KAOS2000 Magazine - Matchbox 20 / Sugar Ray / American Hi-Fi - HP Pavilion, San Jose, CA

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Matchbox 20 / Sugar Ray / American Hi-Fi

June 7, 2003 - HP Pavilion - San Jose, CA
Getting the show off to a great start was certainly no obstacle for American Hi-fi. With some popular singles already under their belts, these guys can certainly get the concert goers to their feet. After a strong start, the band gave the crowd their hit song "Flavor of The Weak" off their album Here We Come (2001). If anyone had a question as to who these guys were they figured it out fast. Stacy Jones (vocals) even stated how most people nudge the person sitting next to them saying, "Oh those guys. I know them." when 'that' song comes on. That may have been the case, but by the reaction of the crowd, they gained hundreds of new fans. The band went on to perform "Another Perfect Day" which is an awesome single from their first album. This would lead them into their newer songs which are destined to become as beloved by their fans as their current hits. Next, they would go to play "The Breakup Song." This is a sequel of "Flavor Of The Weak" which appears on their new album The Art of Losing. It tells of the girl from the first single whom they were able to get away from her neglectful boyfriend. They succeed, and now she is actually crazy, obsessed, and they don't want to hangout with her anymore. It is a humorous song and a great start for The Art of Losing.
After a notable first set, everyone was ready for Sugar Ray to come out and start a riot - musically anyway. Sugar Ray can always be counted on for high energy, feel-good music. In addition, Mark McGrath appears to always be a pleasing sight for the female attendees. Sugar Ray gave the audience a glimpse their new album released June 3rd. Including "Mr. Bartender" and "Chasing You around," a song written by Rodney Sheppard (guitar) about his son. From the audience's response, this album will surely be a hit. They could not stop there though, without supplying the crowd with some of their past hits, including "Fly," "Every Morning," "When It's Over," and "Someday" to get everyone all revved up for summer, even reaching back to play "Mean Machine."
Matchbox 20, the headlining band took out all the stops when creating a show that would blow the HP Pavilion away. Frontman Rob Thomas Started off with encouraging the crowd to shake their ass and sing along. He stressed that their concert's main point was to bring the people together and create positive energy, which would be the ultimate result. They made for a two hour set composed of many of the songs from "More Than You Think You Are" (2002), and flashed back to all the songs we love from their past albums, such as "Real World," "Mad Season," "If You're Gone," and "Push." They also added a cover of Tears For Fears' song "Everybody Wants to Rule the world." Despite a still recent hand injury, (drummer) Paul Doucette was still rocking hard, and the whole band gave a flawless performance. It is obvious that Matchbox 20 is changing with the times on their newest album. In More Than You Think You Are, the guys generated a harder rock sound, while maintaining the deep, emotional lyrics we all love them for. The overall aura of this show was friendly and appealing to all ages. All three bands produced clean, hard sounds and enough enthusiasm to keep you singing their songs and tapping your feet all the way home. The San Jose audience can only imagine what these guys will come up with next.

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