The setup of Firestone Fieldhouse was striking even before the concert started. The stage and lighting looked very professional covering the east wall of bleachers, and numerous fans mingled in front of the stage as more filled the bleachers behind them.
AM Radio and Third Eye Blind were to take the stage at Pepperdine University in one of the biggest concerts of the year.
Then, after a 45-minute delay, AM Radio began the concert.
Being a Los Angeles band, they had a large fan base – many of whom were area high school students. AM Radio started its 30-minute set just as powerfully as they would end it.
A combination of punk rock, alternative and good classic rock, AM Radio seemed to captivate the entire audience, from first-time listeners to devoted fans. Packing power and emotion into every song, the lead singer led the crowd with charisma and charm. The group’s set ended sooner than it should have, leaving the crowd filled with new fans wanting to hear more.
Third Eye Blind then took the stage opening its hour-long set with a classic from “Blue” that got the whole crowd moving and the crowd-surfers surfing.
As the music picked up, a giant lighted sign bearing the band’s name grew from darkness to light. Third Eye Blind continued its set, christening the audience with songs from the new album that had not yet been released.
Lead singer Stephan Jenkins’ cocky attitude did not seem to deter the hundreds of girls screaming his name. Feeling the vibe, the band threw respect back to Led Zeppelin by covering “Tangerine.”
Then Jenkins and the band got personal, performing a newly written song entitled “Motorcycle Drive-by,” based on a motorcycle accident the lead singer was in with another car. It almost cost him his life.
The set continued with some more new material unfamiliar to the audience, but that did not dissuade the students’ enthusiasm. With the show nearing its end, Third Eye began concluding their set with some more classics, including long-time favorites “Ponder” and “Jumper.”
With nearly all of their favorite oldies covered, Third Eye left the stage, only to return with an intense and passionate encore that didn’t leave the audience the least bit unsatisfied.
Just as the noise from the crowd reached its peak, the band proceeded to cover the Cars’ “Should I Stay or Should I Go,” with a supercharged punk rock chorus interpretation. Then, at long last, Third Eye drove right into its most famous tune, “Semi-Charmed Life.” At this the crowd went crazy.
The band members then proceeded to jam out with some incredible guitar and drum soloing, finally concluding with some “Stairway to Heaven” riffs and exiting the stage.
In all, this was a spectacular performance by both bands in an unlikely location. Kudos to Pepperdine for this one; they pulled off an excellent show.
— Review by Kristen Onesto
April 03, 2003
