There are times when I’m more excited about the opening act(s) than the headliner, and this was definitely one of those times. The bill: 311 with special guests Soul Asylum and Local H at the Revolution Concert House in Garden City, Idaho.
I own most of the Soul Asylum catalog and saw their short, blistering set on the Summerland Tour a few years back. It was fantastic and the version of “April Fool” was memorable. I was excited to see them again. I might be the only person to have three Local H CDs. I had seen them back in 1996 open for Stone Temple Pilots in Dayton, and that set was pretty cool.
I knew exactly two 311 songs, but the lure of the two opening bands and a $25 Groupon offer made me pull the trigger. I prepped by asking Alexa to shuffle songs from 311 for a few days. I was pleasantly surprised with what I heard and thought I would enjoy all three bands.
I had no idea what I was getting into until I arrived at the show.
The merch line was wrapped around most of the venue when I arrived. I had never seen so many people rushing to buy t-shirts and who knows what else. I later learned 311 did a special Idaho shirt that people apparently had to have. Most in the crowd already were donning 311 gear.
I described the vibe overall as a little sketchy and part MMA. A friend described the audience as “douchy” and I did check my back pocket on a few occasions to make sure I wasn’t pickpocketed. I’d have taken the over on three fights breaking out if given the choice.
Once 311 took the stage, the crowd sang along to every word for most of the songs. I found this odd that songs I never heard of were memorized by so many people carrying beers or White Claws in one hand and shots of Fireball in the other. The 311 party was on. (For the record, I had four $8 IPAs).
Meanwhile, I was dumbfounded at the boy-bandish moves I was seeing on stage. I just didn’t get what was so awesome that was making the crowd insane. People had been packed up against the stage before Local H took the stage at 7:30 p.m. I had no idea that 311 had such a strong following, and after witnessing an hour or so of the show, I still have no idea why.
The odd part came nine songs In when the band played its cover of The Cure’s “Lovesong.” The crowd went eerily silent for the first time – just strange. Did they not know the song or just not like it? I think it’s a decent version.
Then came the bass solo. After a minute or so of that rubbish, I decided to call it a night. I checked the setlist the next morning and they played 10 more songs, which is commendable. I’m just glad I didn’t have to witness it. - Nick Jezierny