One of the more enjoyable (for me) and embarrassing (for them) concerts I’ve ever been to was in May 2010, when I got a chance to see an up-and-coming rock band fronted by the singer from one of my all-time favorite groups.
Sadly, my brother and I were one of maybe 15 people still there that night at DV8 when The Dreaming performed a sweet nine-song set to wrap up a night that included several local bands opening for them.
We felt so bad for The Dreaming, which is fronted by former Stabbing Westward vocalist and songwriter Christopher Hall, and figured they’d never return to this town.
The Dreaming is coming back to Tucson next Thursday night, though, playing at Knockouts Sports Bar (1118 E. 6th St.) on a ticket that includes local acts Drowning Arizona, Evasion and On Shoulders of Giants. The openers are all listed as metal, while The Dreaming is a blend of rock, punk, emo and an increasing amount of industrial-type sound similar to what frontman Hall had going with Stabbing Westward in the 1990s.
Yeah, that’s the typical kind of music you’d expect to find at a sports bar, one that based on its Web site caters more toward a group interested in boxing and mixed martial arts.
Well, then, maybe they’d be interested in seeing The Dreaming’s video for ‘Every Trace,’ which takes place in a boxing ring and was featured in the recent indie movie ‘Hammer,’ which is apparently about an MMA fighter.
Or, maybe people who were into Stabbing Westward way back when will want to come out knowing that The Dreaming’s tour posters indicate they plan to play at least a half-dozen songs from that old catalog.
Either way, let’s give this band another shot and give them (and other acts) a reason to play in Tucson.
This article appears in Aug 9-15, 2012.
strange that they have not caught on. I hearted stabbing westward in the 90’s and they have a sound that should appeal to my purple headed skinny jean wearing 18 year old nephew but who knows they are my age so maybe the kiddies think they’re old :).
I saw Stabbing Westward open for Killing Joke back in the mid 90’s! I was there mainly for K.J. (Who pretty much are the God-fathers of Industrial Rock) But Stabbing Westward did a good set! Might check it out, lately, only Surly Wench Pub with the Sanctuary night gets any bands even remotely Industrial, they have had a few great Synth-pop bands like De/vision and Mesh!
The Dreaming are a very good band that went to being my favorite band a very short time after i first was introduced to them. I think that if you are thinking about going you would not regret it!! I hope to see you there. 🙂
is there a cover? i’m down to go, but i don’t get paid until the day after. sad face.
I believe it’s $10 at the door, maybe a little more. Sadly, the Knockouts Web site has NO information whatsoever about this show, and other promotional groups like Eventful are sending out emails indicating The Dreaming are playing eight days later (Aug. 24) at Surly Wench. It’s this kind of bad organization that hurts traveling bands and lessens their chance of coming back.