Saliva continue rising up in Indy

Seasoned veterans Saliva are in the middle of a major career resurgence so to speak. With a new vocalist in Bobby Amaru and new record in Rise Up, the band are in the middle of a massive tour cycle in support of the new record which came out in late  April via Rum Bum Records. The band’s latest leg features support on select dates from somewhat newcomers Eve To Adam and their recent stop at Indianapolis’ Vogue Theatre saw opening support from local juggernauts Pragmatic. Often times when major bands like Saliva play a local club show, bands from the area open up and they aren’t impressive. Actually, most of the time you leave the show wondering how the hell that band got a slot opening the show. With Pragmatic it couldn’t be more the opposite and they fit the mold well. [lg_slideshow folder=\”2014/Saliva Rise Up Tour/Pragmatic/\”] Their sound is very similar to Saliva and Eve To Adam and they got the Indianapolis crowd ready to for the rest of the night as any opener should do and owned every inch of the stage. There’s no question why Pragmatic are in the top leagues of the Indianapolis circuit and, after opening for Saliva they made their ranks clear and proved that it’s just a matter of time until they get that major label deal and are playing on the major stages. Remember their name because you’re gonna hear it a lot soon. Eve To Adam kicked it up a notch and kept the party rolling with a near-hour-long set that was pure rock and roll with attitude. They blazed through numerous crowd favorites, radio hits and some newer tracks and created a setlist that made fans of any album of theirs happy. They took the stage and made it their own, not once standing in place and using every inch of the stage. It was clear they’re in to have fun and make a living and Indianapolis was prime example of that. Nothing was louder during their set than when they played “Immortal” and a metal-driven cover of Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell” that had everyone yelling, screaming, fist pumping and singing like it was the 80’s all over again. [lg_slideshow folder=\”2014/Saliva Rise Up Tour/Eve to Adam/\”] After Pragmatic and Eve To Adam got the crowd into a frenzied group of anticipatory maniacs, Saliva took the stage to up the ante and crank it into high voltage. Even though Bobby Amaru has been at the helm of Saliva for three years now, some fans are still chomping at the bit to get their first exposure to the new voice live and those in Indianapolis who’d heard Amaru on CD were anxious and excited. Those who see Saliva with Amaru up front pretty much all leave with the same conclusion- he sounds just as good- if not better, is a better vocalist and engages a crowd much better than the band’s former frontman- which is something no one thought would ever happen- but it’s the reality and an exciting one at that and Indianapolis was prime example. The band blazed through a setlist that was loaded with Saliva classics “Click Click Boom,” “Black Sheep,” “Always,” “Survival of the Sickest,” “Your Disease” and “Ladies and Gentlemen” while throwing in “She Can Sure Hide Crazy” from their new record Rise Up as well as covers of AC/DC’s “TNT” and Alice in Chains’ “Nutshell.” [lg_slideshow folder=\”2014/Saliva Rise Up Tour/Saliva/\”] As they have for over 15 years, Saliva held the crowd in the palm of their hands and demonstrated why they’ve been a mainstay in the rock arena and kicking ass for so long. Saliva still have it and are one of the best live bands you’ll ever see. Whether you’re a new fan or one of the longtime Saliva faithful, their current album cycle is one you have to check out and if you do, they’ll be happy to welcome you into the Saliva family and make you part of the “Redneck Freakshow.” -Reggie Edwards Post-show interview with Saliva vocalist Bobby Amaru: