90’s platinum Alt Rockers, Sponge, took the stage at southern New Hampshire’s rock club, Jewel, in front of an enthusiastic crowd of followers. Located in Manchester, NH, the Jewel Nightclub is a great intimate setting to see some national acts. In the short time of existence, the Jewel has played host to Buckcherry, Pop Evil, Trapt, Cinderella’s Tom Keifer, and even one of the final performances of the legendary Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots/Velvet Revolver. Now coming into its two year anniversary, the Jewel is in danger of not making it through year three. With attendance not meeting the standards of the acts performing, I do not see how they will be able to continue, which is unfortunate as this is the only club of it’s kind in the Manchester, NH, area. So the message here is we need more support at these local clubs!
After a couple of open acts, Sponge hit the stage around 11 pm. Formed in Detroit, Michigan, in the early 90’s by vocalist Vinnie Dombroski, Sponge would make a statement with their debut album, Rotting Pinata. With hits including “Molly” and “Plowed,” it would eventually achieve platinum status with sales in excess of a million copies. Not a bad way to start a career. Their follow up, Wax Ecstatic, would continue their success producing the top 100 hits “Rainin”, “Wax Ecstatic” and their highest charting single to date “Molly (16 Candles Down the Drain).” Toward the end of the millennium, their popularity would wane, but that didn’t stop Sponge from regularly putting out good records, adding 6 more to their catalog over the last 17 years. With their latest release, The Beer Sessions, you not only get another strong Sponge record, but you also get a unique look behind the scenes on their work with local beer brewers that would intertwine into these sessions resulting in some video footage to follow the release of the album.
Now that we know Sponge isn’t relying on legacy to keep them going, how are they sounding as a live unit in 2016? Tight. Vinnie’s voice sounds as good as it did in the early 90’s. And this is what gets me, with fans shelling out good money to see legacy acts of the 80’s hair metal scene that offer nothing new in the way of music and with a good portion of their vocalists that should retire, why aren’t more people shelling out less money to see great acts of the 90’s, still putting out relevant music and still sounding great? This puzzles me; a band like Sponge who had some major hits and still bring it should be filling up clubs, easily, on a nightly basis. People are missing out – these are bands that filled arenas, that we sat in the upper decks and paid good money to see; we now have the opportunity to see them in an intimate setting, and not enough people are showing up. I don’t get it.
With a line-up spanning the last 15 years consisting of Kyle Neely (guitar), Andy Patalan (guitar), Tim Patalan (bass), Billy Adams (drums), and Dombroski on vocals, this is a show well worth the price of admission. I mean, seriously, I think I’ve paid higher cover charges to clubs playing house music than what it cost to get in the door and see a great national act. And even though the Jewel wasn’t filled on that evening, Sponge played like it was. With an energy and passion that could entertain a stadium full of fans, I was glad to have attended the show even on a Wednesday night (knowing I would have to get up early Thursday). That’s what rock n’ roll is about: staying out late with the energy of the show carrying you through the next work/school day. That’s the stuff I love. So instead of sitting at home watching the latest episode of The Voice, get off the couch and take in a real rock show with true talent, bands that have slept in vans and cheap hotels, ate Ramen Noodles, drank cheap beer, and paid the price to deserve the respect of the fans. I ask this question in many interviews, is rock dead? The answer I get varies from each interview, but my assessment is if you are truly a rock fan then get off your ass and get to these shows, or one day our only option might be the latest winner on The Voice.
As for Sponge, I highly recommend seeing them live; for the price you definitely get more than your money’s worth. It will make for a great night out. And be sure to check out their latest release, The Beer Sessions, as well as their back catalog. You’re guaranteed to discover some great music. Check out their website for upcoming tour dates and music.
Setlist:
- Wax Ecstatic (To Sell Angelina)
- Molly
- Pennywheels
- The Whores Are Closing In
- Jump While The House Is On Fire
- My Lackluster Love
- 1000 Times
- Silence Is Their Drug
- Neenah Menasha
- Rainin’
- Treat Me Wrong
- Plowed
- Have You Seen Mary
- Molly (as a reggae song)
