Going to a show these days can be a daunting thing. Do you wear a mask? Do try to stand six feet away from others? Can you hug? Are there handwashing stations other than the typical “not-so-clean” bar/venue bathroom? Are they accepting cash? Will there be anyone implementing mask or social distancing rules? Will I need to show my proof of vaccine card?
We were lucky enough to be present for one of the first shows in the aftermath of the zombie apocalypse, a week before Orange County opened up into the Yellow Tier. All the worries we had before the show subsided. Last Saturday at Gallagher’s Pub in Huntington Beach, we watched everyone’s favorite up and coming band of young men, Slaves to Humanity.
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If you haven’t already checked out Slaves to Humanity, you need to do so after you read this article! You would never guess that some of the members are still in high school for at least another year and the others are not too far past graduation. We’ve seen Slaves to Humanity play before and one phrase always comes to mind, “They ROCK!”
They started to show off right with their song, “Getting Dark”, then into some old favorites, some covers and some new stuff (or new to some of us). It was a great time to see these young men on stage enjoying the privilege they had to bring us live music once again from an actual concert venue. Gone are the days of watching bands from your couch in pajamas thinking, “What I wouldn’t give to be there!”
The stage was perched in the corner of the room, not that far off the ground. Everyone tried to keep their distance but once the music started there was no holding back. Front man, Aidan Amini kept the crowd engaged with short between-song conversation. There was even a mosh pit at one point.
Being an all-ages show, the crowd varied in age from high schoolers to band parents and family members to local regulars just wanting to check out the show. No matter the age, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and the music.
Three-quarters of the way through, Aidan introduced drummer Shane Ryan who then went into a few minute drum solo that blew our collective minds. He’s amazing. Think Chad Smith from Red Hot Chili Peppers mixed with Neil Pert from Rush and a sprinkle of Travis Barker (if you don’t him, look him up). It’s rare you get to see a drum solo these days. Bands usually showcase guitar solos (which Slaves to Humanity also does because their guitarist RIPS, he can channel Eddie VanHalen through his fingertips like he was taught by the master, himself!) but having a drum solo was different and great to experience. Drummers get stuck in the back and don’t get to parade around the stage like the rest of the band throughout the show so they can be easily overlooked. Not in this band. They all make sure everyone is a “front-man” at some point.
Slaves to Humanity closed with, “Behind My Back”. With almost 300,000 hits on Spotify alone, it’s clear its a fan favorite (and one of ours, too!) so this was a great choice. The song is catchy and it’s near impossible to sing the chorus without smiling (as Aidan does).
They are working on an album with incomparable producers Ryan Shuck and Amir Derakh… you may recognize their names from a little band known as Orgy. Both have been in successful bands since and really know their way around a music studio so Slaves to Humanity has really fallen into the right hands with their first album!
We had such a great time and can’t wait to catch their next show because we see big things ahead for them. You really need to check out this band and see them while tickets are still available to any of their shows because they will soon be selling out stadiums and world-wide tours!
The band is simply electrifying live. The band features Aidan Amini (vocals), Pierce Akers (lead guitar), Nathan Johnson (bass), Max Hickman (rhythm guitar), and Shane Ryan (drums). They’re definitely worth the price of admission. Look for big things from Slaves to Humanity!
