Getting up on Sunday morning there was a distinct relief that I was not at Saturday’s Fall Frenzy event. Oh no, not that I wanted to miss the hoopla and pageantry of a Blink 182 reunion show but rather the wear and tear. Thanks to a sober Saturday at an ASU sanction tailgating party and football game I was raring to go.

Walking past the light rail station at just before two o’clock one was greeted by a smattering of local ticket brokers trying to make a quick buck. At that time they were handing out $20 for extras in hopes of pushing them later for $50. While that might have worked for the other days, demand spoke to not quite getting that asking price with most concert goers.

Entering the main entrance you had a feeling the sun was going to overwhelming. Even after a 10 minute walk up to Tempe Town Lake there remained a ducking for any available shade. Unfortunately the start of that shade was the security check or one of two stops along the way into the actual venue. Nothing is worse than having a small rummage sale in your pockets. This of course meant I had to hold onto all of these objects as one is forced to empty their pockets. Hey gang, throw me a bone and have one of those dog dishes from the airport ready. Really there is no end to the amount of crap one can fit into a pair of cargo shorts.

It was not too surprising to see only a smattering of people as more were filling into the place. While under normal circumstances I would have enjoyed seeing Slowpoke and Carolina Liar, only the biggest of diehards could brave the heat for that length of time.

So after making it through the endless maze of the 21 and over section I was re ready to go.  I was just in time for the Toxic Event’s performance. Their debut release has caught on with the public and it’s easy to see why. The band manages to merge many different styles into a stew of easily moody, dramatic yet accessible songs with solid hooks and relatable lyrics. Regrettably, outside of a rocking rendition of “Sometime Around Midnight” the charm of the album is lost on a live setting. The songs just don’t come alive like, say, in an Arcade Fire performance.   With no emotional resonance and extreme heat it’s easy to see why only a small crowd braved it out to see them. In a club setting the energy of the audience can compensate but there was none to be had. Matters were made worse by a Mike Jollett douchbage front man routine that included complaining about the heat on stage (Hey we’re not exactly in AC out here) to claiming Lou Reed stole a song. Huh?

Next up was the Bravery who I first was able to catch in 2005 at the height of the synth pop revolution lead by the likes of the Killers. Unfortunately time has not been kind as the set seemed more like a flashback than something in the now. It didn’t benefit the outfit that their follow-up to their debut release was not nearly as good. This was evident in their live set as the majority and best songs of the set were those from that first album. Both “An Honest Mistake” and “Unconditional” were able to get the crowd going and add some energy sorely missing the previous performance. However, any of the highlights were offset by more inane hipster drivel from their front man that one had to wonder if the other members should put together an intervention.

First of the big three was Ben Harper and Relentless7. Here the crowd started to fill in as the sun was going down. For the first time, the heat was just bad, not oppressive. Harper also ushered something sorely missing from the previous act which was a warm stage presence. What probably looked like an odd pairing on paper ultimately worked in Harper’s favor giving the day’s festival some variety. Decked out in a blue plaid shirt and Amish hat he was able joke about the main radio sponsor backdrop where he then asked the audience if the station played him. I think it was a rhetorical question. Harper focused mainly on his new album with a back-up outfit that is a far more conventional rock band than the Innocent Criminals. Unfortunately, some of the new material, while good, tended to blur together. But Harper was smart enough to keep the last half of his 90 minute to his concert staples likes a complete reworking of  fan favorite  “Another Lonely Day” that sounded almost unrecognizable.  He turned a tender acoustic song into a completely rock and roll rave up.

Flogging Molly is by far one of the best bands to have play a sunset time slot. While the Ben Harper set may have been a gentle roll of both rock and acoustic Flogging Molly was all rock, the perfect to get everyone going while the temps chilled to a fine Arizona evening. Flogging Molly has never disappointed in their Celtic slam-rock presentation. Moving effortlessly through fan favorites such as “Rebels of the Sacred Heart” and “Worst Day Since Yesterday” and some new tracks they were jus the energy needed lead into Social D. Also announced was Flogging Molly’s now finalized return to Tempe Beach Park for next year’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities. No better day for Guinness and Whiskey than with Flogging Molly keeping at least your liver Irish.

By far the crowd was at its largest and there to see headliners Social Distortion with the lawn filled with anticipation.  As the band took the stage, Mike Ness was in complete Sha Na Na greaser glory and looked to be aging gracefully on the band’s 30 anniversary. With new drummer s Adam “Atom” Willard from Angels and Airwaves behind the drum kit, the band did not lose a beat. They proved without a doubt why they’re one of the most steadfast rock bands working today. Nobody remotely came away disappointed. Mike Ness worked the stage and the audience through all their big hits. After seeing this band for the first time, I am hooked. I would go see them in a heartbeat. How often can one say that about a band this many years into their career?

While only hitting the final day, the whole atmosphere on Sunday was one of relaxation and calm.  This wasn’t a party thrown by overly disruptive people in their 20s but a well disciplined group out to have a good time on the day before the work. This contributed greatly to atmosphere and I am sure few security headaches. All in all the Fall Frenzy has turned out to be a fine addition to the Arizona concert calendar and one that we’ll look forward to again next year!!

Filed under: Live Events, Music