DSTRCT welcomed tribute bands Third Eye Open (a Tool tribute band), and Evil Empire (a Rage Against The Machine tribute band), on FROSH Fri., Sept. 11. Evil Empire and Third Eye Open are two of three musical projects created by Humber graduates Josh Hanff (guitar), Duncan Stan (bass), and Julien Bigras (drums). Their third project is an original twelve-piece progressive metal band that comes fully equipped with a seven-piece sax collective called Earth’s Yellow Sun. Third Eye Open jumped on the stage at 10:30 p.m. with vocalist Adam Matthews. As the lightshow began, Matthews got himself equipped with both megaphone and microphone—the band broke into the gritty, the grungy, the distorted Tool track titled “Stinkfist.” The audience howled at the imitation of Tool’s sound and mystique, and Third Eye Open followed “Stinkfist” with other Tool hits such as “Schism,” “The Pot,” “AEnema,” and “Vicarious.” With every song, the crowd’s response got bigger and louder, and as Third Eye Open finished their last song “Ticks and Leeches,” the crowd screamed for an encore. The band decided to settle the score and give them exactly what they asked for. “Thank you all for coming out. This is our third time in Guelph,” said Josh, as Third Eye Open transmogrified into Evil Empire.
As Evil Empire claimed the stage they enticed their fans to get nice and close as they warned them all to get ready for the party. Stan, Bigras and Hanff were joined by vocalist Dan Weiss—as well as a new energy – to complete Evil Empire. Evil Empire started their show like a rocket in takeoff with “Bulls On Parade,” and every soul in the house began to jump, head bang, and sing along with the band. The energy was at a high, and Evil Empire made sure to keep fuelling the fire. The band broke into their second song “Know Your Enemy” and was re-joined by Matthews taking over Keenan’s lines. This was essentially the highlight of the night, when the two singers shared the stage—one covering Keenan for the night, and the other covering Zack de la Rocha.
Weiss interacted with his audience to keep them engaged. He made sure that they felt like they were a part of his show. He joked with them, asking “How about them cuties from the Tool tribute?” as the other members chuckled. After screams from his newfound fans Weiss joked, “Turns out were not just loud, were also kinda talented.”
Evil Empire covered other Rage Against The Machine hits, such as “Bombtrack,” “Sleep Now In The Fire,” “Guerrilla Radio,” and “Take The Power Back.” All the while, their audience held their fists in the air, head banged, moshed, danced and sang along. Every energetic member in the crowd became an Evil Empire fan in a sea of musical angst.
About
The Ontarion publishes independent, student-produced news, opinion, and commentary for University of Guelph students so that they can make informed decisions in their lives. To do this, The Ontarion provides learning opportunities and training in journalism, media production, leadership, board governance, and other aspects of nonprofit news.
The Ontarion is the University of Guelph’s independent student newspaper. It began in 1951 as part of the Ontario Agricultural College and then began to represent the entire University of Guelph once it amalgamated in 1964. The Ontarion incorporated in May 1970 as The Ontarion, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation registered with the province of Ontario.