Concert Review
Live
The Avalon Theatre
Fallsview Casino Resort
Niagara Falls, Onatario
Friday February 9, 2019
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
When vocalist Ed Kowalczyk stated to the sold out Fallsview Casino crowd that this year marks Throwing Coppers 25th anniversary it seemed like he almost couldn’t believe it as much as I. It is so hard to fathom that the album that put the band on the map and got the whole ball rolling is that old. The album has a unique distinction for climbing to #1 after it first hit the album charts (52 weeks) thus making it the third longest gap to do so in the Billboard Album Chart history.
With the Chris Shinn era behind them (Shinn was in the band replacing Kowalczyk from 2012-2016) The original lineup picked up where they left off and delivered a show that encompassed the history of the band. Joining Kowalczyk were original members guitarist Chad Taylor, drummer Chad Gracey and bassist Patrick Dahlheimer. The band was rounded out onstage by second drummer/percussionist Robin Diaz and guitarist Zak Loy. The show marked the band’s first of 2019 but they sounded as if they were in mid tour form.
Firing things up with the song that has opened many of the band’s concerts over the years “All Over You” sounded fresh and vibrant. One of the true treasures from Throwing Copper. The band recorded and released an EP last year Local 717. The two singles from it were featured next “Love Lounge” and “Be A Giver, Man” as both went over well with the audience.
The band also played many of the songs one would expect to hear the rest of the way. Songs such as “The Dolphin’s Cry”, “Selling The Drama” and “I Alone” sounded as good as ever.
For the encore Kowalczyk returned alone on stage with an acoustic guitar in hand and played stirring versions of “Turn My Head” and the song he wrote when his first daughter was born “Heaven”. The full band returned as they closed with “Lightning Crashes” a fitting song the band has closed many a show with.
Those that have never seen this band in concert truly must add it to their bucket list. The roots of Live trace back to the mid-1980s when these guys were young lads in York, PA. They have grown up together, got famous together and had their brief separation from each other. From here on out it appears they will grow older together and carry out their legacy of being one of the top bands to come out of the 90s grunge scene.
Set List
All Over You
Love Lounge
Be A Giver, Man
Pain Lies on the Riverside
The Dolphin’s Cry
Selling the Drama
Baby What You Want Me to Do
The Distance
Shit Towne
I Alone
Lakini’s Juice
White, Discussion
Encore
Turn My Head
Heaven
Lightning Crashes
