• Blog,  Concerts

    I Finally Saw Willie Nelson: Outlaw Music Festival Concert Review

    September 22 2019 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: September 22, 2019
    • Location of Concert; Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, OH
    Disclaimer: I HATE country music.
     
    I always have and I always will.
     
    Having said that, I wanted to finally see Willie Nelson.
     
    So I did.
     
    I went to his Outlaw Music Festival in Cincinnati.
     
    There were five bands and I went for two of them: Willie and Bonnie Raitt.
     
    The first act, Derek Allan Band, was meh to me.
     
    The second act, Jamestown Revival, was actually good. I can’t say I’ll ever buy any of their music, but they were good.
     
    Bonnie Raitt was great!! She still sings and plays well, and her band is fantastic. I’m glad I saw her.
     
    The next act, Luke Combs, I could care less about.
     
    He’s considered hot stuff by a lot of people and that’s good for them, but I hated having to sit through his set.
     
    It was terrible to my ears. And you know what’s sad? He probably had the best reaction of the night.
     
    Not that Willie didn’t have a great reaction, but I swear many people were leaving during his set.
     
    Seeing Willie Nelson was good. He is still great at what he does, and his band, which is his family, are fantastic. Especially his sister, Bobbie, who plays piano.
     
    This concert was a mixed bag for me but I’m glad I saw Willie and Bonnie. They were great.
     
    I hope they keep going for a long time to come.
     
    Again, I HATE Country music and I always will. But I respect Willie and Bonnie and am glad I saw them.

    Willie Nelson Set List:

    1. Whiskey River/Still Is Still Movin’/Beer For My Horses
    2. Down Yonder
    3. If You Got The Money
    4. Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys
    5. Georgia On My Mind
    6. La La La Song
    7. My Favorite Picture
    8. Hard To Be Humble
    9. It’s All Going To Pot
    10. Roll Me Up And Smoke Me When I Die
    11. Good Hearted Woman
    12. Nuages
    13. On The Road Again
    14. Always On My Mind
    15. Jambalaya/Hey Good Lookin’/Move It On Over
    16. Circle Be Unbroken/I’ll Fly Away/I Saw The Light

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)


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  • Blog,  Conventions

    I Met Some Star Trek Stars: My Cincinnati Comic Expo Experience

    September 21 2019 / No Comments
    • Date of Event: September 21, 2019
    • Location of Event: Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, OH
    I went to the Cincinnati ComicCon again.
     
    This was the second time I’ve been to this con.
     
    It’s pretty cool.
     
    I saw a few celebrities but the ones I really wanted to see and did were Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura on Star Trek) and Brent Spiner (Lt. Commander Data on Star Trek:The Next Generation, it’s four movies, the Independence Day movies, and the upcoming Picard series).
     
    Both were very nice.
     
    As of next year, Nichelle is apparently not making personal appearances anymore so this was my chance to meet her. I’m glad I did.
     
    She had a great turnout, as she should.
     
    Brent I was supposed to meet last year but he had to cancel. I’m glad I met him today.
     
    I told him how much a fan I am and that I think the Star Trek Nemesis movie (the last Star Trek movie with The Next Generation cast) is underrated and under appreciated. He thanked me and agreed with me.
     
    I also said I’m looking forward to the Picard show, and he said he was looking forward to seeing it too. The last thing he said to me was “Be well”.
     
    Another cool day for me. Especially since I’m a Star Trek fan.
     
    I get to do it again tomorrow when I see Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, and others in concert at Riverbend Music Center, just outside Cincinnati.
     
    I consider that place my home away from home.

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)


  • Blog,  Conventions

    I Met Dee!! My Scarefest Weekend Experience

    September 14 2019 / No Comments
    • Date of Event: September 14, 2019
    • Location of Event: Central Bank Center in Lexington, KY
    I went to Scarefest 2019 today in Lexington, Kentucky.
     
    There were several cool celebrities there like Lee Majors (who I have met twice, very nice man), Bruce Campbell, Clu Gulager, Mick Foley, and others.
     
    But I went there specifically to meet one of my biggest heroes: Dee Snider!!
     
    Dee signed all of my stuff.
     
    We conversed.
     
    He insisted I take pictures of him signing my stuff.
     
    He was funny. He was sooo nice to me.
     
    I had tweeted Dee on and off a bunch for a few years, and one day this year, I sent him a few pics of the stuff I have of his work (CDs, DVDs) saying I need to figure out what to bring to this event for him to sign.
     
    He was blown away by it.
     
    Instead of just saying oh that’s cool Lucas or words to that effect, Dee said “You’re hardcore. Bring what you got and I’ll sign all of it”. And he did.
     
    I’ve been a fan for 21 years.
     
    I sadly never got to see his band Twisted Sister in concert, but I did finally see Dee in 2017 in Northfield, Ohio.
     
    And I saw him in Kettering, Ohio this summer with Kings Of Chaos.
     
    It was an honor meeting Dee today.
     
    He went above and beyond for me, and he didn’t have to.
     
    But I will forever appreciate his kindness and generosity.
     
    And thank you to Danny Stanton for helping make this happen for me as well.
     
    The last thing I said to Dee was that I’m a fan for life. And I am.
     
    Another big highlight in my life.
     
    This is what I live for.

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)


  • Blog,  Concerts

    Such a Fun Night!! The B-52s/OMD/Berlin Concert Review

    September 9 2019 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: September 8, 2019
    • Location of Concert: The Rose Music Center at The Heights in Huber Heights, OH
    I had a fun weekend.
     
    First I saw L.A. Guns Saturday night (see other post) and Sunday night I saw Berlin, OMD, and B-52s. All in one night.
     
    First up, though, I actually met the lead singer of Berlin, Terri Nunn.
     
    She was very nice. I wish that her bandmates, bassist/founder/main songwriter John Crawford and guitarist David Diamond, participated in the photo op too, but that’s ok.
     
    I saw all of them rocking out together in concert. But yes, a happy moment.
     
    Berlin started the show. They’re on their 40th anniversary, and they have a new album out called Transcendence.
     
    They played the title track and another new one (I Want You) at this show (both of which are very good and the crowd reacted well to them), as well as Berlin classics No More Words, The Metro, Masquerade, Take My Breath Away (the song everyone knows), Sex (I’m A) which was phenomenal, and a cover of AC/DC’s Highway To Hell.
     
    Terri said that is her favorite religious song. Funny.
     
    Not a long enough set for me, but also good enough. Loved seeing her, John, and David together.
     
    Love this band and these people.
     
    Also, after I got home, Terri replied to a tweet I sent her (see pics).
     
    Very nice woman and PHENOMENAL singer.
     
    I’m glad I finally saw them.
     
    Next up was OMD (Orchestral Manouvers In The Dark).
     
    I was not familiar with a lot of their music, but they were very good and the frontman, singer/bassist Andy McClusky, definitely knows how to work an audience.
     
    The crowd was super hyped up and loved every second of their set.
     
    The rest of the band is rounded out by singer/keyboardist Paul Humphreys, Martin Cooper (keyboards and saxophone), and drummer Stuart Kershaw.
     
    Very fun set and I need to check out more of their music.
     
    Last was the B-52s. Like Berlin, they’re celebrating 40 years as a band.
     
    Classic members Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, and Cindy Wilson and their rocking band sure do put on a show.
     
    All their voices have held up, the songs and musicianship are strong, and the visuals, as Berlin and OMD’s visuals as well, are very cool.
     
    This was such a fun concert from start to finish.
     
    Again, this is what I live for people.
    More to come.
     
    Below are the setlists for each band. I’ve also posted pictures.

    Berlin Set List:

    1. No More Words
    2. The Metro
    3. Masquerade
    4. I Want You (New Song)
    5. Take My Breath Away
    6. Transcendence (New Song)
    7. Sex (I’m A)
    8. Highway To Hell

    OMD Set List:

    1. Enola Gay
    2. Secret
    3. Tesla Girls
    4. History Of Modern (Part 1)
    5. (Forever) Live And Die
    6. If You Leave
    7. Joan Of Arc
    8. Talking Loud And Clear
    9. So In Love
    10. Dreaming
    11. Locomotion
    12. Electricity

    The B-52s Set List:

    1. Private Idaho
    2. Mesopotamia
    3. Give Me Back My Man
    4. Channel Z
    5. Funplex
    6. Deadbeat Club
    7. Juliet Of The Spirits
    8. Roam
    9. Party Out Of Bounds
    10. Cosmic Thing
    11. Dance This Mess Around
    12. Love Shack
    13. Encore: Planet Claire
    14. Rock Lobster

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)


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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Rocking Show!! L.A. Guns Concert Review

    September 7 2019 / 1 Comment
    • Date of Concert: September 7, 2019
    • Location of Concert: The Bluenote Harrison in Harrison, OH
    I finally saw L.A. Guns.
     
    I saw them at Blue Note Harrison in Harrison, Ohio.
     
    They played to a packed crowd and played many old songs and a few new ones.
     
    They did not disappoint.
     
    Singer Phil Lewis is still incredible and lead guitarist Tracii Guns is phenomenal!
     
    The rest of the band, guitarist Ace Von Johnson, bassist Johnny Martin, and drummer Scott Coogan are solid.
     
    Very loud and fun show.
     
    More to come.
     
    In a few years I won’t do this anymore, but until then, onwards.

    L.A. Guns Set List

    1. Over The Edge
    2. No Mercy
    3. Sex Action
    4. The Devil You Know
    5. Electric Gypsy
    6. Some Lie 4 Love
    7. Kiss My Love Goodbye
    8. Gone Honey
    9. I Wanna Be Your Man (not The Beatles song of the same name)
    10. Never Enough (with Hells Bells intro)
    11. Crystal Eyes (partial
    12. The Ballad Of Jayne
    13. Speed
    14. Hellraisers Ball
    15. Rip And Tear

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)


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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Don’t Fear The Reaper: Blue Oyster Cult Concert Review

    September 1 2019 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: August 31, 2019
    • Location of Concert: Portsmouth River Days in Portsmouth, OH
    I saw another great band in concert: Blue Oyster Cult!!
     
    This time near where I live.
    Blue Oyster Cult played a free show in Portsmouth, Ohio.
     
    I was there with my cousin/little brother I never had Zachary, my best friend Jamie McClintic and my other best friend Kevin Montavon.
     
    BOC were very loud, but clear.
     
    Classic members Buck Dharma and Eric Bloom and their band really rocked the hits everyone knows (Don’t Fear The Reaper, Godzilla, Burning For You) as well as many other great songs.
     
    I’m glad I finally saw them, and for free no less.
     
    Such a great time.
     
    I’m glad I was able to do this before having to go back and be a slave to the system Monday.
     
    But even so, I have many events coming this month.
     
    Stay tuned.

    Blue Oyster Cult Band Members:

    • Buck Dharma (Lead Vocals/Guitar)
    • Eric Bloom (Lead Vocals/Guitar/Keyboards)
    • Richie Castellano (Guitar)
    • Danny Miranda (Bass)
    • Jules Radino (Drums)

    Set List:

    1. Transmaniacon MC
    2. Golden Age Of Leather
    3. Burnin’ For You
    4. Secret Road
    5. The Vigil
    6. E.T.I. (Extra Terrestrial  Intelligence)
    7. Buck’s Boogie
    8. Then Came The Last Days Of May
    9. Dancin’ In The Ruins
    10. Godzilla
    11. Buck Dharma Guitar Solo
    12. (Don’t Fear) The Reaper
    13. Encore:  Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)