From Rockford, Illinois, The Color Morale has made its way to Strummers here in Fresno, California on their Hold On Pain Ends tour around the US. Consisting of vocalist Garret Rapp, guitarists Devin King and Aaron Saunders, drummer Steve Carey, and bassist Mike Honson.

As the recorded music playing throughout the venue fades out and the lights on stage go dark, the small and squirm-ish crowd yell in excitement. Starting the show was Tamerlane coming from Los Banos, California. The five-piece giving great energy to start off the night.

From Eugene, Oregon, was Alive Like me. An alternative rock four-piece band playing songs like “We’re Better Off Without You” and “Wreckage”. Alive Like Me had kept the crowd wanting more as some of the audience reached and grabbed as some of the members neared the edge of the stage. The singer, Jairus Kersey, with hypnotic blue eyes and stunning voice, had women reaching out for more of him almost pulling him into the crowd.

Post-hardcore and hardcore punk band Vanna, comes from Boston, Massachusetts causing chaos in the audience and at one point caused a ceiling panel to fall onto the floor. Luckily, not hitting anyone on the top of their heads. This band had caused the second most lively mosh pit I had ever seen. The first was when I went to see The Ghost Inside and still have the bruise on my leg to prove its insanity.

Even though Vanna had its crazy music, it did have its heart-felt moment when singer Davey Muise jumped into the crowd making himself level with everyone, as if showing his equality with the audience. Saying how he “see’s no sexism, racism, or homophobia”, showing his appreciation for all. At this the crowd yells, almost howls, in agreement and appreciation of the band.

The music dissipates and the crowd calms into the normal chatter that lives in between set-up and soundcheck. This time the crowd has grown so much I dare not move from the spot I’ve chosen to take the best of pictures, otherwise my spot is gone for the rest of the night to excited, enlightened, even crazed fans of whoever is playing.

A lone scream comes from the crowd and then more sound. People who were scattered throughout Strummers now flock to the stage watching as the next band sets up. Although, there was a difference. This particular band had brought their own light show for the audience. Two triangles were sat on each side of the stage with standard light bulbs you’d find at home.

Next on the lineup was Slaves, hailing from Sacramento, California. Barely a year old, Slaves had built up quite the crowd in Strummers. Almost filling up the venue entirely towards its entrance. Also a post hardcore band, the five-piece had performed songs such as “The King”, “The Fire Down Below”, and “Ashes”. With its enticing light show, Slaves had produced such an audience that people were sitting on each other’s shoulders singing along. Much passion had passed from the band to the audience. One of their last songs was an acoustic version of “There Is Only One God and His Name Is Death”.

Slaves leaves the audience wanting more, but when no other song appears and the recorded playlist starts up again, almost two-thirds of the crowd leaves. Whether it be to the next room to buy merch and wait to meet the band or head on home. Slaves seemed to be the band to watch, for the same amount of people did not reoccur.

About half the crowd had returned for the headlining band, The Color Morale. Lead vocalist, Garret Rapp, had stated that they still had the “same great feeling as performing for 10,000 or 200 people”. The Color Morale played songs like “Smoke and Mirrors” and “Prey For Me”. Rapp sits on the edge of the stage and guitarist Devin King play an acoustic version of “Hold On Pain Ends”, pouring out their talent to the crowd with a jaw-dropping voice. The audience quiets and enjoy the closeness of the two and pulling out phones to take video of the experience.

Towards the end of the song the rest of the band plays adding more emphasis in feeling of the music. The crowd cheers and howls as The Color Morale play a couple more songs and ends the night.

Leaving everyone in awe of what had came to Fresno and anticipation of waiting for them to come again.