Sunday 24/09/06 KFMA Fall Ball @ Tucson Electric Park, Arizona

The seasons have changed and it’s time for the KFMA Fall Ball. It’s the premiere event for the Southwest put on by a merciless rogue radio station that leads a streaming and airwave assault on new music worldwide, rubbing our ears the right way and pissing off the mainstream, they know how to pick the bands. Green grass under our feet and a cloudless sky heralds the coming of a day filled with awesome music and anticipation.

Twenty thousand people begin to pour into the stadium as the opening band Trik Turner officially greets us and starts our blood pumping with a dose of rapcore-alternative in the finest of style. They draw the crowd in with ‘Friends and Family.’ This song sneaks up and grabs hold; it’s beautiful and well done. Their new piece ‘Temporary Fix’ starts out sexy and alluring then builds steadily into controlled aggression with an awesome angry finish that elicits screams and cheers from the growing crowd.

The indie rock band As Fast As takes Gigwise by surprise…they’re good. Their song ‘Florida Sunshine’ has recently started appearing on radio play lists and live it’s just as rich. ‘Gretchen My Captain’ has a fun melody and a quirky sound as a Uke and harmonies gives it a twist. Then the song ‘This Time’ blows us away as Spencer Albee puts on a polished crowd rousing performance.

Punk and metal collide in Atreyu. They are an addiction. ‘Ex’s and Oh’s’ storms across the stage as duel vocalist Alex Varkatza and Brandon Saller give it all in this well written piece that’s spiced with sweet licks and hard riffs. ‘The Theft’ is wistful, harsh and immersive whilst ‘Bleeding Mascara’ sends the mosh churning and surfing gets out of control. They perform an unexpected, incredible reworking of Bon Jovi’s ‘Shot Through The Heart’ that steals ours away. The audience is chanting “live, love, burn, die” as their final song ‘Lip Gloss and Black’ draws to a close.

Buckcherry produces pure Rock n’ Roll that’s steaming in raw sexual decadence and delivered with an angst that is as flaming hot as lead singer Josh Todd’s red hair. ‘Crazy Bitch’ starts and the crowd takes over screaming “You’re crazy bitch but you **** so good I’m on top of it…” Dripping with sweat Josh’s tattoos shine whilst his moves are sleek and sassy. Their set ends with ‘Cocaine’ as mass hysteria takes over the roaring mob and completely drowns out the last part of the song. It’s over way too soon and Buckcherry leaves us wanting more.

The audience starts chanting Joan Jett long before she arrives. Eager faces and smiles turn to the stage as Joan Jett And The Blackhearts are given a thunderous welcome. People know the words to every single one of their songs including the new ones. ‘Change The World’ is performed as mass amounts of crowd surfers are silhouetted against a setting sun. In a kitten sexy voice Joan says “This song is about desire…” then she burst into ‘Cherry Bomb’ and the audience goes wild. They play ‘A.C.D.C.’ and the rebellious ‘Riddles’ then the entire venue sings and dances to ‘I Love Rock n’ Roll.’