Mobile Deathcamp (3/18/14)

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Interview with Todd Evans
March 18, 2014 - Lost Horizon -Syracuse, NY
With Special Guests: AFR, Wrapped In Noir, and Ruination

Mobile Deathcamp	AFR	Wrapped In Noir	Ruination	Lost Horizon	Upstate Shows	Leave A Comment

Most metalheads will know Todd Evans, guitarist and singer of Toledo, Ohio's premier Speed Metal band: Mobile Deathcamp from his years as GWAR's Beefcake The Mighty.
After a six-year stint with the Scumdogs of The Universe, Evans formed Mobile Deathcamp in 2008. The three piece band includes Boe Skadeland on bass, and Chad Smith (not the one from Red Hot Chili Peppers) on drums.
The first time I saw Mobile Deathcamp was in 2011, at the Westcott Theater, when they opened for Todd's former band mates, GWAR. They performed a tight, heavy show then, and I was not disappointed.
Fast forward three years, and Mobile Deathcamp headlining their own Winter Wanderland tour, and making a stop at the legendary Lost Horizon in my hometown of Syracuse.
Before the show, Chris Besaw and I sat down with Todd Evans for a one-on-one chat. When we walked into the back room of the Lost Horizon, Todd was busy gluing two sets of different colored plastic soldiers to the wall in a sideways battle scene. When he finished with one side, we got down to business and started the interview. Todd was easy to talk to and incredibly friendly. We laughed a lot during the interview. He even made fun of Chris, who brought Mobile Deathcamp, and promoted the show at Mac's Bad Art Bar last year.

Todd talked about donating a piece of art to the bar: a Sasquatch head made of hair. I have to make a point to see it next time I am at Mac's. We talked for eighteen minutes and discussed fun tour stories, upcoming releases, and plans for the band's future.

Afterward, we hit the bar for a drink, and I slipped outside for a smoke, then came back to check out openers AFR.
AFR was formed in Rochester NY in the spring of 2012 by front man: Alan, and guitarist: Ledwing. They rounded out the band with guitarist: Zack, bassist: Todd, and drummer: Brandon. In Summer 2013, AFR released their first EP entitled “A Hero to Villains” which has gained them acknowledgement locally and continues to grow nationally and internationally. AFR has been involved with national and international website and radio interviews. AFR's unique, hard-driving sound comes each of the member's diverse influences which range from Black Sabbath to Lamb of God. Someone once said, "If Lamb of God and Pantera had a baby, it would be named AFR." AFR cranked out a really tight set that showed the crowd in Syracuse why the band gets so much respect in Rochester.
Up next was Syracuse's Wrapped In Noir, comprised of Heath Mccarthy on vocals, Danny Maloney on drums, Ian Skunkle Brinson on Guitar, and L.A. Moore on Bass, who describe themselves thusly: "Hardcore influenced heavy rock with a nod towards the unknown. A sense of melody that's confusing at first listen but continues to grow on you. The very few and subtle layers really pronounce the unconventional vocals that play with the music underneath. For the open minded and no one else. Somewhere among the decaying dreams of the teenagers we were, is the truth of this life. These songs are not written to pray on the emotions of the teen, the pre-teen or the high school prom queen. This is rock and roll at a more mature level. Songs that reflect the emotions of men; who have seen the birth of children, the death of friends, war and destruction. Men who have had their hearts torn apart, their bodies ravaged, and their lives turned upside down. This isn’t about (pop) puppy love, and bullying, it’s about survival. It’s about finding a way to get up every morning and face an uncertain day. This is not to dissuade our younger audience, who can still relate to the music, it’s to keep that older audience, the ones looking for true songs, and real music. The songs we write are non-formatted and raw, using inspirations far and wide from the music that has been our saving grace since childhood. It’s not about the clothes we wear, the style of our hair, or the (pop) social movement of the day." Wrapped In Noir tore up the stage and, as promised, were interesting, and out of the ordinary. They are definitely a band I would see again.
And up next, in the direct support slot, was Binghamton, NY's Ruination. This was not their first time opening up for Mobile Deathcamp. They opened for them at the GWAR show in 2011. LOREN (Vocals), DARREK (Guitars+Vocals), JR (Drums), JAY MAC (Guitars+Vocals) and JOSH (Bass) bring some experience with them. Originally formed in 2003, the band has gone through various line-up changes, with DARREK being the only remaining founding member, the band has put in the time required to be great at what they do. Fueled by hatred for all things this 5 piece band lives by the riff and the rhythm section and does not rely on flashy technique or overplayed parts... they simply lay the groove down... thick heavy grooves with the bite of a fuel injected pit bull. Their set was tight, heavy, and thunderous! If you have not seen them, do so!

Finally it was time for Mobile Deathcamp to take the stage. Todd Evans & company exploded on the stage with the power of an atomic blast! Todd's face-melting guitar riffs screamed while Boe & Chad held down the rhythm. It may have been chilly ouitside, but it was blazing hot inside the Lost Horizon! There was plenty of moshing and the pit was vicious! Unlike many bands that take themselves far too seriously, Todd was funny and personable between songs, cracking jokes and getting the crowd laughing.
During the song "Negative Minds", which is included in the interview video, Todd gave a shout-out to TomAroundTheWorld. It was really cool!
After the show, we chatted with the bands for a while, thanked them again for their time and the great show, and made our way home.
Check out Mobile Deathcamp's website for more info, videos, and to order CD's or download their albums: http://www.mobiledeathcamp.net
Tell them TomAroundTheWorld sent ya!