The 18th Annual KROQ Weenie Roast kicked it in full gear at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. The sold out event was more like a big party then a concert I thought with everybody having fun, drinking, socializing and partying.  Girls were showing more skin then normal, taking in the sun, and guys had shirts off and beers in both hands. The Hot KROQ Dj’s were there with DR Drew and friends... With a lineup that had the potential to be great.

The event had short sets, only about 30 minutes per group, which, for the Dirty Heads and Paramore, sucked as all it did was left us wanting a lot more. However, to be honest, I was grateful for the short sets for some of the other bands.

Cage the Elephant’s set was something else. I didn’t really “get it”. Each of the band members having their own glossy looks of confusion like being on drugs, with people in the audience trying to figure out what drugs they were on – that was till they started singing a long version of their hit song, wait for it… “Aint no rest for the wicked” which finally got some screams and excitement. Ok, I will admit, live, this song kicks ass – but there wasn’t much more going on with this group.

Spoon and Silverson Pickups, both playing, well, let’s just say the short sets came in handy here.

Paramore’s set proves that she is more than a pretty face. From the beginning the energy didn’t stop as this young punk core singer ran from side to side of the stage with her bright hair all over singing hit after hit proving that she is not going anywhere anytime soon.  A photographer said it best, “Paramore finally woke me up” Her set rocked – but in the end, just a tease as 30 minutes wasn’t enough to get the Paramore fix. She started off with Ignorance, That’s What You Get, Pressure, For A Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic, Decode, Brick By Boring Brick and finally finishing off with Misery Business.. Like I said, a set list that included only hits.

Hole surprisingly was impressive showing off that age aint nothing but a number, singing hit classics that I remembered listening to in high school, while partying, when I should have been studying.  With hits like Skinny Little Bitch, Doll Parts, Malibu, and Miss World. Apparently nobody has told Courtney Love not to cover songs from other bands – because they, well, weren’t very good. Sorry Rolling Stones, Leonard Cohen, and Heatmiser.

The highlight of the night, Stone Temple Pilots. Scott Weiland had his A Game on and the crowd was loving every second of it. They played mainly songs the band is known for, skipping most of their new stuff, which was fine with me. After all, that is the STP we have all grown up to love. The set started with Vasoline, Wicked Garden, and Crackerman. During this time chants of STP could be heard throughout the sold out venue with everybody on their feet, girls screaming for Scott to take off his clothes, and people running into each other trying to get closer to the stage. It was getting very fun.

The set continued with Between The Lines, Hickory Dichotomy and Big Empty which had everybody singing along, even myself. But it didn’t stop there – KRQO didn’t rip off fans this time as they were allowed to play a full set continuing on with Plush (with help from the audience), Interstate Love Song, Huckleberry Crumble and Tumble In The Rough.

Watching Stone Temple Pilots live is something else. An entertaining set with a lot of crowd interaction, Scott getting in the pit area to mingle during songs, hit song after hit song from the legends that makes STP, a great live band to watch with high energy all around.

STP finished with Lounge Fly, Sex Type Thing, Dead And Bloated and Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart.

It was the first group that was demanded an encore from the sold out crowd – that says a lot!

I think its safe to say that Stone Temple Pilots saved Weenie Roast

Sadly, when sublime was on, it appeared like everybody was leaving. It was almost like Sublime “With Rome” was more like wall music while you make the long trek down to your car instead of being good enough to be a headliner.

I think Sublime would have been more enjoyable during the day – like right before The Dirty Heads.

Rome apparently read our review of the 4/20 show because this show had more energy than before – and included Date Rape – however, that still wasn’t enough to keep anybody’s attention as the night was done for everybody – before Sublime finished their set.