-
Last KISS?: Sonic Temple Festival (KISS, Rob Zombie, & Others) Concert Review
- Date of Concert: May 27, 2023
- Location of Concert: Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, OH
I went to some of the Saturday portion of Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival 2023 in Columbus, Ohio.I only saw Trivium super briefly, which I’m disappointed about because I really wanted to see them.I saw some of From Ashes To New and most of Falling In Reverse.I only saw video of Puscifer, Maynard James Keenan of Tool/A Perfect Circle other band because I had a decent spot waiting for my favorite band which I will get to shortly.Rob Zombie was the co-headliner.This was my 4th time seeing him.He’s always great and fun.But the main event was what made me the most happy. My favorite band KISS!!I’ve seen them 11 times in the past 25 years, and I love every album and every lineup this band has had.They never let me down.I always feel 16 again when I listen to them and see them.I love many bands but they make me the most happy.Thank you so much to them for everything they have done and made.And if this was my last time seeing them (I’ve said that before), then it was a great last time.KISS Band Members:
- Paul Stanley (Lead Vocals/Guitar)
- Gene Simmons (Lead Vocals/Bass)
- Eric Singer (Drums/Vocals)
- Tommy Thayer (Guitar/Vocals)
Rob Zombie Band Members:
- Rob Zombie (Lead Vocals)
- Riggs (Guitar)
- Piggy D (Bass)
- Ginger Fish (Drums)
KISS Set List:
- Detroit Rock City
- Shout It Out Loud
- War Machine
- Heaven’s On Fire
- I Love It Loud
- Cold Gin
- Guitar Solo
- Lick It Up
- Calling Dr. Love
- Psycho Circus
- Drum Solo
- 100,000 Years
- God Of Thunder
- Love Gun
- I Was Made For Loving You
- Black Diamond
- Encore: Beth
- Rock And Roll All Nite
Rob Zombie Set List:
- The Triumph of King Freak (A Crypt of Preservation and Superstition)
- Superbeast
- Meet The Creeper
- Shake Your Ass-Smoke Your Grass
- Living Dead Girl
- More Human Than Human
- Dead City Radio and The New Gods of Supertown
- Scum of the Earth
- Never Gonna Stop (The Red, Red Kroovy)
- Well, Everybody’s Fucking In a U.F.O.
- House of 1000 Corpses
- Thunder Kiss ’65
- Dragula
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
-
Kiss From a Rose and Video Killed The Radio Star: Seal and Trevor Horn of The Buggles Concert Review
- Date of Concert: May 7, 2023
- Location of Concert: Louisville Palace Theatre in Louisville, KY
Such a great way to end my weekend.Seal and The Buggles.The Buggles were the first band to have a video on MTV.Singer/multi instrumentalist/producer Trevor Horn is still doing it (keyboardist Geoff Downes is very busy in Yes now).Great little set.Seal used all of The Buggles band for his show. The drummer and keyboardist have been with him from the very beginning. Trevor Horn is also his producer and friend.His set mostly focused on his first two albums.Seal is one of my favorite singers and his songs have been there for me through good and bad times.His second album (self titled or Seal 2) and Human Being are two of my favorite albums of all time.Sooooo phenomenal.Seal Set List:
- Crazy
- The Beginning
- Deep Water
- Whirlpool
- Future Love Paradise
- Violet
- Bring It On
- Prayer For The Dying
- Don’t Cry
- Fast Changes
- Killer (Seal sang this song walking around in the crowd)
- Kiss From A Rose
- Encore: Get It Together
- Love’s Divine
The Buggles Set List:
- Two Tribes
- Living In The Plastic Age
- Elstree
- I Am A Camera
- Owner Of A Lonely Heart
- Video Killed The Radio Star
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
-
Rock Me!! Great White/Riley’s LA Guns/Lost Hearts Concert Review
- Date of Concert: May 5, 2023
- Location of Concert: Smuggler's Run in Wyandotte, MI
Wow what a fun time I had in Michigan.Very cool place.I was fortunate enough to be part of Riley’s LA Guns’ meet and greet, brought on a local radio show, before the concert.I got to speak to all of the band, they signed my CD insert, and I got my picture taken with them.They were all very kind and appreciative.I told them how much I love the music they’re doing and I look forward to their new album.The singer/co-guitarist Kurt Frohlich told me I will love it, which I have no doubt. He also gave me a guitar pick, which glows in the dark.Lead guitarist Scott Griffin was very cool too.Bassist Kelly Nickels was not here for some reason but the bassist they had was great and nice too.Drummer Steve Riley (LA Guns, W.A.S.P., The B’ZZ, Keel, Steppenwolf) was super cool. I told him how much I love his drumming, especially on the W.A.S.P. album The Last Command. He was super appreciative.All the guys were great and yes I know they are one of two LA Guns bands out there.Classic singer Phil Lewis and guitarist/founder Tracii Guns do that one and are still making phenomenal albums.Usually, I can’t stand when two bands are out there but in this case, I’m ok with it. Both are great and I’m allowed to like both.Anyway, I’m being long winded here but again, I appreciate all the guys, the radio station 94.7 WCSX, and Smugglers for putting this on. You made my year.Now to the actual concert.Starting off was an up and coming band called Lost Hearts.They are a very good four piece rock and roll band. They have a few singles out and are playing as many dates as they can, and I must say I’m impressed.They played mostly originals but also played a cool KISS cover (Come On and Love Me).I want albums from these guys and I wish them all the best in the future. Rock on guys!!Then, Riley’s LA Guns took the stage and rocked the house, playing many of the band’s classics, some great songs from their last album Renegades, which I love, plus a song from their upcoming album.Thank you guys for everything and for rocking and rolling like you do.Then Great White ended the night with a great set of classic GW songs.New singer Brett Carlisle (thanks for the friend request and for the fist bumps) is a great fit for this band.Yes I still am a huge Jack Russell fan too and I support his band too (Jack Russell’s Great White who are phenomenal and great people too), but again, I love both bands and that should be ok. I also got a guitar pick from the great Mark Kendall!!Thank you sir.Nights like this is what I live for.Great White Band Members:
- Brett Carlisle (Lead Vocals)
- Mark Kendall (Lead Guitar)
- Michael Lardie (Guitar/Keyboards/Harmonica)
- Scott Snyder (Bass)
- Audi Desbrow (Drums)
Riley's LA Guns Band Members:
- Steve Riley (Drums)
- Kurt Frolich (Lead Vocals/Guitar)
- Scott Griffin (Lead Guitar)
- Kelly Nickels (Bass-Did Not Play this Show. They had a fill-in bassist))
Lost Hearts Band Members:
- Max Frye (Lead Vocals/Guitar)
- JT Shea (Guitar/Bass)
- Victor Adriel (Guitar/Bass)
- Mitch Arnholt (Drums)
Great White Set List:
- Desert Moon
- Lady Redlight
- Stick It
- Face The Day
- House Of Broken Love
- Rollin’ Stoned
- Angel
- Big Time
- Blues Jam
- Mista Bone
- The Big Goodbye
- Save Your Love
- Rock Me
- Once Bitten Twice Shy
Riley's LA Guns Set List:
- Over The Edge
- Never Enough
- Sex Action
- Crawl
- Wild Obession
- Lost Boys
- Kiss My Love Goodbye
- Somebody Save Me (New Song)
- The Ballad Of Jayne
- Electric Gypsy
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
-
Thank You David Crosby (RIP): Snarky Puppy Concert Review
- Date of Concert: April 24, 2023
- Location of Concert: Ritter Park Amphitheater in Huntington, WV
- Opener: Nate Wood
I finally saw the band Snarky Puppy today.The show was at The Ritter in Huntington, WV.I went with my brother and his girlfriend. We had a great time.Nate Wood opened with a very cool set of music in which he sings and/or plays everything. Super talent.Then the Puppy took the stage.Led by bassist and really multi instrumentalist Michael League, who celebrated his birthday today (Happy Birthday!!), he and his huge band played a bunch of music from their latest album Empire Central, along with some older songs.They are a very sophisticated instrumental jazz/pop band (think Steely Dan but no vocals and even more sophisticated).I highly recommend checking them out.Thanks David Crosby (RIP, I miss you) for turning me onto their music.Also, Michael League is an excellent singer and has recorded some amazing albums with David (Lighthouse, Here If You Listen, and Live From The Capital Theatre).Awesome show.Snarky Puppy Band Members (Not all of them were at this show)
- Michael League (Bass/Composer/Bandleader)
- Bill Laurance (Keyboards)
- Bobby Sparks II (Keyboards)
- Justin Stanton (Trumpet/Keyboards)
- Shaun Martin (Keyboards)
- Bob Lanzetti (Guitar)
- Mark Lettieri (Guitar)
- Chris McQueen (Guitar)
- Mike "Maz" Maher (Trumpet)
- Jay Jennings (Trumpet)
- Chris Bullock (Tenor Saxophone/Flute/Clarinet)
- Bob Reynolds (Saxophone)
- Zach Brock (Violin)
- Nate Werth (Percussion)
- Marcelo Woloski (Percussion/Drums)
- Keita Ogawa (Percussion/Drums)
- Jamison Ross (Drums)
- Larnell Lewis (Drums)
- Jason "JT" Thomas (Drums)
Set List:
- Cliroy
- Coney Bear
- Broken Arrow
- East Bay
- Pineapple
- Mean Green
- Trinity
- Take It!
- Sleeper (Everyone sang Happy Birthday to Michael League)
- Encore: What About Me?
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
-
Can’t Get Enough!: Kip Winger Concert Review
- Date of Concert: April 23, 2023
- The Belle and the Bear in Cincinnati, OH
Thanks Kip Winger for the fantastic acoustic show in Cincinnati.I bought a shirt and your Classical CD, which was the only solo album of yours that I did not have.All your solo albums and albums with the band Winger are phenomenal.My favorites are Winger IV and Better Days Comin’ (which is my favorite album of 2014). I can’t wait to buy Winger 7 May 5.Keep on rocking sir.Band Members:
- Kip Winger (Vocals/Guitar/Keyboards)
- Ben Hans (Percussion)
Set List:
- Cross
- Easy Come Easy Go
- Who’s The One
- Cant’ Get Enough
- Hungry
- Ever Wonder
- Rainbow In The Rose
- Miles Away (Kip picked a woman out of the audience to the sing the song with him)
- Free
- Steam
- Pages and Pages
- Where Will You Go
- Headed For a Heartbreak
- Down Incognito
- Just What I Needed (some of it)
- Madalaine
- Seventeen
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
-
Let The Music Do The Talking!: The Joe Perry Project Concert Review
- Date of Concert: April 22, 2023
- Location of Concert: The Crofoot in Pontiac, MI
- Opener: Micky James
Wow!What a show.I saw his solo band at The Crofoot in Pontiac, Michigan.What a loud and rocking show it was.Tons of deep cuts from both The Joe Perry Project, Aerosmith, and some covers.It was amazing to be able to hear every note coming from Joe’s guitar.I was in the second row of people so I had an amazing view.Joe’s singer is Gary Cherone, of Extreme, Tribe of Judah, and even Van Halen.Bassist is David Hull, who played on the original The Joe Perry Project albums, and has a been a friend of Joe’s since 1971.On drums is Jason Sutter.On keyboards is longtime Aerosmith keyboardist Buck Johnson.Joe is one of the most famous musicians in the world and he’s still as great as ever.He only did a brief tour (6 shows) and this was the last show of the tour.He’s doing more dates with another band he’s in called The Hollywood Vampires, and he said recently that Aerosmith is supposed to announce a tour on the Howard Stern show. Stay tuned.I’m so glad I got to see this show.I had not seen Joe since 2014, which was the most recent time I’ve seen Aerosmith (seen them 3 times).Aerosmith is one of my favorite bands but I also love Joe’s solo stuff too and Joe in general.I even got to speak to him on the phone in 2009 on Eddie Trunk’s radio show.Aside from being with my girlfriend Mariah Startzman, going to concerts is what makes me the most happy.Opener Micky James started the show and got the place jumping, but of course, everyone was there to see Joe.This is definitely one of my favorite shows.The Joe Perry Project Band Members:
- Joe Perry (Guitar/Vocals)
- Gary Cherone (Vocals)
- David Hull (Bass)
- Jason Sutter (Drums
- Buck Johnson (Keyboards
Set List:
- I’ve Got the Rock ‘N’ Rolls Again
- Somebody
- East Coast, West Coast
- S.O.S. (Too Bad)
- Aye, Aye, Aye
- Lick and a Promise
- Fortunate One
- Beck’s Bolero
- Flying Saucer Rock ‘N’ Roll
- Won’t Let Me Go
- Reefer Head Woman
- Quake
- Chip Away The Stone
- You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory
- Bone To Bone (Coney Island White Fish Boy)
- Rockin’ Train
- Let The Music Do The Talking
- Encore: Lightning Strikes
- Walk This Way
- Train Kept a Rollin’
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
-
Master Musicians: Hot Tuna Concert Review
- Date of Concert: April 20, 2023
- Location of Concert: Riverfront Live in Cincinnati, OH
Thank you Hot Tuna for such a great show at Riverfront Live in Cincinnati.Singer/guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and bassist Jack Casady are master musicians.Both used to be in Jefferson Airplane in the 1960s and 70s and have played together since then.This was an acoustic show. They do both acoustic and electric sets, but this was only acoustic.Phenomenal is all I can say about this. Jorma is an incredible guitarist and Jack is by far one of the best bassists I’ve ever seen play. Best of the best.Jorma has a place in Pomeroy, OH called the Fur Peace Ranch, which is a workshop for musicians.Check it out and definitely seek out their music.Hot Tuna Band Members:
- Jorma Kaukonen (Lead Vocals/Guitar)
- Jack Casady (Bass)
Setlist:
Set 1:
- Ain’t In No Hurry
- Another Man Done Gone
- Ice Age
- Hesitation Blues
- Barbeque King
- Great Divide Revisited
- That’ll Never Happen No More
- Full Go Round
- Sea Child
- Trial By Fire
- Death Don’t Have No Mercy
- How Long Blues
Set 2:
- Blue Railroad Train
- Highway Song
- Come Back Baby
- San Francisco Bay Blues
- Been So Long
- Letter To The North Star
- 99 Year Blues
- Sleep Song
- Good Shepherd
- Song For The Stainless Cymbal
- Hamar Promenade
- Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
- I Know You Rider
- Encore: Water Song
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
-
A Great Night of Metal!: Queensryche/Marty Friedman/Trauma Concert Review
- Date of Concert: April 4, 2023
- Location of Concert: Newport Music Hall in Columbus, OH
Queensrÿche, Marty Friedman, and Trauma rocked the Newport Music Hall in Columbus, Ohio Tuesday night.Thanks to all the bands for kicking so much butt.Thanks for the acknowledgment Todd LaTorre.Great concert.Queensryche Band Members:
- Todd LaTorre (Lead Vocals)
- Michael Wilton (Guitar)
- Mike Stone (Guitar)
- Eddie Jackson (Bass, Backing Vocals)
- Casey Grillo (Drums)
Marty Friedman Band Members:
- Marty Friedman (Lead Guitar)
- Naoki Morioka (Guitar)
- Wakazaemon (Bass)
- Chargeeeeee (Drums)
Trauma Band Members:
- Brian Allen (Lead Vocals)
- Casey Trask (Guitar)
- Steve Robello (Guitar)
- Michael Spencer (Bass)
- Kris Gustofson (Drums)
Queensryche Set List:
- Behind The Walls
- Don’t Look Back
- Child Of Fire
- En Force
- Spreading The Disease
- In Extremis
- Light-Years
- Sicdeth
- Forest
- Jet City Woman
- Empire
- My Empty Room/Eyes of a Stranger
- Encore: Deliverance
- Queen of the Reich
- Roads to Madness
Marty Friedman Set List:
- Stigmata Addiction
- Devil Take Tomorrow
- Amagigoe
- Tornado Of Souls (Megadeth song. Marty was in Megadeth for many years)
- Paradise Express
- Dragon Mistress
- Kaze ga Fuiteiru
Trauma Set List:
- From Here to Hell
- Meat
- The River Red
- End of Everything
- Walk Away
- Death of an Angel
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
-
Fozzy Rocks!: Fozzy Concert Review
- Date of Concert: March 26, 2023
- Location of Concert: Bogarts in Cincinnati, OH
- Openers: The Nocturnal Affair and Seventh Day Slumber
Mariah Startzman and I had such a great time at the Fozzy concert at Bogarts in Cincinnati, Ohio Sunday.The Nocturnal Affair and Seventh Day Slumber opened the show. Both of them were very good.But the main event was Fozzy. Chris Jericho Rich Ward and all the guys in the band put on a very fun, loud and rocking show.Chris is such a great frontman. He even had everyone sing Happy Birthday to a little boy in the crowd.I have all their albums (my favorites are Chasing The Grail, Do You Wanna Start A War, Judas, and Boombox) and have followed them from the beginning over 20 years ago.They really kick butt but are also just fun.That’s what music is supposed to be.Also, they put on quite the meet and greet experience too.They played a bonus set (Sane, Burn Me Out, Martyr No More, Eat The Rich, and the Loverboy classic Everybody’s Working For The Weekend), took group photos, signed things and answered people’s questions.Thank you guys for such a great time.Keep on rocking.Fozzy Band Members:
- Chris Jericho (Lead Vocals)
- Rich Ward (Guitar)
- Billy Grey (Guitar
- P.J. Farley (Bass)
- Grant Brooks (Drums)
Fozzy VIP Meet and Greet Set List:
- Sane
- Burn Me Out
- Martyr No More
- Eat The Rich
- Everybody’s Working For The Weekend
Fozzy Main Set List:
- Sane
- Drinkin’ With Jesus
- Nowhere To Run
- Do You Wanna Start a War
- Lights Go Out
- Relax
- I Still Burn
- Burn Me Out
- Spider In My Mouth
- God Pounds His Nails
- Purifier
- The Vulture Club
- Enemy
- Encore: Judas
- Blitzkrieg Bop
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
-
I’m Your Captain: Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad Concert Review
- Date of Concert: March 24, 2023
- Location of Concert: Ritz Theatre in Tiffin, OH
Loved seeing Mark Farner’s American Band in Tiffin, Ohio.For those that don’t know, he’s the lead singer, guitarist, songwriter, and frontman of Grand Funk Railroad.He and his band are phenomenal.My girlfriend Mariah Startzman and I had a great time.Mark said he’s working on new music with Mark Slaughter of the band Slaughter.I look forward to that too.Bring on the new music.Mark Farner's American Band Members:
- Mark Farner (Lead Vocals/Guitar/Keyboards)
- Paul Randolph (Bass)
- Hubert Crawford (Drums)
- Bernie Palo (Keyboards)
Set List:
- Are You Ready?
- Rock & Roll Soul
- Footstompin’ Music
- Bad Time
- Paranoid
- Rain Keeps Falling (opening riff)
- We’re An American Band
- Shinin’ On
- Ohio
- In Need
- Aimless Lady
- Creepin’
- The Loco-Motion
- Drum Solo (w/Mark on a side drum kit)
- Extended Intro Music
- Some Kind Of Wonderful
- I’m Your Captain/Closer To Home
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
