It was one of those nights where live music fans had way too many choices.
There were major concerts happening all over the Midwest, but when Matthew Fritsch reached out and asked if I’d make the trip to Columbus to shoot his show at the King of Clubs, I didn’t hesitate. I’d already made one trip to the venue earlier this year to photograph Twist It, and I left that night wondering if I loved the venue because of the room…or because Twist It absolutely blew the doors off the place.
Turns out, it was both.
Here’s the funny part…
Somewhere during our conversation, I completely missed the fact that this wasn’t actually a Life After This show. I loaded up my gear expecting to photograph the band’s original music, only to discover after arriving that it was an entire night dedicated to rock tribute acts.
And, well…
I was pleasantly surprised.
Tribute bands have exploded in popularity over the last several years, but I’d never really spent an evening covering an entire lineup dedicated to celebrating legendary rock bands. If anyone was going to convince me that tribute nights deserved the attention they’ve been getting, I figured it was probably going to be these guys.
The King of Clubs sits about two hours north of me, so I left around 4:00 p.m. to give myself enough time to hang out with the band before the show. It was one of those perfect summer drives, mid-80s, overcast skies keeping the heat in check, and almost no traffic. I wish every road trip to a concert was that easy.
I pulled into the parking lot just as Matthew arrived. The rest of the band was already unloading gear, so instead of standing around pretending to look important with a camera around my neck, I jumped in and helped load equipment.
That’s one of the things I like about nights like these.
People see the lights, the music, and the crowd, but they don’t always see the hours of work that happen before anyone walks through the front doors. Cases get rolled in, cables get run, drums get assembled, guitars get tuned, and somewhere in the middle of all that chaos, everyone is somehow still laughing.
After checking in with the venue staff and grabbing my media pass, I took some time to get my camera gear ready and scout a few angles. I remembered the balcony. It’s one of my favorite places to shoot because it gives you a completely different perspective than standing in the pit all night.
Once the stage was set, the guys disappeared backstage to get ready while I wandered around talking with the venue staff and the band’s crew.
Then the lights went down.
The massive LED wall behind the stage lit up with the Legends Rise logo, complete with a subtle nod to Godsmack, and within seconds the room went from quiet anticipation to organized chaos.
And I mean that in the best possible way.
Legends Rise never tries to convince you they’re Godsmack.
They’re not wearing costumes.
They’re not trying to imitate Sully Erna’s every move.
They’re simply four incredible musicians paying respect to a band they clearly admire.
Ironically, that makes the performance feel even more authentic.
Matthew Fritsch attacks the stage with enough energy to make you tired just watching him. Whether he’s climbing onto the risers, working every corner of the stage, or leaning into the crowd, he never lets the momentum drop for even a second.
Guitarist Thomas Cheek is just as entertaining to watch. His playing is locked in, but it’s his animated stage presence that keeps pulling your eyes across the stage.
Meanwhile, bassist Ray Vitatoe and drummer Matt Johnson build the kind of rhythm section that you don’t just hear, you feel it. Every kick drum hits you square in the chest while Ray’s bass locks everything together with that thick, driving groove Godsmack fans expect.
Of course, that’s probably what happens when you’ve spent years playing together as Life After This. Chemistry like that can’t be faked.
The evening itself was basically a celebration of hard rock.
Legends Rise opened with a tribute to Godsmack before handing things over to Sanitarium, paying tribute to Metallica, followed by Last Train to Ozz, honoring Ozzy Osbourne.
I’ll be honest…
Tribute bands have exploded in popularity over the last few years, and not all of them are created equal.
These were.
I’ve been fortunate enough to see Godsmack, Metallica, and Ozzy Osbourne over the years, so I don’t throw comparisons around lightly. Every band on this bill had obviously spent countless hours perfecting these songs, but it wasn’t just the accuracy.
It was the passion.
None of these musicians looked like they were simply going through the motions. They looked like fans who happened to be talented enough to recreate some of rock’s greatest songs at an incredibly high level.
And the crowd fed off every second of it.
As Legends Rise wrapped up their final song, my phone buzzed in my pocket.
It was my wife.
Back home in Northern Kentucky, tornado sirens were sounding as severe storms rolled through the area. She wanted to let me know that she and the family were taking cover and, make sure I knew what was happening in case the weather decided to follow me north toward Columbus.
For a few moments, my mind shifted from camera settings and stage lighting to radar maps and weather alerts. Thankfully, everyone back home was safe, and once I knew they were okay, I could turn my attention back to what had been an outstanding evening of live music.
One thing that really stood out happened after Legends Rise left the stage.
Instead of disappearing backstage, the band headed straight to the merch booth, talking with fans, signing merchandise, taking pictures, and introducing people to their original band, Life After This.
That’s just smart.
If someone walks away thinking, “If their tribute band is this good, I wonder what their original music sounds like?” you’ve just gained a new listener.
Even better, the guys stuck around for the rest of the night to support the other bands instead of packing up and heading home after their set. That’s something audiences rarely notice, but other musicians always do.
It’s the kind of thing that tells you exactly who people are.
By the end of the night, I had my answer about the King of Clubs.
It wasn’t Twist It.
The venue itself deserves the credit. Great sightlines, excellent production, a friendly staff, and enough room that there really isn’t a bad place to watch a show. After two visits, it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite venues in Ohio.
As for Legends Rise…
They reminded me that tribute bands don’t have to be impersonators to be great.
Sometimes all it takes is four musicians who genuinely love the music they’re playing, and have the talent to make you forget, even for a couple of hours, that you’re not watching the original band.
I’ve become a big fan of Life After This over the past several months, and after seeing what they can do as Legends Rise, I’ll happily make the drive to catch either project again.
Some shows are memorable because of the music.
Others stick with you because of the people you meet.
This one managed to be both.
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