To be able to experience a live concert first hand with like-minded fans is a moment that most will take with them the rest of their lives.These are the times where people can let their hair hang loose, wild and free, feeling the energy from the venue and the artist. Art Alexakis of Everclear is someone who knows never to disappoint and who will always figure out a way to put on a spectacular show. Since 2012, Alexakis has hand-picked bands for his personally created Summerland Tour. Many of those bands have been around since the 1990s and made strong names for themselves. However, his tour is more than just a nostalgic event; it is a time to celebrate the musical diversity that arose during the period where Alternative and Grunge Rock rushed to the spotlight. Many new artists would not be where they are today if it was not for the ’90s influence. When Alexakis announced the line-up for the fourth annual Summerland Tour, he said, “This is the kind of lineup, [I] dreamed of when I started the Summerland Tour. With Toadies, Fuel, American Hi-Fi, and of course Everclear, this is Guitar Rock at its finest. I can’t wait to see how people react each night. Game on!” With that said, the tour launched on June 11th in Fort Myers, Florida, and less than two weeks later, on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2015, the bands were ready to shine in New York City at Irving Plaza.
First up, from Boston Massachusetts, were the Rock N’ Rollers American Hi-Fi. Formed in 1998, they gained worldwide attention after their acclaimed self-titled debut album released in 2001. Impressively, their original formation is still going strong with Stacy Jones on vocals/rhythm guitar, Jamie Arentzen on lead guitar, Drew Parsons on bass, and Brian Nolan on drums, as they released their album Blood & Lemonade via Rude Records in September 2014.
As a screen rose, Alexakis surprised everyone when he took the stage with American Hi-Fi to introduce the evening with a cover of Cheap Trick’s “Hello There.” Jones, who was wearing an Iron Maiden t-shirt, looked at the Rock patrons of New York City, held the microphone, and continued to scream out the lyrics. “Are you ready to rock?” This Summer night was set from that very first moment on as they continued with their classic hit, “Scar,” which had everyone singing along. The venue piled up close to the stage as they kept the momentum alive with the fun and catchy tune “The Break Up Song” from 2003’s The Art of Losing, reminding everyone of how breakups used to be in the late ’90s and early 2000s. Stepping away from nostalgia, Jones announced that they would be playing one of their newer tracks, “Allison.” When they began, Arentzen played a different tune, revealing that he had the wrong setlist. The band chuckled and handled the slip up well, as the professionals that they are, and moved into the correct opening as the new track received a positive vibe of approval across the floor.
Jones took a moment to say how Iron Maiden ruled and continued with “Another Perfect Day” from their debut album. The slower paced tune became one of the evening’s highlights when Jones introduced Arentzen who took off into a killer solo. Their stamina carried on as they cranked up the youthful and rebellious track, “The Art of Losing,” which they immediately followed with their hit song, “Flavor of the Weak.” Feeling wistful, everyone was inspired to move around as though it were 2001 again. Then it was time for American Hi-Fi’s last song of the evening, and they closed out the set with “Happy.” As short as their set was, the band successfully sparked the flame for Rock-N-Roll beauty.
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Alexakis proudly introduced the next act by first asking the crowd, “Are you guys ready for a Rock show? They said New York City doesn’t like Rock N’ Roll anymore because there’s no more Rock radio right?” He then announced, “Are you guys ready for one of the greatest American Rock bands? I’m so pleased to have them on Summerland this year.” Fans were cheering as Alexakis shouted, “Let’s give it up for Fuel!” Those needing to brush up on the history of the band, Fuel first formed in 1989 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania under the name of Small the Joy. After nearly ten years of hard work, the guys roared onto the scene when their debut album under their Fuel name, Sunburn, was released in 1998 . However, the road has never been easy for the band. Between the years of 1997-2007, they were faced with several lineup changes. Keeping the Fuel name and spirit of the band, the lineup currently includes original singer/rhythm guitarist Brett Scallions, who re-joined in 2010, Andy Andersson on lead guitar, Shannon Boone on drums, and Brad Stewart on bass, however, professional bassist Phil Buckman has filled in on the tour. With the return of Scallions, Fuel finally released their fifth studio album, Puppet Strings, in March 2014 and has not looked back since.
Happy to be on stage, they ripped right into it with “Untitled” from Sunburn. Andersson immediately showed the crowd what he was made of as he picked up his axe for a solo teaser. They moved from the old to the very new with “Time For Me To Stop” from Puppet Strings. This new track was filled with heavy Rock-n-Roll that inspired the crowd to raise their fists in a show of approval. Delighted, Scallions told everyone that Fuel would be playing some old stuff, some new stuff, and everything in between. Then they waltzed into “Bad Day” from acclaimed 2000 album, Something Like Human.
Scallions took a moment to share what a proud father he was, and since the show was being recorded, he had the audience cheer, “Hello!” to his two sons. Then they went into hit song “Shimmer,” and the audience poured out the words to the beloved track. The set carried on with an introduction of their new material as they went into “Puppet Strings” and “Soul To Preach To.” Scallions engaged with his fans, calling the Summerland Tour a love affair. Fuel closed their set with their notable and emotive piece, “Hemorrhage (In My Hands).”
Alexakis walked back on stage, thanking the crowd, and began to describe the next “badass” band: “One of my favorite bands, they got a new record coming out this fall. Check them out now. There’s going to be blood on the stage. Are you ready? From the great state of Texas, give it up for Toadies!” The Alternative Rockers from Fort Worth walked right in, ready to perform. Formed in 1989, Toadies made their mark with their 1994 debut album, Rubberneck. They had no luck throughout the earlier part of their career, facing many obstacles like constant lineup changes and shelved albums. They were troubled to the extent where, at one point, they called it quits and broke up altogether. After a few reunions, it was time to restructure once and for all, and in 2008 they released their third studio album, No Deliverance, after a seven-year hiatus. The lineup has been steady since 2008 with original frontman Vaden Todd Lewis on vocals/rhythm guitar, Mark Reznicek on drums, Clark Vogeler on lead guitar, and Doni Blair on bass. Keeping busy since the release of their fifth record, Play.Rock.Music, in 2012, they also recently re-released Rubberneck to celebrate its twenty year anniversary.
Toadies grooved in with their first song of the evening, “Backslider,” from Rubberneck. Following was “Little Sin” from 2001’s Hell Below/Stars Above, which rippled through the crowd with a playful vibe. Lewis played with a flourish, his dexterity evident as they jammed along to another classic, “Come From the Water,” also from Rubberneck, which ended with an abrasive solo by Vogeler. Next was “Sweetness,” and it was non-stop thereafter as they powered through each song. Lewis took a moment to lure his fans as he swiftly segued into the masterpiece, “Possum Kingdom.” Cheers were heard as one particular voice cried out, “That’s my favorite song!” A moment like this could not get any better. Switching to an acoustic tone, Lewis rocked out a brand new track, “In The Belly of a Whale,” which was well-received by the crowd. Keeping the acoustic vibe with “I Burn,” three powerful drummers were added to the mix, and their sound thunderously roared across the venue.
Lewis expressed his gratitude to the audience saying, “I must have said this one hundred times. People who see live music are the shit. It’s good stuff, and that’s you people.” Then the beloved track “Tyler” erupted. Overall, it was a remarkable set which concluded with “Rattler’s Revival” off of Play.Rock.Music. Here, percussive acoustics jammed throughout, bringing all to clap and cheer to the heavy and enjoyable close out. Toadies will be back on the road again sometime next year after the release of their new album Heretics due out September 18th.
Introducing the last and final act of the night was Jones from American Hi-Fi. He shouted to the crowd, “I say, ‘Ever;’ you say, ‘Clear!'” The audience followed his lead as their adrenaline continued to boil. Finally, it was time for Everclear to take the stage. Formed in 1991 in Portland, Oregon, they were at top of the Rock-n-Roll food chain once their 1997 third studio album, So Much for the Afterglow, rose to the charts. It remains one of the best Alternative Rock albums of all-time. The band struggled in 2003 when the lineup diminished as members Craig Montoya and Greg Eklund left. Frontman Alexakis tested out a solo career, however, and it did not take long until he picked up the Everclear name once again. The reformed lineup includes Dave French on lead guitar, Josh Crawley on keyboards, Freddy Herrera on bass, and Sean Winchester on drums. As strong as ever, Everclear recently released their ninth studio album, Black is the New Black via The End Records to critical acclaim.
Electronic Dance music played as Alexakis walked on stage, teasing the crowd. The band then played their classic, “Heroin Girl,” and fans were already singing along. The entire band synchronized together as they jumped to “Everything to Everyone” from So Much for the Afterglow, and carried on the vibe with their old and classic material. Alexakis gave a shout-out to Irving Plaza for ceaselessly putting on wonderful shows and, with a flourish, launched into the whimsical “Wonderful.” The audience enjoyed themselves as Alexakis continued to speak and embrace fans, mentioning how sick he was of bands not playing instruments. He burst into their latest “American Monster,” which showcased French’s solo skills, and followed it with the rocking heartbreaker, “The Man Who Broke His Own Heart.” After a double dose of new material, it was time for the classic “So Much For The Afterglow,” which ended with French and Herrera lined neck to neck for a bass/guitar face-off. Alexakis then asked for vocal accompaniment during “Father Of Mine.” Having already surpassed the venue’s curfew, Alexakis gave French the spotlight for a wailing solo in a mesmerizing ’80s style. Alexakis then dedicated the closing track, “I Will Buy You a New Life,” to his wife and daughter, expressing that the song is about love.
Despite the fact that the band had left the stage, fans knew what was next, and they waited, standing in complete darkness. After a very short break, Everclear walked back on with surprise guests, Arentzen from American Hi-Fi and Scallions from Fuel, who joined in for the encore of “Santa Monica” from 1995’s Sparkle and Fade. Seeing the two singers, Alexakis and Scallions, performing together in harmony was exceptional. Towards the end of the jam, the crowd cheered, “Summerland!” in delight. These four acts shined together, and this was a moment for any fan to embrace. Be sure to catch the tour before it sails into the sun.
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