The Pac-Sun tour hit Grand Rapids’ Orbit Room stage on Nov. 20. Kalamazoo’s own locals, Their Teeth will be of Lions, hit the stage first after winning a battle of the bands for the spot. Following up the local act was Eye Alaska. Innerpartysystem then took the stage with its rave-like feel and cut deep lyrics. The surprise of the night was P.O.S., a rapper no one was expecting. He came down into the crowd, stood on a chair and spat his heart out. After the riot P.O.S. caused, Saosin took the stage with its post hardcore rock songs. The crowd of kids sung to every song and Cove Reber, vocalist, connected with the audience in such a way that even my by the wayside attitude felt it.
A few days later was the Hank III show. Those Poor Bastards took the stage first with its creepy “country doom." After listening to songs about the devil, heartlessness and death, I decided that I like this band very much. The addition of a tall menacing skeleton who sung/screamed on some tracks left me feeling like I’d better pray before bed on this cold November night.
Enter Hank III and the entire Intersection sang in unison to his blend of old tyme country and lyrics about reckless drinking and drug use. Acoustic guitar, fiddle, stand up bass, and stand up steel guitar give Hank III’s brood more respect than “pop/country” acts. Be sure to visit reinstatehank.org and sign the petition reinstating Hank Williams Sr. into the Grand Ole Opry.
