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We're Not In The Record Business, We're In The T-Shirt Business!

 

*Concert Review for WAYLAND & Royal Bliss

 @ Mesa Theatre Club & Lounge - November 2nd, 2013*

 

By The Rocker Twins

*Post date November 21st, 2013*

It's very rare that we get sent an album to review or a press release sent to us that make us want to hear more. But, in the case of WAYLAND, that's just what happened.

 

Reading through their press release we already liked them, just from the list of people that work with them, from Jude Cole to Jesse James Dupree, singer of JACKYL, and the band's manager. We were even more impressed when we hit up You Tube and started seeing and hearing what they were doing. So, hearing that they were going to play our hometown we thought, this is a show we HAVE TO see in person.

 

With a 4 band line-up, it was slated to be a full night of Rock N Roll. The first 2 acts were good for locals, but the club (Mesa Theater And Club), from our point of view could REALLY use a stage manager. For being Grand Junction's premiere concert venue they really should have their own in-house sound, and may consider moving out a ping pong table to let the bands set up their merchandise properly instead of throwing them in a corner, BUT seeing as the club does have new owners, I guess there are growing pains to be expected. But come on guys, loading the bands from the front of the stage, when we have personally been backstage at this venue, we KNOW there's room to go out back. However, we will give them credit, this is the most acts consistantly booked we've seen at this venue in a long time. So hopefully they'll work out the bugs sooner rather than later.

Getting back to the show. WAYLAND hits stage with a blistering rendition of Bob Seger's "Fire Down Below". Talk about putting themselves out there as a REAL Rock N Roll band. With a mid-western feel (the band is named after Phillip Vilenski's hometown) you immediately see and hear a true spirit in them, and can feel the love of what they do.

 

Singer Mitch Arnold is one of the best front men we've seen in a VERY long time. With the ability to command his crowd, he was able to get a club that was basically, completely seated, to get on their feet and clammer for standing room at the front of the stage wanting, and more than willing to cheer them on.

 

With a Rock N Roll scream and style that we ironically found to match their manager, Jesse James Dupree, we were completely mesmerized by some of the best stage presence we've seen an ENTIRE band display in a while.

 

With an energy so refreshing to see, the whole band was more than a joy to watch. Standing in front of bass player, Dean Pizzazz we were more than taken with his sultry moves as he banged his head and stood up in a version of stand-up splits, while you watched him, Mitch and Phillip enterwine around and with each other.

 

Flipping to their original song, "Nobody's Perfect", guitar player Phillip jumps around the stage making your eye follow his fantastic stage moves, while you listen to his masterful playing.

 

This original songs are more than pleasing with great lyrics that gives you a Rock N Roll hook most bands can not master, but let me tell you WAYLAND has done it.

Moving through their short, but memorable set they take on the challenge of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love", showcasing Mitch's vocal range that rivals the great Robert Plant, while Phillip strikes the perfect Jimmy Page poses, and the beautiful drummer, Tyler Coburn embodies Bonzo (John Bonham) as he beats the skins with a love and enthusiasum that makes a Rock N Roll heart melt. Playing this song makes the crowd even MORE electric.

 

Following up with their latest single "RENO", I don't know how you can't instantly fall in love with a song that has the lyric..."where the girls are cocaine pretty".

 

Ending out their set with "Welcome To My Head", (which has been stuck in my head since hearing) you get the rock anthem you wanted to hear. Bring the crowd to their feet this song has "the hook" that most bands would dream of having.

 

Showcasing their writing and arranging skills. The ONLY complaint we have about their show is that it was TOO SHORT!

 

We will definitely be following this band and cheering them on. A band like this REALLY should be on a larger tour, playing for bigger crowds. We would love to see them, along with their tour mates, ROYAL BLISS, on a package tour, with someone like Shinedown or even Five Finger Death Punch.

However, we would be more than remiss if we didn't include the show's headliner, ROYAL BLISS.

 

With airplay of their newest single, "Cry Sister" we were intrigued to see their live show as well. And trust us, we were not disappointed.

 

With singer, Neal Middleton commanding his crowd just as well as WAYLAND'S Mitch, this was some of the best tour chemistry we've seen. From originals that made you put your fist in the air to the crowd jumping up and down as bassist, Dwayne Crawford and guitarist Taylor Richards take center stage to start The Beastie Boy's "SABOTAGE".

 

Best Rock N Roll show we've seen in a long time.

 

So, in the words of Bruce Springsteen, both of these bands have, "Reinvigorated me with the ministry of Rock N Roll"!

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