person, you are truly missing out in musical talent and originality that is far above most of this garbage on the radio these days.

- a collaborative remembrance from Travis and Dan     


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