I had only been introduced to DTP's music a couple of months ago. But, once I started listening it quickly became my go-to source of a soundtrack. When I heard DTP was coming to town, and to my favorite venue. I said "Hellz yea", however when the time came sickness and health almost made me not go out at all. When the clock hit 6 and I knew the club doors just opened, I said fuck it, let's go (After some grub, of course)
We (my girlfriend and I) arrived late, without tickets. The venue sold out as we arrived. We waited it out off to the side of the entrance, enjoying watching a mini-drama of a drunk man getting drug out by club security and than proceeding to slur every profanity his intoxicated mind could conjure up. 40 minutes go by and the security guard announces the venue will not be selling any more tickets. Bummed, but understanding that our lack of preparation put us here, we decided to hang out just past the security gate in ear shot of an open door in front of the building. After some time, a really nice man already past security asked us if we needed tickets. He had extra tickets for friends who were not going to show up. We agreed on a price and literally ran down the block to an ATM.
At this time we were so thankful to of gotten in, we walked in to a packed main stage room with Katatonia on stage playing their final three tunes of the set. Sounded cool, I really dug the last song (I had not heard these guys before).
The El Rey Theatre is one of my favorite venues in Los Angeles. I've seen two other acts here in the year we've lived in L.A., both times it was magical. The flowing drapery and almost menacing yet beautiful chandeliers in the main room set the perfect environment for DTP, in my opinion.
Once Katatonia wrapped things up DTP's team frantically went to work to tear down the stage and rebuild it in DTP fashion. They set up the projection screen first to allow the audience to enjoy a slew of short videos and modified internet memes done with a blue screened Ziltoid over-dub. These internet memes set the tone for the quirkiness we were in store for. I think the bunny song, and gummy bear, was a joke on the audience by the band, "Yes, you're here for an epic rock show. Here's 10 minutes of an annoying childrens dance tune, and your going to love it you bastards"
Right off the bat, the band opens with a hard hitting groove that leaves us with no other choice but to let go and move with the beat. The energy escalates from there. Great band, huge sound. At a couple points the backing tracks get a bit overbearing between the choir and the delays at such a high volume. But the sound was so huge and so thick you cut it with a knife but was well maintained at these levels. You can tell Devin is appreciative of his audience, he interacts, talks back and has fun. At one point he gets the audience to sway arms back and forth and than tries to make it look like
we're nerdy for actually doing it. His quirky sense of humor shines through every pore, and that metal face.... can't forget about the forced cheesey grin. I love this guy. He get's it, understands the show.
The band is tight, as a bass player my attention automatically focuses on bass lines. Great sound, served the music perfectly. I'd like to know what kind of bass distortion he's using. The bass lines were simpler than I thought they were going to be, but it makes perfect sense. They were full enough to drive the low end and maintain the supporting role. Yet, pulled back and refined as to not step on anyone's sonic toes. Great job.
The drummer, oh man, he is the show. This man is amazing, he literally took they reins and got us to where we wanted to be. Pure awesome.
For as much as I can tell, DTP has a serious and positive message delivered in an aggressive package that we as an audience get reminded to not take too seriously by Devin's quirkiness. And, for me, this creates a high resonance frequency. You can feel the electricity in the air. This was the first time I had ever witnessed a mosh pit turn into a giant group hug, I'm not making this up.
On another note, I am a car guy too. As a hobby I build and modify performance/race muscle cars. I've built my share of engines and will always find a way to tinker on something. (My music equipment falls victim to this same mentality). So, when computer renders of intake valves, combustion chambers, pistons, rods, cranks, cams and timing gears were being projected above the band on screen.... I thought to myself, no way. I'm home.
Once the set, and the night, was over. Devin stayed on stage to make it a point to shake as many hands as possible from the audience. I love it, as a fellow musician in the audience I truly appreciate how appreciative he is of his audience. Devin made a comment about not getting accepted into other metal circles, and really there is a good reason for it too. This music is too intelligent to get broadly accepted and fall into the cliche. I'd love to catch these guys again the next time they are in town.
Cheers ~ Bass Player Mykk
Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 9:53 am