KIM DRACULA AND HANABIE TEAR THE ROOF OFF CHICAGO’S HOUSE OF BLUES
The Get Some Magazine party bus stopped at Chicago’s House of Blues last Tuesday night 3/,11, for this rollercoaster ride of fantastic music. Kim Dracula and Hanabie. I co-headed this US tour on a rampage, with great supporting acts Crystal Lake and Kaonashi. This was going to be an exciting night!
We’re always excited to make our trip to the House of Blues, not just because of its history but also because of the great shows that we have had the opportunity to see there. Crowds have always been insane for our shows, and tonight was no exception. I always try to get to the venue early to see how fans react in line preshow. The excitement tonight was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Everyone dressed in their favorite band tees and hanging with their friends in line, playing the music of some artists that would grace the stage tonight, made for a fun pre-party at which we always have fun. As doors opened, fans rushed to the floor and snagged their spot on the barricade in eager anticipation for their favorite band to hit the stage. We can always tell who the die hard “pit” people are, they are the ones who camp center crowd and wait to get the party started.
KAONASHI
Kaonashi hit the stage first with their opening song, “You’ll Understand When You’re Older,” and fans immediately jumped and moshed. The die-hard fans lead the charge and incorporate the newer people into their antics. This was the first time I saw Kaonashi, and I would have to say the band is entertaining to watch but also off the wall. The band brings some significant “2 step” and epic breakdowns to their music, incorporating “Knocked Loose” screamy screams. I would say that to get a good feeling of what Kaonashi is, take in one of their live sets. I couldn’t get into their album stuff, but their live set is fantastic! The way this band controls a crowd and their stage presence is phenomenal. Some other songs of this set were “Humiliation Ritual”, “Blood Red Camry Dance Party”, and “I Hate the Sound of Car Keys”. The Pennsylvania natives set the tone for the evening, just like every other great opening band.
CRYSTAL LAKE
Japan’s metalcore heavy hitter Crystal Lake was up next, and after the opening set, fans were primed and ready to throw down with this band. Opening their set with “Bludgod”, fans went feral for this one and of course a giant circle pit erupted. Another fast-paced one for the fans, which turned the pit into a vortex that pulled unsuspecting outsiders into the mix. Throughout this set, bodies collided, fans crowd surfed, and the band produced a “you will not forget” set. With numerous lineup changes over the last couple of years, the band has stayed true to its metalcore roots and will destroy any venue it comes across with its music. Other songs in this set list were, “Mephisto”, “Rebirth”, Curse”, and Apollo”. The crowd released some of their inner anger this set and was ready for Hanabie. to take the stage.
HANABIE.
Most label Japan’s Hanabi. as metalcore, “Harajuku-core,” or “Anime-core,” I will call it “Feral Kitten-core.” We’ve worked with the ladies from Hanabie. When
they came through Chicago last year; they surprised us. The “Feral Kitten” is not a stab at the ladies but more a compliment. They come out on stage all dressed up cute and then rip their face off with their music. Hence the “Feral Kitten,” “Oh look, it’s so cute; I want to pet it,” and boom, you're torn to shreds. Hanabie. hit the stage tonight in the usual fashion, dressed to impress, then the first riffs of “O TA KU Lovely Densetsu,” and the crowd erupted. Lead singer Yukina controlled the stage with her demonic lows and screams. You can say this tiny package is full of surprises. Add guitarist Matsuri’s clean vocals, and you have a recipe for a great one-two punch on the vocal side of this band. Hanabie. are mostly Japanese vocals, with some English parts. So, understanding the lyrics is hard, but with good music, sometimes the vocals will pave the way for you to have fun with this band. Hanabie. It has a great mix of electronic, metalcore, and that all-around anime feel with their music. The band had the crowd eating out of hands for this set; crowd surfers were seen all through this set. The stage presence of this band is phenomenal; even if you are not a fan, you more than likely will be after this show.
KIM DRACULA
Ladies and gentlemen, the time you all have been waiting for…. Kim Dracula! As the band took to the stage, the opening intro suggested that the crowd split in the middle. A hooded figure entered the opening in the crowd, making their entrance grand style. Kim Drac strolled through the crowd, pumping them before they hit the stage. As the stage lights dropped, the “Land of the Sun” opening hit and the venue erupted. We got that oh-so-familiar floor bounce going. I will tell you this band incorporates a sax player into their music and makes it work so well. The next song was “My Confession,” a mix of fast rap, techno, and epic breakdowns, which the crowd ingested and ran the pit into a frenzy. I have always looked at stage presence as a priority for bands. If you’re boring on stage, you project that to the crowd; Kim Drac has enough excellent stage presence for a whole lineup of bands. To watch them take control of a crowd for an entire set is mesmerizing. The crowd was into this set for the whole of the duration. Crowd surfing was at its highest during this set, with the two barricade guards calling in a few extras to help catch. Fans sang along with “Superhero” and “Drown,” which almost drowned out Kim’s vocals on the speakers. Some other notable songs on this setlist were “Are You?”, “Seventy Thorns,” “Make Me Famous” (another great sing-a-long), and ending the night encore song “Killdozer.”
I will say now that this is the tour to see this year. From front to back, this lineup has something for everyone. The pits didn’t stop throughout the night, and fans had a blast at this show. In the usual Get Some style, I must put the camera down and indulge in pit activity for these shows. My beautiful peeps, it’s that time for us to leave, but we will see you on the next one.
KIM DRACULA
HANABIE.
CRYSTAL LAKE
KAONASHI
