Monday, August 31, 1998
Bands on H.O.R.D.E. tour share energy, enthusiasm with
audience
MUSIC: Established favorites, newcomers to scene continue show’s
tradition of excellence
By Michelle Zubiate
Daily Bruin Staff
Tie-dye and modern rock, framed in social awareness, will always
bring the crowds and some fun.
No, it’s not Woodstock, but the H.O.R.D.E. (Horizons of Rock
Developing Everywhere) Festival ’98 gathered this conscious
audience at Irvine Meadows on Thursday.
The day’s success rested in the night’s strong line-up of bands,
such as Barenaked Ladies, Ben Harper and Blues Traveler, who pulled
off an energized event with few kinks.
Started by John Popper and Blues Traveler in 1992, H.O.R.D.E.’s
purpose is to feature both the hitmakers of modern rock and
newcomers to the industry. Bands that now sell out stadiums, such
as Dave Matthews, had their humble introductions into the music
industry on the tour.
In addition, popular bands still perform on the bill, with names
such as Paula Cole and Smashing Pumpkins playing on select dates
during the summer.
The warm summer night in Irvine served as the perfect
environment, the music capturing the crowd with every set. Even
between the sets of the headliners on the main stage, the music
picked up on the main stage as the crowd milled among the craft and
political booths and the rockin’ sounds of promising artists such
as Box Set and Bran Van 3000.
The Texas-trio Fastball delivered with the vitality of a
confident band that’s seen the road and knows how to win a crowd
with fun. Revved up versions of their latest singles "The Way" and
"Fire Escape" proved that the band has grown since their last Los
Angeles appearance at the K-ROQ Weenie Roast. With a little more
effort and a lot more enthusiasm, they spiced up the atmosphere
with impressive guitar hooks and melodies.
Barenaked Ladies immediately dazzled with their hilarious act,
filled with witty banter and compelling tunes. Always creating
laughter, the band managed to work in bits and pieces of almost
every played-out song and created from "My Heart Will Go On,"
"Memories," "Semi-Charmed Life," "Amazing Grace" and more. Although
the size of the venue often resulted in a cold distance between act
and audience, Barenaked Ladies achieved intimacy with heart and
talent.
But it wasn’t all giggles and gags for the Canadian band. In
addition to their charm, they also proved they possess true musical
talent, shown by the catchiness of their melodies and the simply
gripping nature of the folk-inspired, modern rock sound.
For Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, however, it was all
business as they entered a serious set of blues and classic rock,
leaving a stunned audience begging for more. A band of true
professionals, every component of the act remained a complete
inspiration, from Juan Nelson on the bass to the intense fun of
battling between the congo and traditional drums sets.
Playing music off of their newest album, "Will To Live", the
Orange County native gave a shout-out to his neighbors in Claremont
before rocking the crowd with numbers like "Oppression", which
supported the night’s social theme. Harper’s own use of a lap slide
guitar was nothing less than his usual performance of gripping
solos worked into a solid background of rhythms.
Blues Traveler ended the night by keeping everyone on their toes
with their high-paced sound and light-hearted demeanor. Playing
both old and new favorites, the band worked as a unified team that
not only has individual fortes but the combination of musicians
with experience and a hard-hitting, classic style.
While H.O.R.D.E. might not be the biggest tour of the summer,
the night proved that it still has a few good years left to
continue its long run as an event that brings together audiences of
both a fun-loving and loyal nature.GENEVIEVE LIANG/Daily Bruin
Guitarist Ben Harper plays at the H.O.R.D.E festival. Among the
other bands on the tour are Fastball, Blues Traveler and Barenaked
Ladies.