August 6, 2009 – On Thursday, the campers and rockers at the Buffalo Chip were in need of an evening filled with hard hitting rock to take their mind off the fall of Steven Tyler. Tesla and Hinder filled that void with ease, giving energetic performances that quickly set the week of concerts back on track.
In the world of modern rock, Hinder is riding a wave of success in the studio as their albums gain popularity, and on the road as they are now in the midst of their fifth package tour in just two years. While the bands may be a full generation apart, Tesla’s timeless blues-based hard rock led flawlessly into an aggressive set from Hinder, and it’s safe to say that they both earned new fans as teens took in Tesla and parents gave Hinder a try.
Opening up for a band on the rise isn’t an easy job, but Tesla made it look that way as they rolled out onto the stage proudly boasting their new single “I Wanna Live“. With his unmistakable pipes, Jeff Keith helps to bring the classic elements of the song to the forefront even though the modern undertones are strong and undeniable. Now on a worldwide tour supporting a brand new studio album titled Forever More, it’s interesting to note that very little has changed over the course of this group’s 25 years together – and that’s not a bad thing. All of its members with the exception of guitarist Dave Rude have been there from conception, so songs like “Modern Day Cowboy” maintain their integrity as they sound fresh and raw during live shows all these years later.
Despite the difference in age, Rude’s playing ability makes him an instant fit with the band and an unstoppable force when partnered with fellow guitarist Frank Hannon. Bass player Brian Wheat also took an active role on stage, ensuring that his riffs were well heard and engaging in three-man jams with Rude and Hannon.
The band kept going and the motorcycles kept roaring through hits like “Hang Tough” and “Signs“. Yes, Tesla made sure that those who stuck around after the previous night were glad they did so. In the 1980s it was their unique sound and songwriting style that set them apart from the multitude of rock acts that later formed, and at the Buffalo Chip it was their ability to replicate that style that made for one of the week’s standout concerts.
Hinder ensured that the party kept going strong and chose the fiery “Use Me” to start things off. With a great solo and a melodic chorus, the song is glam meets modern all the way and it effectively grabbed the attention of everyone within hearing distance of the stage. “Up All Night” and “Take It to the Limit“, the title track from the new album, were solid set list choices met with screams, cheers, and plenty of fists in the air.
When watching the group perform, it became increasingly clear why they have become an instant sensation on the charts and on the radio. Joe Garvey and Mark King have the chops to create explosive riffs, and Austin Winkler has the voice to make the songs unique and distinct. Not to mention the fact that most groups would be envious of the way Hinder is able to connect with their audience through lyrics and emotion. From the young girl holding a sign that read “I Have Lips of an Angel” to the toughest of bikers in the crowd, the band from Oklahoma was seemingly able to connect with everyone in Sturgis.
With burning red lights and logos glowing through silver platforms, the stage set up combines with a consistent look of hardcore rock that makes Hinder just as stunning visually as they are audibly. Shortly before show time, a thick fog set in over the amphitheater and stuck around for the entire set. Nature’s haze was so thick that there was no need for fog machines as the band played in what was quite possibly the coolest live show atmosphere ever.
After testing the waters with some new material, the time for hits had arrived. It must be a blessing and a curse to already be saddled with one of those songs that must be played at all live shows after just a few years together, but that’s just what Hinder has landed with “Lips of an Angel“. It would have been impossible to leave in one piece without playing it, and they knew it. Fortunately, it must not be too tiring for Winkler just yet as the task of singing it with enthusiasm and passion proved to be an easy one.
Hinder has come a long way since the release of their first album in 2005, and are most certainly deserving of the fame and fortune they’ve encountered. Their growing catalog of solid rock anthems and their wild and spontaneous concerts make them a band you don’t want to miss. The best may have yet to come for these five talented musicians.
[...] Melodic Rock Concerts » Tesla and Hinder Concert Review – Sturgis 2009From the young girl holding a sign that read “I Have Lips of an Angel” to the toughest of bikers in the crowd, the band from Oklahoma was seemingly able to connect with everyone in Sturgis. Hinder – August 6, 2009 … read more… [...]