The Chance keeps rocking with Drowing Pool

Gülfem Demiray Assistant Arts Editor

As a part of their North America tour, alternative metal band Drowning Pool will visit Poughkeepsie and perform downtown at The Chance Theater on April 18 at 8 p.m.

From Dallas, Tx., Drowning Pool was formed in 1996 by guitarist C. J. Pierce, drummer Mike Luce, bassist Stevie Benton and lead vocalist Dave Williams when they were all in high school. Their first album Sinner was certified platinum within six months of its debut in 2001. Unfortunately, the group lost Williams due to a rare heart disease during Indianapolis Ozzfest 2002.

The band first tried to fill its lead vocalist’s absence with Jason Jones, and released the album Desensitized in 2004, quickly followed by negative criticism from fans.

Ex-SOiL vocalist Ryan McCombs, who had walked away from music due to his frustration with the industry, joined Drowning Pool in 2006 and made his live debut in Dallas with the band at Ozzfest in August 2005.

Drowning Pool released their third and newest album, Full Circle, in August 2007, with two smash singles, “Soldiers” and “Enemy.” The band considers Full Circle to have the same energy and power that their fans have come to expect from them, although it is more mature, melodic and accessible than its predecessors.

According to Drowning Pool, the addition of McCombs has made them a whole family again. “

There’s never been a point when we thought about stopping,” Pierce said. “

Everything we’ve gone through has just brought us closer.”

Julian Barbosa ’11, a Drowning Pool fan who is planning to go to the concert, said that he didn’t like the band too much with Jones but is really excited about their work with McCombs.

“He has a very interesting style, unique from the first singer’s, and much better than the second singer’s, so it’s fresh... and that’s the reason why I’ve always liked them,” he said.

Full Circleencompasses the alternative experimental edge with the ’80’s clear battery, the ’90’s gritty hard vocals and a subtle artful touch added on top by borrowing rhythms and instrumental colors from eclectic music genres at times. The band captures an agitated and driving sound with its smooth heavy riffs. Barbosa considers the band well-rounded, because “despite being somewhat heavy, they can still pull off slower, melodic songs very well.”

Drowning Pool promises to reward core fans and hopes to attract new ones with Full Circle. “

They have several hits and put on a great show,” Chance Theater Manager Abby Puca said. “We’re excited to have them, the show has been selling steadily and we’re anticipating quite a walk-up.”

Originally built in 1918 as Dutchess Theater, The Chance now plays an incredible role in the Hudson music scene. The Chance brings bands of almost every music genre and hosts expos, benefits, battle of the bands, private parties and introduces local musicians to the community. Recently called the best Live Music Joint in the Hudson Valley, it has hosted world-renowned bands such as The Police, Peter Frampton, David Bowie and Bob Dylan.

With its ornate domed ceiling and stained glass windows, the venue allows the audience to enjoy a rustic atmosphere and an amazing view of the stage. “The fact that the theater itself has been in many different forms—a vaudeville theater, a movie theater and now a venue—makes us different,” Puca said. “It has a lot of character and great history.”

“When I entered the club, it kind of had its own unique vibe,” said Caroline Schenkman ’11, who has been to The Chance several times. She added she found the overall atmosphere of the venue very friendly. “Unlike previous concerts I had gone to, there was not a huge amount of ‘peace keepers’ or security personnel surrounding the stage,” she said.

The Chance Theater is located on the corner of Main Street and Crannel Street in Poughkeepsie, and is an approximately five-minute drive from Vassar. The Chance offers a great opportunity for concert-goers at Vassar to enjoy established bands without trekking to Albany, New York or New Jersey. With the introduction of community shuttles, students are now able to participate more in Poughkeepsie, and shouldn’t miss out on the Drowning Pool show.

For more concert listings, check out thechancetheater.com