Serj Tankian Reviews - Serj in Richmond, VA (2.13.08) Review/NEW PHOTOS ADDED Noahferfer - Feb 14, 2008 - 04:45 PM Post subject: Serj in Richmond, VA (2.13.08) Review/NEW PHOTOS ADDEDHey everybody! Long time no-post! I think it's been months! But the amazing show I saw last night brings me back to this great site! But enough about me!
Well, a SOAD member finally comes to my hometown! Right here in Richmond, Virginia, USA! I usually have to drive atleast 80 miles or so to see System, but last night Serj was practically in my backyard!
I showed up a few hours before the doors opened, so I could get a spot on the front rail, OF COURSE! I had never really taken the time to sit down and really listen to Fair to Midland before I saw them last night, but I did enjoy them! The guitarist spent some time before their set talking to the crowd and selling shirts and such, cool guy! Fair to Midland did indeed perform with a lot of energy. Though far less heavy than most SOAD-openers that I've seen in the past, they still delivered a sick show. Tons of jumping around, screaming, trippy vibes, fun stuff! I'd give these texas-flag-wavers a B plus!
I dont have an exact documented set list of the evening, but I do know that after Serj's crew set up, Serj sang a little intro backstage while the FCC came in view, in their all-black outfits. Serj came out in the customary white coat and hat. It was definately the closest I've ever been to Serj in my entire life. (The place is a relatively small club type venue).. I was on the baricade about only 4 feet from the stage, and no bouncers. And I was front and center, so I was right in Serj's face. Hell yes.
He comes out onstage empty handed, with a huge smile on his face as we errupt in scream for our Serj! The first thing I noticed was that he shaved off his mustache! He's gone back to the '05 look, but with short hair. I like it! But then again, I'm not sure how long he's been shaven like that, because like i said- I've been off of SOADfans for a while (shame on me!)
They begin Unthinking Majority! With all due respect to Serj, I've always sensed some limitations within his LIVE vocal abilities, but tonight.. HE NAILED EVERTHING. He sounded just like the recording. It was wonderful. Second was Empty Walls, also great! I'm pretty sure he plaid every song on Elect the Dead, along with a few others, Girl, Holiday in Cambodia.
But I MUST say that my biggest delight for the evening was that he performed CHARADES!!! I had only heard it on the Axis of Justice cd/dvd and on the Hypnotize dual disc, and I can truthfully say that Charades is my favorite song of all time. Just like every other song that night, I sang the words to Charades front row right in Serj's face. I looked around and no one seemed to know the words to Charades! I was yelling the words at the top of my lungs and Serj looked right at me and smiled! It was awesome!!!
At some point, Serj made a comment about how drunk the audience looked, but that it was "fucking awesome" and this and that. I think overall, Richmond made a good first impression on Serj. I pray that he comes back!
I'm seeing him again tomorrow night in Norfolk, Virginia. I will soon upload some pictures from both shows!
FRONT ROW PHOTOS: SubNoiZe - Feb 14, 2008 - 05:26 PM Post subject: RE: Serj Tankian in Richmond, VA - Feb 13,
i will be at the norfolk show (coming from raleigh,nc). i cant wait for this show! does anyone know how strict the norva is regarding video cameras? i am planning on sneaking mine in (its not much bigger than a large fist, and records in high def) and recording from the 2nd floor balcony (just had knee surgery, so i cant get around too rough). i'll be staying at the tazewell. if anyone has any info on this, let me know.
hopefully, i'll have some great video to share real soon.Aciid_drop - Feb 14, 2008 - 06:14 PM Post subject: RE: Serj Tankian in Richmond, VA - Feb 13,
Awesome review dude,,n welcome back on the site Noahferfer - Feb 14, 2008 - 06:43 PM Post subject: RE: Serj Tankian in Richmond, VA - Feb 13,
thanks!^^
And Hey SubNoiZe, I've gotten a camera in the norva by sticking like IN my pants. They do usually search everyone. But I seriously doubt that they're going to grab someone in the crotch that's in a wheelchair or crutches. and that is probably the ideal place to keep the cam! hahaSubNoiZe - Feb 14, 2008 - 06:52 PM Post subject: RE: Serj Tankian in Richmond, VA - Feb 13,
i am not worried about getting the camera in, i am worried about once i have the camera out recording. if i get caught, i do want it taken away. i do wedding videography with it (as a backup).
a friend of mine saw ace freley there a month or so ago, and he said that no one was searched. they just didnt want flash photography. my video camera doesnt flash,so...
btw, i am off my crutches now, so i will just be walking in. i will just have an extremely large crotch. perhaps, i can sing Cigaro as i walk by the guards...kotsu - Feb 14, 2008 - 07:41 PM Post subject: RE: Serj Tankian in Richmond, VA - Feb 13,
I was there! And yes it was quite amazing..It will go down in history as one of the best performances and shows i have ever been to..He was quite brilliant last night..He's such an amazing artist..Ive seen him play twice before with SOAD..Seeing him solo, giving his complete self and passion to his own creations was quite an amazing experience..Each time ive seen him his voice has been amazing and flawless and the emotions have always been there and were real..I never noticed any limitations in his vocals..In some cases sound can definutly be a cause in tone in pitch and limits of your voice..If you are unable to hear yourself then its very hard to hit those notes..Maybe thats what you were hearing^.^...I have always known Serj's voice to be very strong ..And definutly one of the most unique out there..Agreed 'Charades' was beautiful i managed to get the whole song on vid...I think it was the only song that i got all of on video XD..i got a bunch of other clips and pix as well....[i think ill post them or something ^^] I was personaly happy to hear 'Unthinking Majority' and to hear it was the first he played..Its definutly an addicting song....Now one of my all time favs ^^....And im with ya on that..I hope like hell he decides to come back XD...leofab - Feb 14, 2008 - 07:50 PM Post subject:
The voice of Serj live is Amazing.....Serj live has always been amazing, is one of the best singers of all TIMESLika - Feb 15, 2008 - 04:50 AM Post subject:
Thanks for the review and welcome back, Noah! Noahferfer - Feb 15, 2008 - 01:51 PM Post subject:
I just meant.. I've seen SOAD 7 times before I saw Serj and I've seen pretty much every live video of SOAD known to man and I think that a lot of SOADfans would agree that Serj's voice took a tiny bit of a dive in the past few years.. I was just pointing out that the show last night didn't give me the impression that he was struggling with anything in the least.SubNoiZe - Feb 15, 2008 - 04:33 PM Post subject:
this is me. be on the lookout. i am a 27 year old highschool teacher from nc
Noahferfer - Feb 15, 2008 - 05:27 PM Post subject:
Pictures added on the first post!Vartanush - Feb 16, 2008 - 07:25 AM Post subject:
Thank you for review and pics...
hey you gotta see him twice ?Noahferfer - Feb 17, 2008 - 11:12 PM Post subject:
^ Yes I did! And I'm about to write a review for the second show I went to!hackthesystem2 - Feb 17, 2008 - 11:18 PM Post subject:
I'm dying to know what he looks like w/o his stache!sugar_buzz - Feb 17, 2008 - 11:54 PM Post subject:
Glad you had a good time, Noah! Thanks for the review and the pics!!
hackthesystem2 wrote:
I'm dying to know what he looks like w/o his stache!
Look at the link I posted here and you'll see Serj sans 'stache: http://www.soadfans.com/PNphpBB2-viewtopic-t-21734.htmhackthesystem2 - Feb 18, 2008 - 12:01 AM Post subject:
oooh goood he looks so weeiiirddddd Lika - Feb 18, 2008 - 12:06 AM Post subject:
hackthesystem2 wrote:
oooh goood he looks so weeiiirddddd
I think it's just the first impact.... until we get used to his new look SubNoiZe - Feb 18, 2008 - 03:20 AM Post subject:
fyi guys --
i recorded the whole show (minus 2 songs), snapped a few pics also. my recording isnt the average blown out sound either. i will put up a sample soon, before i start to compile all the video. i can make mp3s for everone also.
