Sick Puppies

DATE: Friday, September 14, 2007

VENUE:  Station 4 – St. Paul, MN

www.sickpuppies.net

St. Paul had it's socks rocked off on Friday night by the Sick Puppies. The Australian trio (now based in Los Angeles) kick started the night with the hard rockin' track "Cancer". After the band followed with their hits "My World" and "All the Same", the crowd broke into chants of "Sick Puppies. Sick Puppies." I knew the reason I was at the show was because of the Sick Puppies, but others had to wonder "Exactly who did we come to see tonight? The Sick Puppies? Or the headliners, Finger Eleven?" That question would soon be answered.

Vocalist/guitarist Shimon Moore encouraged the crowd to move forward and enjoy the show, even singling people out in the crowd. "You in the white hat, move up!" "Super tall guy right there, get up here! I know you want to party!" "You're hot! Move closer so I can see you better!" People did move closer, but that wasn't good enough. After some people wouldn't oblige, Moore said "You want me to come and get you and move you closer? Don't think I won't do it!" And with that, Moore took off his guitar, ran into the back of the crowd, and indeed got more people to move forward. Where else are you going to get that kind of crowd interaction? No where!

I had asked Shimon earlier in the week to play a certain song for me here in St. Paul. "This next's song is called 'Too Many Words'. Asif!" YOOHOO! The band broke into my favorite song. Thank you mate!

Near the end of the band's 11-song, 45-minute set, they performed a fantastic rendition of "Say My Name" by Destiny's Child. By this point the crowd was totally into the Sick Puppies, and for the few people that weren't, they got into it during "Say My Name".

When the band finally wrapped up their set with another high energy, crowd interactive song, everyone just stood around and looked at each other. "Umm…so, what do we do now?" That's right, because Finger Eleven wouldn't be able to (and they didn't!) follow that up!  Don't miss your chance to catch the Sick Puppies put on a fantastic show. They have some headlining shows, otherwise they'll steal the show from the bands they are supporting like Finger Eleven and Evanescence.
 

BY: The Asif

PHOTOS: The Asif