Candlebox
06/22/09 Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA
Photo courtesy of @mcritz
Candlebox, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated bands to come out of the Seattle grunge scene. Sure their self-titled debut contained such breakout hits as “Far Behind” and “You” but they released 2 albums afterwards which, despite being good rock albums, seemed to remain relatively below the radar. Then in 2008 they released their first new studio album in 10 years, Into the Sun, and proved that not only could this band still rock like the days of old, but that they could write new material that was even stronger as well.
The Paradise proved to be a perfect venue for this band. No seats or fancy stage gagetry, just an up close and personal time rocking out with a couple hundred friends. Local boys Mission Hill did a fantastic job setting the stage, and they are a good, solid rock band that I would definitely recommend checking out.
Candlebox wasted no time busting right out hard and heavy with the song “How Does It Feel”, and the energy of the crowd only built from there. They played a perfect set of songs, I couldn’t have hand-picked a better one. While the entire show was spectacular, it certainly had a few standout moments as well. The first being seeing and hearing the song “Breathe Me In”. This song is not only my favorite on the latest album, but of all time, and one of my favorite songs I’ve heard of any band. Just the flow of the music, the lyrics, and the epic guitar-solo ending, it’s mastery. Later in the middle of the song “Arrow” we were treated to a break into compilation of cover songs from bands that, as lead singer Kevin Martin put it, define rock and roll, before jumping right back in and finishing up the tune. Of course after letting out “Far Behind” they said their good-byes, but we knew they weren’t done yet. What we got, though, was completely unexpected. Three members of the Boston-based hard rock band Damone came out on stage and, together with Kevin and guitarist Peter Klett rocked out their song “Out Here All Night”! Candlebox themselves then returned in full force, bringing an excellent rendition of the hit “You” and closing out the night with the song “Rain”, which they turned into an extended jam with everybody getting some solo time.
Overall it was definitely an excellent show, definitely one of the more memorable ones I’ve seen, and I got a guitar pick! (thanks again to @mcritz) The band themselves were all class as well, giving props to the local guys opening up for them, and hanging out with the people afterwards. It’s always great to see a band that doesn’t act above their fans. I may not have the ordering of songs perfect but here is what we heard:
How Does It Feel
Happy Pills
Don’t You
Change
Underneath It All
Bitches Brewin’
Breathe Me In
Simple Lessons
Arrow (Immigrant Song / Crazy Train / Highway to Hell)
Stand
Miss You
Into the Sun
Cover Me
Far Behind
Encore:
Out Here All Night (with Damone)
You
Rain
