El Paso, Texas is a funny city when it comes to live music, both local and national acts. You could play to a
sold-out venue or you could play to a dozen people. At times, it’s hard to call it, but when I got word that
PIERCE THE VEIL was coming to TRICKY FALLS on April 24th, I knew we had a real firecracker of a show
coming down the pike. You see, El Paso loves this type of music—and I’d know, as I have shot many of these
caliber of national acts. Bands like BRING ME THE HORIZON, A DAY TO REMEMBER and SLEEPING WITH
SIRENS, fall right into the same category as Pierce the Veil. They are young, talented men who play this type
of post hard core metal that just drives these kids insane. It’s like there is blood in the water—and I saw it
firsthand that evening.
When I got to the venue, I learned that the kids had been sitting at the front door since 9:00 a.m., and by
the time the doors opened, the line wrapped around the building twice…oh yeah, it’s a sell-out, no doubt!
Pierce the Veil was begun in 2006 by two brothers—with VIC FUENTES serving up vocals some of the guitar
work, and brother MIKE FUENTES working it out on the drums, both hailing from San Diego, California. To
their credit, there are 4 albums in 9 years, receiving nominations 23 times for various awards—and
garnering 11 wins…not too shabby! I did have a brief moment with the band backstage, and as I spoke with
Vic, there was a group of girls screaming as if they were at a Beatles’ concert in the early 60's…the emotions
ran that high!
The boys hit the stage just after 10:00 p.m., and at that point, sheer madness ensued. It reminded me of
the shows back in the 70's--the pushing and shoving, to where girls were passing out and having to be
pulled over the barricade to be cared for by the staff in the backstage area. Security definitely had their
hands full, trying to maintain this small but unruly crowd. There were no-holds-barred just to get another
few inches to the stage. I went up to the balcony to shoot, but couldn’t help but be distracted by the scene
on the floor…it looked as if I were watching waves hitting the beach, as the crowd seemed to possess a
unified life force of its own.
Despite their age, these guys are seasoned veterans at putting on a killer show. I’m not really a fan, but I
can appreciate the stellar performance I witnessed. Songs like “King for a Day”, “Just the Way You Are”, and
the crowd favorite, “Texas is Forever”, delivered everything to these fans that they wanted…and more!
If the “We Will Detonate” Tour 2017 blesses your city with another sold-out show, it promises total bedlam-
-along with insane crowd-surfing metal music that will curl your toes. And for the ladies, there is Vic Fuentes
as “eye candy—definitely something for everyone.