TORIN O’BRIEN
Special to The Leader
Anarchy.
This might be a stretch in describing last Thursday night at BJ’s — but it’s close. The bedlam that ensued during the live performances had bouncers scrambling through mosh pits and crowd-surfing patrons.
The show was sweaty; it was loud, and it had Robb Clark, owner of BJ’s for the past 14 years, saying, “Yeah, it was definitely the craziest show this year.”
Thursday night’s lineup had growing sensation Made Violent as the headliner.
The three-man band out of Buffalo absolutely brought down the house. Made Violent features Joe White on bass and lead vocals, Justin Acee on drums and Rob Romano on lead guitar.
“We’ve known each other since high school, but this band, Made Violent, has been playing together for close to three years,” said White.
“It’s really a collaborative effort,” said Acee when asked about the band’s creative process and writing style.
“It falls out of the sky like raindrops, man,” said Romano.
By the time it took to the stage at approximately midnight, the band was able to capitalize on the buzz created by Feverbox and Sixties Future, the first two in the lineup. The already raucous crowd exploded when Made Violent began its set of heavier music.
Made Violent had more of a metal sound than the previous two bands, who the members were “pumped to play with.”
“We’re definitely excited to play with [Feverbox and Sixties Future],” said White before the show.
Made Violent also surprised the crowd by dropping some new music on Thursday. It was heard for the first time ever by the crowd at BJ’s.
Sixties Future had the middle slot on Thursday, and it rocked the dive no less than Made Violent. Led by the energy of frontman and vocalist Chris Couche, the band was able to stir up the mosh.
It was during this set that the bouncers had to get involved for the first time, kicking a couple rowdy bar-goers to the curb.
Along with Couche, the band featured Adam Clukey on guitar, Jacob Malone-Brancato on keyboard, Mo Halliday on bass and Steve Tripi on drums.
As to Sixties Future, the members have been playing together for almost a year and it was through the persistence of Halliday that the band was formed.
“It started as me, Chris and Adam writing stuff in our apartment, but now all five of us kind of collaborate together,” said Halliday.
With Couche’s vocals, the band really gives off a gritty, blue-collar vibe with a modernized twist. They were very high-energy and put on a crowd-pleasing show.
Feverbox was the opener and featured Griffin Smith, Fredonia graduate from the class of 2013.
“It always feels good to get back to Fredonia,” said the frontman, who was on guitar and vocals. “We played so many house shows here back in the day — it just brings back a lot of good memories.”
The trio also features Josh Little on drums and vocals, and Nico Kelly on bass and vocals. One thing that stood out about Feverbox was its use of harmonies. While the bar may not have been as crazy during this set, the patrons were also a lot less drunk, so the band’s set was also easier to hear in comparison to the latter bands that played; audience members could more-easily hear the band’s lyrics and enjoy some of the harmonies.
The members have technically only been playing under the name Feverbox since December, but they hope to make a name for themselves. They certainly did in Fredonia.