Hinder – Rapids Theatre, Niagara Falls, NY – 02/23/2013

Review/photos – Thomas S. Orwat Jr.

Niagara Falls, NY – The Oklahoma City, multi-platinum selling band, Hinder played a high energy and entertaining 90 minute set to a decent sized, “party ready” audience at the historically haunted Rapids Theatre.  This was the bands second date of the second leg of their “Welcome to the Freakshow” tour. Band members, Austin Winkler (vocals), Joe Garvey (lead guitar), Mark King (rhythm guitar), Mike Rodden (bass) and Cody Hanson (drums) were in great spirits with smiles on faces and bouncing all over the stage. The main focus; however, was on Winkler, who has developed into one of the best front men in rock music.  And while some may dismiss Hinder of being nothing more than a junior varsity version of Buckcherry, an accusation that Winkler doesn’t really help deviate from with his new blonde shaggy hair and Josh Todd mannerisms, Hinder’s longevity and streak of radio ready hits proves otherwise.

Hinder hit the stage at approximately 9:30pm and kicked into the raucous “Up All Night.”  The intensity didn’t let up until midway way through when drummer Hanson grabbed an acoustic guitar and joined Winkler on bar stools center stage, as the two them performed stripped down and intimate versions of “Get Me Away From You,” and “Thing For You.”  Before the latter, Winkler yelled “This is one of my favorite songs,” to the delight of the crowd.  The three other members of the band returned to the stage, and kicked the party up a few notches with “Use Me.”

Soon after, the band played the next single “Talk to Me.”  This song has a great hook and chorus and should help the band get some significant airplay in the next few months. The crowd got worked up into frenzy for the smashing “All American Nightmare.” Soon after, Hinder played the biggest hit of their career, “Lips of an Angel.”  Winkler did a great job of delivering this classic, hitting every note. Mid-way through the song, he encouraged the crowd to sing a long, as they more than obliged, singing every word back to him.  Afterwards, Hinder left the stage for a few moments, and returned with a two song encore that ended with the party anthem, “Get Stoned.”

Overall, this was a great Saturday night out for any fan of rock music. And with many of the classic rock bands getting close to the end of their touring careers, it is bands such as Hinder and Buckcherry that will keep the spirit of Rock alive for many years to come.

Setlist
Up All Night
See You In Hell
Take It To The Limit
Whatcha Gonna Do
Ladies Come First
Better Than Me
2 Sides Of Me
Get Me Away From You
Thing For You
Use Me
Shoulda Known Better
Talk To Me
All American Nightmare
Lips Of An Angel
Save Me

How Long
Get Stoned

Special thanks to Kim Estlund and Kymm Britton for providing RMS with press credentials.