105.7 The Point Presents: Way Back Pointfest @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, Maryland Heights, MO

Words and photos by Duane Clawson
As time rolls on and the popular music landscape always continues to change, we may forget a band's name but we can often can recall what we were doing when we first heard said band.  I can tell you with this lineup, there was plenty of reminiscing at the first ever Way Back Pointfest!  Even I had forgotten a couple of these bands but I quickly remembered the songs that made them famous as I perused the list of these once popular artists.  Names like Candlebox, Alien Ant Farm, and Eve 6, just to name a few.

Kicking off this day of retrospect was Moon and the Headline Hooiser’s, playing a most appropriate mix of 90’s music covers on the smaller stage. Fronted by 105.7's on-air personality, and Greek Fire frontman, Moon, the Headline Hoosier’s were a great fit to warm a slow gathering audience.  One-hit wonder’s, Eve 6, quickly took the mainstage.  Lead singer, Max Collins, showed St. Louis some favoritism as he sported a T-shirt bearing the words, 'Peace, Love, Missouri'.  The band’s abbreviated set, of course, included their long, lost hit, “Inside Out”.  Another cover band, My Posse In Effect, followed Eve 6 on the smaller, side stage, with their spot on rendition of Beastie Boys covers.  Continuing my exercise regiment, I’m back at the main stage in no time for a short 35-minute performance by Candlebox.

As the sun was sinking behind the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, Alien Ant Farm nearly brought the sun back up with their heavy duty set, and of course, the awesome cover of Michael Jackson's “Smooth Criminal”.  In the blink of an eye, as if dropped by a large time machine, there was suddenly a large crowd in attendance, making this inaugural event, hopefully, a success!  A highly-anticipated reunion was about to take place on the main stage, the reunion of local favorites, Stir!  Not publicly performing as a band since 2005, Stir was once on the fast track to stardom but it all came unraveled as quickly as it started.  Stir picked up exactly where they left off, but with a few more grey hairs.  Needless to say, the reunion was a huge success!

Shutting down the side stage was that one band, you know, those guys that sang, “High-Fivin’ MF”, what was the name of that band?  Oh yeah, Local H!  This two-piece, classic band from the 90’s was an excellent choice by the Way Back organizers.  Their brand of grunge and rock had anyone within earshot bouncing.  And that momentum carried back over to the main stage for, Fuel.  After Fuel’s set it was time for the headliner, 311.  I had heard many good things about 311’s live show, so my anticipation was high.  Shortly after the sharp snaps of the snare drum from the show opener, “Transistor Intro”, I was quickly in the know that this show would be no joke.  311’s smooth blend of rock, hip-hop, and reggae are still relevant today.  It’s hard to believe their album Transistor will be twenty years old next year.  Nick Hexum has fronted this band from its inception and the only non-original member is lead guitarist, Tim Mahoney.  This 28-year-old band still has plenty of bounce in their step as co-lead singer Doug Martinez rocks the turntables and mic during hits like “Come Original”, “Down”, and “Homebrew”.  Complete with an extended, masterful drum solo by drummer, Chad Sexton, 311 embraced everything that has made their live shows a popular attraction since 1988.  Thanks to Live Nation, Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, and all of the band’s PR reps for letting MTC MAG in the house!  Photos of the show are below:

Moon and the Headliner Hoosiers
Eve 6
Candlebox
My Posse In Effect
Stir
Alien Ant Farm
Fuel
Local H
311
Contributed by Duane Clawson
105.7 The Point Presents: Way Back Pointfest @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, Maryland Heights, MO 105.7 The Point Presents: Way Back Pointfest @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, Maryland Heights, MO Reviewed by Scott Rowe, Editor on July 18, 2016 Rating: 5
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