By: Robert Cavuoto
Mark Tremonti
Just when Starland Ballroom in New Jersey thought they had finally rebuilt from Super Storm Sandy in 2012, Mark Tremonti and his solo band destroyed the venue yet again on May 2, 2015, while opening for Seether.
Tremonti is out touring the U.S. this Spring, slightly in advance of their sophomore CD, Cauterize, slated for release on June 9th via Fret 12 Records.
The band consists of Mark on vocals/guitars, Eric Friedman on guitars, Garrett Whitlock on drums and though Wolfgang Van Halen played bass on the new CD, he is not touring with the band due to a scheduling commitment with…well, Van Halen. So, the tour has pulled in Tanner Keegan on bass.
Armed with his PRS guitars and Bogner Uberschall amp with two beers set atop; Mark opened the set with a new song off Cauterize, “Brains” and never looked back.
Three other new songs were also introduced in the set; the title track, “Cauterize,” “Another Heart,” and “Flying Monkeys”, and all show off the bluesy side of playing. Fans knew all the words to the songs since they were released on You Tube before the release.
From his 2012 debut CD, All I Was, the band performed, “You Waste Your Time,” “Decay” and closed with “Wish You Well.”
Dressed in a black shirt with jeans and his trademark Converse All Stars, Mark showcased his ability to not only be an outstanding guitarist but a premier frontman; working the crowd with both guitar and vocals.
Tremonti’s voice was in perfect form and provided the icing on the cake for his playing and shredding abilities. The band crushed the crowd with an angry and energetic display of raw emotion.
No props, pyro, or stage gimmicks were needed tonight; just four guys rocking out to groove inspired songs with killer riffs and leads.
Starland’s sound system was stellar so you could single out every instrument and vocal part perfectly, as if you were listening to their CDs at full throttle.
Keeping up with Mark’s gallop guitar picking was drummer Garrett Whitlock with his insane style of playing. Every strike on the drums was a full wind-up swing like he was pounding nails with a sledgehammer, all the while playing perfectly in the pocket to Mark and Eric.
At times all you could see was his Garrett’s mohawk swaying and two arms pounding. The drum kit took a monstrous beating tonight and Garrett only picked up more steam and power with each passing song.
Just when Tremonti had the crowd fired up and hanging on every song, the set was over. I truly hope he comes around again later this year as a headliner so we can hear some extended guitar solos and a possible Creed song or two!
GALLERY
