Sometimes a crowd, a venue or even the acoustics in a room can really change the atmosphere and performance of a show. I’ve never review a band again this quickly but I had such a different perspective this time watching Fuel at the Oneonta Theatre; I felt that it was worth revisiting with a new review. Don’t get me wrong, their show in Utica was good, but it had a completely different vibe and feel that may not be accurate to a typical Fuel show. Bands sometimes have off nights, sometimes there are technical difficulties that effect a performance. It may have been an off night and muffled sound as they came across more grunge during their performance in Utica NY. In the past, I’ve heard Utica being compared to Seattle; I never imagined it could influence a live performance! I can honestly say that I am really lucky to have been invited to catch this tour again.

The Oneonta show really brought back that feel and style I remember Fuel possessing when I first saw and photographed them so many years ago. They were a staple in the modern rock scene and clearly hold to that sound. Led by Brett Scallion once again, he is joined by Andy Andrews rockin’ out on the guitar, Brad Stewart (Shinedown) holding strong with the backbone

rhythm on bass and Kenneth Schalk (Candiria) setting the pace behind the drums. Their set was a nice mixture of older favorites as well as some new refreshing songs. Fuel has recorded a new record that is slated to come out later this year. In the meantime, you can catch them on the road this summer and into September.

Preceding Fuel on stage was the Los Angeles based band, Venrez. With crazy amount of charisma, they really drew the crowd up to the stage. I have to admit, vocalist, Steven Berez and guitarist, Alex Kane were fun to watch as they are really animated on stage. No stranger to the scene, Alex is a former member of LSD (Life Sex and Death) and Marky Ramone’s Blizkrieg, while both guitarist Jason Womack and drummer Ed Davis performed with Juliette Lewis and the Licks. Their debut album “Sell The Lie” combines that classic sounds of the 1970’s classic rock with the 1990’s grunge, sounding live in the studio and not over-produced. Their latest single “Karma” has hit the radio stations and it won’t be long before Venrez is a house hold name. This was the last night on this tour for them. They will return home to California as they have several shows booked around Hollywood CA.

Nashville TN’s Bad Axis was also on the bill. These guys looked young but really knew how to rocked! Another band that is no stranger to the stage; led by vocalist, Drew Molleur who you may recognize from playing guitar in Jacksonville FL’s COLD or from his former band, LA’s Midnight To Twelve, there is no doubt that this band is here for the long hall. Joining Drew is Midnight To Twelve’s drummer, Mike Snyder and Paul Buchholz. Based out of Nashville, Bad Axis teamed up with producer Brett Hestla (Dark New Day, Virgos Merlot, Creed) to record their debut album. Hurry up and head over to badaxis.com for a free download of “Come Alive.”

Bad Axis will be heading back to Central New York as they team up with Entertainment Trading Company for a rockin’ night at Nothing Fancy in Vernon NY as all money goes to help fight Austism. Not in Central NY, no worries, you can catch them at one of the following dates:
7/14 Vernon NY @ Nothing Fancy
7/20 Steger, IL @ Another Hole In The Wall
7/29 Myrtle Beach SC @ The Boathouse
8/3 Jefferson City MO @ Cole County Fair
8/18 Rockford IL @ Brewsky’s

Opening the show was central New York’s beloved Nineball. They first hit the scene back in 1993, with relentless shows that would put them miles ahead of the others in the independent music scene in the Mohawk Valley. Taking a break between 1998 – 2010, Nineball is back and ready to pick up where they left off as they opened KRock’s 2010’s DFB, sharing the stage with Drowning Pool, NonPoint, Cavo, Evans Blue, Story of The Year and Violent Soho. It wasn’t long after they re-united that they would be writing a new album. On June 2011, they released their triumphant return album, simple titled, “NineBall.” Joe Sweet (vocals), Dallas Sheppard (guitar), Scott Henderson (bass) and Ken Delaney (drums) hold true to that band Central NY loved in the 1990’s. You can catch NineBall as they continue to play out around NY in support of their 2011 release.

.PHOTO GALLERIES :

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FUEL :: PHOTO GALLERY :: ONEONTA NY

VENREZ :: PHOTO GALLERY :: ONEONTA NY

BAD AXIS :: PHOTO GALLERY :: ONEONTA NY

NINE BALL :: PHOTO GALLERY :: ONEONTA NY

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TOUR DATES :

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FUEL:

7/11 Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance
7/12 New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
7/13 Charles Town, WV @ Hollywood Casino at Charles
7/14 Chesaning, MI @ Chesaning Showboat
7/15 Buffalo, NY @ Gretwick Park
7/17 Springfield, VA @ Empire
7/18 Pittsburgh, PA @ Altar
7/19 Beavercreek, OH @ The Greene
7/20 Steger, IL @ Another Hole In The Wall
7/24 Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live
7/26 Huntsville, AL @ Sammy T’s
7/28 Lynchburg, VA @ Phase 2
7/29 Myrtle Beach, SC @ The Boathouse
8/02 New Bedford, MA @ The Feast of the Blessed
8/03 Jefferson City, MO @ Cole County Fair
8/04 Bloomfield, IN @ Plummer River Rally
8/09 Sturgis, SD @ Glencoe Pavilion
8/10 Sturgis, SD @ Easyriders Saloon
8/25 Tama, IA @ Meskwaki Bingo Casino
8/31 Auburn, ME @ Club Texas
9/01 Hershey, PA @ Hersheypark Stadium
11/27- 12/1/12 Shiprocked Cruise
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LINKS:
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FUEL : fuelrocks.com

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VENREZ : venreztheband.com

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BAD AXIS : badaxis.com

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NINE BALL :

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MUSICIAN PHOTO JOURNAL :

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