Summerland Rocked The Amp On Tuesday Night

The Summerland Show last night was cool. Everclear, Soul Asylum, Eve6 and Spacehog rocked the McGrath Amphitheater. I had never seen any of these bands. They did not disappoint.

Art Alexakis is the founder of Summerland. His tour lineup changes every year, with his band Everclear being the constant. He hosts the whole show, which is something I've never seen a rock star do. He's passionate and entertaining - and the crowd of 1300 loved their MC for the night.

The show started at 7 with Spacehog. Electrical tape on the drums and a good solid 20-minute jam, highlighted by "In The Meantime." I was at the Papa John's line when that one started. The woman next to me said "Oh, THEY do this? Why yes, ma'am they do."

Eve 6 singer Max Collins was the most entertaining singer of the night. His on-stage rants were as good as the songs...and they were great. His banter was funny and unique as he circled around the stage. "Inside Out" is the one they're remembered for, but they jammed some new songs too. One of Alexakis' prerequisites is that all bands on Summerland are still vital and making new music.

Soul Asylum banged out all the hits. "Black Gold" "Misery" "Runaway Train" "Somebody to Shove." Dave Pirner let the music do the talking and made the most of his short time on stage. He and SA sounded great. Man, that band was huge 2 decades ago. It's the kind of act that makes you remember how big they were after hearing them live. Just south of the original homeland of Twin Cities, Soul Asylum rocked the Amp.

Art came back out with an acapella rendition of "Santa Monica" to open the last set of the night with Everclear.

They jammed some "rock guitars" as Art said...and did it well. "Everything To Everyone" and "Father Of Mine" were my faves. Art stays busy with film roles, new Everclear music and this tour, which I hope returns to Eastern Iowa soon. The crowd loved this look back at the BIG 90's under perfect weather conditions.

Thanks for supporting live rock. We came. We saw. We swam out past the Cedar Breakers...