By: James Davies
July 04, 2002
Earlier in the week we ran reviews of three of the four Edgefest stages (check 'em out here) and now we've completed the set with our coverage of the third stage. Here's what went down:
Small and unimposing, Stage Three was far removed from its two larger brethren at this year’s Edgefest, both literally and figuratively as it was pushed up in the Northwest corner of the park. With no cover over the stage, 12 bands braved searing heat to strut their talent (or lack of) in front of healthy sized crowds throughout the afternoon.
The day started with a degree of sartorial symmetry as the frontmen from both Epidemic and Flicker wore pristine white "wifebeaters." But the similarities ended there as the Los Angeleans of Epidemic revealed a bad attitude after blistering through a set of conventional hard rock. Apparently, unsure whether they were later participating in a meet ‘n’ greet, the lead singer slung out the ever amicable "we will meet you nowhere" to the crowd before retiring for the day. Flicker, on the other hand, appeared downright happy just to be playing, capping off their energetic set with an attempt at some sort of extended instrumental ecstasy.
Third to take the stage were Nova Scotia’s The Trews, four hippies turned rockers with a healthy Blue Meanies influence. Sporting T-shirts with the icons of every generation (Che Guevera and Jim Morrison) they impressed the crowd of almost exclusively girls with their intricate guitar effects.
With strange Midwestern accents, St. Louis’ Greenwheel came on next staking a claim to the wittiest stage banter of the day with cracks about bondage and golden showers. Sounding eerily like Matchbox Twenty their set was made entertaining by an indefatigable vocalist and one of the day’s biggest mysteries: Why does their drummer wear white gloves?
The crowd swelled in anticipation of the next act, 30 Seconds To Mars. Hollywood star Jared Leto brought his pretty-boy good looks and street team of publicists to hand out free CDs and parade around a sign for a future show. After hiding in the shadows during the longest set change of the day (you didn’t actually think he moved his own equipment?), Leto made his grand entrance by running through the crowd sneering, aided by a remote pack for his guitar. When he finally made it to the stage to alternately flip his hair and continue sneering, he began taunting the crowd and encouraging them to pump their fists – then the sound promptly gave out. To his credit, Leto composed himself quickly as his band continued to play a set reminiscent of A Perfect Circle. During this supposed sonic opera two teenage girls beside me began the following conversation: "Is it him?" "Yeah." "No!" "No, really… it’s him." "It can’t be." "Yeah, it’s him." "It is him!" "I told you." "What’s he doing here?" "I have no idea."
Most of the crowd disappeared after 30 Seconds To Mars, save one Chad Kroeger (the dude from Nickelback) who, aided by an Edgefest staff forming a perimeter wall around him, watched Theory Of A Dead Man from the sound tent (and yes, he offered the techie a couple of suggestions). After running through a competent five-song version of Nickelback, Theory Of A Dead Man vowed to retire to the beer tent.
Toronto’s Grindig, one of the day’s few highlights, took the stage next mockingly proclaiming that "yes, we don’t sound like Nickelback." The crowd seemed to appreciate the change in music style knocking around a novelty beachball during their hooky, Dave Matthews inspired, percussion-laden set.
Arriving next was Injected, cocky fuckers from Atlanta who raised their kool-factor by drinking whiskey on stage and playing a Melvins cover. They also introduced each other as famous people they resembled: Metallica's late bassist Cliff Burton, the drummer from Def Leppard, the kid from Charlie And The Chocolate Factor and the Last Of The Mohicans. Marred by early technical difficulties the quartet went from playful to hostile, taunting several members of the crowd who began walking away mid-set.
Claiming that they "want to put the edge back in Edgefest," One 976 came on next to shock the crowd with a platinum haired, fully made-up, flaming-thong wearing frontman wearing bright orange boots and prancing around like the new Iggy Pop. They also had the most beautiful drag queen these eyes have ever seen knocking a tambourine and flicking his (her?) tongue at the crowd. And while a couple of water bottles were thrown when they started, the crowd quickly realized that this was the best band of the day playing a punked-out version of glam rock and the unforgettable song "Ain’t Nothing Like A Gang Bang."
After camping out under their tent at the side of the crowd all afternoon, Burlington’s Jersey got up to take the stage wearing crooked hats and an Operation Ivy influence on their sleeves. Much of the lively crowd confessed to seeing them before and one member in particular, a bleached young'un with a Rage Against The Machine shirt, appeared to be their biggest fan, moving around, constantly jumping and making a bizarre effort at dancing that was the most energetic performance seen all day.
The second last band of the day, Billy Talent, came on stage and did a version of treble charger doing Johnny Rotten as an energetic frontman jumped around, thrust a mic stand here and there and delivered vocals in an English accent. Pulling a Fred Durst, he also challenged the crowd to "start a Woodstock and burn everything down."
And finally, Three Days Grace finished off the day being watched by what appeared to be the oldest crowd of the day, who got to see a vocalist wearing the ever-inspiring message "Fuck You You Fuckin Fuck" on his black T-shirt. Fittingly, the day started as it began, with another take on the frightfully uninspiring sub-genre of nu rock.
Source: ChartAttack