March 12th 3 Bands 1 Stage - ROCKSPOSURE.....Be Heard

If you're planning a show and need someone to get the crowd fired up for you, look no further than Peoria, IL's Mindset Evolution.  The guys from Mindset took on the opening duties for Red Letter Merchant on March 12th at the Capital City Bar and Grill and brought nothing less than the signature energy level that they've become known for.  Kicking off the show with their tracks "Selfish" and "Clever", Mindset Evolution wasted no time getting the crowd ready for the rock packed night that was ahead.  Being the opening act on the road is no simple task, but Mindset pulled off an excellent set that included two unrehearsed requests from the crowd for "Baby Got Back" (Yes the big butt one you are thinking of) and Rage Against the Machine's "Killing in the Name Of".  Both were played on the fly and left the entire room buzzing.  Mindset Evolution didn't leave the stage until they worked in some of our favorites from their last album including "Drowning in Make Believe" and "Wait Steady".  Next up for the band is the release of their latest music video for "Lullaby" which is due out later this month, check back as we'll be featuring it on our site once it debuts!

Chicago's Waterstreet and their swagger filled guitar were the next to take the stage in Springfield.  If you haven't heard these guys before, think Queens of the Stone Age meets Wolfmother.  It is a classic rock sound with some remarkably modern roots. Waterstreet held nothing back as they tore through their first four songs which included "A Thousand Wars" and "Psycho".  For Waterstreet, if you're playing it and it has strings you'll also be singing, and the resulting choruses are excellent.  There is a ton of chemistry between the four members of the band and it comes through on both the album and the stage.  These guys sound just as good live as they do in the studio, and in my eyes there could be no bigger complement to a band and how they record their music.  Waterstreet worked in several tracks off of their EP "Of Gossip" including a great rendition of "Glass Bones and Paper Skin". They took the handoff from Mindset Evolution well and kept the energy going the entire time they were on the stage.  With two great sets behind us for the night, it was time for the headliner.

Like any show, the crowd built until the headliner took the stage, and for a small town in Central Illinois we were pleasantly surprised with the turn out for the show.  Capital City Bar and Grill is a deceiving venue given that you would never know they had a stage or room for that many people when you pass their facade in the strip mall.  But once you make your way inside, you’ll find a room that is unbelievably well setup for concerts with remarkably good sightlines and sound.  

The crowd was more than ready for Red Letter Merchant by the time they took the stage following an introduction from Rocksposure’s own Brian ‘The Boy Scout” Brach.  Seconds into the set it was clear why RLM had the crowd on hand that they did, because they know how to put on one hell of a rock show.  Performing most of their tunes from last year’s “Leave It All Behind”, RLM played a rousing set from start to finish.  Favorites like “Simple Vision” and “As I Feel” sounded as good live as they did blaring through my iPod on the way to the show.  

The band took a moment to reflect on the loss of a band mate that had been with them since the start of RLM, Jarad Mitchell’s prized guitar.  Following a sound check mishap the Les Paul had played its last chord.  Fittingly the band gave it a final send off in entertaining fashion mid-set.  RLM did work in a new, yet to be named track into the set list.  It was great to hear something fresh mixed into the regular crowd favorites.  For those that stuck around for a full night of rock the band did not disappoint as they treated the crowd to an encore which included an excellent cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song”.  It was a perfect way to cap off three phenomenal sets worth of music.  

A night listening to any one of these bands would be time well spent, but to catch all three of them in one night at one kick ass venue is exactly the kind of thing the team at Rocksposure lives for!