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Stabbing Westward

Rock

Stabbing Westward Tickets

Events4 Results

United States

About

Stabbing Westward In Concert

During alternative rock's 1990s heyday, Stabbing Westward was one of the most popular industrial bands next to Nine Inch Nails and Filter. With a mix of pulsating beats, snarling metallic guitars, and ominous synthesizers — all held together by vocalist Christopher Hall's ferocious, anguished vocals — the group put a fresh spin on the genre.

Hall and keyboardist/programmer Walter Flakus originally co-founded Stabbing Westward in the '80s, while serving as DJs at their college radio station at Western Illinois University. (The duo allegedly took the band's name from a snippet of a President Eisenhower speech found on an LP cover.) The pair eventually moved to the industrial music mecca Chicago and self-released a 1992 EP before inking a major label deal with Columbia Records.

The 1994 cult classic Ungod led to tours with Depeche Mode and Killing Joke, and set up Stabbing Westward for future success. Most notably, 1996's gold-certified Wither Blister Burn & Peel spawned two MTV and alternative and mainstream rock radio hits: the creepy electro-rocker "What Do I Have To Do?" and "Shame," the latter a song brimming with searing metallic fury. Two years later, the gold-selling 1998 effort, Darkest Days, launched another Top 20 modern rock radio hit with the keyboard-heavy, aggressive "Save Yourself."

The band split up in 2002, although its principal members stayed busy; most notably, Hall formed and toured with The Dreaming. However, Stabbing Westward booked two reunion shows in 2016, after Flakus and '90s-era guitarist Mark Eliopulos returned to the fold. The concerts were so successful, Stabbing Westward made their return permanent. In fall 2018, the band marked the 20th anniversary of Darkest Days with a U.S. tour where they played the album in full. Despite the time away, Stabbing Westward hasn't lost a step: Their stage presence is moody and full of dramatic lighting, which only amplifies the angst and melodrama built into the music.

Reviews

Rating: 4.9 out of 5 based on 25 reviews
  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    stabbing westward on top of their game

    by ed on 9/12/23Baltimore Soundstage - Baltimore

    So much energy, great vocals, lighting was good. I saw them maybe 20 years ago and they were even better this time. Shout out to the opening band 51 Peg? Very strong vocals and lyrics. Great potential!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Amazing show!!

    by April on 9/11/23Baltimore Soundstage - Baltimore

    The show was awesome! Stabbing Westward rocked, I loved every minute of it!!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Stabbing Westward @ Baltimore Soundstage

    by Hilary on 9/11/23Baltimore Soundstage - Baltimore

    Great show. SW is my favorite band, and this was an awesome venue to see them play.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Great Band Better Live

    by Industrial Guy on 5/16/23Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas - Las Vegas

    Stabbing Westward plays precious few shows and if one is near you, go. A great industrial band, Super High energy and they make it a point to connect with the audience. The Lead singer spends a lot of time at the rail almost in the audience. He will talk to everyone and make sure everyone is involved. The Audience was encouraged to sing along and did at every chance. You will have a great time at any Stabbing Westward show.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Awesome! But every SW show is awesome!!

    by Brian on 5/15/23Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas - Las Vegas

    It was our 20th Anniversary so we had a blast! The venue was not crowded at all and the sound was perfect! Much better than SNW the next day!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Now and Then

    by S. B. on 5/6/22

    I saw Stabbing Westward after their first album released and recently. Amazing shows! I am ecstatic that they are back at it. A dream come true. You deserve to see them! Get the tix!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Christopher Hall in Peak Form

    by Joe R on 10/10/19House of Blues San Diego presented by Cricket Wireless - San Diego

    Saw the show @ HOB San Diego, even after 20 years SW still has that great sound. Good to see Chris Hall, his vocals are still so hauntingly melodic. Great freaking show.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Loved the Show-Sounded just like back in the day

    by Phenomenal on 10/9/19House of Blues Anaheim presented by Cricket Wireless - Anaheim

    So, I love when a show is exactly like how you remember the artist back in the day. Phenomenal musicians!!!Reminded me about the small shows at the Roxy but way more room to move, super clean venue. Music the way it was intended and not Re-Made and mixed into an EDM tune.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Lot of fun

    by Tim on 10/9/19House of Blues Anaheim presented by Cricket Wireless - Anaheim

    So glad to see them on stage, I've been a fan for a long time and the show was a blast. Looking forward to more!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Stabbing Westward keeps getting better

    by blackroseMD1 on 10/7/19House of Blues San Diego presented by Cricket Wireless - San Diego

    Got to House of Blues a bit early and spent some time in the restaurant. If you're going to go to House of Blues San Diego and want to have a drink or two, do it in the restaurant. They have a good selection of beers at decent prices. Once you get into the show area, the selection is pretty terrible and you'll end up paying like $9 for a 24 ounce Pabst. The show area itself is pretty good. They had the balcony area blocked off, so there were only a couple of places that you could sit downstairs (if you have bad ankles/feet or something). Stabbing Westward put on an absolutely amazing show. The sound was pretty clear, even at it's loudest, and the lighting was great. They played a great setlist full of all the hits and a really good cover. After the show was over, the band came down to the merch booth and hung out for autographs. It was a pretty great show overall, and I'd highly recommend seeing Stabbing Westward live.