Mixer was there: Candlebox at Raleigh Downtown Live

I hear it's hard for musicians to figure out which song will send them to the top of the charts, or which sound will hit the right cord with the most profitable CD-buying markets. But when a music fan goes to the live show, it's pretty easy to tell if a band will pass by with just a few radio hits, or if it will be around forever. The difference is heart.

Candlebox is one of those bands I expect will continue to bring out thousands and thousands of fans before its members retire — if that day ever comes.

Straight out of the Seattle grunge era, Candlebox has been playing for 18 years, reuniting in its original lineup in 2006. But their age doesn't show.

They headlined 2009's first Downtown Live in Raleigh on May 30 with the energy of a group of rambunctious 18-year-olds, but harnessed the talent of music veterans while playing classics like “Far Behind,” “You” and “Blossom,” as well as new tunes like “Miss You,” which frontman Kevin Martin dedicated to servicemen and women. Martin said he wrote the song for his father, a World War II vet who stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944.

I, at 25 years old, was shamed at my aching back while the “old guys” dominated the stage, commanding the crowd even when parts of it broke into fist fights. The energy mainly exuded from Martin, who arrived on stage wearing colorfully lit sunglasses, and a new fifth member, Sean Hennesy on rhythm guitar. Hennesy gained the crowd's eye with a series of fancy foot-work and climbing the rafters.

But nothing they did felt like a gimmick. They weren't there solely for the attention brought on from being rock stars. They know they're incredible musicians, they know they have a lot of fans, but what really matters is they get to play the music they love. And they continue to express their undying gratitude.

Contact Kristin Day at kday@coxncnc.com or (252) 329-9579.