SEVENDUST / SNOT / AMERICAN ADRENALIN – STARLAND BALLROOM
By Donna Marie Eriquezzo & Kat Gullage
We caught the last stop of this run of the Sevendust’ “One” tour at the Starland Ballroom in New Jersey with Snot and American Adrenalin as support.
It’s an ugly, rainy day but that does not stop me from driving to the Starland Ballroom in New Jersey to see American Adrenaline, SNOT, and Sevendust. It’s a long ride but so worth it.
American Adrenaline are first to hit the stage and they come out blazing to their song “War Machine”. These guys are a highly energetic four-piece band based out of Santa Cruz, California. I have never seen them before and I am highly impressed with these guys. Next was their song “American Adrenalin” followed by “Your Fear” and these guys are tight and rockin.
“Breaking Out” was next on the setlist and these guys just keep killing it. The band is comprised of Brandon Vigil on vocals and bass, Marshall Boyd on guitar, Nick Boyd on guitar, and Jeff Bourquin on drums. They released their full-length album, Burn The Ships on March 6, 2026 which was produced by Clint Lowery of Sevendust.
Their set was amazing and very high energy, In addition. I appreciated that Vigil took time to ask people to look out for the younger fans in the crowd due to all of the mosh pits and crowd surfers. Next was “Breaking Out” followed by “Death Becomes You”. I can not get enough of these guys, I am definitely a fan! The last two songs of their set included “Mud In Your Eye” and “Dead Man’s Tale”. If you have never seen these guys I highly recommend them, definitely give them a listen, I promise it is worth it.
Snot. Yes, the nu-metal band from the late 90s. Yes, they’ve had a revolving door of members and multiple hiatuses. Also, they only have the one studio album Get Some and the tribute LP Strait Up. So, why Snot?
Just ask a Sevendust fan. The two bands formed a deep bond while touring together early in their careers. 7D drummer Morgan Rose once stated on his socials “The relationship we built with Snot during this time was so special. It’s never been matched. I’d give anything to go back, even for just 1 day. #brothersfromthestart” The brotherhood was rocked when then Snot singer and frontman, Lynn Strait (James Lynn Strait II) and his beloved dog Dobbs, were killed in a car accident in December 1998.
Sevendust appeared on the tribute compilation, and through their grief, created what would become one of their most beloved songs, “Angel’s Son”. Another connection between the bands is Snot’s original rhythm guitarist Sonny Mayo. Mayo joined Sevendust from 2005 – 2008 and recorded three LPs with them, Next, Alpha and Chapter 7: Hope & Sorrow. He stepped in after Clint Lowery departed to focus on Dark New Day. Lowery eventually returned and reclaimed his place in Sevendust, where he has remained since.
Needless to say, this sold out crowd was more than ready for Snot. After a too long intro, the band stormed the stage, which instantly triggered a frenetic mosh pit and a continuous stream of crowd surfers. Frontman and singer Andy Knapp’s formidable and enthusiastic presence commanded the room. He triggered a “Snot! Sevendust!” chant with the crowd before they launched their eleven song set, with ten of the tracks pulled from Get Some.
They opened with the aptly named “Snot” and Andy ignited a “Snot! Lynn!” chorus mid-song. “Joyride” and “I Jus’ Lie” followed and the fans were well versed in Snot songs, cuz they sang em loud and proud. “Get the fuck up New Jersey!” an unnecessary command because the throng of loyals never came down.
After “Deadfall” and “The Box” Andy greeted us with “Goddamn feels good to be back East! It’s been a
long time, so good to be back. We’re working on a new album!” before they assaulted us with “Snooze Button” and “My Balls”.
Original guitarist Mikey Doling shouted “Let’s go Jersey! Show me watcha got!” before doling out “Stoopid”. Andy continued to whip up the already hyped audience “Show me somethin! Fuck yeah! As smash as this mother fuker can stand! GO!” The pit leveled up from frenzied to berserk for “Tecato”. “We got two more, let’s have a good time. Let’s fukin GO!”
They fed us title track “Get Some” while the Snot logo waved in a distorted trippy fashion on the screen behind them. Andy’s shirt had disappeared by the time they got to the final track, from Strait Up, “Absent” where I counted no less than twenty five crowd surfers. Just for that one song.
Andy and Mikey were joined by John “Tumor” Fahnestock on bass, Doc Coyle on rhythm guitar and Jamie Miller on drums. Snot delivered an energetic wildin show with good sound quality. Look out for new music from them, nearly thirty years in the making.
I am a self proclaimed Sevendust brat. They are the band I’ve seen the most, this marked my fifty-fifth gig. A Sevendust concert is referred to as a family reunion because so many fans are loyal followers while the band themselves are genuine guys who give a shit about their fans.
This 7D brat attended sound check. I bopped around in all of my glory cuz standing still when these guys are grooving right in front of me is not an option. Did I mention everyone else just basically stood around? Watched the guys welcome many fans during a pre show meet and greet. They gave hugs and appreciation to every single person there.
Originally from Atlanta, this tight knit Grammy nominated band of brothers has fifteen studio albums, including three consecutive gold, and have sold millions of records. Their thirteen song set was carefully cultivated from six of their LPs.
Frontman and singer Lajon Witherspoon greeted us with “Whachoo all doin tonight? How you feelin tonight? You look beautiful tonight, at the end of this Sevendust tour.” The first chords of the title track “Home” was all it took for the New Jersey crowd to detonate into a pit that engulfed the whole area in front of the stage and triggered the surfers.
Another track from Home, “Denial” was up next, followed by a new track “Is This The Real You” off the latest album One. Lajon paused to ask “Everyone OK out there? Everyone alright?” cuz the chaos was undeniable but the band wanted everyone to go hard while still looking out for one another.
The crushing version of “Crucified” (Animosity) they rolled out next only leveled up the activity. The singer commented “Can you feel the energy in here? I don’t care whatcha believe in but ya gotta believe in something. I don’t know what’s goin on with the world right now but we wrote this new album about what we are experiencing right now. Raise your hands if you feel “Unbreakable” (One).”
American Adrenalin singer Brandon Vigil joined the band on stage for it. LJ remarked “Thank you for bringing babies!” Yes, these shows are family affairs. “Do you remember?” That question introduced “Terminator” off their debut self-titled LP, Sevendust. LJ shouted “Are y’all with us out there?” mid-song. It was evident we were in fact, out there, because we were nothing but waves of motion.
A one-two punch of the mosh instigating songs “Pieces” (Next) and “Praise” (Animosity) brought more movement. Lajon stopped, “How’s everyone feelin? Turn the lights on.” The house lights came on and blinded us. “Thank you guys so much, you have no idea, to end the tour this way…” he placed his hand on his heart “…you make us so happy in this crazy world. This song goes out to the lovers, the ones that don’t understand.”
The track was “Enemy” from Seasons. A rare treat for the diehard Sevendust fans followed. “Thank y’all for kicking so much ass tonight. This band toured with Snot in the beginning and Lynn Strait was the first time someone my age had died. And we wrote “Angel’s Son” (Strait Up and Animosity)”. The fans lit the place up like daylight with their phones while Mikey Doling and John Fahnestock of Snot joined Sevendust on stage for an emotional rendition.
The unmistakable opening chords of “Black” (Sevendust) had the place in motion again yet it marked the end of the main set. The New Jersey crowd was able to hail the band back on stage effortlessly. Lajon roared “Sing it if ya know it! Sing it loud!” when they belted us with “Rumble Fish” (Home). Nine surfers went up at one time and the wave never slowed until the show ended with “Face To Face” (Seasons). The band gathered for a group pic, took a bow, and meandered on stage for quite a while, throwing picks and sticks and acknowledging personally as many fans as they could.
Sevendust is all original members, decades of loyal brotherhood. Singer and frontman Lajon Witherspoon, bassist “The Boss” Vince Hornsby, Clint Lowery and John Connolly on guitars, and the star of this night’s performance, drummer Morgan Rose. Each member contributes vocally in some fashion which makes for a layered addictive sound.
This brat has seen this band a lot and on this night Morgan operated at an elite level, a real stand out. I found out post show that the setlist had been shortened with “Splinter”, “Waffle” and “Driven” being removed. Seems Morgan sliced his right thumb on his very last hit at Sonic Temple. A nasty gash that required seven stitches to close.
Did he miss any shows? Nope, even played the next day. The only casualty were those three songs. I had already decided he was at the top of his game before I discovered he was injured, which is remarkable in hindsight.
A dedicated, fan driven, talented atmosphere is what defines a Sevendust live show. Come join the family! Catch a stop along “The Dead / Seven Tour” where Theory Of A Deadman rides along for dates in August and September, and hurry cuz some slots are already sold out. Don’t forget to listen to the new album One, it’s your homework before we see y’all this summer!
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