Adelitas Way – Aftershock Music Venue – Merriam, KS
Photo by: John Thornbrugh
Aftershock in Merriam, KS, got to experience an amazing night of rock, complements of Adelitas Way and company. Getting things started was Kansas City local band, For the Broken. The energy that was brought to the stage from this local crew was intense. Hammering vocals delivered by a great showman and backed by solid and tight instrumentals grabbed the fans attention and would not release them until they walked off stage. Check these guys out if you get the chance. Up next was a band out of Scranton, PA, yes the home of Dunder Mifflin, Eye on Attraction. Honestly, they are not my cup of tea, but that is what is great about music: it doesn’t have to be. While the vocal stylings were not my thing, they were still delivered flawlessly by Amber Sauls. The band sounded great, and you could tell everyone up there was having a blast and was loving what they were doing. Musicians and fans alike will all tell you it’s not all about the sound, it’s about the passion and effort you put into it, and that is what made Eye on Attraction a great band to see, no matter what.
Photo by: John Thornbrnbrugh
Taking the stage following Eye on Attraction was Through Fire hailing from Omaha. As Through Fire started ripping through their set, I got an old school Saliva vibe from their sound. The fans of Aftershock were really into the band as they delivered song after song to the masses. One thing that did not hurt their support for the crowd was the fact that Jesse Saint, their bass player, is from the KC area. These guys have a solid sound and a great stage presence that could carry them a long way. Go to all your musical outlets and check out their new single Stronger.
Photo by: Geula Justice – Justice Photography
Rounding out the night were the Vegas boys of Adelitas Way. They took no time revving things up and punching us in the face opening with “Sick”. As I told Rick DeJesus later in the evening (see the whole conversation here >> Rick DeJesus Interview), that song took me back; I had not heard that one in a while; and it was a more than pleasant surprise. The journey did not stop there, as they mashed out “Criticize” and “All Falls Down”. It was not all about the tunes of the past, as they broke out some new songs from the upcoming album Getaway that you can obtain on February 26th. As for now, you can hear the new single, “Bad Reputation”, just about anywhere you can find music. The show was not over when the guitar strings were silenced, and Trevor crashed his last symbol. After the show, Rick DeJesus stood out in the crowd and spent as much time with each and every one of the fans that they wanted to spend with him. There was never the look of distain or hurry up. He had genuine smiles and open arms for anyone who wanted them. I was truly a sight to see, the appreciation this band has for its fans. Sadly, as I sit and write this many of you may not know that early Saturday the 13th, they were involved in an accident that totaled their van. As I read the tweet that morning, I texted Rick to see if everyone was ok. Thankfully, the only loss was the van, as all parties involved were okay, just a little shaken up. I am sure they are all still a little sore and tired. Keep your thoughts with them as well as everyone else. 2016 has been the year of the Reaper; let’s all appreciate what we have and remember what we’ve lost.
Ace Sims – RockRevolt Contributor
Check out our interview with Rick DeJesus of Adelitas Way
Photo Credit: John Thornbrugh / Street Metal Image Photography
Connect with Adelitas Way(click icons):
Photo Credit: John Thornbrugh / Street Metal Image Photography
Connect with Through Fire(click icons):
Connect with For The Broken(click icons):
About John Thornbrugh
Whether there is rock, metal, or any variation of music in between, you can certainly see John Thornbrugh behind the camera at most concerts. John takes his passion for photography to a level rarely seen by most others. The sights he purveys through his lens makes you imagine the sounds he hears as they are happening. Killer shots are what matters to John the most, but making sure the viewer sees what he hears is just as important and it shows through Johns work.
You can catch John shooting most of the rock shows in Kansas City and surrounding areas. Most of the time he has his camera up to his eye, waiting for that next awe-inspiring shot. But don’t be fooled, John is one of the most approachable photographers out there. Ready to share his wealth of knowledge, John certainly makes sure you understand bands and fans alike will ever remember his passion and getting those shots that stand out and satisfy our inner desires for great photos
