Default:
Concert Review
St. Andrew's Hall, Detroit, MI
November 26, 2003
By: Matt Boltz
Default
rolled into Detroit on November 26, 2003, in support of their most
recent album, Elocation, which was released a day earlier.
A large and enthusiastic crowd filled St. Andrew's Hall on the night
before Thanksgiving to show their enthusiasm for the Canadian quartet's
music. Default's stage setup was more elaborate than that of most
bands playing at St. Andrew's, featuring an elevated drum riser
and a gold backdrop. Though on the fancy side for a St. Andrew's
show, the stage setup complemented Default's stage presence nicely
and added to their set without becoming a distraction.
All
four band members displayed an impressive amount of energy and enthusiasm
while having every bit as much fun as the several hundred fans in
attendance. Vocalist Dallas Smith overcame the low vocal mix and
displayed his outstanding vocal range and ability throughout the
14-song set of songs from both Elocation and their 2001 debut,
The Fallout. Smith exhibited a high level of enthusiasm for
the duration of the set by smiling often, moving around the stage
frequently, and feeding off of and returning the fans' energy. Smith
wasn't the only member of Default having fun; bassist Dave Benedict
was constantly moving to the beat of the music, his long braids
often obscuring his face as he held the rhythm with drummer Danny
Craig. Craig was also noticeably energetic throughout the set while
keeping time from his perch several feet above his band mates. Guitarist
Jeremy Hora had a unique opportunity to display his considerable
guitar talents with a several minute guitar solo during which the
rest of the band left the stage. With the spotlight to himself,
Hora captured the audience's attention and admiration with an impressive
combination of effects, picking speed, and overall talent. Hora
was very energetic throughout the show and made no secret of his
appreciation for the praise the fans gave him, especially during
his solo. In Seize the Day, the song following Hora's solo,
he had another chance to display his guitar proficiency by breaking
into the riffs from the Led Zeppelin classics Heartbreaker
and Bring it on Home.
After
plowing through a mix of old and new songs, Default ended their
fast-paced and energetic set with Wasting My Time, a radio
staple and fan favorite from The Fallout. The audience expressed
loudly and passionately that they wanted more; as expected, Default
returned to the stage for an encore, playing a cover of Jeff Buckley's
Cruel, which also appears on Elocation, and Deny,
another one of their hit singles from The Fallout. Although
the opening bands Blue Epic, Blue October, and Socialburn performed
well and received a good response from the crowd, it was clear that
the vast majority of the fans were at the show specifically to see
Default. They were not disappointed, as Default put on a very good
set that showed the experience the four-year-old band gained while
touring extensively in support of The Fallout. The band expertly
combined enthusiasm, interaction with the crowd, and excellent musicianship
to put on a show that should have left nobody in the crowd unsatisfied.
Default:
Concert Review
All
four band members displayed an impressive amount of energy and enthusiasm
while having every bit as much fun as the several hundred fans in
attendance. Vocalist Dallas Smith overcame the low vocal mix and
displayed his outstanding vocal range and ability throughout the
14-song set of songs from both Elocation and their 2001 debut,
The Fallout. Smith exhibited a high level of enthusiasm for
the duration of the set by smiling often, moving around the stage
frequently, and feeding off of and returning the fans' energy. Smith
wasn't the only member of Default having fun; bassist Dave Benedict
was constantly moving to the beat of the music, his long braids
often obscuring his face as he held the rhythm with drummer Danny
Craig. Craig was also noticeably energetic throughout the set while
keeping time from his perch several feet above his band mates. Guitarist
Jeremy Hora had a unique opportunity to display his considerable
guitar talents with a several minute guitar solo during which the
rest of the band left the stage. With the spotlight to himself,
Hora captured the audience's attention and admiration with an impressive
combination of effects, picking speed, and overall talent. Hora
was very energetic throughout the show and made no secret of his
appreciation for the praise the fans gave him, especially during
his solo. In Seize the Day, the song following Hora's solo,
he had another chance to display his guitar proficiency by breaking
into the riffs from the Led Zeppelin classics Heartbreaker
and Bring it on Home.
After
plowing through a mix of old and new songs, Default ended their
fast-paced and energetic set with Wasting My Time, a radio
staple and fan favorite from The Fallout. The audience expressed
loudly and passionately that they wanted more; as expected, Default
returned to the stage for an encore, playing a cover of Jeff Buckley's
Cruel, which also appears on Elocation, and Deny,
another one of their hit singles from The Fallout. Although
the opening bands Blue Epic, Blue October, and Socialburn performed
well and received a good response from the crowd, it was clear that
the vast majority of the fans were at the show specifically to see
Default. They were not disappointed, as Default put on a very good
set that showed the experience the four-year-old band gained while
touring extensively in support of The Fallout. The band expertly
combined enthusiasm, interaction with the crowd, and excellent musicianship
to put on a show that should have left nobody in the crowd unsatisfied.