Filter
at LA County Fair, Saturday, September 27
By: George A. Paul
The singer/guitarist spent his early career as a Nine Inch Nails associate, contributing to Pretty Hate Machine (“Sanctified”) and 1989-93 tours. Tired of being a punching bag, Patrick formed Filter with multi-instrumentalist Brian Liesegang. They put out Short Bus in 1995 and scored a top 10 modern rock radio hit (the creepy “Hey Man, Nice Shot”). That debut and more visceral follow up Title of Record both went platinum (the latter due to dreamy mainstream crossover, “Take a Picture”).
Filter continued to rack up radio airplay and soundtrack appearances. 2002’s iffy The Amalgamut was less than successful and a tour was derailed when Patrick entered rehab for substance abuse. He hooked up with the DeLeo Brothers (Stone Temple Pilots) for the well-received Army of Anyone project in 2006. Guitarists Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit) and John 5 (Marilyn Manson), plus drummer extraordinaire Josh Freese guest on solid new Filter album Anthems for the Damned.
The striking cover art pays tribute to Justin Eyerly, a major fan and Filter website designer who enlisted in the military, was called up for active duty in Iraq and killed in action. Furious tracks “What’s Next” and “Soldiers of Misfortune” tackle anti-war themes, “Hatred is Contagious” describes international conflicts, “Kill the Day” addresses drug addiction and “The Take” rumbles with pile driving, Ministry-styled force. “Am I always angry? No. Am I always full of hope? No. But even as my lyrics are dark as shit, there’s always something uplifting about the music. I try to rise above my issues,” Patrick has said recently, in reference to the new material. Look for a Filter remix album before year’s end. (George A. Paul)
Filter at LA County Fair, Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, (909) 623-3111; www.officialfilter.com. Saturday, September 27, 7PM, $17.50-$20; fair admission also required
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