12 Stones
September 13, 2012
Lincoln, Nebraska
Knickerbuckers
Rise From Ruin, 3 Pill Morning, The Letter Black, 12 Stones
I arrived early to the show to discover that the venue was very small considering who was playing. I didn’t complain because it vies everyone more connection with the bands while they perform. It also had a late start; doors open at eight, first up at nine. I was glad considering it was a three hour drive, but not looking forward to the drive home since it wouldn’t be done till midnight or later. The show was 18+, which was good since it was a school night. Can’t have the kiddies out late.
As I was walking around looking at the shirts and goodies, I ran into the merch girl fro 12 Stones. We started talking and I notice her shirt was Straight Line Stitch. She told me she worked for them as well as Seether. I also found out that Paul was next door getting a tattoo. Did I want to know where? No not really, even though I was curious.
The line-up for the show was Rise From Ruin, a local band from Omaha, 3 Pill Morning, The Letter Black, and finished with 12 Stones. During Rise From Ruin’s set up they did a short run threw to check the sound and they were pretty good. They even had a sound guy who knew what he was doing. I have been to many shows where the sound guy was not the brightest star in the sky.
The lights dimmed and Rise From Ruin gathered on stage to start right on time. Sadly there were maybe 20 people there, but then again, it was still early. However, when Rise From Ruin finished their fist song “Warning”, they had everyone on their feet whistling an cheering. As the set continued, the crowd began head banging and throwing arms into the air. Two guys even started a mosh pit during the single “Poison H”, which is played on the local rock station “The River”. When they played the last note of the set, the energy of the room grew even more. Lead vocalist Anthony shouts “Let’s hear it for the bands coming up!” The venue was filled with screams of excitement. Rise From Ruin did their party very well.
Members: Anthony – vocals, Chris – guitar, Joseph – bass, Jared – drums
Warning
Out of the Strong
Face Yourself
The Pursuit
Core
Hear Me
Poison H
Vital Signs
Morning Star
Up next was 3 Pill Morning. Ladies, don’t let these guys fool you, they may dress in a suit and tie, but they will rock your pony tails out. I was most excited for them because I saw them in Sioux Falls when they opened for My Darkest days, and they blew me away. I was hoping for the same experience.
Jeff yells “Thank you are we ready to do this?! Can I get a hell yeah?!” Of course you can, Jeff! They open with one of my favorites, “Revolution” and right away they are working the crowd and keeping the energy that Rise From Ruin left them with. Trent’s new drum kit was very eye catching, but then again, any kit would be with him behind it. Throughout the set the crowd intensifies and by the time the last song “Skin” plays, everyone is dancing and jumping round and singing along. 3 Pill Morning left the level high and everybody antsy for more.
Members: Jeff – vocals, Ryan – guitar, Charlie – bass, Trent – drums
Revolution
Nothing’s
Drive By
Rain
Loser
Skin
Following 3 Pill Morning’s hard-to-beat opening was The Letter Black. This band surprised me by having a female vocalist. I have seen Evanescence, Halestorm, In This Moment, and soon iwrestledabearonce, which have very powerful and unique female leads. I wanted her to be on my female rocker list, but she had to prove herself. Sarah bounced on stage with a lot of energy and looked so innocent till she opened her mouth. She let out a shocking scream that sent a spine tingling rush threw the speakers. My jaw dropped in awe, she sounded better than most guys! If the crowd had fallen asleep during the set change, they were all awake now. “All I Want” was definitely a metal head song, even though they felt “Wounded” was. Oh well, we all have our own opinions. Either way, Sarah nailed every scream and impressed the many rookies. They ended their set with a huge teaser of a Metallica cover, but only played the intro, so mean!
Members: Sarah – vocals, Mark – guitar, Matt – bass N/A – drums
All I Want
Fire With Fire
Sick Charade
My Disease
Rebuild
Wounded
Hobat
It would be hard to have to follow such a powerful vocalist such as Sarah, but come on, it’s 12 Stones! The band roared in stage with their first song “Bulletproof” and immediately the crowd pushed as close to the stage as they could get. After “Anthem For The Underdog” the crowd gets a little quiet, and Paul shouts “Don’t stop now, we aren’t done yet! The louder you get the crazier we get!” A few songs down they play “World’s Collide” from their new album and the crowd loved it. “How many have the cd?” A guy from the crowd responds “Who is going to buy it?” Everyone laughs as Paul replies “Yeah who?! That’s our McDonald’s money!” I shout back “No wait gas money to Sioux Falls!” They chuckle in agreement. Throughout the entire show the band talks back and forth with the crowd, even giving a guy in the back the nickname “Shadow Rocker”, as well as letting my friend play the guitar during “Soulfire.” She was all smiles the rest of the night. He also took my camera and took a picture of the crowd, well, attempted too. He did get one good picture of the front row at least. He may want to work on his photography skills.
12 Stones had a huge surprise in store for us that night. They played “Crash” from their very first album from eleven years ago. Every single person in the venue was singing along. It sounded amazing and was very heart-felt. But for me the most spine-chilling song of their set was “Bury Me”, played by just Paul on his electric guitar. It was simply amazing. 12 Stones will always have devoted fans, and will continue to make more with their new album.
Members: Paul – vocals, Eric – guitar, Will – bass, Aaron – drums
Bulletproof
Adrenaline
Anthem For The Underdog
Far Away
Worlds Collide
Crash
Soulfire
That Changes Everything
Infected
Bury Me
Lie To Me
Broken
Just because the music stopped doesn’t mean the party did. That was the case after the show. All of the bands ,minus a few members, stayed afterwards to talk to the fans and sign shirts and cds. This was one of a few shows I have been to that ALL of the bands stick around. Usually the headlining band leaves right away. It was a nice change.
I wondered over to the 3 Pill Morning booth to talk to Jeff, Trent, Ryan, and Charlie. I got my set list signed and talked about their next shows and about their next trip to Sioux Falls. I then asked the question that everyone will be wondering when they look at their pictures. “Why do you wear suits and ties on stage?” Jeff responds, “We are promoting our new album ‘Black Tie Love Affair’”. Trent chimes in, “Don’t you like four men dressed up?” Yes, Trent, we ladies love a well-dressed man. Their next tour is with Hoobastank, and later In This Moment.
My next adventure took me to hang out with the boys of Rise From Ruin. My friend and I ended up getting signed cds and some stickers. I also got my set list signed. Anthony asked my friend if she “liked” them on face book yet. She logged on with her phone and he then asked if they had reached 700 “likes” yet and discovered that she was the 700th like and I was 701. Anthony got so excited he wanted our picture. The rest of the band posed with us. Not even 5 minutes later it was posted on their page with the caption “Thanks to Stephenie and Britnee for being FB likes 700 and 701!!! All the way here from Sioux Falls!” You’re welcome guys, glad we could help! Their next show is at The Waiting Room with The Wreckage October 19th.
My next destination was to The Letter Black. I had been wanting to speak to Sarah the whole night, but sadly she had a child to tend to. I did an interview with their bassist, Matt, instead. I talked about Sarah’s vocals and screams and he responded, “We actually didn’t even know she could do that. We were in the studio and she let out a growl and all we could do was star in shock. She even knows how to do it without damaging her vocal cords.” I told him that I can do the screams too and of the importance of doing it the right way. Their next tour? “Europe, the after that a cruise to the Bahamas‘.” Yes, he means Shiprocked. I am so jealous!
My last stop in my journey was the 12 Stones table. I got a poster signed by the members and told Paul that I saw them when they opened for Daughtry about seven years ago. Will told me that he was actually friends with Chris before his American Idol days. Paul replied, “Actually, Chris called me up and said if I ever needed a bassist to call Will. So I said ‘Of course’, if Daughtry himself is referring someone, he must be good!”
After the stage was cleared and equipment packed up, I sat down with Paul for a short interview. My first question was whether his tattoo was really for the lyrics “Sleeping on a live grenade” from the song “Infected”. “No, it’s actually describing my life. The pin of the grenade is actually a heart to describe how love can explode and cause pain.” He has a busy winter planned with more touring and his sister’s wedding in October. In regards to not playing “Psycho” or “Pretty Poison”, “Due to not having a full band, and me playing guitar for the time being, we aren’t quite ready yet, but hopefully soon.” Eric had to leave the tour for a little while due to family issues. His spot as lead guitar was being filled by guitar player Nick from Throwing Gravity, who just recently toured with 12 Stones.
All in all, the night was a complete success, even though there were only about 40 people there. I will see every single one of these bands again if I have the chance to. And the ultimate question: Did Sarah make my top female rocker list? YES! Their new album “Rebuild” comes out in February, and I will for sure be buying it, along with the other albums they have created in the last six years. 12 Stones overall took the night with their song “Infected.” It has been stuck in my head ever since. “Sick of living in this world infected…”
Stephanie Thue
