The Knitting Factory Was Rocked To Its Foundation by Saliva

There is no better way to say goodbye to the last bits of summer than a concert. Especially when that concert is a band that I have grown up with and rocked out to more than I’d care to admit. Saliva stormed through the Knitting Factory on September 28^th, and it was one of the best shows I have ever been a part of.

It was wholly wild being able to be seen by a band, and LYLVC ( pronounced Lilac ) made sure to make the whole set memorable. LYLVC is such a breath of fresh air in the genre. Fusing rock, metal, alt, and hip hop all in one is something that isn’t often heard in the scene. Fronted by Alyse Zavala and Oscar Romero covering clean vocals and rapping. Seth Morgan on lead guitar, Ryan Powell on drums, and Cam Gilette on keyboards and rhythm guitar.

They started the show off with a bang and the energy they fed into the crowd was almost palpable. With a mix of original songs and covers was enough to have everyone on their feet. One cover in particular was something that was so special to so many. Covering Linkin Park’s Papercut. I could see how much that song meant to so many in the crowd and I know that Chester would be proud to have such an amazing band cover his song.

LYLVC ONLINE : Instagram | Twitter

Next up is Austin John Winkler’s newest project The Founder. Austin formed Hinder when he was only nineteen years old, and in 2013 he parted ways with the band he helped make big. But, that didn’t seem to hold him back. After a break from music, he stormed back onto the scene with his newest project he calls The Founder.

Releasing their ep Walking Ded in 2025, Austin and The Founder sprinkles in classic Hinder hits such as Get Stoned and Lips of an Angel, which turned 20 the day of the concert. It was surreal hearing a song that I could relate to on so many levels ( and not in the way anyone would think ).

THE FOUNDER ONLINE: Instagram

Earshot hit the stage like a storm and it was as if they commanded all eyes on them. Formed in 1999, the alternative metal band has seen many turnovers when it comes to members, but one constant has been frontman and lead vocalist Wil Martin who brings such a unique sound to the table. Rounding out the group is John Novak on bass, Mike Sylvia on drums, and Aaron Fink on guitars.

Being able to hear a couple of the new songs off the newest release Humaning which would come out October 10^th, 2025, Wil also let the crowd know that his lead guitarist Aaron Fink was someone who helped write one of the most recognizable Breaking Benjamin songs of all time. Covering So Cold was something that sent chills down my spine in all the best ways.

EARSHOT ONLINE: Instagram | Twitter

Saliva took the stage and the crowd was deafening. Formed in 1996, Saliva has been a staple in the nu-metal, post-grunge scene for as long as I can remember. With frontman Bobby Amaru bringing such life to the songs I grew up listening to. With Brad Stewart on bass, Sammi Jo Bishop on the drums, Josh Kulack on lead guitar, and Sebastian LaBar on rhythm guitar, Saliva is even more a powerhouse now than they were in the 90s.

Starting off their set with Ladies and Gentlemen ( which was just chefs kiss all on it’s own ), and they didn’t stop from there. Hearing some of the classics mixed in with new songs was music to my ears. Amaru has such a stage presence that it was hard to take my eyes off of him, even through the camera lens.

Close to the end of the set, a familiar song floated into my ears. Not once did I think I would ever hear Eminem at a metal concert. Lose Yourself started and honestly, it was one of the best covers I have ever heard.

By the time the final song came around, Amaru pulled up some kids from the crowd. It was heartwarming to see such a young generation be so excited and into music that I grew up with. Click Click Boom was the final song of the set and he had the kids sing the chorus with him. I could see the parents from where I was, and they all looked so happy and proud of their kids, and you could definitely tell that this was the band’s favorite part of the show.