When
and Where? @ Club Soda, Montreal, Canada 1/10/02
When I got the news that Finger Eleven
was coming to town, and I was going to get to cover it, I was ecstatic.
Then I found out I wasn’t going to interview them, I was still ecstatic.
It’s a ROCK SHOW! AND I AM GOING! Just what I needed to take
away these Canadian winter blues.
Unfortunately, due to a mess up on my editors
part I missed Cold’s set. (The message told me the wrong time....and
yes, the correct time was posted outside the venue, so I will take 50%
of the hate mail on it.) I heartily apologize to the Cold fans out
there. I heard, however, from good sources, the band put on a good
show, however, and I noticed more than the usual share of fans had bought
their shirt. I went and bought their CD to make up for it, if it
makes anybody feel better.
As if making a statement of longevity,
Finger Eleven’s Scott Anderson kicked off their set with their single,
“First Time.” No waiting until the encore for these guys. They’re
going to get you, and get you going right away. Not a bad move.
Scott’s emotive, dynamic voice was reflected in the bulging veins in his
forehead, even if he didn’t have a big repertoire of facial expressions.
He didn’t tend to move around a lot, choosing to use his arms more for
emphasis. James Black made up for that, even if he went a bit too
far in the Korn direction at times, jumping up and down on stage.
The whole backing band was very good, and tight as hell. The drumming,
the guitars, the bass; they were pretty much dead on all night. For
a first night on tour, I would say they were geared up and ready to go,
tearing through “My Carousel”, with James clearly taking a good share of
the audience’s attention. In his stylish Jedi-meets-a-rave wear,
and impish attitude on stage, and striking smile, it was definitely James
who seemed to be pushing the audience tempo, straining for them to jump
higher, mosh harder. I won’t take it personally that I got a boot
to the head—literally. Occupational hazard.
Throughout the night, they showed off their
obviously diverse influences well, from the Doors to Our Lady Peace to
Tool with some desert music thrown in there, culminating in a surprisingly
accurate Depeche Mode cover of “Walking In My Shoes”. My dj-technopop-head
of a boyfriend snapped to when they crunched into that and they got his
respect. The look on his face was worth the price of admission, for
sure. To get my boyfriend headbanging is an accomplishment, indeed.
I will also say that the backing vocals
done by what appeared to be all four backing members were nothing short
of amazing, even if Scott’s voice totally and horribly gave out on him
during the last final wails of “Drag You Down” during the encore.
For most of the night, his voice had sounded so strong and secure, so for
that to happen to him must have been rough. It was horrible, especially
with that being the last note of the show.
Overall, the show was good. I would
check them out again, and I suspect most people there would as well, judging
from the faces on the crowd as they filed out. I am looking forward
to it.
Rating:
(out of 5)
Just one thing, though that I must add.
While reading their webpage, I came across this little ditty explaining
their name:
“finger eleven is not your penis. finger
eleven is not your middle fingers corralled together in a triumphant “fuck
you!” finger eleven is an instinct that lives in the back of your brain.
It’s a decision made true to yourself, with a complete disregard of outside
influence. It’s that one extra finger that you use to point you in the
right direction. It’s the path of most resistance and that’s why it’s the
perfect name for this band.”
What I want to know is then, what was their
karmic reasoning for their old band name:
“Rainbow Butt Monkey”?
Holiday is a Feature Writer
for the iconoFAN Network. Her column Holly
Go Heavy appears every month at antiMUSIC.com
Your
Turn, What do you think?
Fan
Speak:
Posted by WebMasta J:
You haave two songs i like alot but i cant find any clps of them!!
Posted by zeazeaz:
sdqssqfddqfqsdqg
Posted by knocksvillee:
I discovered this band a couple of years ago and i have like almost every song they have released. This is one of the most underrated bands around today and id love to see them in concert. But my state is too small and they have yet to come here. DAMN GOOD BAND!!!
Posted by camakasy:
I think they ROCK
Posted by .:
i like cold but they suck live
Posted by X:
I saw Finger Eleven last January at the Croation Cultural Center in Vancouver with Cold opening for them (Cold is an awesome band too,) and I still think that they are one of the most talented bands I have seen. They do an awesome job preforming live and have wonderful stage talent. I hope they keep up the good work for a long time.
Posted by Ashley:
I went to the April 4th show in Hamilton, AND the August 30th show in Toronto and they were the best 2 nights of my entire life! These guys are the best (and HOTTEST I might add) guys on the face of the earth. Not to mention the nicest. They even go as far as to hang out with their completely devoted fans that are willing to wait hours after the show in hope of meeting them and maybe getting an autograph or two. You guys are the best and I love you all!!!!
Posted by Aileen:
I have Seen Finger Eleven 3 times and every time I see them they Blow me away. I went to the Kitchener recently and has a wicked time. James and Rick have great stage antics. I love you guys...
Posted by joe0750:
I have seen Finger Eleven twice in the last year. I saw them open for Creed in January and I saw them with Boy Hits Car and Drowning Pool this past summer right before "Bodies" hit the airwaves. They are awesome in concert. Love their music including the RBM stuff. Hope to see them again.
Posted by mer:
iwould like know what is discography house of finger eleven.thanks!
Posted by Drew: I have not seen F11 in concert, but I
would LUV TO! They just totally rock. I LUV their videos though, because
the drummer and guitarist are sorta weird but cool at the same time. Just
they way they play rocks!Overall, I get tired of bands quick. Well depending,
but I can't get sick of Finger Eleven!
Posted by
Chrystal: I saw Finger Eleven last week, on April
4th....it was the best night of my entire life. The whole band is amazing,
and they rule my universe. And even though he has a girlfriend, I must
say, that James Black is most incredibly hot guy I have ever seen.
Posted by
me: I think f11 are amazing. I saw them in
Omaha and they were just great. I got a chance to see them up close. It
was a really great show. A lot of people came. The place where they played
was small, but a lot of people showed up. I have both of their albums and
they both are really great. FingerEleven does have talent. A lot. That's
more than I could say for some bands.
Posted by
go[d]: 206.189.239.171
Finger Eleven has more talent than you
do lol
Posted by
a fan: 66.27.3.61
lol go choke on your own vomit
Posted by
lol: finger eleven is a poormans nineinchnails
Posted by
The Fan formally known as Marq: I saw them with Creed too and they blew
Creed off the stage. I like Creed and all but the get a little tired after
a bit, I've been listening to f11 since and haven't grown tired of them
at all. They do a great job on singing and mixing up the songs so they
all don't sound the same and they do stand out from all these no talent
losers out growling or rapping into a microphone. Check em out, like the
writer said they aren't the best band out but they are in the top echelon
and they just plain rock!
Posted by
d: I saw Finger Eleven for the first time
when they toured with Creed and Days of the New. They played at the Kemper
Arena on November 15th, 2000. I have never even heard of this band before,
and they were first on stage before Creed and Days of the New...I was very
impressed by how solid the bands sound was, and how different the vocals
were for buttrock music. Most of the bands out of that genre are growling,
screaming, and just sound like crap...but Scott Anderson sang very very
well and clearly. I could tell what he was singing. Rick Jackett was just
AMAZING! Never since guys like Steve Vai in this age have I seen people
throw a f*ckin guitar around and hit everything perfect. I was stunned,
the guy I went to the show with, he's only into 80's type rock, and he
only came for Creed, but I Think he really got into the band and the show
after watching Finger Eleven, and especially Rick. James Black played very
excellent, and was just all over the place. I give him great credit for
his performance. Now, Sean Anderson, he thumped pretty well, but he just
didn't get into it like the rest of the guys. Rich Beddoe is a very good
drummer, and to me, a solid drummer than can play good is the center point
of the rest of the music. Cause if your drummer sucks, your music will
suck. You can get away with guitar and bass f*ck ups now and then, but
if you hear a wrong sound, or tempo slow or speed up, or dropping sticks
and stuff like that...then, you need more practice. I was so impressed
with the band that I bought their album, Tip, at the consession booth right
after the intermission started. It was a week later that I bought the Greyest
of Blue Skies, and I have to say that this band is a GREAT band to put
your money into and I hope to get to see them live again soon!
