By John Johnson, Photos by Chaz Dykes of Chaz D Photography
Last night’s rock extravaganza at the Midflorida Credit Union Aamphitheater, (the Amp), was a triumphant blend of nostalgia and raw energy. With Soul Asylum, Live, and Stone Temple Pilots on the bill, fans were treated to a night of iconic 90s rock in a picturesque, semi-damp, outdoor setting. Once again, the staff at The Amp maintained control over the mostly middle-aged mass with great care. In fact, one of it’s security members (who will remain nameless) quipped that it was such a placid ambiance that he was able to “go to the restroom for the first time in seven years”.
With giant storm clouds slowly drifting away, the evening kicked off with Soul Asylum, the Minneapolis alt-rockers known for their gritty sound and heartfelt lyrics. The members ambled in as the theme from The Loveboat filled the arena. They opened with a personal favorite in “Somebody to Shove” as the guitarist, sporting fingerless gloves and a Hüsker Dü tee, tore into the opening riffs. The short, seven song set featuring all “hits”, like “Runaway Train,” which had the crowd singing along in unison, as well as other devotee treasures “Black Gold” and “Just Like Anyone.” Lead singer Dave Pirner’s voice was as compelling as ever, and the band’s tight, albeit unnecessarily loud, performance set a high bar for the night. Despite the early hour, Soul Asylum commanded the stage with the kind of confidence that suggested they were headlining rather than opening.
Next up was Live, whose name was never supposed to be pronounced the way it is popularly. Originally their name was Live as in “I LIVE to see live music” but for some reason people were more comfortable pronouncing it like “I live to see LIVE music”, so it stuck. I digress. The band from York, PA., took the stage with an intensity that immediately electrified the amphitheater. Their set was a journey through their greatest hits and showcased their ability to blend introspective lyrics with anthemic rock. As lead singer Ed Kowalczyk put it best, “We brought a Time Machine, we’re gonna fly around in it for the next hour and fifteen minutes, if that’s ok”. Judging by the crowds reaction, it was more than ok. Often playing a bright green guitar, Live’s frontman, who hasn’t aged visibly or vocally, captivated the congregation. The 14 song set of memorable 90s tunes like “Selling the Drama”, “All Over You” and “Pain Lies on the Riverside” were indeed a trip on said time machine. The only new song was “Lady Bhang”, which features soon to be performing STP guitarist Dean DeLeo, melded perfectly. Personal standouts were “Shit Towne”, played with angst in front of an ominous forest projected on the backdrop, and the throbbing “Lakini’s Juice”. The latter, having Mr. Ed growling “It was an evening I shared with the sun…”, in front of a massive burning orb. Show closers “I Alone” and “Lightning Crashes” were standouts, with Kowalczyk’s vocals soaring above the rich, layered instrumentation. Let’s face it, not too many vocalists can utter the phrase “her placenta falls to the floor” with the lyrical timbre that Ed K. does. The band’s chemistry was palpable, and their dynamic performance had the audience deeply engaged, setting the perfect tone for what was to come.
The actual sun, having dodged the storm, had dipped below the horizon a half hour previous, as the speakers played a Roy Wood and the Wizzard ditty. I liked it so much I looked it up, it’s called “The thing is This (this is the thing), check it out if you’re so inclined. Again, I digress. Stone Temple Pilots, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the band’s second album Purple, swaggered into their respective spots on stage. Playing the recording “in it’s entirety” isn’t always for the faint of heart, as I reminded a nearby concert goer who complained that she “Doesn’t know this song”. Reminding her what the term “in its entirety” meant at least twice. Ugh, PEOPLE, am I right? Regardless of her musical unawareness, and Purplearguably STP’s best album, the first eleven songs were all gems. Kicking off with “Meatplow”, “Vasoline” (my wives fave), and “Lounge Fly”, the four piece outfit was just getting started. Sunglasses be speckled bassist Robert DeLeo sidled up to the microphone, his instrument slung low over his white jeans, announced “the fourth song off the album, that you might recognize” (the massive hit that he composed), “Interstate Love song”. His brother, the previously mentioned Dean Deleo, flawlessly recreated the albums guitar licks with a reserved panache.
The elder sibling, with tussled salt and peppered locks, has a slinky quiet cool about him. I’d venture to guess that very few players from his generation, 90s rock specifically, played slide guitar as fluidly, and ambiguously, as he does. Several lucky fans near stage front were rewarded with the metal finger cuffs as he tossed them out after each use. Hopefully they were paying attention, as I imagine those steel tubes might hurt bouncing off ones noggin. The musical prowess of the DeLeo brothers was accentuated by Eric Kretz’ pounding drum precision. His blonde hair covering his face as he punished his kit throughout the show. Though, the Bohemian-esque acoustic song “Pretty Penny” had him moved upstage to tackle congas, bongos and rain chimes. Lead singer Jeff Gutt, who’s been with the band since 2017, brought his own unique energy while honoring the legacy of the late Scott Weiland. Many fans tend to abandon a group after a predominant member either leaves a band or passes on. That’s certainly true for STP, especially when an iconic singer/writer/performer like Weiland is no longer slithering center stage with megaphone in hand. However the great loss of the talented, albeit tortured artist Mr. Weiland is, I implore fans to give Jeff Gutt a fighting chance. Pronounced like root and “not like guts” as he explained, the suave, platinum haired crooner is quite captivating and competent. “It smelled like Christmas when we first came out, what happened?”, referring to the arena’s ability to trap in the smell of weed smoke from the pit. As the last notes to the not so familiar “Kitchenware & Candybars” echoed through Tampa’s night air, he quietly announced “That ends Purple”. The remaining encore four would ironically leave the audience thirsting for more. The first three were all beloved bangers, being “Plush”, “Dead & Bloated” and “Crackerman”, bringing all in attendance to their feet. The band hailing from San Diego (not Seattle as their grunge roots might dictate), were joined on stage by Ours lead singer Jimmy Gnecco, for the groups first hit single and last song of the night, “Sex Type Thing”. The slender, tattooed multi instrumentalist, aptly wailed the familiar “You should’ve never worn that dress” all while wearing what appeared to be a codpiece. The crowd’s enthusiasm was palpable, and STP’s set was a testament to their enduring legacy in the rock world, whether post hair metal, grunge era or otherwise.
The concert was a resounding success, even if attendance wasn’t quite as expected, with each band delivering performances that highlighted their strengths and left fans wanting more. Soul Asylum’s nostalgic garage rock, Live’s powerful anthems, and Stone Temple Pilots’ iconic hits combined to create a night of unforgettable music. For fans of 90s rock, this was a concert to remember.
