Fever 333 - Gig Review & Photo Gallery 8th March @ The Brightside, Brisbane QLD
Fever 333
The Brightside, Brisbane QLD
March 8th, 2019
For the first time ever in Australia, Fever 333 took to the stage for a plethora of die-hard fans who had packed themselves in like sardines to get as close as possible to one of the greatest, new age political rock bands of this generation, and to be honest everyone who attended last night all left with huge smiles on their faces following the hectic aftermath that ensured. Let me take you back first...
Following the demise of letlive. in 2017 frontman Jason Aalon Butler emerged from the smoke and ashes alongside guitarist Stephen Harrison and drummer Aric Improta with a new band who had a heavy sound, a magnificent purpose and an important message, to draw attention to corrupt US government officials and police, hellbent on destroying the lives of innocent POC throughout the United States as we discussed during Jason's episode of our Wall of Sound: Up Against The Wall podcast (revisit here). As time went by their message was heard loud and clear by many fans, supporters and critics like, consequently resulting in their first Grammy nomination just recently (on top of many MANY other accolades in the process). With worldwide demonstrations gaining talk and credibility, it was only a matter of time before the trio made their way down under and HOLY FUCKING SHIT IT WAS WELL WORTH THE WAIT...
Taking to the stage shortly after 9pm, security dragged Butler out to face the crowd with a black bag over his head, the cheers and applause from the crowd grew louder as both Aric and Steve joined him, taking their positions before launching immediately into 'Burn It' from their debut album Strength In Numb333rs (our review here) resulting in a frenzy of bodies bashing into each other in the pit whilst screaming the lyrics "you know sometimes you gotta burn it down/to build it up again/lights go out in the town we're living in" while the energetic bandmates moved as much of their own bodies as physically possible about the stage. This momentum continued into 'We're Coming In' and the Grammy Nominated 'Made An America' which saw Jason leap into the crowd and carried about the place like a heavy music messiah before returning to the stage looking to climb on absolutely anything/everything (which most of his longterm fans would know he is absolutely reknown for). I should also point out, Fever 333 shows/gigs are called demonstrations, so you go with the intention to see a band, but you also leave with a sense of belonging to something so important you can't help but want/need to spread the word about them. While they don't preach (per se), they do inform about the atrocities people of colour face in the states e.g. police announcing a task force for "cleaning up the streets" which in reality, is their way of saying "murdering locals/homicide in the suburbs". That's not the only issues discussed either, the band openly and proudly has everyone in agreeance that we need to look after women at shows and in outside life, which gained a stack of supportive cheers and fists in the air, Butler explaining he's not saying that to get approval or cheer, but to spread the word, worldwide.
Last night we caught FEVER 333 and their first ever Australian demonstration. Incredibly energetic, involving and insanely talented musicians who you NEED to jump on board with. Here's 'One Of Us', review and gallery coming soon... 📽: Browny #TheresAFeverComing #StrengthInNumb333rs Live Nation Australia & New Zealand
Posted by Wall Of Sound on Friday, March 8, 2019
'Animal' followed with both Aric and Stephen embracing their inner beasts giving yet another 120% in their performances and I have to say the sound from The Brightside tonight was so well and clear, I actually had to come out of mosh retirement and get amongst it when their latest single 'One Of Us' finished because I had a mad case of FOMO seeing everyone having such a great time down there. In saying that, the mosh were some of the most caring and supportive people I had attended a gig with in a while. Plenty of sing-a-long moments, arms around shoulders and looking out for each other (which is normal at a show yes), but this time there was something different about it all, a more united/wholesome experience than usual. Now I'm a sucker for a ballad at the best of times, so when the guys started up 'Inglewood', which was dedicated to Jason's son Pascal, I lost it. The crowd got close to each other, trying to get close to the stage and not a single person was standing silent. There was just something so raw and emotional about being at a heavy show where halfway through the night they whipped out a song like that and it just fucking worked so beautifully. 'Coup D'Étalk' and 'Out of Control' followed before the evening was wrapped up with the incredible 'HuntingSeason' in which Jason crowd surfed across the room with a single drum and stick in hand bashing away as the song rounded out before setting himself up on the balcony behind us before smashing the drum with his fist and disappearing into the crowd as the song ended.
But the night didn't end then, amidst the darkness and cheers of "333, 333, 333" the trio slowly made their way back on stage with Jason emerging from the shadows thanking everyone for attending before getting into the encore consisting of 'Only One' (the closing section of 'Prey For Me' for those of you playing at home) and 'The Innocent' with circle pits, chorus sing-a-longs of "no more excuses/we must refuse this/silence is useless, LONG LIVE THE INNOCENT" and the band giving their all one last time for everyone in attendance. But true to their nature of being such a caring, involving band, immediately after their set had finished they stuck around to meet and greet fans, hear stories and take photos and it looked like they actually wanted to be there too, engaging with their fanbase which is hard to come by these days, especially after sweating out of every hole in your body for the past 90mins.
Fever 333 absolutely annihilated that show. As someone who has actively followed them since their first public appearance through to now, I can safely say there is no stopping this band. They will continue to fight for what's right through their message and music and keep us all hooked, engaged and entertained in the process. That was one of the best shows I've seen in the past few years and I cannot fathom the idea that I'll be seeing them again on Monday in a music festival setting at Download in Melbourne. Bring it the fuck on!
Setlist
Burn It
We're Coming In
Made An America
Animal
Beatbox & Drum Solo/Guitar Jam
One of Us
Inglewood
Coup D'Étalk
Out of Control
Hunting Season
Encore
Only One
The Innocent
Gig Review by Browny @brownypaul
Revisit our Pre-Download Fest interview with Jason Aalon Butler right here
Photo Gallery by Mitch Chamberlain. @MJChamberlain
Please credit Wall of Sound and Mitch Chamberlain if you repost.
Fever 333
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