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2023-03-02

THEORY – SKILLET – SAINT ASONIA – LIVE @ ROADRUNNER

By Kat Gullage

All aboard my maiden voyage to the Roadrunner venue in Boston to catch the “Rock Resurrection” tour featuring Theory, Skillet and Saint Asonia.

Efficient entry through bag check (at least we were allowed a bag) and metal detectors (the unfortunate new norm) gave us access to a colossal sized standing room only space facing a massive stage that made for great viewing throughout. Roadrunner also offers a mezzanine, but I didn’t venture up there. Multiple bars made for quick drink orders. Fans were a variety of ages, excited to be there and everyone I interacted with was very cool.

Totally bummed that Mike Mushok (lead guitarist of Staind & Saint Asonia) would not be performing on this trek due to “extenuating circumstances”. No Mike Mushok? At a Saint Asonia gig in Massachusetts? UGH! Really wanted to see him jam and hit that signature stance where he basically holds his axe a millimeter off the floor. The band was lucky that Tavis Stanley Adelitas Way, Art of Dying) was available to fill in, joining Adam Gontier on vocals, Cale Gontier on bass and Cody Watkins on drums.

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Images courtesy of Holly Roy Photography

Saint Asonia opened with their most familiar hit, “Better Place” (from their self-titled debut) which I thought was a bold, strong start and they sounded good. “Above It All” (from their most recent release Introvert/Extrovert) was followed by “The Hunted” from the Flawed Design EP. Singer Adam asked “How many people know us?” The majority of hands went up. He continued with “Let’s Get Acquainted” and mentioned how he used to be in Three Days Grace and did we “mind if they played some?”

The tone of the set changed as Adam performed “Never Too Late” solo, just him and a guitar, while relying heavily on participation from a crowd that missed their singing cue at least once. The entirety of Saint Asonia returned to perform “I Hate Everything About You”, which was well received by the fans. I was a bit confused, was I at Saint Asonia gig or some kind of tribute? I’m aware these are Adam’s songs, but the performance was lackluster compared to the current Three Days Grace line-up.

“I Don’t Know”, an Apocalyptica cover, left me just as perplexed. Saint Asonia originals returned with “Devastate” and the set wrapped up with “Let Me Live My Life”, which was the highlight. I learned from the road crew, a loyal unit offering debatable points of my review, that the band videos their performances and analyzes them. This is how they learned the fans react positively to the 3DG covers. I went home and viewed the footage on my own and they were right. It’s just my opinion that Saint Asonia can stand on their own. When I see Alter Bridge live, I don’t hear any Creed songs.

I was pumped for the next band up, Skillet, as one of my avid concert going buddies raved about their live show. The loud ass “pre-song” on the PA before Skillet took the stage was Dogman by Kings X, excellent choice! Skillet is John Cooper (lead vocals, bass) Korey Cooper (rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals) Jen Ledger (drums, vocals) Seth Morrison (lead guitar) and Tate Olsen on cello. Once ranked one of the “Hardest Working” bands due to their relentless touring schedule, their live show proved just as enthusiastic and unrelenting. They gave one thousand percent in their performance of fourteen hits from eleven studio albums.

From the openers “Feel Invincible”, “Rise”, and “Surviving The Game”, the action was non stop. At one point the formidable John had these ‘guns’ on each arm that shot smoke into the crowd. Just after “Legendary”, John proclaimed that the band combined with the crowd “sounded beautiful”. “Awake and Alive” had the guitarists on these eye catching floating risers. Fans were responding enthusiastically.

John again addressed the audience, “Thank you for coming. You have no idea how glad we are to be back, as we come together here, you might not agree with who you’re next to, but it doesn’t matter for a while at a show. Music just makes us feel better!” You know it JC, TRUTH! Next up was “Hero”, which Cooper dedicated to Jesus Christ, his hero, a reminder that Skillet is known as a Christian rock band.

It was followed by “Not Gonna Die”, “Whispers in the Dark” and “Psycho in My Head”. Jen beats the fuck out of the drums while she sings, just kick ass. So much energy it was hard for me to get a photo of her that wasn’t blurry. The whole band performs at that same level. Tate gave us cello action on “Comatose”. Saint Asonia’s Adam Gontier joined them for “Finish Line”. They wrapped up their set with “Monster”, “Rebirthing” and “The Resistance”. This was a high energy performance and the whole package: the sound, the light show, the floating risers, the whole vibe was like an arena performance in a club. Highly! recommend.

This was not my first rodeo with Canadian rock band Theory (of a Deadman). I expected a polished set sprinkled with humor and they did not disappoint. They’re roaring “pre song” on the PA was “Sweet Caroline” which electrified the Boston crowd. Vocalist and guitar player Tyler Connolly took the stage wearing a trench coat that looked like it would also work as a vampire hunter outfit. My daughter, who met them at a previous show, described his hair as a “lego piece that probably just snaps on his head”. Along with Dave Brenner on guitar, Dean Beck on bass and Joey Dandeneau on drums, we were treated to thirteen tracks from seven studio albums.

“Dinosaur” and “Bitch Came Back” opened the set. “Two of Us” is a TOAD song combined with “Just The Two of Us” from Grover Washington, Jr., an interesting combination that somehow works. This was followed by “Never Meant To Be” before Tyler addressed the crowd. “Thank you for supporting bands and venues like this, we’re nothing without you!” Right on Tyler!

Next up was “History of Violence”. Then I yelled out “Ambulance”! and Tyler responded “We can do that!” and they did! This is the single off their new studio album, Dinosaur, which is being released on March 17. I really dig the song so I’m looking forward to the new LP. The pace slowed a bit with “Santa Monica” and just Tyler on keyboards for the cover of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game”. I’m usually not a fan of covers but this one is palatable.

They got things moving again with “Lowlife”, the end of the song inspired the band to break into “Friends in Low Places”. The fans responded gleefully but I was like “whatever”. Tyler acted like they were going to bring Garth Brooks on stage before declaring, “he had ditched them again.” I was relieved, but I heard a post show rumor that Garth will be taking the stage sometime during this tour so fans should grab tickets now! This is not a drill!

The fun continued with “Hate My Life” and “Rx (Medicate)”. More fun was injected as the band played and the crowd sang a few verses of “Paradise City”, Tyler thanked the crowd and gave a shout out to all the bands, then started jamming Pantera’s “Walk” which got us metalheads all riled up, but it was just a taste before they ended their set with “Bad Girlfriend”.

I like to talk to fans in attendance and get their feedback. I spoke with four random girls that were not together and they were all there to see Adam Gontier of Saint Asonia. Definitely would’ve lost that bet. Random concert goers in the pit with me were excited to see all the bands, happy for a night out of great live music. The venue has a new fan (me) and I can honestly say it was another experience of doing what I love: attending live gigs and documenting the experience for you, our faithful readers.