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Can You Feel It?! Angel Concert Review
- Date of Concert: March 12, 2023
- Location of Concert: The Token Lounge in Westland, MI
- Openers: Larry Pascale and The New/Old
Wow what a great concert my girlfriend Mariah Startzman and I saw.ANGEL The New/Old and Larry Pascale.My friend Kevin Montavon and his wife Heather were there to see the show too.Larry Pascale opened with a very rocking set.I bought his Black And Blue CD and he signed it for me. Thank you so much!!Then The New/Old played a loud rocking set and were quite good.Then one of my favorite bands Angel played.They are my pick for bands that had/have it all but for whatever reason they didn’t quite get to say the Aerosmith level of popularity.But to me founding members Frank DiMino & Edwin Lionel Meadows and their band consisting of Danny Farrow Anniello Billy Orrico, Steve Ojane, and Charlie Calv are one of the best bands out there.They formed in the early 70s, ended in the 80s, got back in the late 90s for a few years, then got together again as a result of Frank and Punky doing solo albums and touring together to promote those albums.They then restarted the band and made a great album called Risen. I’m sooooo glad they’re still kicking butt.I also can’t wait to buy their new album Once Upon A Time, out April 21st and see them again at The KING of CLUBS in August.Angel rules.All their albums (Angel, Helluva Band, On Earth As It Is In Heaven, White Hot, Sinful, Live Without A Net, In The Beginning, Risen, and their upcoming Once Upon A Time) are great.As are Frank’s solo album Old Habits Die Hard and Punky’s Fallen Angel album (that’s my favorite album of 2016).Angel Band Members:
- Frank Dimino (Lead Vocals)
- Punky Meadows (Lead Guitar)
- Danny Farrow Anniello (Rhythm Guitar)
- Charlie Calv (Keyboards)
- Steve E. Ojane (Bass)
- Billy Orrico (Drums)
Set List:
- On The Rocks
- Can You Feel It
- Mirrors
- Wild and Hot
- Bad Time
- Cast The First Stone
- The Fortune
- We Were The Wild
- Got Love If You Want It
- Don’t Leave Me Lonely
- It’s Alright
- Pressure Point
- Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore
- Feelin’ Right
- Rock And Rollers
- The Tower
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Great Power Trio: The Winery Dogs Concert Review
- Date of Concert: March 1, 2023
- Location of Concert: The King of Clubs in Columbus, OH
- Openers: Dressed In Electric and Gudger (Local bands)
What a concert.Richie Kotzen on vocals, guitar, and keyboards.Billy Sheehan on bass and backing vocals.Mike Portnoy on drums and backing vocals.Phenomenal band.Three great albums (The Winery Dogs, Hot Streak, III).Phenomenal, loud, and rocking performance.They’re great.And two local bands Dressed In Electric and Gudger opened and were very good too.Great night.The Winery Dogs Band Members:
- Richie Kotzen: Lead Vocals/Guitar/Keyboards
- Billy Sheehan (Bass)
- Mike Portnoy (Drums)
Set List:
- Gaslight
- Xanadu
- Captain Love
- Hot Streak
- Desire
- Breakthrough
- Time Machine
- Stars
- Damaged
- Mad World
- The Other Side
- Bass Solo
- The Red Wine
- I’m No Angel
- Oblivion
- Encore: Regret
- Elevate
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Chainsaw & Rock N Roll: Jackyl Concert Review
- Date of Concert: February 18, 2023
- Location of Concert: Blue Note Harrison in Harrison, OH
Jackyl rocked the Blue Note HarrisonLoved this show.Jackyl kicks butt!!It’s that simple.My next concert is The Winery Dogs – SOLD OUT!Many more coming.Jackyl Band Members:
- Jesse James Dupree (Lead Vocals/Guitar/Chainsaw)
- Jeff Worley (Guitar)
- Roman Glick (Bass)
- Chris Worley (Drums)
Set list:
- Blast Off
- My Moonshine Kicks Your Cocaine’s Ass
- Get All Up In It
- Encore (It Makes My Bic Dig Her)
- Screwdriver
- Down On Me
- Back Off Brother
- We’re An American Band (Grand Funk Railroad cover)
- Push Comes To Shove
- A Country Boy Can Survive (Hank Williams Jr. cover)
- Just Because I’m Drunk
- I Stand Alone
- When Will It Rain
- Dirty Little Mind
- Redneck Punk
- Suspicious Minds (Mark James cover)
- Lumberjack
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Kiss Me Deadly & Don’t Treat Me Bad: Lita Ford/ Firehouse Concert Review
- Date of Concert: January 21, 2023
- Location of Concert: Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, KY
- Opener: Four Skulls
My friend Brandon Lange and I saw another great concert at the Paramount Arts CenterFour Skulls, from Kentucky, started the night with a very solid hard rock show. Alice In Chains sounding at times. Very good start to this rocking night.Then Firehouse came on and wow did they rock the house or what?! They played their hits and lots of deep cuts. Their singer CJ Snare is as great as ever and guitarist Bill Leverty is as great as anyone.Wow they really rocked.Then the one and only Lita Ford came on with her great band and just rocked the place. Her show was a master class of musicianship. Her and her whole band are just great at what they do. Her drummer Bobby Rock couldn’t make it because his wife was having a baby or just had one, so with one rehearsal, the great Brent Fitz (Slash’s band, plays with Bruce Kulick, has played for Billy Idol, Union, and others) played this show and did a monster job.One of the guitars Lita played she gave to a fan after she was done playing it. It even had Paramount Arts Center printed on it!!This was a great first show for me in 2023.I already have several more lined up and more to come after that I’m sure.I’m ready.I don’t think this is all of Firehouse’s set list, but here is a lot of it:All She Wrote, Overnight Sensation, Shake & Tumble, When I Look Into Your Eyes, Home Is Where The Heart Is, Lover’s Lane, Love of A Lifetime, Don’t Treat Me Bad, Reach For The SkyI don’t think this is the proper order, but here is the set list for Lita Ford-Gotta Let Go, Relentless, Larger Than Life, Back To The Cave (with solos and jams), Hungry, Cherry Bomb, Black Leather, Can’t Catch Me, Only Women Bleed/Close My Eyes Forever, Kiss Me DeadlyBand Members:
- Lita Ford (Lead Vocals/Lead Guitar)
- Marten Andersson (Bass)
- Patrick Kennison (Guitar)
- Brent Fitz (Drums-sitting in for Bobby Rock)
Set List:
- Gotta Let Go
- Relentless
- Larger Than Life
- Back to the Cave (with solos and jams)
- Hungry
- Cherry Bomb
- Black Leather
- Cant’s Catch Me
- Only Women Bleed/Close My Eyes Forever
- Kiss Me Deadly
Firehouse Band Members:
- CJ Snare (Lead Vocals)
- Bill Leverty (Lead Guitar)
- Allen McKenzie
- Michael Foster (Drums)
Firehouse Set List:
- All She Wrote
- Overnight Sensation
- Shake & Tumble
- When I Look Into Your Eyes
- Home Is Where the Heart Is
- Lover’s Lane
- Love of a Lifetime
- Don’t Treat Me Bad
- Reach For the Sky
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I Wanna Be Somebody & Can U Deliver: W.A.S.P./Armored Saint Concert Review
- Date of Concert: November 30, 2022
- Location of Concert: The King of Clubs in Columbus, OH
I went to my last concert of 2022 Wednesday night in Columbus, Ohio.For the first time, I saw W.A.S.P. Nation (Official) and Armored Saint.Both bands were incredible.Armored Saint started the show with an almost solid hour of old and new songs and just rocked the place.Singer John Bush to me is as great a vocalist as Rob Halford, Ronnie James, Dio, Bruce Dickinson, Geoff Tate, Paul Rodgers, you name them.Guitarists Phil Sandoval and Jeff Duncan are a phenomenal guitar team, bassist Joey Vera is one of my favorite bassists, and Gonzo Sandoval (Phil’s brother) is a powerhouse on the kit. They seemed to have a great time.And to top it all off, they’re all very nice people.I was fortunate enough to be able to meet them at their VIP Meet and Greet hours before the show.All of them were extremely personable and signed my CDs (I was told to only have 3 items to have signed but of course I saw they signed many things for the other fans in attendance at the VIP but that’s ok).It was really great to meet them and to see them in concert. They truly do deliver the goods.Thank you guys so much!!Then about 25-30 minutes after their set, W.A.S.P. played.Again, the band sounded great and I know many online have complained they have not been playing long enough but trust me, they play a full set and I wasn’t upset with any of it or the song choices.They played a medley of songs from the first album (W.A.S.P.) played songs from their second album, (The Last Command) and played a selection of songs from their 5th album The Crimson Idol, which is a big fan favorite.They even played part of the famous/infamous song Animal (hadn’t been played live for many years) before playing their version of The Who classic The Real Me from their 4th album Headless Children.They have cool looking circus banners on the sides of the stage, but they weren’t able to fit quite all of them onto this one, but that’s ok. Didn’t bother me at all. Stage sets are great but ultimately, I’m always there for the music, and they did not disappoint.Founder/leader/singer/songwriter Blackie Lawless is great at what he does and he has a great group of players in his band. Guitarist Doug Blair, bassist Mike Duda, and drummer Aquiles Priester.Blackie even had his huge mic stand that he calls Elvis. Really cool looking.W.A.S.P. had not played in America for at least 10 years or more (they play a lot in Europe and many other places overseas).Blackie told the crowd the reason was promoters didn’t think there was enough interest in them playing here.However, Blackie also said many fans bandied together and told promoters that they were interested and as it turned out, they were and are because many of the shows on this American tour have sold out. Including the one I attended.So I hope this means that W.A.S.P. will play in America more often from here on out.Either way, I’m soooooo glad they did this time.All concerts that I go to are always fun, but this one was definitely one of favorites.Both of these bands are great, have great discographies, and are still going strong.This show was sooo much fun.Thank you W.A.S.P. and Armored Saint for all the great albums, the memories, this show, and more in the future.Keep on rocking!!W.A.S.P. Band Members:
- Blackie Lawless (Lead Vocals/Guitar/Songwriter/Leader)
- Doug Blair (Guitar)
- Mike Duda (Bass)
- Aquiles Priester (Drums)
Armored Saint Band Members:
- John Bush (Lead Vocals)
- Joey Vera (Bass)
- Phil Sandoval (Guitar)
- Jeff Duncan (Guitar)
- Gonzo Sandoval (Drums)
W.A.S.P. Set List:
- On Your Knees/The Flame/The Torture Never Stops/Inside The Electric Circus Medley
- L.O.V.E. Machine
- Wild Child
- The Idol
- The Great Misconceptions of Me
- Chainsaw Charlie (Murders in the New Morgue
- Blind In Texas
- Encore: Animal (Fuck Like A Beast-about half of it)/The Real Me (The Who Cover)
- I Wanna Be Somebody
Armored Saint Set List:
- Reign Of Fire
- End Of The Attention Span
- Nervous Man
- Last Train Home
- Chemical Euphoria
- Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants
- Win Hands Down
- Can U Deliver
- March Of The Saint
- Mad House
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Heavy & Loud!: Amon Amarth w/Carcass, Obituary, & Cattle Decapitation Concert Review
- Date of Concert: November 27, 2022
- Location of Concert: Andrew J. Brady Music Center in Cincinnati, OH
- Openers: Carcass, Obituary, & Cattle Decapitation
My cousin Zachary and I went to see Amon Amarth/Carcass/Obituary/Cattle Decapitation Sunday night in Cincinnati, Ohio at the Andrew J. Brady Music Center.What a great, heavy concert.Cattle Decapitation started the show and they were very good.Obituary then came on and were really good. One of my favorites of the night.Carcass then came on and were solid. This was the second time I’d seen them.Then the main event happened: Amon Amarth!!!!I told my cousin many years ago I would take him to see them play a headline show.I kept my promise.And I just wanted to see them too.They put on quite a show.During a couple of the songs, a lot of the crowd sat down on the floor and acted as if they were rowing a boat.See, Amon Amarth’s gimmick is that they’re Vikings and they’re into Viking lore and so part of their stage show appears that their drum set is on a boat.Knights even came out a couple of times and fought each other. The singer even battled a dragon at one point with a Thor like hammer!!!Aside from very tall people in front of me at times, it was a fun, loud, heavy show. Just how I like it.This was a really cool bill and I enjoyed all the bands, but Amon Amarth and Obituary were definitely my favorites.I have one more show to see this year: W.A.S.P. Nation (Official) and Armored Saint Wednesday in Columbus, Ohio at The KING of CLUBS.I’m actually meeting Armored Saint too which I’m excited about too.That will end my 2022 year of concerts, but I’m already booked for several next year and keep eyeing/waiting for more.Stay tuned.Amon Amarth Band Members:
- Johan Hegg (Lead Vocals)
- Olavi Mikkonen (Lead Guitar)
- Johan Soderberg (Rhythm Guitar)
- Ted Lundstrom (Bass)
- Jocke Wallgren (Drums)
Carcass Band Members:
- Jeff Walker (Lead Vocals/Bass)
- Bill Steer (Guitar/Additional Vocals)
- Daniel Wilding (Drums/Additional Vocals)
Obituary Band Members:
- John Tardy (Vocals)
- Kenny Andrews (Lead Guitar)
- Trevor Peres (Rhythm Guitar)
- Terry Butler (Bass)
- Donald Tardy (Drums)
Cattle Decapitation Band Members:
- Travis Ryan (Vocals)
- Josh Elmore (Guitar)
- Belisario Dimuzio (Guitar)
- Olivier Pinard (Bass)
- Dave McGraw (Drums)
Amon Amarth Set List:
- Guardians of Asgaard
- Raven’s Flight
- Deceiver of the Gods
- Oden Owns You All
- The Pursuit of Vikings
- The Great Heathen Army
- Get in the Ring
- Destroyer of the Universe
- Put Your Back into the Oar
- Cry of the Black Birds
- The Way of Vikings
- First Kill
- Shield Wall
- Raise Your Horns
- Encore: Twilight of the Thunder God
Carcass Set List:
- Redneck Stomp
- Sentence Day
- A Lesson in Vengeance
- Visions in My Head
- Circle of the Tyrants
- The Wrong Time
- I’m In Pain
- Don’t Care
Obituary Set List:
- Buried Dreams
- Kelly’s Meat Emporium
- Incarnated Solvent Abuse
- Under the Scalpel Blade
- This Mortal Coil
- Dance of Ixtab (Psychopomp & Circumstance March No. 1 in B)
- Genital Grinder
- The Scythe’s Remorseless Swing
- Corporal Jigsore Quandary
- Heartwork
- Carneous Cacoffiny (Outro)
Cattle Decapitation Set List:
- The Genocide
- Vulturous
- Finish Them
- We Eat Our Young
- Time’s Cruel Curtain
- Bring Back the Plague
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One of the Best Guitarists in the World: Steve Vai Concert Review
- Date of Concert: November 13, 2022
- Location of Concert: Old Forester's Paristown Hall in Louisville, KY
- Opener: Larry Mitchell
I finally saw Steve Vai in concert.In Louisville, Kentucky.He and his band sounded phenomenal, playing about 2 hours and 20 minutes.For those that don’t know, Steve Vai is a very successful guitarist, having played with Frank Zappa, Alcatrazz, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake, many guest appearances with different artists, and of course, a solo artist.Guitarist/Producer Larry Mitchell opened the show and later jammed with Vai near the end.Vai had a few good stories to tell, but still let the music go most of the talking.Near the end, he even went into the crowd and strapped his guitar onto a fan and played the guitar while she held it. Pretty cool.It was another great concert.Steve Vai and his band are incredible.A good end to a crap week.I’ve had a lot of them lately.I expect this week to be no different.Two more concerts to see this month and then that May be the last ones I see until March.We’ll see.Steve Vai Band Members:
- Steve Vai (Guitar)
- Dave Weiner (Guitar)
- Philip Bynoe (Bass)
- Jeremy Colson (Drums)
Steve Vai Set List:
- Avalancha
- Giant Balls of Gold
- Little Pretty
- Tender Surrender
- Lights Are On
- Bass Solo
- Candlepower
- Guitar Solo
- Building The Church
- Greenish Blues
- Bad Horsie
- I’m Becoming
- Whispering A Prayer
- Dyin’Day
- Drum Solo
- Teeth of the Hydra
- Zeus in Chains
- Liberty
- For The Love of God (Beginning of this sung by Opera singer Danny G).
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Heavy Heavy Heavy!!!: Mercyful Fate/Kreator/Midnight Concert Review
- Date of Concert: November 4, 2022
- Location of Concert: The Andrew J. Brady Music Center in Cincinnati, OH
I had a great time at another concert.This time at the Andrew J Brady Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. A very nice venue too I must say.Midnight is very new to me.My cousin Zachary showed me some videos of them recently.They’re from Cleveland and wear hoods.But they’re a very solid thrash metal band, in my opinion.I really enjoyed them and definitely want to check out more of their music.Then Kreator played.I had seen them in 2013 with Overkill and Warbringer but had not seen them since.They’re a German thrash metal band and have put out many albums since the 80s and are still making great albums.Live, they’re incredible.They really rocked the house.Then the one and only MERCYFUL FATE played.I’ve been a fan for many years but they had not really toured or done much since the late 90s (their singer King Diamond has a long standing solo career which he’s still doing. One of MF’s guitarists is in his solo band too).But MF are also back together too and are making a new album.They played one of the new songs at the show.They played a great set and had a cool stage show (No they are not satanists. The imagery is just a show.)Lead guitarist Hank Sherman is to me the Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest guitarist) of this band. He is out of this world amazing on the guitar.And King Diamond, who is known for singing very high and low, sounds just as great as ever.Such a great band.All 3 bands rocked.I have three more concerts to see this month.I can’t wait!!Am I rich? No.Do I spend too much on going to these? Yes.Should I not go to as many?Probably.But I do it because it’s what I live for.Not having concerts during the global shutdown really upset me.I‘m so glad I can go again.I don’t know how many more I have in me but I’m going to continue until I either can’t or there is no one to see anymore.Mercyful Fate Band Members:
- King Diamond (Lead Vocals)
- Hank Sherman (Guitar)
- Mike Wead (Guitar)
- Bjarne T. Holm (Drums)
- Becky Baldwin (Bass-Stepping in for Joey Vera, who was touring with Armored Saint at this time)
Kreator Band Members:
- Miland "Mille" Petrozza (Vocals/Guitar)
- Jurgen "Ventor" Reil (Drums)
- Sami Yli-Sirnio (Guitar)
- Frederic Leclercq (Bass)
Midnight Band Members:
- Athenar (AKA Jamie Walters) (Vocals/Bass)
- Count Zigar (AKA Bob Zeiger) (Drums)
- Shaun Venek (Touring Guitarist)
Mercyful Fate Set List:
- The Oath
- A Corpse Without Soul
- The Jackal of Salzburg (New Song)
- Curse of the Pharaohs
- A Dangerous Meeting
- Doomed By the Living Dead
- Melissa
- Black Evil
- Evil
- Come to the Sabbath
- Encore: Satan’s Fall
Kreator Set List:
- Violent Revolution
- Hate Uber Alles
- Satan Is Real
- Awakening of the Gods
- Enemy of God
- Phantom Antichrist
- Strongest of the Strong
- Flag of Hate
- Pleasure to Kill
Midnight Set List:
- Fucking Speed and Darkness
- Rebirth by Blasphemy
- Telepathic Nightmare
- Szex Witchery
- Here Comes Sweet Death
- Evil Like A Knife
- Lust Filth and Sleaze
- You Can’t Stop Steel
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Fast as a Shark!: Accept Concert Review
- Date of Concert: October 29, 2022
- Location of Concert: The King of Clubs in Columbus, OH
ACCEPT were phenomenal at The KING of CLUBSLoved every second of it.Lots of old songs. Lots of newer songs.Singer Mark Tornillo is phenomenal.Lead Guitarist Wolf Hoffman is the riffmaster.The band is just tight and solid, musically.Great night.Accept Band Members:
- Mark Tornillo (Lead Vocals)
- Wolf Hoffman (Lead Guitar)
- Uwe Lulis (Guitar)
- Philip Shouse (Guitar)
- Martin Motnik (Bass)
- Christopher Williams (Drums)
Accept Set List:
- Zombie Apocalypse
- Symphony of Pain
- Restless and Wild
- London Leatherboys
- Midnight Mover
- Overnight Sensation
- Son of a Bitch
- Objection Overruled
- Demon’s Night/Starlight/Losers and Winners/Flash Rockin’ Man
- Breaker
- The Undertaker
- Princess of the Dawn
- Fast as a Shark
- Metal Heart
- Teutonic Terror
- Pandemic
- Encore: Hung Drawn and Quartered
- Balls to the Wall
- I’m A Rebel
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Pay Attention!!: My Scarefest Horror & Paranormal Convention 2022 Experience
- Date of Convention: October 22, 2022
- Location of Convention: Central Bank Center in Lexington, KY
Wow what a Saturday. I went to ScareFest Horror & Paranormal Convention 2022 in Lexington and met a bunch of awesome people.Robert Englund (Freddy Krueger), Kane Hodder (Jason), Lance Henriksen (The Terminator, Near Dark, Pumpkinhead, Aliens, Alien 3, Hard Target, The Quick and The Dead, Millenium, Alien vs Predator and so much more, and Robert Patrick (Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Die Hard 2, The Sopranos, The X Files, We Are Marshall, Scorpion,Peacemaker and so much more).I saw a lot of other cool people too.I truly felt the blade of Robert’s Freddy nails, Kane truly choked me a bit (He does that during photo ops often, which I think is pretty awesome! Although I have a complaint about him which I’ve typed below this.), Lance really talked to me, and Patrick was cool too.When I was waiting in line to get my picture taken with Englund, he was walking along and stopped and looked at a Freddy lookalike girl and said to her “pay attention!”. Really cool.I was able to ask Kane a question at a Q&A that was about a video game he’s part of. I asked him about Jason X, which I really like. I said above that I enjoyed the phot op with Kane, and I am a fan of his work, but after he answered my question, he said to the crowd “Ron Jeremy ladies and gentlemen!” in reference to me. Now, I know he has a smart aleck sense of humor, but I did nothing to deserve that. And being compared to someone who is spending the rest of his life in prison on rape charges is NOT funny. That was my only negative about this experience.I have two pictures with Lance because I think he got somewhat distracted briefly and he insisted the photographer take another picture. So I got two pictures!When I went to his autograph line (he signed a picture of his character in The Terminator), he told me he enjoyed working with Paul Winfield (RIP) in that movie and when I told him some of the lines, he gave me one back too.And I guess he saw my Chuck Norris Lonewolf hat from The Expendables 2 and asked me if I was in the military.I told him I wasn’t but I told him about my Pawpaw being a paratrooper and my Aunt Garnie being a nurse in World War 2.He seemed very interested and impressed with what I was saying and he told me he had been in the Navy.I wish I had told him thank you for your service but I forgot.But anyways, he took the time to speak to me and every fan in line.He had a quite a line too and it was slow at times because some fans he spoke to for 10 minutes which is unheard of at events like this.But it’s great because he truly cares.He was worth the price of admission alone.What a great day, other than Kane Hodder comparing me to Ron Jeremy. Not funny Kane.Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
