Jerry Cantrell and Filter Bring Grunge and Industrial Rock Back To Boston
Tuesday night brought me back to the House of Blues in Boston, across the street from the famous Fenway Park for what felt and looked like to be sold-out show. I was impressed with the amount of people rolling out to see Filter and Jerry Cantrell. Tuesday’s are a hard sell for people to attend a show. Make no mistake about it fans came out and showed out.
Filter if you are unfamiliar with they are an American rock band formed in 1993 in Cleveland, Ohio, by former Nine Inch Nails guitarist Richard Patrick and guitarist/programmer Brian Liesegang. The band's sound is described as industrial rock with alternative and post-grunge influences. Patrick known for his high note reaching voice brought us impressive hits like “Hey Man, Nice Shot”, “Picture”, “Welcome To The Fold”. My other favorite song by them is “(Can't You) Trip Like I Do” released in 1999. Filter gained mainstream recognition with their 1995 debut album, Short Bus, which featured the hit single "Hey Man, Nice Shot." The song is known for its dark, industrial tone, was mistakenly believed to reference Kurt Cobain’s death but was actually about politician Budd Dwyer’s televised suicide. A little tidbit that I never knew about prior to researching Filter for this article.
In 1997, Liesegang left the band due to creative differences, leaving Patrick as the primary driving force. The follow-up album, Title of Record (1999), included "Take a Picture," a softer, radio-friendly hit that expanded their audience. Filter has undergone multiple lineup changes over the years, with Patrick remaining the only constant member. Despite shifting musical trends, the band has continued releasing albums and touring, maintaining a dedicated fanbase within the alternative and industrial rock scenes which proved evident on this windy cold Tuesday night.
Filter played only 9 songs and the set went by rather quickly. I did want to hear more. Filter is a band that I have always wanted to see live. Only took 30 years. Rather ridiculous if you think about it. Finally, the moment had come. Musically they sounded spot on. I was really impressed with all the non-original members. The audio quality by the production team had all the levels balanced out and were spot on. The lighting on the other hand was less to be desired. The stage was dark. Most of the night you couldn’t even see Patrick’s face. This made obtaining photographs for this review very difficult. I knew coming into this show that lighting was going to be dark. In a way it does fit the bands tone so we understood that.
Despite the years, Patrick’s energy was relentless. He carried himself well and made most of his audio queues. There were times where his pitch was off. That is expected for how many years he has put into his craft. It wasn’t horrible. Do not get me wrong. It all mashed together really well and I was overall pleased with the performance. Patrick has me singing all night long. The takeaway here is his longevity in music shows how dedicated he is to bringing his fans a quality show. That’s exactly what we experienced. Patrick in my eyes delivered. His vocals fluctuated between anguished screams and smooth melodies. Jonathan Radtke shredded through tracks like “Trip Like I Do” and “Jurassitol.” The setlist was a well-balanced mix of old and new, and I was left satisfied especially getting to hear all my favorite songs from Filter. Closing out the night with “Hey Man, Nice Shot”, Patrick left the House of Blues singing every word. The show was a testament to the band's staying power, proving that their blend of industrial rock and alternative grit is still alive and well with fans today. If this performance was any indication, Filter remains as vital and relevant as ever.
Following up after Filter was the man of the hour. Jerry Cantrell and his band. We have previously attended two other concerts of his in the past. Our last being the summer when he was on tour with Bush. He absolutely crushed that show. We expected more of the same tonight! Do you not know who Cantrell is? Have you been living under a rock? He is best known as the lead guitarist, co-lead vocalist, and primary songwriter of Alice in Chains, one of the most influential bands to emerge from the Seattle grunge scene of the early 1990s. His signature dark, sludgy riffs, haunting vocal harmonies, and emotionally raw songwriting have inspired countless musicians in rock and metal. Whether as a guitarist, vocalist, or songwriter, Cantrell remains one of the most respected figures in the industry, continuing to create music that resonates across generations.
The crowd went nuts when Cantrell emerged out of the darkness of the side stage. Filter had received a very warm welcome however, Cantrell demanded the roar of the whole venue. Immediately Cantrell reminded fans why he remains one of the most influential musicians in alternative and heavy rock. Cantrell had the crowd in the palm of his hand from the first strike of his 6 string opening with “Psychotic Break”. Following up quickly with an Alice In Chains song “Them Bones”. The crowd couldn’t have been more engaged at that point. Cantrell ended up playing 5 Alice In Chain’s songs. They were masterpieces. I would expect nothing less at this stage of his playing career. Perfection. That’s what he delivered. Everyone in the beautiful House of Blues got their money’s worth. The man is a legend. If there is anyone that can sound exactly like their records it is Cantrell. No doubt about it. If I closed my eyes I would have thought I was in my bedroom laying on my bed listening to one of his albums. Highlights included a thunderous rendition of “Cut You In” from Boggy Depot, where the live band’s spot-on chemistry broke through. But it was the Alice in Chains tracks that truly electrified the room—“Them Bones” and “Would?” sent waves of energy through the audience, with fans passionately singing along to every word. After the encore Cantrell closed out with “Rooster”. Of course that gets everyone going. The crowd was loud and thunderous. That must of made Cantrell feel great.
Cantrell’s vocals were in fine form, and his guitar playing was as sharp and emotive as ever, effortlessly blending sludgy, downtuned riffs with bluesy, intricate solos. His band, featuring an exceptional rhythm section and strong backing vocals, ensured that even the harmonies—a signature element of Alice in Chains’ sound—were faithfully recreated.
Behind the band was a massive backdrop promoting Cantrell’s new album I Want Blood. It was a pretty cool backdrop which you can see in one of my photographs. The red lighting was fitting given the mood and ambience that the front of house and the band were trying to convey. Again, not particularly good for photographers but I did what I could do to bring you the vibe of the performance.
For longtime fans, the night was a powerful reminder of why Jerry Cantrell is one of rock’s most revered figures. His ability to balance heavy, gut-wrenching emotion with soaring melodies remains unparalleled. If his Boston performance is any indication, Cantrell’s live shows are an absolute must-see for anyone who appreciates raw, honest rock music. We are telling you right now that you need to see this living legend live. We highly recommend you…BUY.THE.TICKET.
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