Bush, Eminem, KISS Close Epicenter Day 1

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Written by Melissa Garcia

Wednesday, 29 September 2010 00:46

On a strip of parking lot just outside the Fontana Auto Club Speedway, Eminem was going to be playing on the main stage. Not to mention the legend of theatrical rock, KISS as the main headliner. And for the first time in 10 years, Bush reunites and preforms live. Epicenter Festival was definitely going to be epic. The nearly unbearable heat of 105 degree weather was enough to send fans into a frenzy on that hot asphalt. Luckily, the venue was ultra-prepared with a mist tent, and fans scattered around the venue that had water spraying its cool relief over the near heat stroke crowd of 55,000. The second stage was well, pretty pathetic (in size I mean). Some of the punk-rock legends like Suicidal Tendencies and Bad Religion were set to play there. And to my dumbfounded surprise, the 90's rap sensation, House of Pain performed on the Monster Energy Drink sponsored stage as well!

This two-day festival included a slightly hidden art gallery area, which is a unique feature that I haven't seen before at a festival like this. A marionette display caught my eye as it depicted capitalism and the American dream in a humorous and horrific way. There was also an interactive graffiti art section where the crowd could watch art being created. Huge wooden boards were made into masterpieces right before my eyes and I was really taken back to see the other big scaled 3D models that artists like Greg Gould 34, created for the festival. As for vendor village, there were the usual T-shirt and sunglass stands, pro-marijuana tents and tents dedicated to social causes as well. "Take Me Home" was one of them, taking dollar donations to support animal rescue, and a separate raffle for $2 which could have gotten you a guitar signed by Eminem himself.

There was also "Music Saves Lives," a non-profit organization, that encourages people to donate blood, but in Epicenter's case, blood loss and the extreme heat could be cause for concern, so instead they decided to sell T-shirts, and lunch boxes. Before the show they also auctioned off VIP tickets and a meet and greet with Blink-182. All in all they raised $1,500!

On the Monster stage, Big B and Russo performed to a fair and steady crowd and had people singing along to "Sinner," which is too hard NOT to relate to.

I also saw a girl get her nose broken in a mosh pit during Papa Roach's song "Last Resort." Who knew they still had that, "Fuck you," spirit in em' and enough attitude to get a girls nose broken. Before dedicating their next song "Hollywood Whore," to Paris Hilton, Jacoby Shaddix (Vocals) declared, "I smell the weed! You got that good California collie buds smokin' out there huh? The band stems from Vacaville CA, and Jacoby expresses how good it feels to be home. Then he asked the crowd "Is anybody here that’s sick of that talentless little twat Paris fucking Hilton?" As the crowd screams approval he continues with his middle finger up in the air, " Yea, rich little white bitch gets anything she wants right?

Well, if you ask me, she's just a fucking Hollywood whore." By far, the greatest intro for a song I've ever heard, true nonetheless. I will forever love your truth speaking ways Jacoby.

After 10 years departed, and a Gavin Rossdale solo album, they reunite not only their band, but there fans as well."Machinehead," is the opener and after announcing that it was their first live performance in ten years they went on to play "Little Things" and "After Life," where Gavin took the initiative to storm the barricades and literally get 'in-touch' with his fans. With the gathering of their die-hard fans excited as hell to see the band together again, they rocked into the mid-day, when things finally began to cool off... a little. After "The Chemicals Between Us," Swallowed," and "Greedy Fly," the band left the stage and Gavin was by himself. He told the crowd that it was good to play some new material, and that he thought he might play a new song. What do you know? He was pulling our leg when the first riff was that of probably their biggest hit, "Glycerine." People from across the venue ran towards the main stage with their cameras in the air to catch a verse or two of the song. As the song came to an end the band joined Gavin to finish off their set with "Comedown." It really doesn't feel like they've been gone for 10 years, especially with a performance that was as tight and well put together as theirs were. I can only hope that this performance lead to some motivation for a new album.

The highly awaited performance of the night would have to go to Eminem, who has been out of the scene, while trying to get clean, for five years now. After reviewing his new album Recovery I had a feeling Eminem was going to tear it up on stage. Fortunately, what I assumed was wrong. He didn't tear up the stage; he obliterated it with his performance. With a full band behind him (No DJ's here!) "Won't Back Down," was number one of the set list, which deemed appropriate for his return to the stage. "WTP" was next where pictures of different girls 'tramp stamps' were displayed on the screen behind him. He brought it back to the Marshall Mathers LP, with "Kill You," and The Way I Am," and hopped back to his Recovery album with "No Love," where he chanted "Free Lil' Wayne" who he collaborated with on the track. He continued with "So Bad," He then introduced the D12 crew, with Bizarre sporting his usual shower cap. While playing "My Band," he stopped right before Proof's verse and asked the crowd to sing as loud as they could if they knew the lyrics, to show Proof some love. D12 stayed on stage for "Blue and Yellow," and after Bizarre took off his shirt to expose his amazingly BIG body, Eminem took over the stage once more. During his performance of "Airplanes," the lady who sang Hayley Williams part, sounded eerily like her, nearly identical. "Stan," was next and the original music video played on the screen. "Little Soldiers" was after that, where he gave a heartfelt shout out to his fallen friend, and D12 member Proof, who was shot and killed in 2006. Hit after hit, he performed on his a game, never missing a beat, rap or rhyme. I'm glad the first time I was able to see Eminem live, was at Epicenter. His energy expressed that he was determined to shake the rust off of him after all those years off stage. His final song was an encore, and it was "Lose Yourself," he thanked the crowd for the support and left the stage. SHADYS BACK!

As for KISS, they put any other rock band to shame with their ridiculously entertaining set. The set was packed tight with their hits "Detroit Rock City," and of course "Rock n' Roll All Night," and the more melodic "Crazy Nights," to take the hard rock down to a more bubblegum rock sound. Pyrotechnics and confetti had the audience's eyes glued to the stage. While the flaming sword and fire balls and had them running for their lives. With Stanley strumming high in the air while hooked on to a cable KISS played "I Was Made for Loving You." I would personally like to thank the camera man who put Gene Simmons tongue on the jumbo tron for all our viewing pleasure. I've seen these guys live almost 7 years ago, and they are just as vigil and energetic as they were then, they are true rock stars to the core and their age will not age any aspect of their performance, not one bit. Cheers to you KISS and keep rocking out, because fans young and old still seek your spontaneous performances, it's a nice break from the norm. And as Stanley put it, "The music you hear is made by the four people up here, there are no phony tapes. This is rock n' roll, and we are a rock n' roll band!" Well done KISS and well said Stanley.