ORIGINAL MUSIC REVIEWS
LIVE CONCERT REVIEW - GIVETHEMROPE
VENUE - THE ELECTRIC FACTORY
LOCATION - PHILADELPHIA, PA U.S.A.
DATE - SEPTEMBER 15, 2012
GENRE / STYLE - METAL / HARDCORE
 |
| Hatebreed and Friends @ The Electric Factory Philadelphia, Pa USA 9-15-2012 |
Music always evolves. Music always changes. When one thinks of Overkill, Fear Factory, or Hatebreed they may think of "old school" Metal from 10 years past. The world success for those original artists, started years ago. Many "old school" metal artists continue to jam today. Some continue to tour after a few line up changes. The music may continue to be good, but it sometimes evolves with different members coming and going in or out of their line up.
This post is not about those "old school" bands who have already made their place in the music world. This post is about givethemrope's performance on September 15, 2012 at the Electric Factory in Philly.
I first saw givethemrope ( Give Them Rope ) opening up for Overkill a few months ago. Since then, they were the opening slot for Fear Factory. Most bands would think that after opening up for a couple of nationally know artists, playing an underground club would be beneath them. Not givethemrope. I next saw givethemrope on a night after they opened for Fear Factory. There they were, headlining a underground venue named Champions located in Trenton, NJ. I was very impressed with their passion of wanting to play anywhere. Even a smaller venue. It seems to me, that opening for a nationally known artist in a large venue one night, then traveling 85 miles to another state (Reading, PA to Trenton, NJ) to headline a small venue the next night, is just fine with them. They just want to play everywhere.
I first saw givethemrope ( Give Them Rope ) opening up for Overkill a few months ago. Since then, they were the opening slot for Fear Factory. Most bands would think that after opening up for a couple of nationally know artists, playing an underground club would be beneath them. Not givethemrope. I next saw givethemrope on a night after they opened for Fear Factory. There they were, headlining a underground venue named Champions located in Trenton, NJ. I was very impressed with their passion of wanting to play anywhere. Even a smaller venue. It seems to me, that opening for a nationally known artist in a large venue one night, then traveling 85 miles to another state (Reading, PA to Trenton, NJ) to headline a small venue the next night, is just fine with them. They just want to play everywhere.
This post is not about their touring schedule or other shows. This post is about givethemrope's performance on September 15, 2012 at the Electric Factory in Philly.
I wasn't planing on heading over to see Hatebreed and Whitechapel with givethemrope at the Electric Factory. A couple of my good friends Chris & Tim were going to the show, but I was going to sit this one out and catch up on some Zs. After a long week, my bed was calling me. I originally was planing on doing a review on their new debut CD which was just released. I enjoy reviewing CDs, but I love to review concerts. The problem is that I need sleep.
This post is not about my sleep habits. This post is about givethemrope's performance on September 15, 2012 at the Electric Factory in Philly.
On the day of the show, I spoke with Vocalist Rich Books (not to be confused with Brooks), who was apparently racing up from Virginia or Maryland or from somewhere else south that was previously scheduled months ago. It seems that Givethemrope was a last minute add to the show just three days ago. Now, after the ok from Rich, my buddies and I are a last minute add to the backstage guest list. Our night was looking better than having to meet with Iron Maiden's Tour Manager Dicky Bell (Sorry... an inside Joke I couldn't pass on). My plans then changed, sleep will have to wait. Hopefully, I can remember to tell the chick in the ticket booth that my Driver's License does not say ORIGINAL MUSIC REVIEWS.
This post is not about my sleep habits. This post is about givethemrope's performance on September 15, 2012 at the Electric Factory in Philly.
On the day of the show, I spoke with Vocalist Rich Books (not to be confused with Brooks), who was apparently racing up from Virginia or Maryland or from somewhere else south that was previously scheduled months ago. It seems that Givethemrope was a last minute add to the show just three days ago. Now, after the ok from Rich, my buddies and I are a last minute add to the backstage guest list. Our night was looking better than having to meet with Iron Maiden's Tour Manager Dicky Bell (Sorry... an inside Joke I couldn't pass on). My plans then changed, sleep will have to wait. Hopefully, I can remember to tell the chick in the ticket booth that my Driver's License does not say ORIGINAL MUSIC REVIEWS.
 |
| givethemrope at the Electric Factory Philadelphia, Pa USA 9-15-2012 |
Anyway, we walk in back stage before the show starts, with a few minutes to spare. Then after an intro... BAM! Tons of raw aggressive energy hit my chest like a sledgehammer. The power surge came from the stage and it seemed like the building began to quake from the powerful burst of energy. Maybe givethemrope should change their name to givethemasledgehammertothechest (ok, maybe not). If I was sleepy before they came on, I am wide awake now. This is what Metal is all about, being alive and energized. Who needs an coffee or an energy drink now? Not me. What a rush!
At shows like this one, I often ponder about the audience when I watch an unsigned or inde artist do their thing on stage. Maybe those in the attendance were expecting nothing more than an I-pod shuffle of songs that they have heard countless times. Maybe they were expecting some drinking music before the headliner appears. Avenged Sevenfold, Slipknot, and maybe some "old school" Metallica or Slayer may have suit those who have gathered that night just fine. What most in the audience seem to realise rather quickly, is that givethemrope's music is rather catchy and this night they would catch a lot of people's attention. I am sure that others there felt the sledgehammer to their chest, as well. Givethemrope took the opportunity and capitalized on increasing their audience.
One of the largest challenges for any original unsigned or independent artists who open up for nationally known artists; is to play their original tunes in front of a large audience of people who do not know the band's stuff. The audience is mostly filled with people who came to see the national band(s) on the bill. Most of the people there have not heard the music the original unsigned/inde artist is showcasing. Many times the music being displayed falls on deaf ears. Not tonight. Givethemrope seems to have everyone's attention.
At shows like this one, I often ponder about the audience when I watch an unsigned or inde artist do their thing on stage. Maybe those in the attendance were expecting nothing more than an I-pod shuffle of songs that they have heard countless times. Maybe they were expecting some drinking music before the headliner appears. Avenged Sevenfold, Slipknot, and maybe some "old school" Metallica or Slayer may have suit those who have gathered that night just fine. What most in the audience seem to realise rather quickly, is that givethemrope's music is rather catchy and this night they would catch a lot of people's attention. I am sure that others there felt the sledgehammer to their chest, as well. Givethemrope took the opportunity and capitalized on increasing their audience.
One of the largest challenges for any original unsigned or independent artists who open up for nationally known artists; is to play their original tunes in front of a large audience of people who do not know the band's stuff. The audience is mostly filled with people who came to see the national band(s) on the bill. Most of the people there have not heard the music the original unsigned/inde artist is showcasing. Many times the music being displayed falls on deaf ears. Not tonight. Givethemrope seems to have everyone's attention.
 |
| givethemrope Rian Poltrone Guitarist |
Guitarist Rian Poltrone does more than just lay out a few chords. This axeman may not cut down trees, but he sure can shred a guitar. He leads the call into the pit.
 |
| givethemrope Ahmed Smith Bass |
Bassist Ahmed Smith held down the rhythmic low end. If givethemrope's performance was an engine that night, his piston was firing on all cylinders.
 |
| givethemrope Chris Hamilton Drums |
Drummer Chris Hamilton, formally of Downset , destroys everything in his path. I would hate to see his monthly expense bill from all of his shredded cymbals, punctured drum heads, and shattered sticks. Besides keeping perfect time, he is very fun to watch.
 |
| givethemrope Rich Books Vox |
Vocalist/Growler Rich Books produces raw and intense command of the lyrics. He does a good job working the crowd and he also knows how important it is to announce the band's name to a new audience during the set. His mention of band merchandise (CDs Shirts) for sale, helps raise funds for the band. Rich is a good front man, who has years of experience under his belt. Besides being in givethemrope you may catch Rich playing Bass in another one of his other music projects; ORCUS.
Some in the audience may have only heard givethemrope songs for the first time, but they have seem to love the energy rush. It is served without any after taste. The soundwaves from the stage kept coming. Smashing through the molecules in the air and stimulating the ears of those who came to hear someone else.
 |
| givethemrope on stage at the Electric Factory 9-15-2012 |
My last thought about the band givethemrope is that over the past few months, I saw them play live 3 different times and each time they had 3 different band lineups:
 |
| givethemrope Drummer/Cymbal Murderer Chris Hamilton busted with the evidence |
My last thought about the band givethemrope is that over the past few months, I saw them play live 3 different times and each time they had 3 different band lineups:
The Overkill show had Rich Books on vocals, Rian Poltrone on guitar, and Chris Hamilton on drums, Dave McCallion on Guitar, and Tom Prenett on Bass.
The Champions show had Rich Books on vocals, Rian Poltrone on guitar, and Chris Hamilton on drums, Dave McCallion on Guitar, and Ahmed Smith on Bass instead of Tom Prenett.
The Hatebreed show had Rich Books on vocals, Rian Poltrone on guitar, and Chris Hamilton on drums, and Ahmed Smith on Bass. (four piece) No Dave McCallion and again no Tom Prenett.
 |
| givethemrope Backstage at the Electric Factory 9-15-2012 Left to Right: Rian Poltrone, Chris Hamilton, Rich Books, Ahmed Smith |
This bit of musical chairs (pun intended), I am told, is not due to infighting, firings or band break ups. I guess different band members personal schedules (some are in other bands, etc.) and since givethemrope is one of the most wanted bands now, their heavy schedule of dates is always changing. The quickly added Hatebreed gig is a prime example. So, different guys play on different dates. None of these guys perform like NFL replacement Referees. They are more like Jazz musicians who "sit in" from set to set.
The Givethemrope line up seems to change from show to show, with the nucleus or core being Rich Books on vocals, Rian Poltrone on guitar, and Chris Hamilton on drums. The unique thing which I observed at all of the shows is that the sound quality and energy remains the same. The band always plays tight. I have not heard or felt any major difference in their bone crushing presentation. Like a sledgehammer to the chest.
This post is not about musical chairs or the NFL Referee Lockout. This post is about givethemrope's performance on September 15, 2012 at the Electric Factory in Philly.
 |
| Rich Books whips the crowd in the pit like a lion tamer taking control of his beast. |
If Hardcore Metal is in your blood, givethemrope is a must see live Act. They are coming to a city near you. It doesn't matter if you see them headline a small bar or opening up for a national artist in a larger venue. It doesn't matter who is in the givethemrope lineup that night and who is not. Their lineup may evolve from show to show but they are all good, talented, solid music veterans. The band members may seem like the "Where's Waldo" of concert touring, except for one thing: Waldo's music doesn't feel like a sledge hammer crushing your chest.
This post is not about Where's Waldo. It's about a bright new original hardcore/metal artist. They call themselves givethemrope. I call them an exciting, high energy, and powerful brand of Metal. When you hear/see them, you're going to call them the next big driving force in today's "New School" movement of metal.
-Alex
ORIGINAL MUSIC REVIEWS
 |
| 2012 Debut CD givethemrope |
givethemrope music available now at:
GIVETHEMROPE UP AND COMING SHOWS PLUS MORE INFO