The Illinois-based industrial rock band Stabbing Westward celebrated their Darkest Days Tour with the 20th anniversary of the album’s release. They played Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey on Sunday, October 21st supported by Gathering After Ashes, Deadfish Handshake and The Clay People.
Kicking off the show was New Jersey hard rock band Gathering After Ashes, the five piece local band started their set with “My God” which is one of their new songs. When they are not recording in the studio, the band enjoys playing shows at local venues and they have opened up for national touring bands such as Trapt and Killcode. I have seen their music grow over the years while listening to them play live on stage, their heavy guitar rhythms, strong vocals, and pounding percussions always seem to amaze me. GAA’s music has been featured on radio stations such as Neue Regel, Nuclear Rock and Rock Rage and the band plan to release a new album sometime in the near future.
The second band opening the show was Dead Fish Handshake, also from New Jersey and who formed in 2010 by current members Matt Paul and Rob Ferreira. Earlier this year, they released their single “Love/Remains”. The band performed some fan favorites from their setlist including “Nothing Stays Gold” followed by “When it Rains”. They earned a slot at the Rock Carnival in 2015 while sharing the stage with Godsmack, Three Days Grace and Slash. This hard working rock and roll band have great riffs, steady drums and catchy vocals and plan to release new music in 2019.
The third band, The Clay People, is an industrial rock band hailing from Albany, NY and have been around since 1989. The former members went on hiatus in the 2000’s while pursuing several solo and side projects. After a couple of lineup changes, the band returned with new music releasing their new album in September of 2018. Their older sound that appeared in their self titled album “The Clay People” had more synthesizers and heavy guitars, however their newer stuff is still keeping the audience alive where they are left wanting more. You can tell from their stage presence that there is a strong connection between the band and their fans. The Clay People are currently touring and playing shows in their hometown area to celebrate their return as a band.
The headliner Stabbing Westward, fronted by singer Christopher Hall, keyboardist Walter Flakus, and guitarist Marc Eliopulos, is an industrial rock band formed in the mid-1980s. The band is known for their hit songs “Shame,” “What Do I Have to Do?” and “Save Yourself.”, the latter from their 1998 Darkest Days album. Stabbing Westward is in the midst of a fall tour to celebrate their 20 year anniversary of the album’s release.
With a looping video playing on a screen in the background, Stabbing Westward opened the show with the title track of the Darkest Days album. From there, the band proceeded to play the entire album, including songs like “Haunting Me” and “Sometimes It Hurts.”
Christopher Hall went on to say how “depressing” the songs were twenty years later and now were “going to play some fun songs.” The encore had “What Do I Have to Do?,” which Hall said “You know what to do” prior to the catchy chorus. “Shame” was played to close out the nearly 90-minute set. This band almost has a catchy pop sound to their music with a industrial rock vibe. Their Darkest Days album is definitely worth a listen with their high pitch vocals, crushing guitar and bass, keyboard accompaniment, and driving rhythm.
Stabbing Westward put on such a great show which I really enjoyed! If you want to catch them on their current tour please be sure to check them out. Their final tour stop will be on December 16th at the Scout Bar in Houston, Texas.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Kimberly Ann of Garden State Band Connection
