Nine to 10 hours of unfiltered alternative-rock heavyweights bombarding eager fans with unprecedented guitar solos may result in the following: a one way ticket to nirvana, and the possible threat of being unwillingly volunteered for a mosh pit ““ The Bamboozle will deliver all of this on March 27 and 28 in Anaheim.
Between three stages and more than 45 separate artists, the two-day lineup is sure to strike a resonant chord in any music lover’s ears. Headliners such as AFI, the recently reunited Something Corporate and Angels & Airwaves seek to please the sea of supporters that will gather at Angel Stadium.
“We create the show to be theatrical to have movements and interludes ““ ups and downs, so if we’re playing for two hours, it’s almost like you’re watching a movie,” said David Kennedy, Angels & Airwaves guitarist.
Their set list will include a handful of memorable Boxcar Racer and Blink 182 tracks alongside songs off of their most recent LP, “LOVE,” which was released in mid-February as a free downloadable file on the band’s Web site.
The group of Southern California natives will perform on the opening day of Bamboozle.
“This is where we call home and it’s important to us to be strong here,” Kennedy said. “We invite everybody to come and promise that it will be an experience and that you’ll have an incredible time.”
These post-hardcore veterans will share the bill with the likes of The Ready Set, Story of the Year and critically acclaimed, pop-punk newcomers, The Maine. In merely three years, the Tempe, Ariz. quintet has released a book, co-headlined a sold out tour and debuted at number four on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart.
“If you were to tell me five years ago that this is what we’d be doing, I would not believe you. But as fast as everything has been, it hasn’t felt extremely rushed for us since we’ve been working so hard the entire time,” said drummer Pat Kirch.
Although they’ll be taking the stage on day two of the tour, the band reflects the exhilaration that the youthful crowd brings into the fairgrounds through their appreciation of the groups they will be performing alongside of.
“Something Corporate is a band that I saw in sixth- or seventh-grade, now we’re playing with them, Angels and Airwaves and AFI,” Kirch said. “It’s just insane to be on the same list with such established bands.”
The festival’s casual atmosphere and its fast-paced set changes may unintentionally align a nomadic fan with their new favorite performer.
“I love the interaction that takes place at the concert,” said Chiodos keyboardist Bradley Bell. “All of the kids crowd surfing ““ I think it’s awesome. … The more energy we get from the crowd the more energy we put back into the show.”
What may come as a surprise to some of the festival’s attendees is the new lineup that Chiodos, a Michigan sextet, will debut on the second day. After working with the founder and face of the band, Craig Owens, for the last nine years, Chiodos recently replaced the voice of the group with Brandon Bolmer from Yesterday’s Rising.
“It’s a breath of fresh air for all of us, I’m sure for Craig too, to start something new,” Bell said. “I think it’s natural for people to be upset with the decision made, but at the same time, I hope that people understand where we’re coming from and that they approach it with an open mind.”
As expected, the refurbishment caught some fans off guard. Kyle Draper, a third-year communications student, felt as though the group’s decision was a poor one.
“Craig Owens is irreplaceable for Chiodos,” Draper said. “Without their charismatic front man and his unique voice, they are just another generic screamo band.”
Regardless of changes, the event will envelop attendees in a sense of community based on resounding music and the urge to have one or more body parts autographed by members of their favorite band.
“It’s always a good thing when you play those festivals because you meet so many bands and hang out with them so constantly over the years that you form an alliance and a brotherhood,” Bolmer said. “It’s like seeing your family again at the holidays.”