The final show of the 2002-2003 season at the Avenue was a bombastic night of loud intensity, basically everything audience members have come to expect from the auditory noise room. Spot wasn’t there this time but the energy level from the previous show definitely hung in the air.
Columbus’s energy junkies House of Hero’s opened with a blistering three man showcase featuring sporadic guitarists playing instruments like they were on fire bringing the literal sense of hard rock to life through gritty attitude and fits of adrenalized joy and sweat soaked utopia.
California’s Daily Planet representing the far-western side of the nation opened a two-guitar assault that woke up the feet/toes of an energy hungry crowd. Bluesy, boggy tunes accompanied with screaming guitar sound brought an 80’s arena sound to the semi-smaller venue. Singer Jesse Butterworth dedicated a specially selected tune to his Nashville neighbors Dirty Dan and the old lady very friendly with lawn care tips. Their closing was an impressive five minute collage of recognizable 80’s anthems. Beginning with quite possibly the biggest tough guy song ever, Eye of the Tiger, Beat It, The right Stuff (baby) surprisingly no one booed. Then again there were few crowd members around when it was popular. The legendary Walk This Way followed with Walk Like an Egyptian. George Michael’s Faith, Rock This Town, Take Me On, Karma Chameleon, In The Name of Love, the fist-raising Born in the USA, Living on a Prayer and That’s What I Like About You.
The stovetop exploded so to speak as first time fans were made and repeating devotees were dosed with the opening raw energy of Skillet. Their performing style is unlike any band around. Having two hardcore talented rock chicks on stage doesn’t hurt either. Being only feet away from Lori Peters and Korey Cooper was anything a guy could ask for. Peters is known for her blond beauty and proudly pounding the living tar out of her skins/electronic beats with precession. Korey Cooper is a musical painting bathed in electronic imagery flowing from fingers to keys to amps. Ben Kasica and John Cooper proudly play/endorse the highest in musical creativity/delivery and GMP guitars/GHS Strings.
The ever-changing lights reflecting the musical rainbow stretched from stage through the roof to God’s front door. The show was also a celebration of John and Korey’s six years of marriage and their five month old daughter Alexandria. The title track from their latest disk was the crowd pleaser of the evening as the Alien Youth went out to spread the word. www.skillet.org
