Safety Suit Foots The Bill!

Dave Garofalo @ Hammerstein Ballroom NYC 5/1/12

Sometimes an opening band outshines and connects harder with an audience than the headliner and here is such a case where the element of surprise left the audience breathless beckoning for more music.  Safety Suit is now supporting the Daughtry 2012 “Break The Spell” tour concerts.  Safety Suit is the all American rock band you need watch out for as the up and coming music group for 2012 and on.  Safety Suit formed in Tulsa, Oklahoma now and now records in Nashville, Tennessee where they recently relocated their home base to.  The band is rapidly growing more famous by the show and raising eyebrows, as well as the performance bar for concert experiences.  

Their story begins in 2004 when the boys first formed under the name “Crew” and went through a minor trial and error period testing its original core members; Doug Brown (Vocals/Guitar/Dancer), Tate Cunningham (Drums), and Jeremey Henshaw (Bass Guitar/Vocals) on fusing their vision into sound.  Later that year the band approached, positioned, presented, listened to, and ended their guitarist discovery inviting Dave Garofalo to join them to cement the sound, energy and life now known as Safety Suit.

  

Doug Brown @ Hammerstein Ballroom NYC 5/1/12

Producer, Greg Archilla produced the band’s first four song EP called “Stay” leading to the band’s first real taste of success as a group.  Safety Suit was shortly offered a major deal designed by the Universal Music Group.  The band was set free to ravage a nation in need of music with substance and they were well prepared to make that happen.  Archilla would once again jump on board to produce the 2007 release of “Life Left to Go” which was received with great satisfying acceptance and appreciation by the Billboard Top “Heatseekers” chart.  

Fast forward to Sunday April 29, 2012 where Dave Garofalo sits across from the tour bus parked in front of the Palace Theater. “We have been working at this moment for over eight years now and we are finally seeing the impact that our band is making in music.  We really didn’t know what to expect of what effect and impact our music would have until our songs were placed on television.  Now we’re here in Albany, New York sharing the stage with Daughtry and supporting his tour and celebrating our latest album release "These Times."  An album think tank collaborative with members from Espionage who just help to produce the block buster "Hey Soul Sister" with Train.  Garofalo took in the moment and thought back to the group’s first television placement.  “TV placement is an amazing opportunity for any artist or group and it is still a crucial element for music artists just starting out.  The connections we made with new fans just in those placements were huge.  I still can’t believe this is really happening sometimes and I sometimes think I will wake up late for work to sell one of these.” Garofalo says smiling and holding up his new white iPhone 4S.  Safety Suit has been heating up ever since those placements and there has been no sign of a cold spell during their last two performances.

Doug Brown @ Palace Theater 4/29/12

The sold out Palace Theater filled quickly and the attendees sat as the lights went out.  Safety Suit’s set was all that separated the Daughtry fans now from seeing Daughtry live.  Cunningham walked out first in the shadow of blue light drawing attention with a twirling drumstick.  Garofalo runs out directly on a mission to hit his stage mark at center when a spotlight freezes him instantly in place.  Hunched over his guitar Garofalo repeatedly plays a three note guitar drone like an all out alert to brace yourself for something big that’s coming.  The Daughtry fans sat heeding this guitar alert and with a brilliant flash from the stage the audience exhaled wide eyed and mouths open as Brown and Henshaw blasted out jumping out from the stage wings.  Safety Suit opened the set like a violent storm of sound ravaging the Palace Theater audience whose delayed reaction appeared like a mass collection seeing the coming of the rapture.  The fever of excitement was spread instantly and the uproar of the audience was drowned out by the intoxicating sound of Safety Suit whose magnetic attraction with the audience moved all from observers to fans.

Tate Cunningham @ Palace Theater 4/29/12

By the time Brown reached the mic he appeared possessed by the holy ghost of music.  His wide eye jaw dropping delivery penetrated the the soul and you can't but accept the thrust of his vocal power.   Brown has a natural approach to delivering the best performance on vocals which was equally supported by the band members.  It’s his God given talent that is infectious enough to make the unbeliever a believer.  Safety Suit is the support act headliners fear and want to have at the same time because they are that good.  The members of Safety Suit each add their love and passion for making music constructed as one light, one sound, one musical movement.  Their synergy wraps around every seat in the house creating intermediary reciprocity kindred between music fans alike.

  

The set continued onward and Safety Suit nailed every song perfectly.  The energy pouring out from their songs such as "Never Stop", "These Times", and "Get Around This" reflect the challenges and tribulation a band faces under the rule of a dismantled music industry, but all roads lead to a promise land and Safety Suit knows that first hand with their most monumental performance to date.  This time that moment was revealed at The Hammerstein Ballroom Tuesday night in New York City where Safety Suit was showcased.  Brown delivered a rendition of Jeff Buckely’s “Hallelujah” which sent chills of enlightenment to all who attended.  "I have no idea who this band is or where they came from, but WOW.  I'm...wow...what can I say.  I'm a loss for words." explains David M. from Somers, NY.  " I can’t remember when I ever liked a support band this much or even cared to know who they are, but I am left amazed at the set I just heard. " David came to the show with his wife to see Daughtry and walked away a new fan of Safety Suit.  "I'm really happy I came and I will follow Safety Suit to see when I can see them next."

Jeremy Henshaw @ Palace Theater 4/29/12

Another Sarah J of South Florida said, "Every moment of this show kept me in suspense waiting on the edge of my seat to see what would happen next." she describes in her experience of Safety Suit’s set.  "There was not one single dull moment while they were on stage and when the lead singer (Doug Brown) found me in the crowd he grabbed my camera and took it on stage.  I was screaming in excitement as he took picture after picture of his bad mates and then one with me." Sarah speaking of Doug Brown's wild side to give his fans the ultimate experience of being living part of the show.

In Albany Doug climbed on top of the seats with a helmet cam strapped to his head and at Hammerstein he took a ride ride upon the shoulders of Daughtry's tour manager who carried the young singer around the general admission floor.  Safety Suit sends is a living example that when you unleash your inner child light illuminates from within you.  The band’s love and passion to play is evident and they continue to impress the music world on all levels.  Safety Suit revitalizes the music performance experience with exhilarated enthusiasm and they are worth more than the price of their admission.

Dave Garofalo @ Palace Theater 4/29/12

They will continue to tour as a support to Daughtry's "Break the Spell Tour."  You may even choose to follow current music purchasing trends by visiting Tunes to download your own copy of Safety Suit’s "These Times" onto your PC and mobile devices just like Emma Y. of Long Island did before leaving the venue.  "The line was too long and I'm downloading the tracks right now on my iPhone.  I love that I can discover new music live and walk away with their songs downloaded before I even leave the show.  I never did that before tonight and I was so impressed with Safety Suit that I needed to hear their music again." Emma says rushing for her train at Penn Station.  "I'm not sure when I will have the same impressions of a band to be this motivated to buy music on the spot.  Safety Suit..Wow."

Wow is the word of the day when describing Safety Suit and the fans will have to wait for what comes next from this group on the rise and with continued support, guidance, and solid efforts by the Safety Suit team this bands future could send this band on a journey of incredible success and a rich history to measure up to.  If these two shows testify to what is up next for the young group then be prepared because the best is yet to come.

Two Year Spell Broken: 3 Nights of Daughtry

Daughtry @ Palace Theater 4/29/12

Daughtry continues the 2012 tour at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort Casino where a full house beat all odds incited by “Renegade,” a raw driven track recorded on the band’s third album release "Break The Spell". Any hesitation on whether or not this TV created rock star runner up could return after a two year hiatus was quickly snuffed out when Chris took center stage amidst the ignited audience.  Daughtry sang “Don’t you wanna feel like a rebel? Renegade on the run? Real live wire in the cross fire riding shotgun.”  Daughtry has made no deals with any Devil and he not sold his soul.  He just boldly challenges his doubters to call his success what they want with his own open invitation to feel out of control in their own unique ways singing “Here we go!” Here we go in deed, and with a wall of thunderous sound pushing the fans back the show kicked off illuminating hands reaching high and fans jumping out of their seats in a strident pace that even Bon Jovi would nod their approval to.

Daughtry @ Hammerstein NYC 5/1/12

Daughtry’s success from his days on American Idol continue to skyrocket upwards towards new levels of stardom.  His reception by fans is a seed grown from Chris’s ability to write a wide spectrum of people across an even wider generation gap.  It’s Chris’s dexterity and competence which keeps his potentiality as a promising music artist with a long career ahead possible. His family friendly shows draw people from all walks of life and they come simply because they connect to Daughtry and love his music.  That connection is cemented through Daughtry’s real life stories written in his songs about the daily struggles and curve balls that the harsh reality of everyday life can hurl.  Daughtry’s ability to remain openly honest with his music gives the audience what they seek, Hope in a world that appears to be falling apart at the seams.

Daughtry @ Palace Theater 4/29/12

The 2012 “Break The Spell” tour play list highlights the 2011 album release over two hour showcase.  Titles include “Spaceship”, “Outta My Head” and “Louder and Louder” as well as some previous hits such as “September” and “Over You” and two surprise toss in’s covers by Tom Petty and Billy Idol.  Chris connects with his audiences no matter where he plays with his stories and music.  One such story Daughtry told on Sunday’s stop at Albany’s Palace Theater spoke about Daughtry’s latest single “4 AM”.  “This is a track written for the 2012 Esquire Song Writer Contest which I took part in along with some incredible artists and it wasn’t contest really.  Chis said referring to his recent participation in the Esquire Song Writer contest.  Daughtry explained, “I was given the challenge along with the other music artists to write a song based on three words given to me by Esquire and the words they chose were “Pacific Standard Time”.  I don’t know anything about Pacific Standard Time and because I don’t live in that time zone I wasn’t sure what to write or how to even explain what is a Pacific Standard Time is anyway?”  Chris soloed his new track with his acoustic six string in an emotionally inspiring premiere.  The song about a boy missing his girlfriend separated by the distance of many time zones and the sadness of being apart was an instant hit for fans and proceeds from the sale of this track will benefit charity.

Daughtry Live @ Palace Theater Albany, NY 4/29/12

Each show is a milestone in Chris’s young evolving music career.  Dreams are meant to be broken and it wasn't so long ago when Chris was playing unknown bars with his prior bands.  He is a living example that forgotten dreams can surface at any time when great persistence and hard work prevail beyond uncertainty.  The proof is in the story where a young 26 year old Daughtry walks into a New York City office with nothing more than an acoustic guitar strapped to his side for the biggest showcase of his entire life.  A showcase with the Godfather of Jive Records, Clive Davis.  Chris's impersonation of Davis sounded like something out of The Sopranos, but the audience got the point and heard as close of a rendition on that fateful day of “Home”.  

Daughtry Hammerstein NYC 5/1/12

Tuesday night, Photos of family and yesterdays gone by projected on a massive screen were all the frills needed to dress the stage at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.  Once again fans warmly received Daughtry and his band were received with blaring shrills and deafening applause.  New York City was popping as Chris jumped from the stage to have some one on one time with his fans in the front row.  The playlist remained the same and had some fans who been following the group hoping to hear more Daughtry tracks such as Jennifer F, of Hartsdale, New York who spent the last week driving the last leg of the New England shows at MGM Grand, Palace Theater, and the Hammerstein Ballroom. “I want to know what a girl needs to do to get a little Tennessee and less Rebel Yell?” She says referencing song selections.  “I’m a huge Bon Jovi fan and it was in 2005 when I turned on American Idol and heard Chris singing "Wanted Dead Or Alive".  I was hooked and wanted to see more.”  Jennifer went on to showcase her new found love of Daughtry with her own personal stories which includes listening to all three Daughtry albums over and over again for almost a week straight just so she could sing with the Chris and his band.  “They remind me so much of Bon Jovi from even with the start of this show which reminds of how the Circle Tour opened (Bon Jovi’s 2010-2011 tour) and now Daughtry has a Keyboardist.  I really want to see what Daughtry does next to step away from the Bon Jovi image and to define his own.”

Josh Steely Rips Solo @ MGM Foxwoods 4/28/12

Daughtry’s 2012 “Break The Spell” tour continues to heat up as the scheduling for more dates build throughout the summer of this US tour.  He will be accompanied by Safety Suit who are equally fantastic and deserving of their own review which will come shortly and are officially on “band on the rise” list, but here it’s all about Daughtry.  Chris continues to defy the law of American Idol runner ups and winners by succeeding past the lack of faith some skeptics still may have of him.  The confidence gained from these three shows and with the shows to come are enough to provide certainty and assurance that he is not going anywhere any time soon thanks to the endowment that is created by his music.  If these three shows have any foreshadow of what is to come from Daughtry then get ready to put your AC on turbo mode because the Daughtry will be heating up at a show near you making this summer the hottest enough on record and like that Chris closed his sizzling performance in New York City show out with three of his own little words.  “It’s Not Over.”  

Daughtry Trumps the Taj Mahal

"Daughtry is the kind of band that plays music to chill out by. All of Chris's songs are like that. His music makes me wish I kept up playing the guitar myself which I haven't played since high school and that was over fifteen years ago. There's just something about his music lyrically that gives me good comfort in my own life with my own personal situations that I can relate to. I feel like I can face my daily challenges with more confidence knowing that he and I can relate to each other with the things that people like us face each day. I guess it's nice to know that no matter what level of life you are on, be it a rock star like Chris or a medical billing collector like me, that at the end of the day people have similar life events that they must face no matter if they come off a concert stage or fill out a time sheet in an office cubicle." This was a one on one conversation between the angel from the front row and myself after Daughtry's truly impressive twenty song play list live from Trump's Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.

Our reflection on this concert continued with a deep conversation that I recorded on my blackberry. What my angel felt about the show and each point she made was spot on. Her view point maybe different from mine because I screen every detail of a live concert, from the synergy between artist and fan to the quality of the performance level. This review has been colorfully described from an everyday fan's point of view, and, to me, she validates Daughtry's credibility derived from her personal experience at this concert, but this passenger is anything but ordinary. As we continued back from Atlantic City I found that I embraced the music of Daughtry rather than reviewing his music on an analytical point. I learned the value Daughtry brings to a person who connects to his music deeply rather than fanatically.

The night of the concert we raced from New York City to Atlantic City. The air was intense with anticipation and we indulged ourselves in an evening free from her own personal struggles. The evening exposed me to a beautifully sensitive woman who has gone through so much in her recent months emotionally and physically. She insisted on paying both of the Daughtry CD's over and over so she could learn the lyrics. We made guesses on what would be the opening song and her her first Daughtry show impacted her to remain a fan of his music. Three restroom stops and over one hundred miles later, we arrived to the show.

The tensity of waiting for Daughtry to begin his set was immediately washed away when the light show illuminated the darkened venue in a showcase of bold red and blue color tints completed with shadow silhouettes of Daughtry behind the translucent drop on stage. This angel's face went from the fear of being in front of the protection barriers to the most blinding smile when the drops raced off the hangers above the stage, falling to the ground mixed in a collection of blinding lights, heavy guitar riffs, and thunderous drums. The raw excitement in her voice matched the intensity of that from the band, whose message has empowered her. It was Daughtry who wasn't aware of his power because his music became this angel's ventilation outlet and supported her inner strength and ability to face her biggest challenge ever. To embrace a better life path through starburst flares and on a forward motion direction.

I listened to her voice raise with intensity as she continued to reflect on her own personal life and how Daughtry's music gave her the insight and the help she was denied. The music not only helped her to release her frustrations and stresses, it boosted her energy when she thought she had no more. The anthem like tracks thrilled her, excited her and pulled out of her answers to confusing questions that would launch her on a new journey. It was obvious to me, as I have seen in my own life, how essential life is to value music, and even more so, how motivational a public figure can be on a stranger's life through his or her God given talent of artistic expression.

Daughtry brings an attitude to the stage that has been missing from the stage for some time now. It's a no holds bar work out that invigorates and enlivens his fans to switch on their spirits triggered by fortifying ubiquity. His songs challenge you to tap into your inner self and to crest your absolute apex. This former American Idol contestant was written off prematurely on the TV contest show which Taylor Hicks went on to win. That was season five and Taylor Hicks, with the likes of Fantasia, Ruben, and Bo, has fallen into the seemingly popular American Idol category of "Where are they now?" He is undeniably one of the best products the show exposed to the music world and proves that you can finish fourth on one of television's highest regarded talent searches and still be a higher success then the person who was voted the Idol.

"The difference between my appreciation of Daughtry compared to a groupie's reasoning is huge just from what I overheard standing in the general area section on the floor. A groupie is still going to view Daughtry as a previous contestant on American Idol who is cute. I feel like my connection to Chris Daughtry was made when my little sister was glued to the TV watching American Idol and so I turned the show on to see what all the hype was about. The first person I saw perform on American Idol was a bald guy singing "Wanted" by Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi is my favorite band and that was my initial spark instantly beginning my interest in his singing."

Daughtry is the real deal consummated by his gritty sound and unequivocal history as a kid from small town North Carolina. His journey in music began at the early age of sixteen as he sought out his placement in music. His noted influences helped to chisel his music skills from Stone Temple Pilots and Fuel, to Soundgarden and Bon Jovi. Daughtry's contribution to music could be defined as one which adds flavor, infuses raw emotion, and is adorned on an angle of emblazoned realism. From my own glimpse I noticed affirmation from the recoil of rock signs and air fists. There was no retreating on this night. If you came to this show you came for a greater reason to fulfill a mightier purpose. Like the woman by my side I felt a solid connection through her animation and excitement.

"Every time Chris made a comment I felt a connection. There was a few moments when I laughed because he seems so down to Earth. One moment I remember was when he forgot the words to one of the songs. It was cute. I liked that they wore regular clothes and not costumes. Although I was thinking that the guitarist with the long hair was wearing a normal plaid shirt, which I'm sure cost three hundred dollars and for me and you, we would have found that shirt in TJ Maxx for twenty dollars (Laughing), but I'm sure it was expensive from some high end store. Even the black tank top Chris wore was probably expensive compare to my Haines shirt. I just LOVED how they came started the concert with the curtain dropping to the ground. The colors, the music, and the way they just appeared on the stage was really important because it captured the audience off guard. I still can't believe that the concert t-shirt was forty dollars, but I wanted to have something to remember the show by."

The show lasted just over two hours and covered tune after tune from the Daughtry discography as well as a few surprise covers from The Toadies and Genesis. Cover songs is not a favorite selection to everyone as I was told, "I don't get why any artist feels it necessary to perform someone else's song on stage. I came to the show to hear Daughtry's music and not a cover song. I know some people find it cool to hear, but it just bothers me. I'd rather them play more songs that they were going to put on future albums then to hear a song from a band I'm really not into."

The theatrics engulfed the audience with intense heat, flames, and a firework cascade, but the one stage prop that stuck out for me on this night was an object that I absolutely was shocked to see only because of the meaning it shared with me and the angel form the front row. Next to one of the fire barrels sat a gold Meneki Neko (Good Luck Cat/the Beckoning Cat) with a waving arm which sat and survived flame throw after flame throw and the vibrations from the bass cabinet in which it sat on. The meaning behind why the Maneki Neko was on stage and the significance of its onstage presence will have to be researched and answered on the next Daughtry review. Chris took full advantage of the stage and treated the audience to up close and personal performances on the cat walk with great acoustic selections.

"I thought it is was so funny when he told the audience to make up words if they didn't know them and also that the song he was about to perform should sound familiar if they listened to the entire CD he just released. The one thing I did hear which I really found amazing was the common thread between Daughtry and Bon Jovi with their passion for DC Comic super heros. I just find it interesting that Daughtry's concert started with the sound track of Batman Returns and his ear piece has the Batman logo on it because Bon Jovi is really into Superman and I know how much Chris looks up to Jon Bon Jovi." The night came to a close after an amazing three song encore and an unsolved mystery surrounding a woman's thigh high boot that was tossed on stage by a mystery fan.

We continued back from Atlantic City enriched with increased appreciation for Daughtry and his music. The bottom line is that you can find new love, change your direction, and find comfort with the help of great music. I saw just how someone, who puts everything they have into what the believe in, can openly express their messages to empower another person's life. Thanks to Daughtry my angel form the front row will return back to the life she is working to improve and has changed hopelessness into better tomorrows. Through Daughtry's lyrical and musical creation he brought light to his fans. That's the power of music and the power of Daughtry. I will look back on this night as my first real inside look at how one music artist can open a very special person's heart and allow her to believe in herself and to ease her mind about the changes she faces.

Daughtry continues his US tour from November through to February in support of his latest album "Leave This Town," an album title that completely sums up the life of the angel whose heart was touched by the words of a stranger. The concert may have ended for me, but this story will have to be continued.