What usually happens on Monday nights at The Key Club-Hollywood? Metal Skool, and I was recommended by AAM’s very own photographer Ernie (Manrique Photos) to see two opening bands that night. One was Seven Stitches the other 3 Faced. But as everyone knows Mondays suck, just because it’s the beginning of the “work week”! But, I gave Ernie the benefit of the doubt and went along.
Seven Stitches took the stage first, 9:00 PM with 3 Faced following at 10 PM. The Key Club had a special in by 9 PM and admission was FREE. Which was great, this helped me afford my $4 water! Guess that’s the going rate for good entertainment and Key Club brand water.
I planted myself at the very front of the stage getting very curious and maybe a bit impatient. But of course, I’m always a bit impatient at concerts. It’s my way of psyching myself up for a night of music. Then the lights dimmed and a guitarist, drummer and bass player walk out on stage. Quite a few people cheering and applauding. Okay, so it wasn’t the best reaction I’ve seen, but to me that says most people there haven’t heard their music yet. The music starts up and out walks Sammy, the lead singer. The best way I can describe her style is like a little powerhouse. She doesn’t seem like she’s going to blow you away, but once she belts out a tune, does she ever! Sammy’s got a killer voice.
I didn’t catch the title of their first number, but I can describe it as a harder version of early Blondie with some Evanescence thrown in there. The intro to the second song, “Pins and Needles”, has a bit of a Tool/A Perfect Circle vibe to it. It’s a pretty cool song and it has a really catchy chorus. “Rise” was their third song. It had the same vibe as “Pins and Needles” so there isn’t much to say about it. I liked it though. Next up was “Walls”. It reminded me of “Around the Fur” by The Deftones, but it was faster and well, it had a female in it. Bud Lopez did some awesome work on the drums. Then up came their ballad for the evening. I didn’t get the title, but that’s not the point. The point is that it’s a really good song! It has an 80’s metal feel to it. I could best describe it as Lita Ford meets Heart. There’s some really good bass in there from Josh Paul (hell yeah!) and it gets pretty heavy towards the end. The sixth song of the evening didn’t quite take to me nor I to it so I don’t think I can really comment on it. The last song, “Someone Else” is easily my favorite song of the night. In the words of Sammy, “it’s about someone who turned into a Hollywood asshole”. How to compare it? Think My Ruin with less screaming and more singing. I head more bass with some pretty heavy guitars in there thanks to Scott Ueda. Who, in fact was in Manhole/Tura Satana with Tairrie B of My Ruin. Small world isn’t it? Then, of course, I can’t say how awesome Sammy’s vocals are. The plain and simple thing is that she has a great voice. Fans of Evanescence and Lacuna Coil will like them. As a matter of fact, her voice kind of reminds me of Christina Scabbia’s. Also, if you’re a Tool or A Perfect Circle fan, you might like them. I just don’t know how you’ll do with the female vocals.
Up next, and setting up now was 3 Faced. Immediately my eyes fixated on two print screens. They depicted a heart made from a Texas flag that was torn in two, but still held together. First impressions are everything, right? Well, at least in the music field they are. So far, so good. I watched as the band did their “line check”. Out walks the guitar player, Patrick Kennison, and he starts tuning his strings with some heavy riffs. I’m thinking, “Alright! Some heavy shit a comin’!” I was gearing up for a head-bang fest. Marty O’Brien, the bass player, comes out, does his check and is done with it. I didn’t really garner much of an opinion of him at that point because he just did his one note test and that was that. Then, there sits Duncan Black at the drums. He’s ready, I’m ready, we’re all ready!
Now I hear the intro, a creepy and pretty damn cool version of “Amazing Grace”. I’m assuming the lead singer, Jade Russell, is the one singing. It’s dark and melodic with a heart thumping through it. Cut to the first song. Well, I can’t really compare them much to any other band out there. 3 faced is like a modern kick to old school arena rock. This is the band that got to open up for Bon Jovi at the Staples Center, not long ago. Their fans fans “really” like them a lot, it shows. Jade saunters out looking very pretty, as all singers kind of have to these days. She has a good voice, but it’s not as powerful as it should be with the type of music they’re playing. Next song was like a pop song, but it had a heavy guitar sound. I didn’t catch the title, nor a set list later, sorry. But, I can compare it to some degree, to Veruca Salt. The guitar solo was reminiscent of early 90’s metal a la Metallica maybe, but not as intense. Third song, “13 Steps”, had a very catchy drum beat. I want to say fans of screamo would like it. That’s what kind of song I would describe it as.
Ballad time now and Patrick drops his guitar for a while to start out with some piano. Jade sits and croons, belting out all the feeling she can muster. The female vocals make it sound like a Tori Amos song, but when Patrick chimes in with his voice, it quickly turns into a Gun’s N’ Roses vigil invoking “November Rain”. Patrick’s voice really adds that certain, “Wow”! He kind of changes the mood when he sings it. I really in this song , preferred his voice over hers. Next! Sorry missed this song title too, so I’m trying to get through this the best I can. But it wasn’t my favorite of the evening. It seemed a little emo. The guitars were awesome, but um, that’s about it. On to the next, can we say Motely Crue!? I actually liked this song because it sounded trashy without really being trashy. Musically, it reminded me of “Girls, Girls, Girls” with a little “Cherry Pie” thrown in it, but not referring to the fairer sex. I liked it. Last, but not least is “I Am”. I’m guessing this is their most popular song. With that said, it was very pop and radio worthy. I can compare it to “Stacy’s Mom” by Fountains of Wayne only in the musical sense. It had that kind of sound/beat to it. Would make a great song for a Hilary Duff movie.
At the end of the night, all I can say is that I walked out of there with a lot of respect for all the musicians on the stage. I had a great time listening to some pretty good music. Some songs better than others but, over-all a good night. The women of the evening had some wonderful talent, the guy’s great musicianship. Going out on a Monday night usually isn’t my thing, but I’m glad I did. I really am excited to see Seven Stitches at the All Access Magazine Music Awards show, November 4 (The Knitting Factory) in case you didn’t know. By the way, vote for Sammy for best vocals damnit! She deserves it so much! Oh, and not to mention she, along with Jade from 3 Faced, are featured as an All Access magazine calendar girl. There are so many great looking girls this year so if you know what’s best, you better vote for one! You can see all the calendar girls AND nominees at www.ALLACCESSMAGAZINE.COM so vote, vote, vote…is all up to the fans now!!
Website plugs!!!
www.myspace.com/SEVENSTITCHES
www.myspace.com/3FACED
www.myspace.com/ALLACCESSMAGAZINE
www.myspace.com/ALLACCESSROCKS
(Damn that MySpace! You now you love it)
