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Live at The Belasco

July 11, 2024 Review by Christina Sanchez

There really aren’t enough good things I can say about the show with Hot Water Music, Quicksand, and Tim Barry.

They all rocked the Belasco in Los Angeles, and I was thrilled that I was able to experience it with a legion of their fans.

The tour made a stop at The Belasco, which is an absolute treasure. The venue itself is mesmerizing. It was a performance arts theater when it opened in 1926 and later became a church. You can see concerts in the main room – aka The Chapel – or wet your whistle in The Confessional.

They even have a confessional photo booth for you to commemorate your night out. It’s a really intimate venue with a capacity of 1,500 people; an ideal spot to get up and close and personal with your favorite bands. The toper is that they have the nicest staff I have encountered in all my years of covering concerts.

This show in particular was absolutely poetic for me. The reason being is that Hot Water Music is the very first band I interviewed over a decade ago. Additionally, Quicksand was the very first band I photographed all those years ago at the House of Blues in San Diego. Tim Barry was a real bonus to an already stellar lineup. The incredible amount of passion that every singer of every one of these bands sings with is truly a sight to see, hear and experience. They all have power house vocals that cut you right to the core which was about to be on full display.

Finally the wait was over, the lights dimmed and Tim Barry walked onto the stage, everyone was eager to see what he was all about. He started off quite simple with an acoustic guitar, but then his passion and intensity was on full display. A few songs really hit a chord with the crowd, “Running Never Tamed Me,” and “Waking Up to Dreaming Again” hit all the right buttons.

Barry spoke about his life’s journey and the lessons he’s learned along the way. With a wink and a smile he advised us all not to spend one more single day with anyone that sucks, which got quite the laugh out of the crowd. His tone was direct and sincere, and it felt like he was speaking directly to each and every one of us in the crowd.

Right before he finished, he walked off the stage and played his last song, “Grace” from inside the crowd. He had fans, some he just made and they were singing along and dancing. As he exited, he told the crowd it was definitely a great night and thanks them for coming out early. The only downside to his set was the fact that he was an opener, so it was a short set. He impressed everyone in the house, I don’t think anyone would have objected to having him sing a few more songs.

Next up was one of the coolest old school post hardcore bands on the planet. Quicksand is from New York City and they always bring it. Their heavy riffs remind me of the unique sounds of Helmet and Fugazi. Bassist Sergio Vega has also been in other notable band such as Deftones and this band definitely got the crowd going.

They opened with “Omission,” and immediately segued into “Mission,” and “Brown Gargantuan.” The crowd ate it up, and immediately sang along to the hit parade. Without hesitation they leaned into “Unfulfilled,” “Head to Wall,” then “Inversion.”

The crowd was engulfed in the bedlam that was Quicksand and leaned into other favorites, “Colossus,” “Phase 90,” “Lie and Wait,” and before you knew it – their 13 song set was at its end with “Landmine Spring.”

It didn’t take long for the stage to be ready for the headliner, it was time for Hot Water Music!

Lead singer Chuck Ragan bolted out and with his booming and raspy voice, he led the crowd into “Remedy,” and eased into “Menace.”

The crowd went nuts as the band electrified everyone with their signature sound.

“A Flight and a Crash,’ “Mainline,” also got a huge response from the capacity crowd. It was “Drag My Body,” that was my personal favorite.

Shortly thereafter, they were joined on stage by Quicksand’s Walter S as they were popping out “Free Radio Gainesville,” then the closer was “Trust Chords,” which included vocals by Tim Barry.

For me and the sold out house, it was an absolutely stellar show from start to finish. The tour continues, and if you have a chance, I highly recommend coming out for this one!

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