Projekt Revolution - Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance @ Hyundai Pavilion, 7/28/07

I know that no matter what I say about these two bands and this show I will get blasted. I think it is kind of lame to have to defend why one likes band A or band B it is after all music and it can effect you in ways that it doesn't others. While I am not a diehard for either of these two groups I do appreciate what they bring to the music landscape. I don't know why I like them but there is something that I like about their music and I am not going to say why but guilty pleasures are guilty pleasures. I think My Chemical Romance's latest record the Black Parade is a modern day rock opera opus, while its no A Night At the Opera it is a piece of original work in a musical landscape so unoriginal and barren. (here come the flames.....) and Linkin Park has always had strong production (Rick Rubin) and an angsty, fierce drive to their songs. Call their music too poppy, over produced or just lame, both these bands know how to put on a live show.

More Pics After The Jump.....

As I said with my Maximo Park review, there is nothing more enjoyable as a photographer than shooting bands that use the energy of their music as fuel for their performance. This was one of those bands. It was a challenge shooting them as well as the entire band was constantly on the move, whether it was lead singer Gerard Way jumping of the monitor or guitarist Frank Lero through his guitar across the stage, there was always action. The performance was grand in scale with pyro, amazing lighting and as mentioned, the band itself going all out. No matter your like or dislike for this band it was hard not to appreciate the theatricality of the performance. Some songs were made just to be played as loud as possible, the anthemic "Welcome to the Black Parade" and "I Disappear" were two of those. Their set was tight and well put together, always fierce and driving, only letting up for the final song, a solo performance by lead singer Way, the somber "Cancer."

Unlike Limp Bizkit and the other rock-rap outfits of the late 90's, Linkin Park has survived and not only that thrived in this new era of modern rock. They have adapted with the times and constantly found to be relevant while still keeping their sound. They are loud and where MCR appear the the more "emo" side, if you will, LP is a full-on machismo freight train. I hear a lot of strong musical elements in the loud exterior of this band. Mike Shinoda is quite a versatile musician, playing bass, guitar, piano and beatboxing all in the same set as Chester Bennington provides the melodies and well, the screams. Combing hip hop, screamo and rock all into one loud force, Linkin Park has such a broad appeal it is no wonder why there are so popular...and hated.