The doors opened at 9pm to an 18+ crowd and the empty venue soon filled up eager fans. The night kicked off with a press conference where performing artists sat at a table and answered questions in relation to the festival. The panel included Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Tech N9ne, Jay Rock, Bone Thugs-N- Harmony, Jhene Aiko and more. The line-up wasn’t just read off a paper but it was freestyled by the free-style champion, MC Supernatural; the curtains then closed and the stage was cleared.  

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

At around 9:30pm, a DJ entertained the crowd until approximately 10:30 when the first special performance started. Tech N9ne and Krizz Kaliko came onto the stage in matching white uniform like outfits; they moved around the stage, jumped around, interacted with the crowd and gave a lot of energy for the few songs that they performed. The crowd seemed a bit bored and tired, probably due to the fact that the DJ was on for far too long. After their short 10 minute performance the wait started again. 

Another 30-45 minutes passed by the time the second guest was announced. Masta Killa of the Wu Tang Clan made his way onto the stage, with a sound of cheers, echoing throughout the room. He invited MC Supernatural up on stage with him and they both did their free-style raps. Their high energy performance really calmed the anger that fans had from the long wait. They interacted with the crowd and the fans eventually started throwing their hats to the rappers so Masta Killa or MC Supernatural could free-style about it. They performed for about 15-20 minutes and then left the stage, leaving fans wanting more. 

The last performance of the night was seen on the horizon at around 11:00pm and after another long grueling wait, the DJ announced that the next performance was going to be “dedicated to all the weed smokers”. Following that was the song, Champagne Supernova by Oasis, playing through the speakers. The verse “Where were you while we were getting high” was replayed several times and after, Bone Thugz-N-Harmony came onto the stage. As their performance began, so did the smoking. The venue was soon filled with smoke as fans danced and rapped along to the Bone Thugz-N-Harmony. Their performance started in the East Coast and ended with a few West Coast hits, with a special shout-out and song for Tupac. 

The night not only had a bunch of amazing, world famous artists in a small venue, but it celebrated 10 years of the Rock the Bells festivities. If added, altogether, the entire event should have lasted about an hour and a half but it ended up lasting 3 hours because of the constant waiting in between sets. Aside from the long wait, the show definitely left an impression on how the 2013 Rock the Bells will be like. You can buy tickets starting on May 18, 2013. http://www.rockthebells.net/ See the entire line-up below

http://www.rockthebells.net/

Tech N9ne

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Masta Killa of Wu Tang Clan and MC Supernatural

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Bone Thugz-N-Harmony

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If the bands The Gaslight Anthem, Rancid, and The Swellers had a punk rock baby it would be Blacklist Royals.  More and more fantastic bands are making their way out of Nashville, T.N. and I’m pleased to report that these guys do not disappoint. Their heart felt lyrics and rock n roll sound lends itself perfectly to the likes of Face to Face. Blacklist Royals are no stranger to the spotlight; they have spent the last three years almost exclusively on tour landing them spots in American and European festivals alike, letting them play for thousands of fans and gaining them tons of recognition. This time on the rode allowed them to perfect their craft and put on a killer show. Most opening bands have a hard time getting the crowd to clap along. Even fewer opening bands have the energy, let alone dedication to get an entire room involved complete with moshing and audience sing-along’s. Their Debut album Semper Liberi got plenty of fans attention and left their fans begging for more. You can look for their sophomore album in stores and online soon.

Teenage Bottlerocket were up to their regular antics with high energy, and intense songs complete with props and perverted banter to fill out the set. Teenage Bottlerocket has a huge amount of dedicated fans that will follow them to the edge of the earth, shouting lyrics form their seven albums all the way, and this show was no exception. Teenage Bottlerocket got the crowd pumped at had fans singing along to a lot of new songs form their album Freak Out!. Their stage presence is very similar to Anti-Flag with some of the teenage energy that Blink-182 is known for. It is no wonder why they have so many dedicated fans; but after a short set, fans were getting restless for Face To Face.

Yet again Face to Face was back in town drawing hundreds of fans to their shows. On Saturday, May 11, 2013 they pulled out all of the stops to make sure it was a memorable night. An old school set list with a few new songs snuck in for self promotion made everyone happy and had the crowd singing and opening circle pits almost the whole night. Face To Face made a point to show how appreciative they were about the fan support from California ever since the early 80’s. It’s almost like nothing has changed when they played Disconnected and the entire place erupted with that old school energy that punk shows are known for.

Face To Face’s ability to keep the dream alive and relive the glory days is amazing. The sheer fact that they have been producing consistently fantastic albums that still have a positive fan response shows that there is hope for bands to keep the ideals and atmosphere of those when they were first formed.

Review by: Eric Walden

Pierce the Veil

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All Time Low

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Mayday Parade 

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You Me At Six

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Three Days Grace

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P.O.D.

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In This Moment

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The Hunger

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Death 

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Curse of Samsara 

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Believer 

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Anciients 

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Sevendust

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Lacuna Coil

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Coal Chamber

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Stolen Babies

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The film is directed by Fran Strine and co-directed by Aaron Lewis (Staind) and narrated by David Ellefson (MEGADETH), and looks into the lives of veterans who’s lives changed after the war due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. We got to preview the film at the Whisky, and within the first minute of the preview, we were touched by an emotional story that was told from a homeless man. Throughout the preview, we were saddened and informed about the lives of a few veterans who are either homeless, or need help in order to live with PTSD.

After the film, a few people who made this film possible were there to talk about the film and answer any questions pertaining to the film.

“I was walking around San Francisco and stumbling all over these homeless people…”

Said Fran Strine, when asked about his inspiration for the film. He had talked to a few homeless people and came up with the idea to put together a documentary about his discovery of this tragedy.

Larry Murray of the Boot Campaign was there to talk about how the organization has been helping, as well as shed some more light on what we as citizens can so to help.

“It’s not a slam on our government, but we all need to pitch in,”

says Larry, when explaining about not pointing fingers and working together for a great cause. Later on in the evening, Larry was handed a certificate of appreciation by the Los Angeles City of Attorney.

Megadeth’s David Ellefson spoke about his involvement and contribution to the film and the soundtrack. When he was asked by Fran Strine, David immediately agreed to join forces in the project, even before Fran was able to finish his pitch.

“We all need to pitch in and help,” said David,  ”This movie is a call to action!”

It was with that call to arms that lead an anonymous man match any donations to the boot campaign that night. We spoke to David and asked him if there was a possibility of touring the film and doing a benefit concert to help raise money, and he said

“you never know, but that sounds like a great idea.”

After the Q&A, we were treated to a night of many one night only performances from members of Megadeth, Staind, Evanescence, Lo Pro, and Eye Empire. A few of the songs played were featured on the Battlefield of the Mind soundtrack, which means this night will be the first and possibly only time anyone will ever hear these songs performed live with the original members. Everyone sounded phenomenal for only having practiced only a few times prior to the event. The highlight of the night goes to Eye Empire for not only putting on a killer show, but for being inspirational in between songs and reminding us why we were there.  Make sure to check them out, they are a small band with a global sound; think Sevendust with Morgan Rose doing Vocals and then make it heavier, and you got Eye Empire.

1 in 3 homeless people are veterans, who have suffered from PTSD symptoms that have lead them to a life of drugs, homelessness, and other struggles. Like Larry Murray said, we need to come together and do our part and help out the people who have fought for us. Check out chill.com/botm and purchase the documentary; it is truly riveting and needs to brought to people’s attentions. Also, check out bootcampaign.com and find out how you can help donate to their great cause.

Review and photos: Alex Lucero

The magic of the Iphone5 since our photographer wasn’t able to make the show:

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