There are few entertainment choices for a Friday evening better than a rock concert. So when I saw a Remedy Drive show listed nearby, I jumped on the chance to see them. The venue turned out to be a small Church tucked away in a quiet industrial lot, and the crowd wasn't quite as thick as I'd anticipated. Still, this just made the show all the more intimate and personal.

A local rock band called Once Called Saul opened up the evening and boasted some surprising rock energy. With an edgy guitar-driven sound, the band made a fine companion to the gritty energy of Remedy Drive. The band opened with "Who Are You," which was a fine introduction to the band's brand of rock. It carried a good balance of mysterious and energetic, and made for a sound that felt familiar without becoming just another derivative of current hits. The band continued with "Narrow Way" and "Reckoning." I was actually a bit disappointed when they announced that the 4th song would be their last because I was getting into the music. But "Fire Down" made a worthy closer to the brief set and rounded out what was a promising performance. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this band in the future and hope for good things for them. Be sure to check them out.

After a very brief intermission, the main act took the stage with the vigor and buildup fitting of a rock act. As the opening notes to one of the band's more recognizable hits sounded, it was like climbing to the top of the first hill of a roller coaster before that first drop. "Daylight" opened up the night, giving the show a jolt of momentum that helped to carry the set and define this band as one that likes to party loud, even more so than their albums might lead you to believe. Other cuts from the band's major label debut that were played during the evening were the catchy "Heartbeat" and the rousing "Hope." The band also played hits like "Better Than Life," "Lost Cause" and "Make It Bright" from their 2nd full-length. They closed with the rocking "Resuscitate Me" from the same album, which made an engaging and appropriate grand finale to the evening. Other standout cuts from the setlist included "The King Is Still On His Throne" and "Under The Starlight."

One of the most inspiring moments of the night was when lead vocalist David Zach talked about his experience in Thailand witnessing the child trafficking that occurs there as the law turns a blind eye. Hearing the stories of his work there served as a startling reminder of the evils that occur in our world in our own day. It's easy to feel like we live in safe times in the bubble of our day to day life, to believe that the age of things like slavery stayed in some far off time in a civilization long gone. But we always need to be reminded that this isn't the case.

In "Under The Starlight," Zach asks "Where are you" to God in the midst of trials, ultimately proclaiming that God is always there. But as he spoke of the evils that occur in our world, I couldn't help but feel that maybe it's God who is asking each and every one of us, "Where are you?" Of course, this story wasn't without connection to the setlist, as it led in to the title track of the band's new project, "Commodity." The lyrics, "I'm just a soul inside a body, but I'm not a commodity" is a somewhat witty but true declaration of the intrinsic value each of our lives has, both our spiritual and physical selves.

I should note that the band's new album was one of those ever-increasing Kickstarter projects, and it just so happened that the album crossed the threshold to "fully funded" the day of this show, with just one day to go. The album is meant to be a concept album taking a stand against human trafficking, and is sure to be a highlight both musically and thematically of the coming autumn.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself throughout the night. The Church was friendly and inviting, and the seating was comfortable. Rock shows can often become cramped, but as mentioned before, this was an intimate environment where everyone got to see the band up close.

The only issue I had was that the sound mixing was a bit off in favor of the guitars and drums over the vocals and piano. This has been an issue I've had at several rock concerts. While I do understand the need to make things loud to keep the energy flowing, I'd prefer if this weren't at the expense of the vocals being drowned out and the piano being almost completely swallowed up during many parts.

That said, the show was still overall a very enjoyable experience. And David Zach's frequent acrobatic leaps onto the drum and piano made for an enthralling and unpredictable show where you never knew for sure just what was coming next. If you get the chance, check out Remedy Drive's live show if they stop at your neck of the woods. They're an engaging and friendly rock quartet and put on a family-friendly and personal rock show that feels a lot homier than you'd expect from a band of their caliber.

All in all, you can't go wrong with a show that is both musically thrilling and thematically challenging. I wish the band luck in their mission to fight against human trafficking. Hopefully their music will inspire more action to be taken by those who are touched by their music.