Filter and Saliva – Key Club – 7/31/11

WHO: Filter and Saliva

WHERE: Key Club

WHEN: 7/31/11

Better Than… Staying home for KROQ's '90s weekend.

If the 90's were good to you, then you were probably at the Key Club last night for Filter and Saliva. At the packed house the scent of cheap weed overpowered pockets of the venue — while the smell of expensive weed filled others. For the most part the crowd was fanatical, with many attendees head-to-toe in Filter or Saliva merch.

If you're not familiar, Memphis-born alternative outfit Saliva formed in 1996 and self-released their first album. They've since released six more, been nominated for a Grammy, and spent a respectable amount of time on Billboard's charts. They played a solid set that included fan favorites and closed with “Click Click Boom” and “Your Disease.” They were tight, and clearly well-experienced as live performers.

Before singing in Filter, Richard Patrick was a touring guitarist in Nine Inch Nails; his biggest fans last night could be seen in old NIN shirts. In 1993 he set out with guitarist/programmer Brian Liesegang to form Filter and they signed to Reprise Records. They have since released seven albums — including a best of and a collection of remixes. The group is best known for their hit “Take A Picture” and massive collection of soundtrack contributions.

Currently touring with new members, Richard Patrick remains the only constant, though the crowd at Key Club wasn't complaining. When they walked onto stage the crowd lit up, and they played a selection from their new album, The Trouble with Angels, along with hits and fan favorites.

The ensemble brought their A-game for Los Angeles. Drummer Mika Fineo was clean and energizing, guitarist Rob Patterson had a Cool Hand Luke-type nonchalant swagger, bassist Phil Buckman looked and carried himself like a young Til Lindemann, and singer Richard Patrick blew it out like Larry Miller.

As the band started on “Best Things,” Patrick took out his in-ear monitors and set them on the backline. He then proceeded to dive into the crowd. Shortly after he returned to the stage the group transitioned into a brief and amazing cover of “War Pigs,” during which Patrick climbed back into the crowd and incited a minor mosh pit. By this time the crowd was bouncing off the walls; a mad rush in the direction of Patrick was made by all, and cameras flew out.

Richard Patrick in the crowd at Key Club

Filter is a band that knows how to please their fans. After the performance they thanked them, gave them props, and closed with “Hey Man Nice Shot”.

Filter at Key Club

The Crowd: People who refuse to give up on the '90s, including Charlie Sheen, Dian Bachar, and Lacey Conner.

Random Notebook Dump: Dian Bachar spent the entire night at the front of the stage enjoying the bands and kindly obliging fans who asked for photos; turns out he's pretty awesome.

Set list below.

Set list:

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