Crowbar serves up Flotsam and Jetsam and Tasty Metal Side Dishes!

TAMPA BREAKWAY FESTIVAL – April 26th-27th

TAMPA BREAKWAY FESTIVAL – April 26th-27th
Flotsam and Jetsam

By Brent Michael, Rock At Night Tampa Correspondent

Venue: Crowbar, Tampa, Florida–May 16, 2018

Featuring: Flotsam and JetsamThe Prosecution, RiptornHate Tank, and Burial at Sea

Flotsam and Jetsam

 

Flotsam and Jetsam

It’s interesting that the first thing I read about this band had to do with the lineup changes over its lifetime. Okay, going through 37 members and having only one – “A.K.” (Eric A. Knutson) who has been consistently with the band seems like a lot, but it works out to one per year. The band is also famous for its members’ stints with other bands, including Metallica, Prong, Shadows Fall, F5, Alice Cooper, Fifth Angel, House of Lords, TKO, Chastain, Impellitteri, and others.

Flotsam and Jetsam

Current lineup is Eric “A.K.” Knutson — vocals, Michael Gilbert — guitars, Michael Spencer — bass, Steve Conley — guitars, and Ken Mary — drums. All are consummate pros, and it shows!

Not that any of the bands preceding them are slouches, but Flotsam and Jetsam ended the night by showing the newer bands how to be metal! They had it all down, the tight musicianship, the synergy and visual stage presence, everything you could ask for in a metal band, including great songs! Their set included old favorites and newer material: Incantation, Monkey Wrench, Hammerhead, Me, Dreams of Death, Life is a Mess, Desecrator, Hard on You, She Took an Axe, Der Fuhrer, I Live You Die, Iron Maiden, No Place for Disgrace, and closing with Doomsday for the Deceiver! And the fans were with them the whole way, heads banging right along.

And speaking of bands preceding them, Burial at Sea kicked off the night with a powerhouse set, followed by Hate Tank, which gets the Ted Nugent prize for the songs “Obamaphone” and “Drink Beer, Smoke Pot, and Act Like an Asshole.” I guess they saw how successful his career has been since he got political and decided to emulate him! Riptorn gets the prize for most dedicated fans of an opening band, and The Prosecution, really warmed up the crowd just before  Flotsam and Jetsam took over. Check them all out!

 

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Brent Michael

Forest Live Festival – UK

Forest Live Festival – UK