Projekt Revolution - 8/3 @ Lakewood Amphitheatre
If anyone had ever asked me before I went to Projekt Revolution what I thought about Linkin Park and I would've probably said, "Oh, I hate those guys." And that's without ever really having listened to anything they've done. Why? Mostly because Nu Metal aka Rap/Rock totally sucks, so I don't need to listen to anything they've done. I've never liked any band who did it, so the fact that Linkin Park seems to be the last one standing in the genre doesn't change that fact. Also I get really irked with how they spell their name - Linkin, and for that matter, Projekt. Would it kill them to spell something correctly? Or would that make them feel like their tap dancing for "the man." 'Cause they're out to shatter your illusions about what's real and what isn't. I mean are they a rock band or a hip hop band? Think about it bro...sorry, got lost on one of my mental diatribe tangents there. Didn't mean to type all that out. Needless to say, wasn't a fan going in, but Rikki loves them, so I took her and her roommate Shannon to the show.
We got there shortly before Chris Cornell went onstage, the one guy on the bill that I do like. However, I'll admit that there's nothing revolutionary about him (especially now) to be included on the tour, but then again, there's nothing really revolutionary about any of the bands on this tour, if you think about it. But since it doesn't seem like Soundgarden is ever going to reunite, this will have to suffice. He was a lot better than the last time I saw him play and he sounded great. Still has the best scream in rock, in my opinion. But even though he sounded with it, every time the cameras got a close up on him, he looked totally out of it (shades of looking California and feeling Minnesota?). He had this thousand yard stare thing going on, which got kind of creepy after awhile. And then he looked completely freaked out after he decided to jump into the audience and crowd surf. Doubt he'll make that mistake again. He sang some of his solo stuff, some Audioslave stuff, and some guy came out for a duet on "Hunger Strike" and since the crowd went nuts, I guessed he was from Linkin Park. But mostly he just sang Soundgarden songs, which is basically what everyone wants to hear. Which still begs the question, when the fuck are Soundgarden going to reunite for pete's sake?!? C'mon!!
Then it was time for Linkin Park. I'll admit I was dreading it, but it wasn't as horrible as I thought it was going to be. Sure I didn't really enjoy any of the songs, but I didn't want to shove a needle in my ears to stop the noise or anything. I just stood there and realized that this music wasn't meant for me. And watching the group of 10 year old boys in front of me and the two Avril Lavigne wannabes (not Rikki and Shannon) next to me singing heartfeltly to every song simply confirmed it. I spent most of their set just scanning the crowds and seeing how much everyone there was into these guys. They have quite a rabid fanbase, gotta respect that. And after about 45 minutes, I actually did recognize one of their songs but I'll have to say I always thought it was a girl who sang it. 'Cause at times, that guy does sound a little like a chick singer. Chris Cornell even came back out for a duet on one of their songs, but I didn't know that one. Although I will say I did recognize another song, but by then it was getting pretty late and Rikki and Shannon wanted to split and beat the mad dash out of Lakewood. Although I'm guessing it wasn't going to be so bad, as a good 1/3 of the crowd would be needing to wait for mom to pick them up after the show.
So after finally listening to Linkin Park I'll have to say that I didn't hate them. I didn't really like them, but won't go so far as hating them. But I really wouldn't want to see them again though. And that'll be a projekt I'll try to work on.