Alien Ant Farm performs with the Riverside City College Studio Orchestra on Dec. 8, 2012. (Jonathan Hinderliter/Freelance Photographer)
Alien Ant Farm put together a once-in-a-lifetime kind of show Saturday, Dec. 8, and I was lucky enough to be in the audience at the Landis Performing Arts Center on the Riverside City College campus.
Teaming up with the RCC Studio Orchestra, directed by Kevin Mayse, plus the addition of a horn section, keyboardist and extra percussion, the rock band added a whole new dimension to favorites throughout its catalog, plus a few holiday classics.
PHOTO GALLERY: Alien Ant Farm puts on holiday show at RCC
Dryden Mitchell of Alien Ant Farm performs in Riverside on Dec. 8, 2012. (Jonathan Hinderliter/Freelance Photographer)
The concert, which raised money for RCC’s musical programs, had been in the works for months and was Alien Ant Farm’s first hometown show in years.
Bassist Tye Zamora, who had taken music classes at the school before going on to Berklee College of Music in Boston, worked on arranging the band’s songs.
Zamora, singer Dryden Mitchell and drummer Mike Cosgrove were joined by Joe Hill on guitar for the evening. Hill, who performed on the band’s third album, “Up in the Attic,” filled in for guitarist Terry Corso, who is recovering from health issues but was in attendance and joined the band on stage at the end of the show.
“We tried to do this at The Barn, but we couldn’t fit [the orchestra],” Zamora joked during the set, referring to the intimate UC Riverside venue where Alien Ant Farm got its start.
The orchestra of about 20 musicians, featured on selected songs throughout the night, added a new facet to the band’s storytelling, particularly on the crescendo of “Sleepwalker.”
While it wasn’t a typical show for the band, it also showcased just how versatile and strong the songs are, flirting with jazz, reggae and Latin touches in addition to the classical influence of the orchestra.
The Latin flair of “Tia Lupe” in particular inspired singer Mitchell to joke that he wanted to go to Alberto’s for Mexican food immediately afterward.
Other highlights of the set included “Movies,” “Glow” and a cover of Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime.”
When the show closed with the band’s famous cover of “Smooth Criminal,” Alien Ant Farm was officially welcomed home with a standing ovation.
The band will be releasing a new album in 2013 and was recently confirmed to play the influential 2013 South By Southwest Music Conference in Austin, Texas in March.
PHOTO GALLERY: Alien Ant Farm puts on holiday show at RCC
Set list:
Courage
Forgive and Forget
Never Meant
Hope
Tia Lupe
Glow
Attitude
Wonderful Christmastime
Supreme Lifestyle
Sleepwalker
Movies
Universe
Goodbye
Jingle Bell Rock
Smooth Criminal
Alien Ant Farm performs with the Riverside City College Studio Orchestra on Dec. 8, 2012. (Jonathan Hinderliter/Freelance Photographer)
A couple of other quick observations–I appreciated that Tye dressed up for the show and looked like the lost McKenzie brother from “Strange Brew.” I’m also convinced he has more fun than anyone on stage ever in the history of music.
Rubix, the band’s guardian stuffed spirit cat (I honestly can’t remember if he’s a cheetah or a leopard), made it onto the stage. That was awesome.
All of the musicians joining the band tonight were incredible. Huge shout-out to Chuck Boogie on keys, too.
Did I mention there were xylophones, jingle bells and chimes? There were and they were awesome. I also may have mentally added “Set of chimes” to my Christmas list.
Dryden showed off a guitar with buttons on it he made for his friend “Buttons” and played it for “Glow.”
Mike is such a talented drummer. Seriously. Also, kudos on the red and green drum kit for the show.
Everyone give Joe Hill some love and check out The Executive Bigfoot.
It was good to see Terry at the show and on stage at the end. Get well soon!
PHOTO GALLERY: Alien Ant Farm puts on holiday show at RCC
And just for good measure, here’s the video interview I did with Tye before the show.