Headliners Better Lovers may be the newest band on the bill, but their members are certainly no strangers to the stage. The group is comprised of a who’s who of 2000’s heavy music royalty featuring alumni from Every Time I Die, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Fit for an Autopsy and End. Though on the surface they may fit the definition of a “supergroup” the band quickly bucked any potentially negative connotations that may burden that tag upon the first note of their set. This was the furthest thing from a self-indulgent group of rockstars playing pale imitations of their biggest hits; this was an awe inspiring display of fun, complex and heavy musical unity between musicians, unparalleled in their commitment and talent, at the peak of their abilities. 

Frontman and Dillinger escapee Greg Puciato’s reputation as a wild stageman certainly precedes him, however, tonight, it was his sheer vocal prowess that stole the spotlight. From ear-splitting shrieks to baritone croons, his voice fit the assault of dizzying grooves and melodies like a carbon-fiber-knuckle-glove. The masterful set managed to seamlessly include a large chunk of the band’s current discography, an on-point cover of Soundgarden’s classic track “Rusty Cage”, an “If You’re Happy and You Know It” interlude and guitarist Jordan Buckley borrowing JT’s camera mid-set to snap a quick photo or two of the audience. By the end of it all, Greg was daring Jordan to stage dive from the Rickshaw Theatre’s eight foot tall speaker stack before teasing him for chickening out. Within moments of that innocent interaction the vocalist was diving with the grace of an olympic gold medalist off of the very same speakers and into a sea of awe-struck fans as he surfed along without so much as a flat note. Truly the perfect send off to a night of good, clean and loud fun!