BREAKERBOX: THE MAKING OF A DVD
@ MOHAWK PLACE
NOVEMBER 18, 2011
The line to get in did not exist at 7pm when we arrived and the doors we were told were not open yet. Strolling around the corner to another local bar for a drink while catching the first period of the Sabres game was the only option. The cold downtown with the wind picking up speed left us no choice but to get inside.
As we walked back down the street at a bit after 8 the line went almost to the end of the next block. Just as we pasted the doors heading to the end of the line, the doors open and the crowd began to push forward. The line sped up and slowed down as people would exit the doors grab folks from the line and take them inside. The closer to the door we got the slower the line and we thought there might be a possibility we would not get in.
Then after the usual door man service $$$ and ID we entered an already crowded bar. Getting a drink was like getting out of a maze of haystacks. Like the haystacks no one moves or response to the words "Excuse me." I made my way to the front near the stage while my partner used skills in, Move or ill move you while heading to the bar. In the meantime I watch the opener Vincent DeRosa do some amazing work with the guitar while singing acapella.
DeRosa was lyrically strong while keeping the rhythm pumping from his guitar. The crowds were being drawn to the stage from the pull of the music. Well that is what we believed but for the most part it was the cycle of the sardine getting squished into an ever so small can. This was due to the large turn out and limited amount of space to cram us all into. But we did it like when the Dolphins come to town and we squish the fish.
BREAKERBOX left no time for the audience to scatter as they took the stage with dominance and peppered with confidence. Making the fans aware that at times they may need to stop and restart a song. If everyone was patient a great rock event we all would be a part of. The band never stumbled while living up to the hype of making their first DVD.
The equipment was another story which caused some time outs for reboots and serious adjustments. The band was able to stay loose leaving the door open to feel the energy pushing back to the stage from the audience. After a few starts and stops BREAKERBOX began to get into their groove and when Scott Colandra (drums) drove the beat so hard at one point it was like tapping the keg and the stage was shaking the house down.
Christina DeNee (vocals) matures like fine wine never missing a note as natural a singer found in Buffalo, NY. She would have no problem in the presence of Susan Tedeschi (Rock you Right), Sass Jordan (If you're gonna Love Me), Joss Stone (Right to be Wrong) even Adele (Rolling in the Deep) singing toe to toe as only these women can. BREAKERBOX is not a band that tries to make it on other peoples music singing cover songs.
Their original material is not just beginners attempt at throwing some songs together to start building a following. BREAKERBOX's release These are Strange Days is a true Rock record from start to finish. The songs lyrically as well as musically while enveloped under great production have truly captured the bands stage presence.
There announcement that they would be traveling to California soon gave the audience a moment to cheer but the atmosphere started to feel darker. The thought that this exposure would not keep them doing some more local shows dimmed the crowds hype but as always in Buffalo, crowds can never be anything but excited to see our home grown achieve. Congratulations to the brain child, BREAKERBOX with more hidden talent than one show can allow.
RUSTY
11/18/11
