Alternative rock mainstays Helmet and Toadies recently tore through Philadelphia’s Trocadero Theater with support from Austin’s indie rockers, UME and Blow The Scene was there to capture the experience.
Formed in NYC in 1989, Helmet released a number of full-lengths and singles on Interscope Records that found mainstream success before disbanding in 1998. The band’s driving rock sound of crunchy riffs and heavy handed drumming is often attributed as being the DNA of a sound many bands who found success in the mid to late 90s would implement. Deftones, Rise Against, Pantera, and Tool have all cited Helmet as an influence. Front man and vocalist Page Hamilton, reformed the group in LA in 2004 which preceded the release of full-length albums Size Matters (2004), Monochrome (2006), and the self-released Seeing Eye Dog (2010). Helmet‘s recent performance at the Troc found the band sharp and energetic as they fired off material that spanned their prolific career. The audience was mix of both old and young who sang along word-for-word to the majority of the band’s song selections, enforcing the band’s ongoing relevance over 20 years after finding commercial success.
Co-headliners, Toadies, who also formed in 1989 and found major success through relentless MTV support , took us straight back to 94’. If you attended a Red Hot Chili Peppers, White Zombie, Bush, or The Butthole Surfers concert in the early 90s, you may very well have found the Toadies supporting. Now 20 years later, the band has a swagger and presence that you just don’t find with new alternative bands. Toadies are currently supporting their Play.Rock.Music, which is the band’s fifth studio album, released last month on Kirtland Records.
The bill was rounded out by UME who kicked off the evening with a hearty dose of infectious energy and catchy rock tunes.
Our Senior Staff Photographer, Dante Torrieri of Useless Rebel Imaging was on hand to deliver another stellar gallery for your viewing pleasure.
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