Often we are told to “not spend much time thinking of the past,” and while certain memories can certainly prove that point, nostalgia would be a whole different part of your past. See an old episode of Thundercats, and there you are transported to your childhood watching cartoons and life is just that much simpler for about twenty minutes. Or hear a song like Alice In Chains’ “Would?,” or “Machine Head” by Bush, or Candlebox’s “Far Behind” and you are back to an era where MTV still played music videos, Seattle was king, and the biggest emotional obstacle for music fans was the tragedy of Metallica cutting their hair. This type of ‘looking back’ is not just to be thankful for the great things in your past, but to take those positives and help yourself get through the current days. With that being stated, the nostalgic air around this year’s announced Bush’s LOADED: The Greatest Hits Tour, with special guests Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains and Candlebox, was not only a needed fusion of ’90s greatness, but a welcomed distraction from a very tumultuous time.
A tour that kicked off at the tailend of July, Colorado’s heatwave couldn’t hold back the excitement crowds had for it when the billed lineup pulled into Fiddler’s Green in the Denver Tech Center on August 1, 2024. Sure, one was in no short supply of ’90s kids all grown up, and while devoid of their staple flannel apparel, baggie jeans, and perfectly styled bead heads, they did arrive with their kids, Minivans, and a slightly vivid memory that played to the soundtrack of the bands playing. That in mind, before fans began their journey down the flashback highway, this killer lineup also brought some fresh blood out, Tim Montana.
If you have not heard of Tim Montana before, this is one act you should get real acquainted with. Outside of his accolades, his honest brand of Rock-n-Roll is exactly what is needed for fans these days. Having a drummer (Kyle Law) who has enough confidence to drum in their underwear on a 100 degree day, helps as well. At one point during his set Tim let the audience know that he came from a trailer in Montana, where he had an outhouse outside, and no electricity from the time he was 3 to 18. With an upbringing like that, one can only feel the honesty from the songs he played such as “Savage” and “Devil You Know.” With the combination of Tom Samulak on guitar and Jackson Moody on bass, the band’s sound was massive and raw, just the way Rock-n-Roll intended. There is no question why this band has earned the praise they have received from the likes of even David Grohl of the Foo Fighters. Overall, in spite of the sweltering heat, the party was in full swing after Tim Montana’s set and ready for Candlebox.
When Candlebox released their self-titled debut in 1993, it did not take much for their music to hook listeners to them. The album itself was one of the most well-crafted, featuring not only great music but you did not dare skip a track for another. The proof of that came when the band hit the stage with the initial track from that album, “Arrow.” Kevin Martin’s voice, still projected emotion and sounded just as bright as it did thirty-one years ago. Joined on stage with BJ Kerwin on drums, Island Styles Guitar, Brian Quinn Guitar, and Adam Kury on bass, the band not only sounded on point but the sense of comradery was more than evident as they looked to be having the time of their lives.
Moving on, the band jumped into a new track “What Do You Need?” from their 2024 highly recommended expanded album A Little Longer Goodbye still keeping that up tempo. Slowing it down they showed their melodic side fans have cherished with the songs “Change” and “Blossom,” which was welcomed with fans singing every word with Martin. Fans got to close out with two of the band’s most recognizable singles in “Far Behind” and “You,” and while a shorter set, it served to remind just what made Candlebox stand out in an era of so much great music.
Up next was none other than one of the ’90s greatest guitarists, Jerry Cantrell, a perfect soundtrack as the audience watched the sun set on the horizon. The dark crushing melody of “Psychotic Break” from Cantrell’s solo 2002 album Degradation Trip greeted fans to one of the most anticipated sets of the night. The band shifted gears and took the audience back to 1992 with the classic Alice In Chains album Dirt, playing the song “Them Bones.”
Joined by a star studded lineup of Roy Mayorga on drums (Ministry and Stone Sour), Lola Colette (keys, vocals, and acoustic guitar), Elliot Lorango (Corey Taylor) on bass, Zach Throne on guitar (Corey Taylor), and Greg Puciato on vocals (Dillinger Escape Plan) every song, new or old, was given more than its fair share of justice. Cantrell showed just how loyal he stays to his unique sound as the band played the track “Vilified” from his forthcoming 2024 album I Want Blood. Closing out his set with two Alice in Chains staples from the Dirt era, “Would?” and “Rooste,” everyone in the crowd gave their maximum approval. Yet, these fans with voices breaking, sweat pouring, and realizing it was after 9pm on a weekend, still had more than enough energy to welcome Bush.
Kicking off with a timed light display to the bombastic drums of Nik Hughes, everyone let out a resounding scream of approval. And as the ’90s ‘Sexiest Man Alive,’ Gavin Rossdale, Guitarist Chris Traynor, along with Bassist Corey Britz hit the stage to start their time with their classic single “Everything Zen,” the entire crowd lost their minds screaming along to every word. Unexpectedly, while setting up for the second song of the evening, “Machine Head,” one of the touring techs got injured fixing an equipment issue for Traynor. Rossdale talked the crowd through their distress, and in the end he and Traynor had to trade guitars to get through the song. With tech difficulties aside, the band coursed through memorable tracks such as “Bullet Holes,” “The Chemicals Between Us,” and ”Greedy Fly” rewarding their fans for their patience. While the set was truly unforgettable, the encore not only featured a cover of the Beatles “Come Together” and their hit single “Glycerine” from 1995, but saw Bush joined on stage with Jerry Cantrell to perform another staple of Bush’s catalogue, “Comedown.”
It is rare to find a tour that truly celebrates an era like the ’90s… but this tour is that tour. Not only can you find yourself flipping through the memory books in your minds of childhood, but you could forge new ones with your own children to one of the best soundtracks. So pull out those flannels, Jenkos, and if you still have that hair from high school…well….let it down. A tour not to be missed, for at least a few hours, the outside world doesn’t matter and the music is still good.
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