FIRST MIDWEST BANK AMPHITHEATRE, Tinley Park - Last evening, Hinder’s music was like an addictive drug to everyone in the amphitheatre.

The high started when Hinder opened with “How Long.” As the song concluded, Hinder received a monumental ovation.

Hinder continued injecting our addictive behavior with songs like “Homecoming Queen,” “Better than Me,” “Room 21,” “Lips of an Angel” and “Get Stoned.”

But it did not end there. Hinder played “Heaven Sent You” and their newest hit “Use Me.”

If you are unfamiliar with these Hinder songs, do not worry, they will be available on their next album Take it to the Limit when it is released on November 4, 2008. Yes, you can vote for Barack Obama or John McCain and purchase the album on the same day.

By the excitement of the audience as Austin Winkler belted out the lyrics to these two songs, it should be another successful sophomore album. Not bad for these Oklahoma rockers!

For those of you who want to go one step further with your addictive behavior, make sure you purchase “Use Me” when the single is released on July 15th. Mark King informed me earlier that day that this would be the first video to be released from Take it to the Limit.

As Hinder continued to perform song after song on their set list, I waited patiently for several to arrive. However, the arrival never came for songs like “Bliss,” “Running in the Rain” and “Thing for You.” Maybe next time?

Hinder did receive some boos, however it had nothing to do with their performance. Austin remarked, “Cubs are in first place,” which caused boos from White Sox fans. He then said, “I forgot there are two teams in Chicago… I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer.” Shortly after Austin’s remarks, Hinder concluded their set list with “Get Stoned.”

The arena bad boys are back with a vengeance and fulfilled everyone’s Hinder addiction, including mine. I am looking forward to the release of Take it to the Limit. I believe it will become another multi-platinum smashing success. If they could have roughly 10,000 people in the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre on their knees for their new material, imagine what they could do with the world at their fingertips? Below is the set list from the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Illinois.

First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre:

1.    “How Long”
2.    “Homecoming Queen”
3.    “Heaven Sent You”
4.    “Better than Me”
5.    “Use Me”
6.    “Room 21”
7.    “Lips of an Angel”
8.    “Get Stoned”

akecker@alwaysacoustic.com