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DROWNING POOL, GEMINI SYNDROME & 9ELECTRIC @ BaseCamp – Lisle, IL

Writer's picture: Janelle RominskiJanelle Rominski

It was a cold, snowy night outside in the Chicago suburbs last Sunday, but inside BaseCamp in Lisle, it was a hot night of the hardest rock and heavy metal music.


Drowning Pool came to town bringing with them Gemini Syndrome, 9Electric and Red Tide Rising for their “Not So Silent Night Tour 2016.”


I was a bit perplexed as to why a national tour featuring some of my favorite bands were playing at BaseCamp.  I have attended numerous Chicago land cover band concerts at this venue, but have never heard of big musical acts performing there before.  I was curious to see how it would go and surprisingly it worked out well.


The morning of the Drowning Pool tour, the first major snowfall happened in Chicago and BaseCamp was the perfect backdrop for that first full-fledged winter night.  This concert venue is nestled in a ski community and is located right next to a large ski hill. It has a nice lodge-type feel with a fireplace roaring as intensely as the music being played that night.


Opening the evening was Colorado-based band, Red Tide Rising, who performed a short set to their slew of onlookers. Their sound was polished and they definitely exemplified their stage presence to the max. You could tell they loved to rock and they certainly did rock that night. Openings bands are so crucial to tours with national recording artists. I enjoyed getting to embrace my eardrums to Red Tide Rising’s music.


On tap next were electric hard rockers, 9Electric, from Los Angeles. I’ve been tuned into this band since their formation and finally got a chance to see them in the flesh. They brought their laser light show and magnetic personalities to the stage with, surprise, surprise, an electrifying performance.  Vocalist Thunderwood, was using the venue to his advantage by performing in every corner of the stage, swinging from their rafters and even getting on his tour manger’s shoulders to perform in the crowd, giving high fives and swerving through his fans.


After 9Electric exited the stage, I waited with anticipation for another act from Los Angeles, Gemini Syndrome.  I have tried like hell to see Gemini Syndrome for the past five years, since I was introduced to their music, but every time they came to town, I wasn’t. I finally got to see them and it was worth the wait. Vocalist, Aaron Nordstrom, belted out my favorite tunes like “Remember We Die” and “Stardust,”along with the entire audience who rocked out with the band.


Finally, it was time for headliners, Dallas rockers, Drowning Pool to play.  They are out supporting their newest album, “Hellelujah.”


It have not seen this band in decades. To give you an idea, the last time I saw Drowning Pool was at Pop’s in Sauget, IL when Jason “Gong” Jones was their vocalist, shortly after their original vocal powerhouse, Dave Williams, passed away.


Their current vocalist, Jasen Moreno, has been with the band since 2012.  He was remarkably amazing and fits in very well with founding members, guitarist C.J. Pierce, bassist Stevie Benton and drummer Mike Luce.


Drowning Pool’s performance was just as good as I remember from over a decade ago. Pierce was fierce as can be on his guitar skills and energy. Benton never slowed down as he smacked the bass strings around and Luce was lighting fast on his drums.  They seriously rocked so hard.


The “Not So Silent Night Tour 2016″ has a slew of tour dates remaining from New York to Texas, so do yourself a favor this holiday and go catch these four great bands on this one bill.


Drowning Pool has VIP packages available for the rest of their tour dates that include a meet and greet with the band, 1 ticket to the concert, soundcheck, early entry, pre-show no hassle first in line merch shopping, autographed band picture, picture with the band a signed handwritten set list and set of 5 guitar picks!

© 2024 Janelle Rominski

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