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Jes.... whenever one band hits the peak what's up to Alternativ-Depressive Sound, then it's surely this one here. This is, what I experience tonight right here at the Tonhalle in Munich. Staind haven't been here for quite a while, so the venue is really crowded, though not quite sold out yet. Officially they said, they took a creative break, which again was finished when the latest and sixth album 'The Illusion Of Progress' came along last summer. Unfortunately this once didn't climb that high in the Billboard Charts, like former releases, which went to No.1. It only reached pos. 3, and over here in Germany only 41. But despite chartpositions and the break, Staind still live most of all of the album 'Break The Cycles' and it's megahit 'Outside'. That's what they are loved for and they rose up to on of the leading post grunge Bands. Staind are currently Mike Mushok (git), Johnny April (Bass), Jon Wysocki (Drums) and of course mastermind and frontman Aaron Lewis, who also follows s more or less successful solo path. Currently his focus is concentrated on Staind again. And we are here right now in Munich.

First of all 'Enjoy Destroy' come along, who we checked out already once about one year ago, when they supported Alter Bridge.

First after this visit, their debutalbum 'Little Dreams' came along. And meanwhile they have released the EP 'Rifles'- These young rockers from Great Britian have won quite a bit more routine since last time and seem much more selfconfident. Their style is modern poprock with a strong alternativ structure. But it's going into our ears and got stuck there. Enjoy Destroy  do the right thing, by jumping on a famour bandwagon for supportslots. 


That's what Angus Young must have looked like aged 17

They are still very young and they have even more time. So they try to catch up with the big one's to win more and more of resonance and popularity. And one day they are gonna conquer the world for themselves. 
Enjoy Destroy are playing songs from their debut CD and their EP and the perform with youthful energy. And apart from all the handycaps you suffer as a supportand anyway, they do really well. You just gotta like the musical style. All I can say is: long live the new Rock'n'Roll generation....

http://www.enjoydestroy.com/




But most of the 2.000 fans came of course to check out Staind....

And we are curious, what's coming up. Uih now it's getting a bit odd for me, I have to confess, as I never could get friendly with this style. But as we say so: - every music has got it's right to be there. So let's try to see the whole thing rather neutral and objective. It's a fact that Staind get received  with a  hell of enthusiasm by the Munich audiance. And every eyeapple is concentrating on Aaron Lewis, who's face is hidden in the shade of his baseball cap, and he keeps his eyes closed most of the times. Stainds music is winding itselves throughout melodic hooks, to scream out again and flow out into an almost morbid exit. In opposite to the music, there is not much action on stage. Only light games give some sort of eye catcher. Guitarist Mike Mushok seems like in a sort of trance, and bassist Johnny April, who looks like joe Strummer from the Clash, is vanishing almost in the shade of singer Aaron Lewis. 

And if we didn't hear Jon Wysocki playing his drums, we could easily forget that he's actually here, vanishing in this flood of lights. 

It's that light which makes photographing rather difficult. And once again I'm the only photographer in here in the pit. It puts up the question, whether there is to less interest from the media, or what?! Because there is definately no lack of popularity. One of the highlights  here is the acoustic set of Aaron, and of course Stainds No. 1 song 'Outside'. 

Right at the end Aaron is doing another solostint. And the fans are more than just grateful. Staind have definately won the battle here tonight and get a hell of an applause. And... to be honest... what more do you need...?!
http://www.staind.com/