Bamboozle/Meadowlands Sports Complex/May 2 and 3
Bamboozle/Meadowlands Sports Complex/May 2 and 3
The morning of Saturday’s Bamboozle was damp and gloomy until the power pop foursome of Cash Cash took the Wonka Stage in their neon outfits and forced the sun to come out of pure jealousy. The New Jersey natives got the day started with their synth overload sugary pop, spurring the crowd into an outdoor dance party. Their set ended with their hit “Party In Your Bedroom” that ended up getting stuck in this reporter’s head for a good ten minutes, until MyChildren MyBride’s brutal riffs knocked those tunes out in one swift blow.
In true metal core fashion, within the first five minutes of MyChildren MyBride’s set on the MLB Authentic Collection Stage, one fan had already exited the circle pit leaving a trail of blood from his broken nose. The band from Alabama launched into the opening riffs of Pantera’s “Walk” in the middle of their set, only to cut it short and do a metal version of Linkin Park’s “One Step Closer” instead. Overall they had a great performance, but honestly, it’s Bamboozle, we’re outdoors… TURN THAT SHIT UP!
Metro Station put on a performance on the Imagination Stage plagued with sound problems, with Trace Cyrus’s mic working only half the time and the volume on is guitar turned down. Mason Musso on rhythm guitar and backup vocals was forced to take the lead; nonetheless, the set was an attention-grabber. Trace Cyrus was a banshee on the stage, throwing his guitar every few minutes and climbing on anything that rose a foot or more off the ground. That kid is going to Krist Novoselic himself one day. The set consisted of hits like “Kelsey,” “Seventeen Forever,” a cover of “Dead and Gone” dedicated to T.I., and of course ended on “Shake It” that got even the crowd in the adjacent Wonka Stage dancing while waiting for the Bloodhound Gang.
The Bloodhound Gang lived up to their reputation and were just as raunchy, vulgar and juvenile as they were nine years ago when Hooray For Boobies brought them into the mainstream. After opening with “Uhn Tiss Uhn Tiss Uhn Tiss,” bassist Jared Hasselhoff exposed himself briefly after ripping off his beater, wiping it in private areas, and throwing it into the crowd. He also chugged an entire stein of beer, puked it back up into the mug, and of course chugged that too. Jimmy Pop confessed his attraction for Pete Wentz who he called “an emo chick, but skinny.” Crowd favorites included “Three Point One Four,” “The Ballad of Chasey Lain” and “The Bad Touch.”
Bush, I mean, Gavin Rossdale was the best performance of the day on the Wonka Stage. Mr. Gwen Stefani played a few songs from his former band Bush, which received the best crowd response. As soon as the bass riff kicked in for “Comedown,” the crowd went nuts.
Boys Like Girls was entertaining mostly because their lead singer Martin Johnson was a hoot. He asked the crowd to start, “the biggest fucking circle pit EVER!” A circle pit for “Dance Hall Drug” seems hardly necessary. As if that wasn’t enough, Johnson confessed, “There’s no place I’d rather be than New Jersey.” Which the girl next to me replied, “Who the fuck wants to be in New Jersey?” Amen, sister. The set ended with “Thunder” and “The Great Escape.”
The Passion Brand Clothing Stage welcomed the self-proclaimed underdogs The Bigger Lights at 6 p.m., and they killed it, playing with a fervor that can’t be rivaled. The trio from Virginia is yet to release a full-length album, but have already built a loyal fan base through a few EP’s and touring. Their audience knew every word to each of their dance-rock tunes. “Goldmine Valentine” and “The Chemicals of You” were a few gems from this performance.
After catching the first two songs from Ace Enders and a Million Different People, Asher Roth seemed like the better bet. The white rapper was on the tiny Kazoozle Stage, but had attracted a crowd that should have earned him a spot on one of the main stages. The rhymes coming from this Pennsylvania boy sound like something Eminem would have produced if e went to college and had a normal sense of humor. Roth got the crowd going with his “Bamboozle Booty Music” about smoking weed and getting laid, all of it leading up to “I Love College” which was mostly performed by the crowd who shouted every single word at the top of their lungs.
Never Shout Never was another act placed on a small stage that garnered a crowd worthy of something bigger. I tried to catch this prodigy’s performance at the Zumiez Stage but I was stuck at the back of the crowd and so far away that I could barely hear a thing.
LMFAO (yeah, that’s seriously their band name. Groan. -Editor’s Note) ruled the Kazoozle Tent with their dope beats and laugh-your-fucking-ass-off lyrics. The tent was jumpin’ and bumpin’ and was an all around good time. There wasn’t a single person standing, everyone was dancing. Surprisingly, their hit “I’m In Miami Bitch!” came early in the set, but everyone remained for the rest of the show.
Gwar was up to their usual antics on the State Farm Stage, wasting no time in super soaking their audience in blood. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were decapitated and severed in half on stage, with green and red liquid spewing on the faces of the crowd eager to be subjected to the horror. Within the first ten minutes of the set, everyone within 20 feet of the stage looked like Carrie.
Third Eye Blind kept plugging their upcoming album (the first in five years!) on the Imagination Stage, but they are excused for the excess of shameless self-promotion. The California rock band played hit after hit like “Semi-Charmed Life,” “Crystal Baller,” “Jumper” and “Never Let You Go,” among others.
Fall Out Boy capped off the night with their light up guitars, Pete Wentz’s political banter, and catchy hits. Pete Wentz: “I’d sell you the shirt off my back… *pause* You can’t afford this shirt.” Enough said.
-Maria Burks
