THREE DAYS GRACE/CHEVELLE – MGM MUSIC HALL

By Kat Gullage

Three Days Grace and Chevelle Co-headline at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway Park

Weird combo right? Three Days Grace is interpreted as a sense of urgency, as in “could anyone change anything in their life if they only had three days to do it?” Chevelle is defined as a mid-sized automobile produced by Chevy in the sixties and seventies. Sweet ride, though.

MGM Music Hall is located directly behind Fenway in the heart of Boston. Loved seeing the art installations that peppers the area, including famed Red Sox statues. Grabbed grub and drinks at one of the many options. The club is 91,500 square feet and holds 5,000. Very strict rules. You can have a 12x6x12 bag, subject to search. I just don’t bring bags anymore.

No lighters allowed here and no smoking area. I stashed 4 cheap ass lighters along my route in hopes I could find one when I got out. (ya gotta read to the end to find out). Walked through metal detectors and wands. Inside there’s a pit area and two levels of balcony seating. I like that fans have the choice of seats or not. Easy access to restrooms and multiple bars. Also note, this is a cashless venue.

Hailing from the Chicago metro area, the underrated trio known as Chevelle is Pete Loeffler (Lead Vocals/Guitar), his brother Sam Loeffler (Drums), and on this night Kemble Walters (Bass/Backing Vocals). Former bass players include brother Joe Loeffler and brother-in-law Dean Bernardini. I always wondered what holiday conversations are like at their house.

Photos Holly Roy Photography

This was my third time seeing Chevelle live. The first two times I was supposed to see them (I know one show was with Linkin Park) they had to cancel at the last minute. Because they are somewhat elusive to me, I jump at every opportunity to catch them live. Their sound is so unique, it’s hard to describe, although they have been compared to Tool. I love Chevelle, not so much into Tool though. (sorry!) I get a more Deftones type feel from them. A powerful trio with commanding beats and thought provoking artistic lyrics performed at a high-level (wipes brow after formulating description).

As a co-headliner, Chevelle treated us to a healthy set of 16 songs from 7 of their 9 studio albums. (Nothing from their 1st LP, Point #1 and no Sci-Fi Crimes so we didn’t get “Jars”). They opened with “An Island” (great song off of La Gargola). The vocals seemed a tad muddy but were righted by the next song. Pete addressed us with “What’s Up Boston? Came to have some fun!” then fed us a fucking perfect rendition of “Door to Door Cannibals”. Another “Thank you so much!” before “Take out the Gunman”. “Hot damn Boston! It’s the end of the tour tonight.” Crowd got more riled up with “Self Destructor”, loving the solo part.

Sam’s kit is upper stage left, I’m in the pit area in front of Kemble so it’s hard to see the drums. It was my first time seeing Kemble play live. When there is only three, one third is a big deal. I thought he killed it, not only with his bass, but also with his background vocals. He belonged.

“Are you with us?” We respond, a mosh pit breaks out at front center. Lots of cell phone videos shot during “Vitamin R (Leading Us Along)”. Two tracks from The North Corridor LP followed with “Young Wicked” and “Joyride (Omen)”. “You’re fired up Boston! Pretty sure we’re gonna break some shit.” Total participation from a frenzied audience during their hit “Face To The Floor”, as the crowd surfing commenced. The flock quieted a bit during “Piistol Star (Gravity Heals)” off of NIRATIAS (Nothing Is Real and This Is A Simulator).

“You guys wanna hear some old stuff?” Pete called out what must’ve been a kid up front “I saw you wanted to go in the pit and your Mom wouldn’t let you”. During the show some people passed by me stating it “was rough up there”. We were then fed their acclaimed hit “The Clincher”. Pretty sure Pete snuck in “Sam want to fight” during “Forfeit” from Wonder What’s Next.

Halfway through “Send The Pain Below”, Barry Stock (Lead Guitarist, 3DG) emerged with a blow up doll with washboard abs, an inflatable penis, and a face that I couldn’t decipher. Pete proclaimed post-song “I guess we have three new members.” (another member of 3DG was involved) He then acknowledged the team “Huge shout out to our crew for putting up with our bullshit! There are just too many to name.”

Chevelle wrapped it up with “The Red”, “Comfortable Liar” and “Mars Simula”. Fans of the band were salivating for more as they bid adieu to Boston. If indeed you are a Chevelle fan, I highly recommend their live performances. If you’re not, try em on for size, see if you possess the acquired taste.

Photos Holly Roy Photography

This crowd was geared more toward Three Days Grace based on the difference in the length of their merch lines and the 60/40 response I got from surveying random fans. Unlike Chevelle, who plays hard to get with me, this was my third time seeing this particular Three Days Grace tour. My metalhead buddies eye roll at the thought of this Canadian born band, but I keep telling them it’s a super fun high energy show that has consistently produced a decent sized pit. I knew there would be no surprises for me but was still looking forward to rocking out to these guys.

As usual, they fired us up by blasting House of Pain’s Jump Around on the club’s sound system. One by one, out came Neil Sanderson( Drums/Piano/Backing Vocals), Brad Walst (Bass), Barry Stock (Lead Guitar) and then lead singer Matt Walst. Walst in a fucking chair. Surprise! I was like What the fuck? Matt is always animated and jumping around. This is gonna be weird.

They embarked on a setlist of thirteen songs from six of their seven studio albums. (No Transit of Venus so no “Chalk Outline”). The fans were undeterred by Matt’s seated position, and immediately formed a mosh pit with the occasional crowd surfer. The set was unleashed with “So Called Life”, “Animal I Have Become”, “Machine” and “Home”. Brad was throwing out guitar pics like a madman. The sound was great.

Matt still killed it even though he had to sing while perched in a chair. I couldn’t see him well but I’m pretty short. He finally addressed the crowd. “Let’s see you mother fuckers go crazy!” He asked for a Three Days Grace chant and the whole place responded. “Fuck Yeah! I snapped my leg in half last show (Neil hit the bum-dum-tiss). I can’t walk or stand. But I didn’t want to cancel this Boston show, the last night of the tour.”

I was like “Holy Shit”. I looked closer and he was rocking out in that chair but his right leg didn’t move at all, like it was super glued to the chair leg. Gotta give him major props for selflessly feeding the fans even though he was injured.

The place went nuts for the next song, “The Good Life”. Per Matt’s request the pit grew and the crowd surfers moved in. One of them had the coolest light up sneakers on! The high-octane show continued with “Pain” and one of my faves, “The Mountain”. Matt sincerely proclaimed “I’ve been in this band for 10 years and Three Days Grace has the best fans in the world! The next song you made #1 and we can’t thank you enough!”, enter “Painkiller”.

Things slowed down when Barry and Matt did their duet of “World So Cold”. Barry began by playing Tool’s “Parabola” and morphing it into “World”. Got things moving again with “Just Like You”, where it has become customary to have a few fans on stage to sing. I’ve seen kids, people of all shapes, sizes and ages on stage for this. On this night it was four dolled up young women. Zero diversity in the fan choice this time.

During Break I took a boot to the top of the head (shit happens in the pit sometimes) as a guy attempted to crowd surf but he started way too far back and I didn’t expect it. Turns out I was in between two guys that had a hold of him, they ended up too far apart as I tried to absorb the shock of the cranium kick, and the surfer ended up Face On The Floor. I felt so bad! But he hopped right up and said he was good.

The fast paced show wrapped up with “Lifetime”, fan favorite “I Hate Everything About You”, “Never Too Late”, and their anthem, “Riot”, which launched a back and forth chant of the song title with Matt and his adoring fans. Like Three Days Grace? Their live gigs do not disappoint. Think you’re too good or cool for them? Think again cuz ya not. Never heard of em? Oh, I’m pretty sure you have.

Fingers crossed that Matt has a speedy recovery. I saw a video of the incident, he jumped off a riser and his leg buckled. I’m guessing it could be his ACL, or A thru Z CLs. Kudos to him for performing shortly after incurring the injury. Matt joined 3DG in 2013, replacing longtime singer Adam Gontier (current singer of St. Asonia). I hear murmurs of some fans preferring the Adam years, but I feel like Matt made a seamless transition into the role.

Great venue, awesome space and sound quality. Would recommend. The strict smoking policy was tough. Of the four lighters I stashed on the way in, I was able to retrieve two. A lot of people were fishing for a light after the show!

Check out both Chevelle and Three Days Grace. Both bands have sold over six million albums respectively.

Thank you faithful readers and music lovers!

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