LIVE SHOW REVIEW AND PHOTOS: FILTER

Industrial rockers Filter pulled into the outer limits of Boston, MA into the home of Harvard University, Cambridge. They would bring a tour package including Orgy, Vampires Everywhere and Death Valley High to the Middle East Downstairs. For those not familiar with the Middle East it has been the hub of the rock-club scene for Boston since 1987. It has the vibe of a basement frat party with a dark décor, low ceiling and confined quarters it may not be for those with claustrophobia. And when at capacity, 575, things can get sweaty but hey you are at a rock show, what else would you expect. If you arrive early grab a drink and some food upstairs.

On this evening Richard Patrick and company would rip this place apart with an amazing catalog of industrial rock music. Before they would hit the stage San Francisco natives Death Valley High would take the stage followed by southern California rockers Vampires Everywhere. Unfortunately I did not make it in for them. I was able to catch the back half of Orgy’s time on stage. By this time the Middle East was packed and the energy was high. Ending off with their hit, the New Order cover Blue Monday, lead vocalist and sole original member Jay Gordon would get the crowd involved making his way thru the audience giving those in attendance the opportunity to sing. I wasn’t much of a fan of this as it ruined the single song I know and like by them. But hey it seemed like a majority of the crowd liked it and that’s what matters.

With the openers wrapped up it was now time for the main event. Joining Richard Patrick onstage would be a fresh line-up consisting of Oumi Kapila on lead guitar; Ashely Dzerigian, bass; Chris Reeve, drums and Bobby Miller, keyboards, programming and guitar. Keeping it fresh it was obvious from the first notes this is a very talented young group of musicians Patrick has enlisted. Although there wasn’t much room for movement on small stage the band made the best of it with Kapila hammering away on guitar with his Nuno Bettencourt type mane flying in every possible direction. Miller would make the most use of the stage as he would move about while on guitar making his way back to the keyboards and electronics when necessary. Reeve on drums kept things moving along pounding on the skins and Dzerigian played the most reserved part of the group as she stuck to her side of the stage, really filling the part well with black eyeliner stretched across her face and half her hair shaved, she looked and played the part well. Then there was Richard Patrick the visionary that is Filter. Front and center he would play Maestro for at 16 song setlist stretching across their catalog. Patrick’s energy and stage presence is enough to mesmerize the crowd. The band sounded tight, playing the songs as they were meant to be played. When I see a live show that’s what I expect, give me the songs the way they are meant to sound, the reason why I love them and Filter delivered just that. Frontman Patrick sounded amazing, I’m not sure what he does to keep his voice in shape but whatever it is it works. Absolutely loved the show and the setlist including the new material which is true Filter, the great industrial rock that we come to expect is back. I’ve always been a Filter fan but each time I see them my appreciation for this band grows. I highly recommend seeing Filter live, great performance and in my opinion a unique, innovative band. And check out their latest release Crazy Eyes out now.

Setlist: