Rock Paper Scissors
(Aug 17-23, 2001 Issue)
Aug. 10, 2001 Performance Review
The Catwalk Club - Seattle, WA
by Barbara Kells

Fresh off the stage from two Queensryche shows at the Moore Theater, Second Coming headlines a powerful show at the Catwalk Club.

Impatiently waiting for the doors to open, the crowds were arriving at the Catwalk while a couple friends and I were next door having a drink and listening to the sound check through the walls. After we all sampled a bowl of chicken (hot) pepper soup and finished our drinks, it was just about time for the doors to open at 9pm. The crowd waiting in line got a taste of Second Coming’s most popular tune from a guy driving his truck. He was cranking up the likes of their hit ‘Soft’.

I had never been to the Catwalk before, so the venue was new to me. We managed to get one of few tables set up in the back of the bar yet still had a good view of the stage. We found Yanni Bacolas sitting near the bar relaxing. We had the chance to talk to him for a bit before the show. When asked about how the new cd was coming along, he replied that they are about halfway done with it and are very happy with its progress. "Kelly Gray (of Queensryche) is producing our cd again. He is just amazing," adds Bacolas. He also said they are including about six new songs to the nights set list. "Realistically, we hope to have the new record out in stores by the beginning of the year," states James Bergstrom.

Room 13 ( a 3 piece band) began playing at 10:05pm. I’d heard of these guys before, but had not heard them play. There was a good early crowd in to hear these guys. Their style of music seemed a good match for openers with Second Coming. The crowd appeared to really enjoy them. Their set lasted about 50 minutes.

At 11:15pm, (one of Seattles much appreciated DJ’s) Cathy Faulkner/KISW, enthusiastically announced Second Coming. They took the stage with a very powerful opening that really got the crowd moving. As always, they appeared to be very comfortable on stage and were tight as hell. Newcomer to Second Coming is guitarist Eric Snyder, who has replaced Dudley Taft. I talked with some fans after the show and heard only positive things. One fan stated that Eric was the best replacement they could of possibly found. Travis Bracht’s raspy vocal range is always a crowd pleaser. He whaled out some classic Second Coming and introduced some awesome new songs. Travis has endless energy and totally gets in tune with the audience. Drummer (and back-up vocals), James Bergstrom, as well as being one of the best drummers I have ever come across, also offers an eye-catching stage presence, which for a drummer, is quite rare! Yanni Bacolas (Bass guitar), finger picking, bass slapping style has never sounded better. "It’s great to be back", states Bacolas to the crowd. During one segment of the show they brought out a Greek Bouzouki player. The crowd loved it!

You have to give this band credit for all the years of hard work and dedication they have put into this project. Yanni and James have a long musical history together that dates back to pre-fame Alice in Chains. They are the ex bass player and drummer of the original Alice in Chains line-up. I have a lot of respect for them and have and will continue to support their musical careers.