2/19/13

Show Review: Eye Empire @ The Machine Shop Flint, MI. 02/16/2013


One of the hardest working bands on the metal circuit these days, Eye Empire returned to The Machine Shop in Flint, MI. for another raucous, fist pumping, ears popping, jaws dropping night last Saturday with opening acts 3 Years Hollow and Westfall. Flint has seen more than it's fair share of hard times so the people here are always ready to release some pressure and Eye Empire knows this and brings their A-game to the front and center when they play here. Still riding high on the wave of success with their double disc release "Impact", they once again brought their mantra of "Love. Respect. Support" to the stage of the famous Machine Shop, almost a home away from home for them. With songs from their critically acclaimed album climbing the rock radio charts, and support from radio and music industry veterans around the world, they showed no signs of slowing down this night. Plunging in to their set list with the fine tuned fury and aggressive sound that defines them, they led the crowd through anthem after anthem, much of the crowd familiar with their music. Front-man D.C. (Donald Carpenter) commands the crowd with his steely gaze and powerful vocals, while guitarist B.C. Kochmit and bassist Corey Lowery stomp the shit out of the stage bending strings and warping minds with their sound, as drummer Ryan Bennett spins his sticks and crushes his drums in a tornado of percussion behind them. Not a band content to play a set and retire to the bus they actively engage the crowd after the show, hi-fiving, signing autographs, taking pics, talking life and love and making new friends wherever they go. Join the Empire on one of their remaining dates and feel the Love. The Respect. The Support.

I had time to hang out with D.C. before the show and catch up with their progress to date, captured here in this audio file. https://www.dropbox.com/s/e1kjwyvjk30e6jg/dceyeempireinterview.mp3



Tour dates:
02/20    Mojoes    Joliet, IL        
02/22    Regent Street Retreat    Madison, WI       
02/23    Fillmor    Wausau, WI        
02/24    RIBCO    Rock Island, IL        
02/26    Wicked Moose    Rochester, MN        
02/27    Legacy Ballroom    Fargo, ND        
02/28    Original bar    Minot, ND        
03/01    O.N.E.    Bismarck, ND        
03/02    Phoenix Lounge    Harrisburg, SD        
03/04    Monk's Bar    Missoula, MT       
03/06    The Center    Spokane, WA        
03/07    The Knitting Factory    Boise, ID       
03/12    Voodoo    Shreveport, LA        
03/13    Ironhorse    Birmingham, AL        
03/14    Capone's    Johnson City, TN        
03/15    Crossroads Cafe    Huntsville, AL       
03/22    BFE    Houston, TX        
03/29    Plaza Bowl    Ripon, WI        
03/30    Back Bar    Janesville, WI        
04/14    Chameleon    Oklahoma City, OK        
04/19    BADA BREW    Crest Hill, IL        
04/20    Bobby McGee's    Chicago Ridge, IL        
05/07    The Rapids Theatre    Niagara Falls, NY       
05/09    The Cotillion    Wichita, KS       
05/11    ROCKFEST    Kansas City, MO        
05/14    Shrine Mosque    Springfield, MO       
05/15    Pershing Auditorium    Lincoln, NE       
05/16    Orpheum Theater    Madison, WI       
05/25    BLAZEFEST    Niceville, FL 

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