A Refugee

Rody Walker

Protest The Hero is one of those bands I could see anyone being able to find some enjoyment in seeing.

The guys are total showmen and know how to play to the crowd. Arif and Rody are especially engaging with the crowd.

Rody is almost like a stand up comic in his charisma and interaction with the people in front of him. Since I’ve known about the band I have gotten a lot of enjoyment from their blogs which showcased a sarcastic humor. Rody totally brings that same element to their live show. Rody can come off like an asshole at times but, he’s a really funny asshole. At one point in the show he saw a couple seemingly in a fight and called them out just to create an awkward moment for them. The man knows when he sees an opening. He doesn’t direct it all to the crowd though.

Throughout the show Rody was making jokes about their use of strobes to trick the audience into thinking they are as active around the stage as the opening band, Misery Signals. Not excluding himself from humorous commentary is what dismisses the “asshole” title. haha.

Arif Mirabdolbaghi

Musically, the band stands out in comparison what you typically think of as modern metal. There is a lot of influences from 80s metal in terms of the vocals. Protest the Hero isn’t just yelling but, the vocals when they are all about melody and harmonies are not over the top and up Rody’s own ass for the sake of showing he can sing. The rest of the band is just as proficient and diverse in how they utilize their instruments.

The whole time I was at the show I was wishing Trevor Martin was with me. He would have loved seeing Arif tapping up and down his bass neck and plucking away quickly without aid of a pick (haha).

Luke Hoskin

All in all it was a great show. Hopefully, these guys keep on gaining momentum and take their place at the top filling arenas one day.

You can check them out here:

Reggie Youngblood of Black Kids

Black Kids closed the show after Mates of State. It was quite a contrast in energy alone and made me wonder how the alternating line up would have changed the perception of Mates of State’s set.

Had it been the next night and Black Kids opened before Mates of State I almost feel like I would have been disappointed with seeing them.

To go from the energetic and lively experience that was Black Kids to the mellow and collected Mates of State would be quite anticlimatic.

Good thing I went on the right night!

Black Kids totally brought it. The band is a fun poppy dance rock outfit. And, when bands like that are able to move me should feel safe in assuming they are that good.

Everyone on stage seemed to be having the time of their life. It was a great thing to witness. If you are lacking something catchy and fun check them out.

Kevin Snow of Black Kids

Enjoy the Photos

Kori Gardner of Mates of State

First, my complaint: This theater seemed entirely too big of a place to see Mates of State. The band was so spread apart from one another and stationary behind their instruments it felt like you were at a recital for school.

That said, the band was spot on and sounded wonderful. Kori and Jason have no problem showing off their chemistry with one another on stage and you can tell they’re having a blast doing what they love with who they love.

If not for that it would have been very hard to connect to the people making the music any more than if you were listening to the CD. Watching the small interactions between the two across the huge stage added a layer of intimacy to the event. Which, as a member of the audience allows you to feel a little special and a part of their world where wonderfully fun music is created.

Jason Hammel of Mates of State

Check them out here: