Page 47 - Black Velvet Magazine Issue 99

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SHINEDOWN / STARSET / PRESS TO MECO – BIRMINGHAM O2 ACADEMY, 05.11.18
In this issue, we’ve got a column by Ally Dickaty of The Virginmarys who questions what is rock and where all the bands with guts, originality and
writing ability are. Well, dear Ally, here is one. Actually, not just one, but three. Shinedown, Starset and Press To MECO.
The UK’s own Press To MECO came hurtling in our direction earlier in the year and we were very impressed with their ‘Here’s To The Fatigue’ EP.
Live, they impress in a different way, as we get to properly see how all three members sing vocals, rather than just one. While you could hear this on
disc, it’s even more impressive live, as Luke Caley, Adam Roffey and Lewis Williams either take it in turns to sing individually, or sing harmoniously to-
gether while playing their own instrument – guitar, bass or drums. While they’re not as melodic in the live environment, the sound of the trio is as large
as if there were five of them. The almost choir-like chorus of ‘Affinity’ is enough to prick up the ears of dead rabbits, while EP title track ‘Here’s To The
Fatigue’ shows that Press To MECO will be one to contend with in the next few years if they keep on track.
Starset are here to spread the awareness of ‘The Message’ through music and media. They come as astronauts and are led by Dustin Bates on
lead vocals – with a touring string section to add to the spectacle that they are. Once you’ve seen this band live, you’ll know how striking they are.
They definitely fit into the unique and original category. Their theatrical, atmospherical, musical air through songs such as ‘Carnivore’ and ‘Richochet’
complements their outer space outfits. It’s a fantastic illusory experience seeing Starset live and they really do deserve to be stars. Catch them soon
before they take over the world.
Shinedown are one band you just can’t fault and that never disappoint. They’re a band that do have guts, originality and writing ability. They are
hard-working, focused and always put on a great show. Opening with ‘Devil’, Brent Smith, Zach Myers, Eric Bass and Barry Kerch are honestly more
like angels themselves as in-
dividuals, but Shinedown’s
songs are devilishly delicious.
This tour they have striking
arena-style laser lighting,
which criss-crosses across
the stage. Bassist Eric Bass
frequently jumps up and
down like he’s on a trampo-
line in between the laser
lines, while Brent sings his
heart out to the dazzling ‘Dia-
mond Eyes (Boom-Lay
Boom-Lay Boom)’, the domi-
neering ‘Cut The Cord’, and
the downright motivational

‘Get Up’. Before ‘Enemies’,
Brent parts the crowd and
walks through the middle, in-
citing the crowd to jump when
the song kicks in. He asks
everyone in the balcony to
stand, and the security
guards to give them one song
up. The energetic song gets
everyone moving. ‘Unity’,
meanwhile’, is always glori-
ous, like an epic shimmer of
hope. The equally as stun-
ning ‘Second Chance’, plus
the band’s cover of ‘Simple
Man’ (Lynyrd Skynyrd), which
Brent and Zach perform
acoustically, see the band
edging their way towards the
end of their set (with the hu-
morous aid of Eric’s mous-
tache being pointed out).
‘Sound Of Madness’ is the
blast that everyone is waiting
for, while ‘Brilliant’ closes the
night like it does their latest
album.
So, to get back to Ally’s ques-
tion; ‘What is rock?’ Well,
Shinedown most definitely
are. They always do and they
definitely did tonight.
YYYYY
Shari Black Velvet

Brent Smith (Shinedown) Photo By
Shari Black Velvet

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