Photo of Lance Dowdle of From Ashes to New by Jen Ruff.
Another cold one in the STL but only on the outside in midtown. Inside of Red Flag was a much-needed relief from a chilly one outside. For a Monday night, the line and the crowd really were packed in thick.
Starting off the evening was Ekoh, who is self-described as nerd rap. This Vegas-based performer had the passion, intensity, and hustle of the other white rapper from Detroit but without the Dre assist. He has worked feverishly to brand himself and grow his following online and organically. With no industry interference, he’s able to deliver his music directly to his fans and millions of spins has shown that something is connecting. His energy and vibe are like hip hop with heart mixed with angsty alternative, and the crossover is very entertaining live. Ending his set on a freestyle rolling into a love song for Vans (even giving out a few pair and autographing any the crowd had thrown to the stage), this was one of the better show openers I’ve seen in a long while.
Catch Your Breath is a metalcore band from Austin, Texas and quite the crowd favorite. I’m not sure which act on the tour brought a significant presence of adolescent kids but I saw a ton of merch to suggest it was likely these Texans with their hit single “Dial Tone” making moves on Sirius XM and Billboard charts. Joining them onstage for “Mirror” was opener Ekoh, really engaging the crowd and carrying forward great energy. They played their hit to close the show but just prior they’d given the fans “21 Gun Salute” and “Shame on Me.” It was simple to see how their infectious synth rock would garner a solid fanbase supporting them fully.
Being a long-time emo/post hardcore fan, I’m no stranger to The Word Alive, which was founded by Craig Mabbitt (who now fronts Escape the Fate) back in the late 2000s. Mabbitt was out of the band quite early due to his commitment to ETF and in came Tyler “Telle” Smith. Any major touring act from then till now, The Word Alive has likely toured with. Telle is a perfect frontman who was able to soldier through the first two songs with massive sound/technical issues. He definitely is able to roll through challenges as The World Alive has had quite a number of lineup changes—so many that their Wikipedia uses a color-coded timeline to detail them all. Their latest album Hard Reset may be just what the band need as they switched record labels as well. The set was largely made up of songs from this most recent release, with four of the nine songs being newer. If this is any indication of them making a hard reset, I love the direction the sound and lyrics are taking and I’m especially appreciative of their collaborations with members of From First to Last, Bad Omens, and old founder Craig Mabbitt. It all comes back full circle.
I am exceptionally proud to be a fan of From Ashes to New. I first came to know them when they co-headlined with Ice Nine Kills quite a few years ago and they became an instant favorite of mine. Their energy is always high but for me; it was this connection to their “feel.” I can appreciate bands who want to do music for possible lucrative gain—I get it—and if you hit just right, you can ride a wave of success, but I’ve never felt that as the drive for FATN. Their music appears to be a vehicle for the release of energy and the ability to make the unseen feel noticed. For someone that you’re watching live, to reach back out and say “I understand, I’ve been there—we’ve been there” is so validating when you’ve been lost at any point in your life. Vocalist/rapper Matt Brandyberry has said similar in prior performances and in this evening’s show as well. Being a thread to help reconnect the human connection is something he writes through so flawlessly. Co-vocalist Danny Case’s melodic sings/screams over his rap/rock is such an artform in itself. It’s something I feel that gives a nod to Linkin Park and their unique ability to mesh multiple genres and that perhaps this torch has been picked up.
With all the FATN shows I’ve been to the production has picked up some serious pace, complete with backing graphics enveloped on large screens at both the back and very front of the stage, giving so many things to focus on. Starting with “Armageddon” (fresh off of their latest release Blackout) was a poetic way to start a show with a band name so completely fitting. The set was heavy on tracks from both Blackout and Panic, which was released amidst a global pandemic. Tracks like “Monster in Me,” “Hate Me Too,” “Heartache,” and the title track from Panic have catapulted their career further and further over the years as they’ve paid their dues and then some. As a treat, we got a rocked out “All I Want for Christmas is You” and the night ended with their first real hit, “Through It All,” from their very first album.
As I round out becoming almost a half century old having seen hundreds of live performances, I drove home this evening being so very lucky to experience the privilege of seeing a band that really carves out space in your life, performing with every ounce of possible energy despite illness and all of the woes musicians go through to bring that show to fruition. Some bands will never know just how much they mean but I think this is one of the few who know it and feel it, and that shows. | Diane Ruff
