| The 69 Eyes-Philadelphia, PA July 10, 2007 Written by Lynn |
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| The 69 Eyes, also more affectionately known as the Helsinki vampires, were back in town, and with a new CD to boot, Angels their ninth studio release and their first since 2004's Devils, and let me just say... The 69 Eyes are out for the kill. We've seen these boys stateside now for the past few months as they have been touring in support of the new album, and they've received an excellent response, as they usually do. Prior to this however, while there have been a number of small tours between the release of Devils and the release of Angels, we never saw The 69 Eyes here in the US until some time after EMI/Virgin became the band's label in Finland, and Caroline Records (notable label of greats such as The Misfits and the Smashing Pumpkins) here in the states, and then also due in part to Bam Margera and his Viva La Bands, tour, who helped get the word out that The Eyes had officially made it stateside. The band had until then been traveling all over the rest of the world spreading their brand of darkly romantic rock with tours in Europe and as far away as Japan. This time on their "Angels love Devils US Tour 2007," however, the Eyes took command with a rocking, headlining show, proving yet again that these seasoned veterans of the goth rock scene really know how to put on a show for their fans, whether they are in New York or Tokyo. Supported by the bands Night Kills the Day, Fair to Midland, and the great Wednesday 13 and co., The 69 Eyes delivered a great night of glam/goth rock and solid tunes to the pleasure of their devout, eyeliner-wearing following in major cities from Los Angeles all the way to Boston. Yes, Philadelphia's creatures of the night were dressed to the nines and out in style showing their appreciation for lead singer Jyrki 69 as he led the band through an impressive set list of new songs and well-loved hits, seemingly intent on seducing his audience and pulling them in for that killing bite. Abley-backed by guitarists Timo and Bazie, bassist Archzie and infamous Jussi 69 on drums, Jyrki and The 69 Eyes took the stage at the Fillmore at the TLA to a rousing response, opening with Framed in Blood from their 2000 release Blessed Be, and Never Say Die, off the new CD. These were followed by the title track off Angels, one of the favorites, Feel Berlin, and a the rest of their good-length set including The Chair, Rocker, Gothic Girl (in which Jyrki took a few moments to make all the Gothic girls in the audience scream as he introduced the song), Wings & Hearts, Frankenhooker, Sister of Charity, crowd favorite Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams, Brandon Lee, Dance D'amour, and finally, maybe the favorite 69 Eyes song of all, Lost Boys. The encores were Perfect Skin, the first single off Angels, and then the title track off Devils to finally close. |
After the show, The 69 Eyes hosted a meet and greet for fans, and
had quite a good turnout for that as they signed CDs and other
memorabilia, and took
pictures with the fans as well. Though I did not have a chance to
meet any of them myself, from what I could see they all seemed
like a very personable,
accommodating bunch of guys who were more than happy to be
there to meet their fans after having put their all into a great show.
Definitely a band that made me
feel as though they were worth the time and money spent on them,
in fan recognition received, between the interaction with the
audience during the show and
their pleasant willingness to meet and greet; today that can really be
an important thing to any band that's moving up the US tour ladder
and looking to
attract new fans in what is a largely-untapped audience for them
considering that a lot of Eyes fans are new fans, never having
known much about them until
publicity began in the US in 2006.
Currently The 69 Eyes have returned to Europe and are in the midst
of headlining the continuation of their Angels love Devils tour with
some select dates in
Sweden, Finland, Germany and other stops along the way.
Currently there are sporadic dates slated through the end of the
year in Europe, but with the positive
response and fanatical following in the US, I'm sure we'll be seeing
those Helsinki vampires again, here in
the US, before long. Visit Their website, their myspace and their
trig spot!
had quite a good turnout for that as they signed CDs and other
memorabilia, and took
pictures with the fans as well. Though I did not have a chance to
meet any of them myself, from what I could see they all seemed
like a very personable,
accommodating bunch of guys who were more than happy to be
there to meet their fans after having put their all into a great show.
Definitely a band that made me
feel as though they were worth the time and money spent on them,
in fan recognition received, between the interaction with the
audience during the show and
their pleasant willingness to meet and greet; today that can really be
an important thing to any band that's moving up the US tour ladder
and looking to
attract new fans in what is a largely-untapped audience for them
considering that a lot of Eyes fans are new fans, never having
known much about them until
publicity began in the US in 2006.
Currently The 69 Eyes have returned to Europe and are in the midst
of headlining the continuation of their Angels love Devils tour with
some select dates in
Sweden, Finland, Germany and other stops along the way.
Currently there are sporadic dates slated through the end of the
year in Europe, but with the positive
response and fanatical following in the US, I'm sure we'll be seeing
those Helsinki vampires again, here in
the US, before long. Visit Their website, their myspace and their
trig spot!
BAND: The 69
Eyes
VENUE: The
Fillmore at the
TLA
CITY:
Philadelphia, PA
DATE:
Tuesday, July
10, 2007
Eyes
VENUE: The
Fillmore at the
TLA
CITY:
Philadelphia, PA
DATE:
Tuesday, July
10, 2007
| X4 |