The Alternative Star.com

 Rock on the Range 2009

“Let’s give it up for Nickelback!” laughs Shane Told as Theory of a Deadman close down their set and his band get ready to play themselves. After enduring a day of mostly Canadian radio rock acts, the main attraction for punk/alternative fans (therfore this site) finally came out in full swing starting with this quintet from Burlington, Ontario. The band just recently released A Shipwreck in the Sand back in March but due to a festival setting, they kicked things off with Vices and played as broad of a set they could in the short time a festival time slot can allow. My Heroine, Smile in Your Sleep and I Am the Arsonist are just a sampling of their fast paced set. This is my third time seeing these guys and despite the rainy, cold, windy weather they gave it their all and played a great show.

Right after, on other stage which eliminates any waiting time, punk legends Rancid were up and they were my most anticipated act of the night. The only downside to their performance was that they didn’t get enough time to really play. By the time they had to quit, it was like they just started. I mean, Rancid has been a band for about as long as I’ve been alive and they have an impressive discography that just screams more set time so hopefully they come back to headline. Their set mostly just highlighted their biggest hits and they played the most tracks off of the classic ...And Out Come the Wolves. “Time Bomb,” “The Way I Feel,” “Roots Radicals” and “Ruby Soho” are some examples along with some even older tunes like “Radio,” “Tenderloin,” and “Salvation.” They only played one song off of my favourite Rancid record Life Won’t Wait and that was “Bloodclot.” The guys also just released a brand new record earlier this month titled Let the Dominoes Fall and they played the single “Last One to Die” and the opening track “East Bay Night.” Overall, Lars, Tim, Brendan and Matt looked great on the stage and proved age is just a number.

Rise Against were just in the city last December and they came on after Canadian metal act Anvil. Their set was good but nothing too special. After Rancid, their set was a bit of a downer to be perfectly honest. Even Tim McIllrath acknowledged what a big impact Rancid has had on that band but either way. The guys mostly stuck to their newer stuff, I’m familiar with Revolutions Per Minute but didn’t recognize anything off there. I did however recognize their hits “Give It All” and “Ready to Fall.” They were also one of the more energetic acts, vocalist Tim McIllrath moved practically all over the main stage, including the far sides.

Billy Talent picked it right back up again though. Amazing live band and they knew how to get the crowd going, hearing everyone in the Canad Inns Stadium sing a line from “Try Honesty” audibly was truly something to experience. While these guys aren’t that young, they only have two full lengths under their belts, with a new one coming out in July. One of my favourite songs from their debut “Line and Sinker” was played a long with “This Is How It Goes.” They did an encore with “Fallen Leaves” and “Red Flag” plus earlier on, they played a brand new song called “Devil on My Shoulder.” A stellar way to end the dreary night, Rock on the Range did not disappoint at all.

Final Verdict? 4/5

Reviewed by: Deborah Remus

Check out an interview with Shane and Paul from Silverstein here!