Viva Salt lake featured P.O.D., Candlebox, Royal Bliss, The Spencer Nelson Band and couple other bands that I didn’t see. Who were they again…? Oh yea, according to the bill, the other acts were: Metal Gods, Blaze O’ Glory, and Endeverafter (briefly). Anybody catch these first three bands?

When I got through the gates, Royal Bliss was just starting off their set. I grabbed a tall beer in a short line and pushed my way to the middle of the crowd. RB’s music has its roots in artists like Pearl Jam, Toadies, Sublime, Johnny Cash, Led Zeppelin; I hear a bit of Pennywise in them too (the “whoa, oh, oh!”s). This band puts on a good show. I’ve seen Bliss on many occasions and one thing I’ve always noticed is the loyalty of the fans and how many people in their crowds sing the lyrics to (most of) their songs. I say “most” because Royal Bliss is a band that writes a lot of new material and plays it live, so you’ll frequently be at shows were nobody but the band knows the words to one or two songs.

Using an upright bass on several of their songs, the band incorporates dramatic deep tones to their harder edge. Bliss has a variety of sounds, from serious rock to acoustical melodies, to classic electric riffs and guitar solos. RB played some of their stand-bys “Devils and Angels”, “Fine Wine”, and “Brave”, but unveiled a peep show of their new album with Save Me (available for download now), and a few others. I passed around a snuck-in flask of Crown Royal during a new drinking song and shouted the lyrics “After 10,000 beers and 28 years, I’ve finally figured it out…” This made me quite popular for a brief moment. Ironically, about a week later, I ran into one of my new-found mates at a subsequent RB show at the Huka Lounge, who then bought me a shot of whiskey to return the favor. Like I said, I’ve always enjoyed the Royal Bliss crowd. After their set, I had a chance to share my flask with Neal Middleton (vocals), but by the time Taylor Richards (lead guitar) tipped it back, it was empty. I forgot that rock stars will finish what you put in front of them! Sorry, Taylor; I owe you a shot!

Of the three bands I saw, these guys were my favorite.

Chris Harding, rhythm guitarist for Royal Bliss, sharing a Kodak moment

Candlebox

Back from the rock and roll dead? I haven’t heard this name since the 90’s! I noticed a large showing of fans that looked like they also just woke up from a 15 year slumber and didn’t realize the styles had changed. Candlebox put on a decent show playing their classics like “Cover Me” and “Far Behind”. Having just launched their new album, the band debuted some of their new material. “Stand” sounded like an updated version of the well known Candlebox hit “You”. “Surrendering” seemed to be rather well-received; a softer ballad, it sounds like classic Candlebox in a contemporary world. Based on an interview I heard later, this song is about the ups and downs of marriage. Overall, Candlebox impressed me more than I was expecting.

P.O.D.

Backstage. I ran into one of my favorite people, Vito Perry–a mellow guitarist that plays in a band or two (or three). Earlier, he was playing in the Viva Lounge with the Spencer Nelson Band and had finished up in time to sip his way through the beer credits on his back stage pass. Unfortunately, I didn’t know he was playing, so I didn’t get to see their set. On his way out, he generously handed over his pass to me and showed me the way to the stage.

If I was falling asleep from the sun and alcohol, P.O.D. snapped me out of that. Their heavy, California-based music draws a rhythmic head nod from the masses. My thumb seemed drawn to clasp my middle two fingers, forming the universal “Rock” hand signal. To be honest, this isn’t my favorite style of music, but I can appreciate the energy. P.O.D hits me while snowboarding, mountain biking, or participating in any other adrenaline-laced sport. Being backstage made this set something to remember and gave me a good story to tell…

Next up…The Roots with The Knux on July 10, 08. Oh shit…that’s tonight! I gotta go!

See ya next time! Peace to the trees.