Reviewed by
Maggot

I must be honest. I really didn't know any of the music from any of the bands. 16 Volt ruled the evening despite being the opening band. They ROCK!!! I am buying all their stuff when I get some money. For all you Washingtonites (Brad), go see the Cycon One Fest when they get to you. They left here this morning to go straight to Seattle.
I don't know where to begin but I'll try. Let's see... how about the non-musical stuff first? I think most of the vendors we had here were from this area. They had the coolest shit. Any kind of bondage/sado masachism gear that you could imagine. Whips, chains, gags, full body suits, corsets that will shrink your waist to 16"!!!! All the vendors were extremely nice and very informative. They also had a few vendors with jewelry and amulets. Potions and herbs (no, not _that_ kind, Ten!). Everything a witch could want. There were also catalog, video and magazine vendors. You could get a subscription to I.N. for $10 and get a free cd thrown in. I got the Chicago '88 show of Puppy for a mere $15.00. Ok, enough of that. Now that I have you drooling...
For some unknown reason, 16 Volt opened the show to a pretty decent size crowd for it being a Sunday (Easter Sunday for that matter!!!). The show started right on time at 9:00. I got to the front of the stage right before it began (thank god!). Kind of unbelievable but the guy that got me in (there was a guest list mix-up) was the lead singer for 16 Volt (Eric). What a nice guy. 16 Volt got on the bill late and hence, wasn't supposed to have a guest list. He argued with them briefly and they let me in, camera and all. Anyway, they started off with Dreams and went right into Breed. It was about this time that I noticed that their guitarist was a friend of mine. Krayge from the now defunct Virus 23. He was also in Chem Lab for a tour. He said this is his permenant home from now on because there are no ego's that anyone has to deal with. They play for the enjoyment of playing. That's the main difference. Anyway, the rest of the set was as lively and precise as the beginning. They went into Head of Stone and proceeded to play Skin, Perfectly Fake, Andigo, Swarm, Cloth Like Gauze, Cut Collector, Stitched and finally, Motorskill. Eric thanked the crowd continually after each song and even noticed the two guys standing next to me that knew every word to every song. Kinda nice that he gave them the high sign...
Their drummer, Steve Watkins, is also the song-writer and vocalist of Scar Tissue. I really enjoyed this band as well. Once again, I didn't hear any music by them till this concert. Phil Caldwell is the other half of Scar Tissue and let me tell you, this guy is quite inventive when it comes to playing a guitar. He used many objects as a pick including a vibrator and a toy ambulance with working lights and siren! Steve also has many devices, as he called them. :) These two, with an as yet unnamed keyboardist, played some great music which started off with an intro and went into Powerclone. The rest of the set progressed with Our Disease, Recline, Cascade, Stance, Choking on Fate, Membrane and ended with Asthmatic. If you don't know their sound, I would describe it as something dancey yet, not your run of the mill pop bullshit. Sorry if I offend but fuck you, I like it!!!
The next band to go on was Alien Faktor. These guys were quite different from the first two bands. Their music is along the same lines with maybe a smidge more guitar in some songs but the vocals are in-your-face attitude. I enjoyed the music immensely but the crowd turned to the bar and the clothing vendors. I think this was because of the harshness of A.F.'s vocals. They started with Zombie March and Somewhere In The Dark. Then went on to Ego Death, Carrier, Kill Me, Tradition of Violence, Afterbirth, Ants Sheep Drunks and Whores, and ended with Dysphoria. This isn't the kind of music I listen to normally. For some reason though, I couldn't help but like it. The music itself was GREAT! The lights they ran were the best of all the bands and the vocals... well... like I said, not my style but it worked very well for some reason. I _will_ go out and buy at least one of their cd's. Also, as a side note, their rough and tough tatooed-up-both-arms skinhead lookin' lead singer was one of the nicest people I talked to all night. Sorry to blow his cover but all that anger has to be an act...
Oneroid Psychosis had an attitude, and his brother and didn't want to talk to me so there will be no further discussion of them. :P I _did_ get pictures of all the bands except O.P. They came on last and were such meanies that I didn't even stick around to take any. Besides, I had to get up at 6:00 to go to work today. :0 The pictures will be sent to sinnie and she can do with them what she wishes. They should be done in a couple of hours. I'll let those interested know how they came out...