• Blog,  Concerts

    Heavy Heavy Heavy!!!: Mercyful Fate/Kreator/Midnight Concert Review

    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:

    Kreator Band Members:

    Midnight Band Members:

    Mercyful Fate Set List:

    1. The Oath
    2. A Corpse Without Soul
    3. The Jackal of Salzburg (New Song)
    4. Curse of the Pharaohs
    5. A Dangerous Meeting
    6. Doomed By the Living Dead
    7. Melissa
    8. Black Evil
    9. Evil 
    10. Come to the Sabbath
    11. Encore:  Satan’s Fall

    Kreator Set List:

    1. Violent Revolution
    2. Hate Uber Alles
    3. Satan Is Real
    4. Awakening of the Gods
    5. Enemy of God
    6. Phantom Antichrist
    7. Strongest of the Strong
    8. Flag of Hate
    9. Pleasure to Kill

    Midnight Set List:

    1. Fucking Speed and Darkness
    2. Rebirth by Blasphemy
    3. Telepathic Nightmare
    4. Szex Witchery
    5. Here Comes Sweet Death
    6. Evil Like A Knife
    7. Lust Filth and Sleaze
    8. You Can’t Stop Steel

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Fast as a Shark!: Accept Concert Review

    ACCEPT were phenomenal at The KING of CLUBS
     
    Loved 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:

    Accept Set List:

    1. Zombie Apocalypse
    2. Symphony of Pain
    3. Restless and Wild
    4. London Leatherboys
    5. Midnight Mover
    6. Overnight Sensation
    7. Son of a Bitch
    8. Objection Overruled
    9. Demon’s Night/Starlight/Losers and Winners/Flash Rockin’ Man
    10. Breaker
    11. The Undertaker
    12. Princess of the Dawn
    13. Fast as a Shark
    14. Metal Heart
    15. Teutonic Terror
    16. Pandemic
    17. Encore:  Hung Drawn and Quartered
    18. Balls to the Wall
    19. I’m A Rebel

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  • Blog,  Conventions

    Pay Attention!!: My Scarefest Horror & Paranormal Convention 2022 Experience

    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)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Jeff Beck’s (RIP) Last Tour: Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp (Yes that Johnny Depp) Concert Review

     
    Half the show was just the phenomenal Jeff Beck and his Incredible band playing some of Jeff’s classics.
     
    Then Johnny Depp (yes the actor) came out and sang/played with Jeff and his band.
     
    They played some of the songs from their great new album 18 (check it out!!!) and some other awesome stuff.
     
    Jeff is one of the greatest guitar players ever and he always has phenomenal musicians with him.
     
    Some may think Johnny Depp being in Jeff’s world is weird but I actually think it works.
     
    Johnny actually is a really good singer.
     
    This was such a great concert and a great way to end my very busy but fun weekend.
     
    More concerts to come.
     
    Edit:  Sadly, on January 10 of 2023, Jeff Beck passed away.  This was sadly his last ever tour. I’m glad I got to see him twice.   He will be forever missed.

    Set List:

    1. Freeway Jam
    2. Loose Cannon
    3. Midnight Walker
    4. Big Block
    5. Caroline, No
    6. You Know You Know
    7. Me and the Devil Blues
    8. Star Cycle
    9. Brush With the Blues
    10. You Never Know
    11. Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers
    12. Rumble
    13. This is a Song For Miss Hedy Lamarr 
    14. Isolation 
    15. Time
    16. Venus in Furs
    17. A Day in the Life
    18. Encore:  Corpus Christi Carol
    19. Little Wing
    20. The Death and Resurrection Show

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    I Hear Music!!: King’s X Concert Review

     
    They’re one of those bands that should be bigger then they are.
     
    But they’ve made many great albums (newest release was last month), and they sound so great live.
     
    Still the same 3 guys.
     
    Singer/bassist Dug Pinnick, guitarist/singer Ty Tabor and drummer Jerry Gaskill.
     
    Phenomenal band.
     
    I’m glad I finally saw them.

    King's X Band Members:

    King's X Set List:

    1. Groove Machine
    2. The World Around Me
    3. Pillow
    4. Flies and Blue Skies
    5. Vegetable
    6. All God’s Children
    7. Flood Pt. 1
    8. Nothing But the Truth
    9. Give It Up
    10. Let It Rain
    11. Festival
    12. Pray
    13. Watcher
    14. We Were Born to  Be Loved
    15. Encore:  Dogman
    16. King
    17. Goldilox

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Phenomenal!!: Michael Schenker/Eric Martin Concert Review

    Holy cow what a concert!
     
    My girlfriend and I saw Michael Schenker: 50th Anniversary
     
    The great guitarist Michael Schenker and his phenomenal band, singer Eric Martin of Mr. Big opened, as well as a band we saw open for Yngwie Malmsteen last year, Images Of Eden.
     
    Mariah Startzman and I had a ball!!
     
    She’s been wanting to see Michael for some time now and he did not disappoint. I’m glad you saw him Mariah.
     
    This was my second time seeing him.
     
    He’s one of the best guitarists ever.
    Not an opinion. It’s a fact.
     
    Eric Martin and his band played a great, but short set as did Images Of Eden.
     
    This was definitely my favorite concert this year so far.
     
    Wow!!
     
    I’ll do it again Friday and Saturday.

    Michael Schenker Band Members:

    Eric Martin Band Members:

    Images of Eden Band Members:

    Michael Schenker Set List:

    1. Into The Arena
    2. Cry For The Nations
    3. Doctor Doctor
    4. We Are The Voice
    5. Looking For Love
    6. Red Sky
    7. Sail The Darkness
    8. Emergency
    9. Lights Out
    10. Armed And Ready
    11. A King Has Gone
    12. Rock Bottom
    13. Shoot Shoot
    14. Let It Roll
    15. Natural Thing
    16. Too Hot To Handle
    17. Only You Can Rock Me

    Eric Martin Set List:

    1. What If We Were New?
    2. Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy (The Electric Drill Song)
    3. Alive And Kickin’
    4. Take Cover
    5. Wild World
    6. Dancin’ With My Devils

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

    Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    0-60: My Five Finger Death Punch/Megadeth Concert Experience

    Talk about going from 0-60.
     
    Monday, I had car issues and it was taken to the shop for repairs.
     
    And I had a concert to go to Wednesday evening so I was not feeling good about my odds of getting it back in time.
     
    And not only was I going to a concert, a friend of a friend who works for the main band I will be talking about got me a backstage pass and a much better ticket!!
     
    So, I was sweating that I was going to have to stay home.
     
    Luckily, I got my car back Wednesday morning!!
     
    So, what was the beginning of maybe a very bad day turned into a great day!!
     
    I went to the show (Five Finger Death Punch/Megadeth/The HU/Fire From The Gods), I got my backstage pass and better ticket (13th row center) at will call, I was shown around the stage, I met the bassist of 5FDP, I got several guitar picks, and I had a great time!!
     
    First up was Fire From The Gods and then The HU.
     
    I didn’t know anything about either before the show but I enjoyed both.
     
    Fire From The Gods are from Austin, Texas and have a very hard hitting style of music, reminds me of KORN a bit.
     
    The HU are from Mongolia and have 8 members in the band.
     
    They play various types of instruments, including a horsehead fiddle, Mongolian guitar, and jaw harp.
     
    Very unique style of music. Both got a good response.
     
    Then one of my favorite bands ever played: Megadeth.
     
    I have been a fan since 1999 (my first album of theirs was Risk, which I know many fans hate but I love it) and they have continually put out great albums, most recently their newest The Sick, The Dying, and The Dead.
     
    They played two songs from it plus a selection of Megadeth classics.
    This is my 4th time seeing the band and they’re always great live.
     
    Dave Mustaine, lead singer/guitarist/songwriter/leader of the band, continues to have great musicians with him and writes and performs great songs.
     
    I love Megadeth.
     
    Then the headliner, Five Finger Death Punch performed.
     
    Wow what a show.
     
    I had not seen them in many years and they truly are now one of the biggest rock/metal bands out there.
     
    They just released their 9th album, Afterlife, and like Megadeth, they have been consistently great and just get better.
     
    Singer Ivan Moody is a great singer/songwriter/performer who is very giving to his fans and gives it his all.
     
    He even brought a fan on stage and told everyone about this fan being bullied and Ivan heard about this and showed him support and backed him up.
     
    And for this fan, Anthony is his name, he sang part of a song that he never sings anymore because it’s too hard for him to sing, emotionally.
     
    The bassist of 5FDP, Chris Kael, is the one I mentioned earlier that I met.
     
    Very nice guy and a great player.
     
    And he’s from Lexington, Kentucky!!
     
    All the band are just great at what they do.
     
    Guitarists Andy James and Zoltan Bathory and drummer Charlie Engen all are great.
     
    I don’t understand why they seem polarizing for some people.
     
    They play heavy/catchy songs, Ivan screams and sings, and as heavy as they are, they have a lot of melody.
     
    I like them. They’ve earned their success.
     
    Anyway, I had a great time.
     
    And THANKS to Scott Proctor for hooking me up.
     
    And thanks to my friend Dean M. Porter for telling Scott about me.

    Five Finger Death Punch Band Members:

    Megadeth Band Members:

    The Hu Band Members:

    Fire From The Gods Band Members:

    Five Finger Death Punch Set List:

    1. Inside Out
    2. Trouble
    3. Wash It All Away
    4. Jekyll And Hyde
    5. Sham Pain
    6. Bad Company
    7. Got Your Six
    8. Never Enough
    9. IOU
    10. Remember Everything (Partial)
    11. A Little Bit Off (Partial)
    12. All I Know/Judgement Day Mash-Up
    13. Wrong Side Of Heaven
    14. Burn MF
    15. Welcome To The Circus
    16. Lift Me Up
    17. Under And Over It
    18. The Bleeding

    Megadeth Set List:

    1. Hangar 18
    2. Dread And The Fugitive Mind
    3. Angry Again
    4. Soldier On!
    5. Sweating Bullets
    6. Trust
    7. Symphony Of Destruction
    8. We’ll Be Back
    9. Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying
    10. Encore:  Holy Wars (The Punishment Due)

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Lucas at a Festival: My Louder Than Life 2022 Concert Experience

    I went to the Saturday portion of Louder Than Life 2022.
    I did not see everyone, but saw many of the bands/artists that played.
     
    Airbourne were the first band I saw that day.
     
    They remind me of AC/DC. Just really good basic rock.
     
    I only saw a bit of Bloodywood but I liked them.
     
    The Alive is a younger rock band but are pretty solid.
     
    Pop Evil are alright but I’m not a big fan.
     
    Sevendust I’ve been a fan of for more than 20 but has not seen them since 2009. They’ve always been a solid band.
     
    Jerry Cantrell, guitarist/songwriter/singer/leader of Alice In Chains, who are playing Sunday at Louder Than Life, I’ve also been a fan of for more than 20 years.
     
    I’ve always said AIC is my favorite of the so called Grunge bands.
     
    And Jerry is a big reason for that.
     
    I’d seen AIC before (loudest show I’ve ever seen) but had not seen him solo. He played a mixture of solo and AIC songs.
     
    Chevelle I had been aware of for many years but had not really listened to them much. But I enjoyed their set and intend to check out more of their stuff.
     
    Alice Cooper is one of my favorites!
     
    Aside from KISS, I’ve seen Alice almost as many times.
     
    And aside from his first two albums, most of his albums are amazing.
     
    He’s still making great albums and live, he’s always been impeccable.
     
    I also saw Ice-T’s band Body Count, Rob Zombie (only saw a bit of his set because I was watching Body Count) and KISS (my 10th time seeing them). 
     
    Seeing all of these acts was great but for me Body Count and KISS made me the happiest.
     
    Alice too, especially since his former guitarist Kane Roberts is back (Edit:  he only was back for a few months then guitarist Nita Strauss returned), but Body Count and KISS MOST especially.
     
    Body Count I’ve wanted to see for the last few years.
     
    They’re amazing!!! Last two albums are masterpieces and I can’t wait to buy the next one.
     
    KISS, for anyone who doesn’t know, are my favorite band period.
     
    All albums and all lineups.
     
    No apologies.
     
    They always make me feel like I’m 16 again.
     
    They never let me down musically.
     
    And aside from The Rolling Stones, who I’ve loved since I was a kid, they are the best band I’ll ever see in concert.
     
    It was a long day, but a rocking, fun day too.

    KISS Set List:

    1. Detroit Rock City
    2. Shout It Out Loud
    3. War Machine
    4. Heaven’s On Fire
    5. I Love It Loud
    6. Guitar Solo
    7. Lick It Up
    8. Calling Dr. Love
    9. Psycho Circus
    10. Drum Solo
    11. Bass Solo/God Of Thunder
    12. Love Gun
    13. I Was Made For Loving You
    14. Black Diamond
    15. Encore:  Do You Love Me
    16. Rock And Roll All Nite

    Alice Cooper Set List:

    1. Feed My Frankenstein
    2. No More Mr. Nice Guy
    3. Bed Of Nails
    4. Hey Stoopid
    5. Go To Hell
    6. Freedom
    7. Under My Wheels
    8. I’m Eighteen
    9. Poison
    10. Billion Dollar Babies
    11. Steven
    12. Dead Babies
    13. I Love The Dead
    14. School’s Out

    Body Count Set List:

    1. Raining Blood
    2. Bowels Of The Devil
    3. Point The Finger
    4. Manslaughter
    5. No Lives Matter
    6. Ace Of Spades
    7. There Goes The Neighborhood
    8. Necessary Evil
    9. Talk Shit, Get Shot
    10. Bum-Rush
    11. Cop Killer

    Jerry Cantrell Set List:

    1. Atone
    2. Brighten
    3. Sea Of Sorrow
    4. Cut You In
    5. My Song
    6. Rooster
    7. Had To Know
    8. Would?

    Chevelle Set List:

    1. An Island
    2. Door To Door Cannibals
    3. Self Destructor
    4. Young Wicked
    5. Joyride (Omen)
    6. Face To The Floor
    7. The Clincher
    8. Send The Pain Below
    9. The Red
    10. I Get It
    11. Mars Simula

    Sevendust Set List:

    1. Pieces
    2. Denial
    3. Praise
    4. Enemy
    5. Shine
    6. Bitch
    7. Face To Face

    Airbourne Set List:

    1. Ready To Rock
    2. Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast
    3. Breakin’ Outta Hell
    4. Live It Up
    5. Runnin’ Wild

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Bourbon And Beyond Sunday Portion: Seeing The Doobie Brothers and Michael McDonald Together!!!

    What a show at Bourbon and Beyond Sunday
     
    I wasn’t there all day, but what I saw was great.
     
    I saw a little bit of Yola’s set, saw Needtobreathe, Marcus King, who is phenomenal, Caamp, The Doobie Brothers (my main reason for going), and Chris Stapleton (only saw 7 songs because I needed to leave to get home for work Monday).
     
    What I saw of Chris was great of course. I see why he’s super popular, but again, I went to this to see The Doobie Brothers.
     
    They’re one of my favorites. Tom Johnston, Pat Simmons, John McFee, and the return of Michael McDonald!!!
     
    I’d seen them twice before and I’d seen Michael McDonald solo once but I had never seen him with them.
     
    I love all their music but I really love his era especially.
     
    They still sound amazing.
     
    So wonderful to see them still putting out new music (new album is called Liberte) and what can I say? I love the band so much.

    The Doobie Brothers Band Members:

    The Doobie Brothers Set List:

    1. Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)
    2. Here To Love You
    3. Dependin’ On You
    4. Rocking Down The Highway
    5. Eyes of Silver
    6. South City Midnight Lady
    7. It Keeps You Runnin’
    8. Real Love
    9. World Gone Crazy
    10. Minute By Minute
    11. Without You
    12. Jesus Is Just Alright
    13. What A Fool Believes
    14. Long Train Runnin’
    15. China Grove
    16. Black Water
    17. Takin’ It To the Streets
    18. Listen To the Music

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Concerts Make Me Feel Alive: Duran Duran Concert Review

    Holy cow what a concert. I finally saw Duran Duran
     
    At Wonderbus Music & Arts Festival in Columbus, Ohio.
     
    They still sound as great as they always have.
     
    Classic members Simon Le Bon (vocals), Nick Rhodes (keyboards), John Taylor (bass) and Roger Taylor (drums-no relation to John or Roger Taylor of Queen), along with their other great musicians and backing singers put on quite a show.
     
    Lots of classics, some new songs, lots of visuals, and just a great live sound.
     
    These guys are awesome!!
     
    I’m very glad I got to see them.
     
    The openers, Tayls, Daisy The Great, and Cannons were all quite good too.
     
    Especially Daisy The Great. I was very impressed by them.
     

    Duran Duran Band Members:

    Duran Duran Set List:

    1. Wild Boys
    2. Hungry Like The Wolf
    3. Invisible
    4. Notorious
    5. A View To A Kill
    6. Come Undone
    7. Give It All Up
    8. Friends Of Mine
    9. Careless Memories
    10. Ordinary World
    11. Planet Earth
    12. Hold Back The Rain
    13. Reflex
    14. White Lines
    15. Girls On Film/Acceptable In The 80s/Girls On Film continued
    16. Encore:  Save A Prayer
    17. Rio

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)