some heavy advice for the candidates - article from cleveland's newspaper, the plain dealer (march 4, '00) **a coal chamber is my mercy exclusive**
The candidates could learn something from Coal Chamber. The Los Angeles quartet has conducted its musical career like a well-oiled politician heading into Super Tuesday.
Despite having recieved scant radio or MTV play, the band has manages to build a broad-based constituency by taking its message directly to the people. The heavy-metal outfit spent 19 months on the stump after releasing its self-titled debut in 1997. In the process, Coal Chamber toured with dozens of bands, from Ozzy Osbourne to Insane Clown Posse, and played to many different audiences. For most groups, such a juggling act would be a tough trick. Not Coal Chamber. When the band is at its best, it's a coalition of varied styles--heavy metal, goth, industrial-rock and kiddie-core. At its worst, Coal Chamber is the equivalent of a stage-managed politician delivering a watered-down message that tries to be everything to everyone.
With its latest album, "Chamber Music," Coal Chamber reveals its greatest trick: the ability to co-opt another candidate's message. The band takes heavy metal and crosses it with just enough Goth and industrial frills to stay one step ahead of the Korn clones campaigning in the new metal scene. At 7:30 tonight, Coal Chamber hits the Agora, 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. Opening are Type O Negative, Full Devil Jacket and Deadlights. $25. Call Ticketmaster, (216) 241-xxxx or (330) 945-xxxx.
(caption reads "Heavy-metal contenders.")
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