Alice In Chains, Monster Truck @ Murat Theatre at Old National Centre — Indianapolis on August 19, 2014
As part of their North American tour in support of The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, rock icons Alice In Chains made a stop in Indianapolis at the historic Murat Theatre at Old National Centre. For an opening band, they brought along Monster Truck.
Though I’m not a huge fan by any stretch (not like most of who I was surrounded by), I do enjoy many AIC songs, and I’m still bummed that I never got to see them with Layne Staley. However, I’ve heard good things about frontman William DuVall, and the idea of going to one of their shows still interests me. So let’s get this started. I’ve shelled out my money for parking, picked up my tickets, and I’m ready to go.
It’s about 30 minutes before showtime, and the Theatre is maybe 25% full. The rest are still filing into Old National Centre, or they’re hanging around the lobby buying drinks or standing in line at the merch table to pick up a tour shirt. By the looks of it, I’m one of the youngest ones here. This crowd is clearly the 30s-40s crowd that was my age once, wishing they could sing like Layne or play guitar like Jerry Cantrell. I feel a little out of place, but music can bridge any gap.
The room is about half-full by around 8:00 and no sooner do the lights go out and our first band looks ready to take the stage: a rock n’ roll throwback from north of the border that calls themselves Monster Truck.
As far as opening bands go, they definitely looked like an opening band. The music was there and the sound was tight, but outside of their guitarist, it looked a lot like a group of people who were nervous and just going through the motions. It probably wasn’t helped by the fact that we were in a theatre and most people were either filing in or sitting down (minus one enthusiastic person seated right next to me).
Fortunately, the band does shake it off and they do eventually get into it a little more as the set goes on. It’s the kind of Southern/blues-y rock n’ roll that their forefathers from the 1970s would appreciate. By the looks of it towards the end of their set, so does the crowd. It went from being typical, polite applause to legitimately being into it. Before they leave, they ask everyone if they’re all warmed up for Alice In Chains, which is met with loud applause. All they can do is smile and say that they’ve done their jobs.
There are only two acts in this show, and while the crew tears down Monster Truck’s equipment and sets up for the next behind a large black curtain, life goes on in the theatre. More people are filing in and finding their seats in the century-old building. The rest go back to the lobby for another beer. While all of that is happening, Todd from Alt1033 (the artist formerly known as “X103”) greets the crowd to an…er…mixed reaction when he says where he’s from, before reminding everyone that they’re the only station that plays Alice In Chains songs. He plugs the upcoming X-Fest (Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival) and assures us that our main event is right around the corner.
Before too long, the lights go out, the crowd roars, and the curtain is lifted, revealing several LED towers that serve as a backdrop. The band takes to the stage and immediately goes into their familiar hit “Again.”
They may have just released a record last year, but a large chunk of their over 1-hour set was dedicated to some of the classics, the familiar favorites, giving everyone in attendance the chance to sing along and match those famous harmonies from which Alice In Chains have made their name. Everything from “Them Bones” and “Man in the Box” to my personal favorite “Got Me Wrong.”
I may be a little late to this, but frontman William DuVall fits in perfectly. He’s energetic and engaging enough to the audience, and he definitely feels more like a member and not someone who just happened to replace another person.
As far as the rest of the band goes, they’re very tight. All of them were on the same page, and I don’t think I need to go into detail about how it was witnessing guitarist Jerry Cantrell do his thing (spoiler alert: he’s pretty great). I also appreciated the tribute to Layne and original bassist Mike Starr, with the initials “LSMS” appearing on the kick drum. As far as production, it’s not spectacular but it isn’t terrible.
There’s a lot of lights and a few LED video boards for some of their songs. Then again, you don’t go to see Alice In Chains for the theatrics. You go to see them for the music. Whether you’ve been with them since the beginning or you picked up on them much later, it’s a chance to lose yourself in their music for an hour, just with the band performing right in front of you. Most everyone is standing, enjoying their drinks and shouting every word back to the band they love. Honestly, what’s better than that?
But it can’t last forever, sadly. Almost abruptly, they go into one rousing rendition of “Down in a Hole” and then bid the Indianapolis crowd farewell.
What, no “Would?” or “Rooster?” Everyone else feels the same way. There’s plenty of cheering and some are stomping up in the balcony section. We then get teased with a little guitar being played off-stage before the band re-enters the picture.
They thank everyone for coming and decide to play a few more, starting off with “Your Decision.” This one will be best remembered for when Jerry Cantreell forgot the solo and then decided to make up for it by playing it at breakneck speed several times during a break. After this little gaffe (he still looks a little embarrassed by it), it’s into the aforementioned songs “Would?” before closing things out with what may have been the loudest sing-along of the evening, “Rooster.” Then it’s one final farewell and we’re all on our way.
The band throws discarded guitar picks and drum sticks out to those in the first few rows, none of which landed anywhere near my seat (bummer). The house lights are back up, and everyone is making their way towards the exits.
Unfortunately, it’s a monsoon outside and not many want to brave the elements to go back to their cars (“into the flood again…”). Some wait underneath the marquee for the rain to let up, some run to their cars. Me? I take a casual stroll back to mine and in my moment of being a drowned rat, I get to think about what I just saw. That and how soggy my shoes are now…
Final verdict?
It was all about the music during this show. The production during out headliners wasn’t lacking by any means, but when it all comes down to it, it’s the music that counts, and not the theatrics.
In short, Alice In Chains is alright. No need to check my brain on this one.
The Good:
Definitely the performance. Alice In Chains performed about as well as you might expect, and even Monster Truck displayed their skills. Plus, hearing those harmonies in person is something any music enthusiast can appreciate. Plus, have I mentioned Jerry Cantrell?
The Bad:
Mother Nature ruined my evening at the end of the night…Seriously though, the theatre might have been an odd choice for a rock show like this (or I’m just used to standing room venues), but that’s a very minor issue. Monster Truck also sounded like they were a little off in the early going, but they were able to pick it up by the end of the set.