Our thoughts: The Station (Portland ME)

May 18, 2007

w/ Joey Belladonna of Anthrax, Civil Disturbance, Kanagi

Last time we played the Station was a total disaster on the venue’s part, and we swore we’d never play their again. However, an opportunity to open for Joey Belladonna of Anthrax, along with a new promoter and new PA got us in a more agreeable mood. Originally we were to go on second, but the opener backed out at the last minute and we went on a bit early to a spare crowd. Sound onstage was nothing special, but we did our best. Civil Disturbance did better in terms of eyes watching them, and while they’re nice guys, I just don’t get their music – not my thing, too “radio rock”. Kanagi, on the other hand, had a huge crowd watching them, all out of towners. The kanagi guys were really into THE SHOW, as they were all decked out in hot topic duds.

After the huge crowd who came to see Kanagi, the audience for Joey Belladonna was downright small in comparison. Joey still has the voice that sold millions of records, and his band knew their stuff, but it was still an odd show. They played a fair shake of anthrax tunes, and joey kept making drug references with his hands, like his mic was a small bong and he was lighting it up. Another thing I don’t get – I don’t recall drugs playing a big role in Anthrax’s mistique – it’s not like they are the Grateful Dead.