Show Review: Lifer Reunion

This show review is probably going to be a little more personal, because the band Lifer was my favorite when I was in high school, and as such, holds a special place in my musical heart. The early 2000's were a time when the internet was alive and well, but social media as we know it today did not yet exist.  Instead, there were message boards. I can't speak for the fans of other bands at the time, but Lifer fans created a community on those message boards that has ultimately transitioned to social media sites today.  Many of the fans who spoke to each other daily on those boards are friends with each other on Facebook, Instagram, etc. almost 20 years later.

Personally, I think that speaks to the power music can have.  One common thread, woven through the lives of people from different social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds, powerful enough to maintain relationships for decades. Seeing those familiar faces and hearing those songs performed live again years later was a great experience. Even after all these years, the music still brings us all together.

The Band: Lifer is a nu metal band formed in Wilkes-Barre, PA in 1999. Initially named Strangers with Candy, the band was forced to change their name due to copyright issues before releasing their debut album in 2001. Strangers with Candy was first nationally recognized as a cover band after winning MTV's Ultimate Cover Band Battle.  The band, however, quickly proved they could write and perform their own original music with the release of their EP, No Need, in 2000. Record sales of the EP caught the attention of major record labels, resulting in the band being signed by Universal Records. They went on to embark on a national tour supporting the band Cold, and had their song, "Breathless," included on the Scorpion King soundtrack.

The Venue: Bart & Urby's - A laid-back bar in downtown Wilkes-Barre. The venue has a small stage and outdoor patio area, offering weekly specials and live music.

The Show: The stars apparently aligned and the date of this show ended up working out for me because I was already going to be in PA. Having been there and South Carolina briefly for vacation to see family and friends, I was staying for a few extra days for some meetings for a few work projects. 

Back in 2000, I had gotten my cousin into Strangers with Candy, and as a result she was typically my accomplice to many of the band's shows.  Of course, being in high school at the time limited our ability to drive ourselves to shows, forcing my dad to occasionally drive us to places like Hershey and Wilkes-Barre, PA in order to see them live. This time, however, we were able to drive ourselves, and legally drink.  Times do change.

The show began with lead singer, Nick Coyle and guitarist, Aaron Fink, performing some of their material acoustically. In the past, the band typically started sets with the song "My Room" and ended with the song "Heave." This show was no exception, but in an unexpected twist, the performance went from acoustic to full electric band halfway through with Tony Kruszka (DJ Worm of Lifer) on drums and Mike Morgan (The Drama Club) on bass.

Strangers with Candy songs like, "Key Of Me" were performed along with songs the band played to win MTV’s Ultimate Cover Band Battle, including Limp Bizkit's "Nookie," and Rage Against The Machine's "Guerrilla Radio." Of course, songs from Lifer's album like, "Not Like You," "Ugly," and "Swallow," were part of the set list as well.  

Aside from some different hair colors and and a few extra tattoo's here and there the band looked and sounded as though it hadn't been almost 20 years since they stepped off the stage as Lifer. Fans sang along as songs that defined parts of their youth were belted out and a mosh pit once again formed, just as it had years before.  Spurred on by the band's old friend, Butch, an older, but not necessarily less angsty group pushed each other forming a circle of drunkenness and sweat hearkening back to 2002, when nu metal made up most of mainstream rock. That's the thing about nu metal, pits are just part of the show. 

Experiencing it all again reminded me of why I loved Lifer's music in the first place.  Seeing the familiar faces, hearing the songs that defined a formative period of my life, and being able to do it all again with my former partner in crime was an homage to my teenage self. If only for one night, doing it all again was a great time. One more nu metal show added to the books, one more reminder of why I love rock music so much.

*Lifer will be reuniting again on September 21 at the Scranton Iron Furnaces with Behind the Grey, Send Request and Idol Hands.