When I saw Rx Bandits were going on tour, I knew they'd have a date set for South Florida. As expected, they returned to the Culture Room as they have in the past. I like the Culture Room because it is small, but very nice and you can get right up front to get the best experience of whatever artists are playing.
I was going to pay just to see Rx Bandits. I had never heard of Dredge before this tour. I listened to some of their studio recordings after I bought my ticket and my jaw didn't drop, but I could appreciate their music. After seeing Dredge live though, I like them a lot more. They were really good performers and know how to please the crowd. Their vocalist is a really cool guy and he interacted with the crowd a bit and I could tell he was friendly. I caught a couple guitar picks he tossed down as well as a drumstick from the drummer.
Rx Bandits put on a spectacular act as well, as expected. I've seen them before. They are one of the best bands to hear live. You can really get into their music, the heavy bits, and the slow groove parts. Although, I regret to admit they aren't as interactive with the crowd as I would like them to be. Or maybe that's just Matt. He was the only one with room to be up at the front of the stage. I know Choi was hanging outside in front of the building about an hour or so before the show started and he was willing to take pictures with a few people and seemed very friendly. I was right up front and Matt would not touch my hand or the guy next to me (as many performers do at the front of a crowd). But I suppose I can understand why he wouldn't want to. Some crazy person could try and pull him into the crowd.
I also had found out that Zechs Marquise were opening for Dredge and Rx Bandits before buying my ticket and I became even more excited for this show. I've known about Zechs Marquise since they started up. They are an instrumental group consisting of Marcel form The Mars Volta, his brother Marfred and two of their childhood friends. I got to meet all of them after the show--they were extremely welcoming and fun to talk with. I got Matthew and Marcos to sign my CD, unfortunately Marcel and his brother disappeared after I came running back from my car with a sharpie.