The Wake the Dead tour featuring Blameshift and the Nearly Deads stopped through Kansas City on October 25th 2017, at Aftershock Rock Bar in Merriam, KS. Opening the night were locals Black Onyx, a perfect fit for the night featuring powerful female-front women. Black Onyx is made up of a young group of adults out of small, Wellsville, KS. Let’s just say that the night did not start off well. The regular sound guy had had a prior engagement and was unable to be there. Whomever the backup was, was not on his game that night and the sound check lasted until well after 9:00pm. Two hours later. Then, after Black Onyx played their first song it was back to sound check as the sound was not right. Luckily, a young man in a polo and tablet in hand, swooped in to save the day as the fill in sound guy then vanished to never be seen again. Once things were under control, Black Onyx finally took to the stage officially and kicked off the night. Such a great band with immense talent at their age. If these guys can give it their all in the harsh world of live music, they do have the abilities to set the bar very high for themselves and achieve it.
Up next were the rock n rollers Blameshift from long Island, NY, and there was no mistake where they were from while talking with them. Jenny Mann and the boys took to the stage and did what every great rock band does; once they step foot on a stage, no matter the attendance, they put on the best show that they could for the fans that were there and that is something you have to love. I am not saying the crowd was small but I am also not saying it was sold out. Again, that did not matter as Blameshift put it all out there for those who came to rock with them on that Wednesday night.
Closing out the night a little later than they should have, due to the technical difficulties, was The Nearly Deads, who were out in support of their latest LP The Revenge of The Nearly Deads. Like their tour-mates in Blameshift, TJ and the boys looked out over the venue and saw the crowd in attendance and proceeded to whoop their asses with everything they had. Just like Blameshift, I have nothing but love and respect for a band that delivers their finest performance in front of five or five hundred. It was a great night of rock music with three bands that proved to the Aftershock audience that they love what they do and who they do it for.
Photos by Hubble Hill, RockRevolt photojournalist
Review by Ace Sims, RockRevolt journalist
Blameshift
The Nearly Deads
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