Maylene and the Sons of Disaster
August 24, 2006
The State Theatre
Words: Chelsea Mac
Photos: Chelsea Mac

Like many other bay area scenesters on Thursday, August 24, two friends and I crossed the bridge from Hillsborough into Pinellas county for a heaping helping of metal/hardcore/metal core… uh, whatever you want to call it.  The line-up was Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, Evergreen Terrace, Zao and Throwdown, but I had my heart set on seeing Dallas Taylor and the boys of Maylene rock out with their southern rock/metal sound.  Needless to say, I went home sweaty and smelly, with a great big smile on my face.
   
Maylene hit the stage with an awesome back drop, wearing plain white tees and engaging in a whole lotta head-banging.  I’m quite sure that anyone who was there that had not heard them before got a southern rock ass-kicking and loved every minute of it.  Like all or most ‘hardcore’ bands, it’s difficult to understand what they’re screaming, but I’ve got to be honest that I’m not as into the Christian lyrics as I am on the overall sound of the band, not to mention that Dallas Taylor is one funny dude to watch on stage.  If you didn’t think you’d find yourself laughing at a concert like this, think again.
   
Evergreen Terrace wasn’t able to make it, so Zao was up next with their Jack Black look-a-like singer and not-so-interesting stage performance.  I hadn’t heard them before, but I was severely unimpressed and found my eyes wandering the Orpheum’s walls.  Not only could I not understand a word this guy was screaming (though I didn’t expect to), but their music was not a departure from other ‘hardcore’ bands I’d heard, and thus, they failed to impress me overall.
   
As Zao finished and Throwdown’s roadies were setting up the stage, I could see “mosh kids” in the crowd forming circle pits in the crowd preparing to kick and punch the air in their infamous displays of tough guy bravado.  I was becoming less and less enthused and decided it best to leave before my night was brought down.  Unfortunately, I’m unable to report on Throwdown’s performance, but I’m sure you know by now what the gist of it would have been.
   
All in all, I was pretty unimpressed and let down with the metal/grind/hardcore… again, whatever you want to call it… scene.  I really feel like Maylene brought something original and fun to the table by mixing two genres together, and I hope other bands will pick up on this and maybe start developing more unique sounds.  Here’s a tip:  If we can’t understand what you’re screaming at a show, at least wow us with your stage presence or music.  That’s all I’m trying to say.