TOM Fest 08Last weekend I went to TOM Fest, a multi-day Christian music festival north of Portland, Oregon. I was only able to make the last day of it, but was not dissapointed with the range and depth of musical talent on display. Admitedly, there was some talent on display which I would prefer to not have seen, but that's how music festivals go. At any rate, here's a rundown of some of my faves from the day. 
The Martyrs I had never heard of them before, but was real impressed with their brand of punk. It wasn't so much that their music was extra special, but the vocalist has a voice that's nice and gravelly and shouty and sounds real good. 
Brian Hanover Had I recognized the name, I would have been there for his entire set. This is the lead singer and guitarist for the Hanover Saints. I wandered by and heard him playing Masquerade, and then realized who it was that was playing it. I caught his last 2 songs, and my greatest dissapointment on the day was in not being able to hear his entire set. Ah well. I chatted with him briefly after the set and bought 2 cds that I didn't even know existed. Yeehaw! 
Behold Another band I had never heard of. The guitarist on the far right is the guitarist/vocalist for Thee Letting Forth of Fire, itself a heavy band. But Behold...WOW! They brought it! Very very heavy sonically. A treat for the uninitiated! 
Thee Letting Forth of Fire I've seen them three times at TOM Fest, and I like them better each time I see them. This time they played one song. That lasted for 25 minutes. It was with irony that fans called out "one more song!" after they finished. 
Thee Letting Forth of Fire - Guitarist and Vocalist He looks suspiciously like YourOuterCritic. I'm onto your secret, YOC! 
Underneath the Gun I had heard the name, but for some reason thought they were a wuss-rock band. Was I ever surprised! The Gun definitely riled the crowd with their brand of crushing metal. And I love the Jesus Saves tee the bass player is wearing. 
MyChildren, MyBride If I was in front of the stage, maybe I could have got spat on too. I was actually dissapointed with this band. Based on their music that I've heard I was expecting great things. Maybe my expectations were too high, but they were mediocre on stage. Good, but not great. Of course it probably didn't help that I had already heard several great metal bands that day that were hard to top. 
MxPx - Mike The headliner for the day, there was huge anticipation from the crowds and the other bands there at TOM Fest for the one and only Magnified Plaid. Now, I will admit that my history with MaxPax is somewhat rocky, because for the first 5 years after I first heard them, I was definitely not a fan. It's only been within the last 5 years that I've begun to enjoy their music, and really only the last couple that I can honestly say I like their music. Call it music snobbery, but I've had a hard time getting past their formulaic pop-punk. Of course, what punk isn't formulaic... That said, I was super impressed with MxPx. Not only did they play with energy and 'conviction', but Mike is the real-deal frontman: totally at ease on stage, and knows how to play to the crowd. The band played tight and never got sloppy. Their show was a fitting highlight to a day filled with quality hard Christian music. So what did I miss the other two days? It pains me to have missed these: Joy Electric, Ohm's Law, Isopod, and a Tragedy Ann reuinion concert. I undoubtedly missed a bunch of other unknown-to-me bands as well. Ah well, maybe next year. | 
