Wednesday, November 12, 1997
Third Eye Blind struts its mush
MUSIC Concert delivers high-energy punch with heart-touching
ballads
By Trinh Bui
Daily Bruin Contributor
It’s always a kick-ass feeling going to a concert expecting one
thing but winding up with something louder and stronger. That was
the case with Thursday night’s Third Eye Blind show at the
Palace.
Judging from their hot-selling, debut album, Third Eye Blind
comes off as a mostly pop-ish band, specializing in head-swaying,
hand-holding ballads … the world’s cozy-feeling tunes. But
something happened along the way from disc to stage as frontman
Stephen Jenkins and crew launched into their set with ballistic
live-show energy reminiscent of Rage Against the Machine.
Ever the showmen, Third Eye Blind kept the
fire-hazard-threatening capacity crowd stewing for nearly an hour
before stepping onto the stage amid strobe lights and techno music.
Third Eye Blind kick-started the evening’s delights with a livid
rendition of "Losing a Whole Year," inciting the mostly
college/just-out-of-college/ "hey, Celine Dion isn’t that bad"
crowd into a mini-mosh. Jenkins set the example for his rowdy
followers, jumping, running and straight-out playing the talented
lunatic on stage. Garbed in a blue Boy Scouts shirt with unkempt
morning hair, bug-eyed glasses and a fine bottle of wine, Jenkins
junked the singing and lived each song.
The first half of the show sustained a fast and furious pace
that had the crowd hopping with each verse. Between tracks, the
soft-spoken Jenkins turned into storyteller, telling tales about
songs and thanking the crowd for its support. Jenkins played the
very gracious and humble fellow, as rock stars go.
Continuing their sonic barrage with tightly arranged versions of
"Narcolepsy" and "Jumper," the group fully utilized the skills of
guitarist Kevin Cadogan and bassist Arion Salazar. Melodies ripped
through the sound system as the vocals manipulated the crowd’s
energy into controlled fury. Even the usually more mundane songs
like "The Background" got rejuvenated with the enthusiasm floating
in the air.
As expected, the deceptively sexual "Semi-Charmed Life" totally
blissed everyone out. Throw in the lights, alcohol and drugs, and
the song took on a higher level of unity, as the mass reacted as
one, singing an entire verse acapella.
The excitement level didn’t wane much after "Semi-Charmed Life"
as the die-hard fans maintained their intensity level through the
leaner portions of the show. Most everybody attending the concert
mouthed all the songs while soaking in all the music pouring off
the stage.
Nearing the end of the engagement, rampant moshing broke out
across the floor like uncontrollable wildfires. Bodies flew about
on the ground; the entire scene looked like a war zone, especially
during the song "Graduate."
The show closed out with "London" and, just as quickly as they
came on stage, the band hurried their exit, leaving the Palace
aching for an encore. To their delight, the band complied.
For a group composing songs about heartbreak, love lost and
post-breakup depression, Third Eye Blind proved that the soul might
be mushy, but the delivery can carry a massive punch.
Elektra Entertainment
The band Third Eye Blind played at the Palace on Thursday.