Getting In The Trenches With Pop Evil In Charlotte

The Skeletons Tour Hits The Underground

American rockers Pop Evil have literally been in the rock and roll trenches for over two decades bringing their explosive brand of hard rock to the masses. The band got started back in 2001 but really took off with their debut album Lipstick on the Mirror in 2008 which gave them their first string of radio hits with the catchy anthem “Hero” and the poignant ballad “100 in a 55.” Since then, Pop Evil has become a fixture on the hard rock scene and a staple of summer touring and festival season. I have seen them perform a multitude of times from small clubs to huge rock festivals and every time has been a treat. The band was recently in Charlotte supporting their most recent album Skeletons and I was glad to be there to catch all the action.

Opening up the show was metalcore band and Warped Tour alum The Word Alive. This is another band that I have the pleasure of seeing on more than one occasion and the energy they bring to a show is off the charts. Tonight would be no different as they took the stage fists raised in the air to kick off what would be a stellar set.

Led by lead vocalist Tyler Smith and guitarist Zach Hansen, the band quickly got the crowd into the show as they fed off each other’s energy. Fans began surfing across the barricade in droves early in the evening. Smith was a ball of fire, working the crowd, and becoming one with them as he ran, spun, and jumped all over the stage, high-fiving the crowd surfers along the way. Hansen was in fine form as well, careening over the edge of the stage to give a lucky fan at the barricade a fist bump, laughing, and smiling all the way. They sounded amazing and everybody was having a great time. Their set included a solid variety of songs from 2010’s Deceiver through 2020’s “Monomania.”

One of the most impressive things about The Word Alive is they truly seem to care about their fans and the crowd that was packed into the Underground. Smith took a few moments to chat with the crowd and told them how important they were to him and to the band and that we all have to be there for each other. They are definitely a shining example of what and how to be in an industry that is known for being cutthroat and ruthless and that fact does not go unnoticed by the fans. Nobody wanted their set to be over and the crowd was still giving it their all when the band closed it out with “Trapped.” Although it was chilly in the Underground, we were all hot and sweaty and ready for what was still to come.

The lights went down and it was finally time for Pop Evil! The band hit the stage to “Paranoid(Crash & Burn)” and it was on. Leigh Kakaty was on fire from the start, pumping his fist, jumping up on the risers at the front of the stage, and belting out his vocals with ease. Hayley Cramer was situated behind her drum kit on a riser at the rear of the stage, long locks flowing as she pounded away with cryo plumes going off on each side of her.

Nick Fuelling and Dave Grahs were fierce on guitar, keeping the licks and leads going all night while relative newcomer to the band Joey “Chicago” Walser seemed to fit right in on bass, driving the pace and posing for the fans. Pop Evil really has an outstanding selection of songs to choose from encompassing everything from super heavy rhythms to soaring choruses and melodic hooks that really pack a punch. The setlist was thick with songs from the Skeletons album and we were all contemplating “Who Will We Become” before entering the “Eye of the Storm.”

The action was non-stop on stage and in the audience with everyone bopping up and down and singing along as the night progressed. A highlight of the set was the closer “Waking The Lions” which showcased the power and force that Pop Evil can bring and bring it they did. If there was a zoo nearby, I’m fairly certain the lions wouldn’t have been the only animal the band woke up.

After a quick exit from the stage, Kakaty returned to the stage solo leading the fans through an acapella sing along of “100 in a 55” as people turned on their phone lights and held them high in the air as they swayed back and forth singing as one. That was one of those moments that really captures what a concert is all about. People ask me all the time why I love live music so much and the answer is really pretty simple. These kind of moments are what we live for, the unity of it all, everyone enjoying a unique experience shared amongst us all. That is it right there and this one was epic.

The rest of the band returned to the stage to finish out the show with three more songs including fan favorite and my personal favorite as well “Trenches.”

“I’ve waited all my life to get out of the trenches

I’m ready to fight for what I believe you can steal from me

I won’t take this

Gonna fill these trenches and stand up…”

It was another great performance from a band that has spent its fair share of time in the trenches along with us and we love them all the more for it. Pop Evil is currently out on the road in Europe for a string of dates but will return to the US this summer for a run of festival dates.

Click Here For The Full Gallery of the Evening!

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