On Thursday, February 27th, THRICE came to one of our favorite places to play the very special “Vheissu”; since it just turned 15 years old. With them they brought HOLY FAWN, DRUG CHURCH, and MEWITHOUTYOU.
I have always been a sucker for post hardcore. If you don’t know what post hardcore is, you’re not alone. There are many people who don’t realize some of their favorite bands come from this genre. (ex: Dance Gavin Dance is experimental post hardcore, and those guys are HUGE.) I would consider Thrice to be among the handful of very important bands in the genre, but that’s just me. Between them and Thursday, those bands made me fall in love with post hardcore in the early 2000’s.
Holy Fawn
I really liked these guys. They reminded me of a special blending of music very similar to what my friends in Capital North do. It’s a little non traditional, but it works and the guys definitely put on a great set! This was the first show these guys had played in Vegas that wasn’t in someone’s living room; according to the vocalist.
Drug Church
We caught Drug Church last year at Punk Rock Bowling. They were one of the best smaller bands on the festival line up. I remember being really excited when I saw them added onto this bill. Also, I was shocked to hear the vocalist explain an very skewed perception of Vegas based on the last couple of shows they had played here. I understood where he came from, but I’ve also seen so many events out here that I know different. I hope this show helped them want to come back to Sin City! They really got a circle pit going! They were also probably the most raw and “punk rock” band on this bill, so we definitely saw a different kind of energy with their set. At any rate, they’re highly recommended by myself and a couple others on the staff.
mewithoutYou
I had always heard this band’s name back when I started getting into post hardcore, but for whatever reason I could never really grasp what they were about, sound wise. I did love how the vocalist could be seen sitting on the floor. He has a very intense presence about him and I respect that greatly. Although they aren’t really my kinda shot of whiskey, they definitely put on an enjoyable set.
Thrice
I was especially excited to see Thrice make their way back to Vegas on this tour cycle. The last time I had seen them perform was at the House of Blues, and I was also supposed to see them perform with Bring Me the Horizon. (I was so bummed out that Ollie Sykes had cancelled tour dates because of his vocal chords. But, you have to take care of yourself and it was great to see THOSE guys return for Las Rageous a little while after those cancelled tour dates.)
At any rate, I really can’t rave enough about the greatness that is Thrice. “Vheissu” is an incredible album, and it’s also probably their most popular. I might have mentioned in my pre show piece that the opening track; “Image of the Invisible”, was featured on Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland. (Sidenote: That game series provided amazing exposure for some of those bands they picked to be on the compilations.)
THE LIGHTS!
My most favorite thing about this show other than the album; had to be the lights. The guys had PHENOMENAL lighting for this show. I can only hope that all the tour dates have had lighting that looked so amazing. I was in awe at the overall production that had to have been put in to create such an awesome atmosphere for this performance of “Vheissu.”
Thrice has one last date in support of their 15th anniversary of “Vheissu” according to the events listed on their Facebook page. That date is in Detroit at The Fillmore in September. If you missed the full round of dates, I’m truly sorry. Because it was an absolutely beautiful show.
I can only hope that in 2 years they do a “20 years of The Illusion of Safety” tour. As much as I absolutely love the progression and growth Thrice has exhibted through the years, that album will always be my favorite. I also am DYING to see “See You in the Shallows” played live. *wink*
My ending statement would be to listen to Thrice. And go see them live. They are really something special!
Have another listen of “Vheissu” below!
Until next time!
All photos by Courtney Ware for ZrockR Magazine 2020, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.