Review/photos by Mike SuicideBuffalo, NY - It's been some years since I heard the name Candlebox come up in conversation, let alone since I played their album, and it's been 20 years since I last stood in a crowd watching them perform. I can vaguely remember when they headlined a tour with the Flaming Lips.
Formed in 1990 in Seattle, Washington, Candlebox sits right along side the Grunge darlings of that decade. Although they are long considered part of the Grunge movement, their contemporaries never gave them the credit they deserved. Fact is, they were good back then and they deserve their success.
Candlebox rolled into Buffalo with support by Sugar Red Drive. The crowd was light, but I kind of expected that, considering the show was on a weekday. Sugar Red Drive is not an industry conceived band, like a lot of them are in this genre of rock. They are road hardened and well traveled, in the few years they've been around. The band all escaped with some bumps and bruises except bassist Davey Alexander, who almost lost his arm, when the group's van crashed on Halloween of 2009. The band has a couple of singles getting reasonable rotation on Music Choice, and the songs are real catchy. They managed to keep the crowd interested and warmed up nicely. I suspect we will be seeing more of this band since they are quite talented.
When Candlebox hit the stage, it was evident they had been really gearing up for this tour. They blew through songs off their self titled album such as, "Don't You" and "Change," as well as "Arrow" and a few others. After ending their regular set with "Cover Me," a heavy amount of cheering brought them back out on stage, where the proceeded to play, arguably their biggest hits, "You" and "Far Behind." They played like a well oiled machine, and their sound was impeccable. Vocalist Kevin Martin still has the chops, and he displayed it while singing all the old favorites. Before the show, I wasn't familiar with their new album, but after hearing the songs they played off of it, I will definitely buy it. Bottom line, it was a great night for rock and roll, and you all should have been there.
Setlist
Bitches Brewin'
Simple Lessons
Don't You
Believe in It
Underneath It All
Change
Blossom
She Come Over Me
Breathe Me In
Arrow
Stand
Turn Your Heart Around
Sweet Summertime
Miss You
Cover Me
Far Behind
You
For more info. on Candlebox, please go to www.candlebox.com
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