A young crowd begins to fill the lot at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ, pulling out grills and coolers and starting friendly games of touch football. The scene is relaxed and serene this early July evening, even with the numerous undercover cop cars and police officers roaming the rows of parked vehicles, checking Ids and questioning individuals if things seem to be getting suspicious or troublesome. Since numerous accounts of injuries and deaths related to underage drinking during shows back in 2007, the security at PNC has pulled into overdrive, banning any tailgating or drinking in the parking lots before shows. However, over the past few years such rules have been given more leniency during specific shows, including The Unity Tour featuring 311, The Offspring, and Pepper. The unique crowd of laid-back individuals is not here to cause trouble or violence, but to enjoy a summer show headlined by one of the most popular, modern rock-infused reggae bands of today’s generation.
The entire show has a strong feel of beach and sun, starting with Pepper’s amazing set, which features a stage lined with surfboards and band mates clad in swimming trunks. Lead vocalist Kaleo Wassman has such strong, smooth vocals and a rather demanding stage presence that the crowd has no choice but to stand up and dance along to the dub-reggae beat led by a heavy bass-laden sound. Hailing from Kailua-Kina, Hawaii, Pepper brought their laid-back surfer vibes to the mainland and hit the crowd hard with their popular single, “Dirty Hot Sex.” Pepper is set to release a self-titled album sometime this year, and gave the audience a sneak-peak by playing one of their new singles, “Wake Up.”
Opening punk rock band The Offspring takes the stage just as the venue begins to fill. Formed in Huntington Beach, California in 1984, The Offspring has produced many hit singles over the years, including “Self Esteem,” “Why Don’t you get a Job?,” and the hilarious “Pretty Fly for a White Guy.” With their witty, catchy lyrics and pop punk sound, The Offspring is credited as being a major influence in the revival of mainstream punk rock in the 1990s. Lead vocalist and guitarist and founding member Dexter Holland led a strong set, greatly exhibiting his thorough experience and mastering of live performance. Although the set lacked rather popular songs that seemed to let the crowd down when the band promptly left the stage without playing them, The Offspring epitomized a band full of musicians that love what they do and who know how to win over an already wound-up crowd.
The five-member crew of 311, hailing from Omaha, Nebraska, produces sounds of pure rock and reggae that one would not expect from a typical Nebraskian. After financing many of their own first tours, 311 began to be recognized as a force to be reckoned with and as of today, all of their studio albums have hit the top 15 of the Billboard Top 200. Frontman Nick Hexum jumps on stage in his typical, simple white tank top fashion, and explodes into a fury of rhythm guitar. DJ Doug Martinez makes 311’s sound unique with his advanced turntable skills and backup vocals. 311’s hit single “Amber” seemed to be the favorite of the night, led with precision by bassist Aaron Wills.
The crowd was content with 311’s set of old favorites mixed with newer hits off of their 2009 album Uplifter. Hexum seemed to hit every note and not once appeared to be off key or to have missed a single beat. 311’s jazzy/rock fusion provided by the drum beats and guitar rhythm mixed with Hexum’s almost hip-hop, rap-like vocals makes for a unique sound that cannot be placed into any specific genre. 311 ended the night with a great instrumental culmination paired with an awesome light display.
The peaceful and positive vibes displayed by all three bands made for a night marked by great music and unity rather than unwanted hostility or dilemma. Like the laid-back atmosphere as displayed in the parking lot that did not call for an abundance of police interference, The Unity Tour provided a great summer night of live entertainment and safe partying that all concert-goers and 311 fans seemed to enjoy.
Pepper and The Offspring will continue to open for 311 throughout the summer 2010 Unity Tour.
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