Review of Saliva at Rockfest 2009

Saliva was the second band to play on Friday 7/17/09 at Rockfest. I really hope this was due to their schedule and not a decision of the fine folks at Rockfest. Here’s the breakdown: Pheromones at 1:30, Saliva at 2:45, Lifehouse at 4:30, Seether at 6:30, Barenaked Ladies at 8:45 and Sheryl Crow at 11:00. I don’t think I am going out on a limb here, but Saliva blows everyone else on the lineup out of the water. I just don’t understand.
Originally Theory of a Deadman was supposed to play in the 2:45 time slot but had to cancel at the last minute. We were bummed because we haven’t seen them before and have seen Saliva at Rockfest in 2007. Nevertheless, Saliva did not disappoint!
The weather in Cadott was unseasonably cold, I’m talking in the 50’s which made it a little rough to sit outside drinking some cold ones and listening to music. Saliva got the crowd warmed up real quick opening up with Click Click Boom. From then on they never slowed down treating us to all the hits including my two favorites “Ladies and Gentlemen” and “Rest in Pieces“.
Saliva has always been an entertaining band on stage but Friday they took it to the next level, at least guitarist Jonathan Montoya did. The entire show he was pouring beer over his head, (mind you it was in the 50’s out), and gyrating and rolling around on the stage. It was quite entertaining. After a while my wife and I agreed it got to the point that it was taking away from the rest of the show.
Great show and a great way to start the day off. It would have been even better if they were the closing band instead of Sheryl Crow. Let’s see, Sheryl Crow, closing on Friday night at Rockfest. I don’t know about anyone else at Rockfest but I don’t consider her rock or a worthy closer for Rockfest on Friday night.
Saliva was a very entertaining show that rocked and I hope to see them again in the next couple of years. They were better this year than in 2007 and I’m sure they will continue to grow and hopefully will be the headlining band one of these days.

Saliva has a few more shows this year. Catch them in Sauget, IL at Pops on 9/9/09, Evansville, IN on 9/10/09, Libertyville, IL on 9/11/09, Santa Rosa, CA on 10/6/09 or also with Shinedown and Puddle of Mudd in Pomona, CA on 10/4/09.