• Blog,  Concerts

    The Misfits Concert Review

    October 22 2007 / 2 Comments
    • Date of Concert: October 21, 2007
    • Location of Concert: Columbia Music Hall in Portsmouth, OH

    My cousin Zachary and I went to see The Misfits about 20-30 minutes from where we live.

    The lineup at this point (I’m typing this in 2023.) was Jerry Only on Vocals/Bass, Dez Cadena on Guitar, and Robo on Drums.

    They played a TON of classic Misfits songs (I’m sorry but I don’t have a set list).

    I don’t remember a lot from this but I know it was a fun show in a very intimate venue.

    I’m glad we went.

    There was an opening act, but I don’t remember who they were.

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

    379603836_681282503942300_6371247941544388793_n

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Happy Birthday Dave!!: Van Halen Concert Review

    October 11 2007 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: October 10, 2007
    • Location of Concert; Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH

    I never thought this would happen.

    David Lee Roth was singing in Van Halen again!!!!

    Aside from two new songs in 1996 and a few failed attempts after that, it finally happened in 2007.

    He was back with Guitarist Edward Van Halen, Drummer Alex Van Halen (Eddie’s brother) and Eddie’s son Wolfgang, who had just joined the band at this point, taking Michael Anthony’s place.

    Since it took FOREVER for them to reunite with Dave, I was not sure this would last very long.  So, my brother Christopher and I went to their Cleveland show, which was early in the tour.

    It also happened to be Dave’s birthday too!!

    Luckily, it did last until 2015 (although some of the later dates of this tour got pushed back because I think Eddie went into rehab but don’t quote me on that).

    The show was AWESOME!!!!

    Lots of classic VH songs.

    Dave is forever the showman and the band are one of the best bands ever.

    Eddie is one of the best guitarists of all time.  During his solo, he played “Happy Birthday” on guitar for Dave, which was awesome.

    Alex is always a great drummer.

    And Wolfgang was getting started, although he was already a child prodigy, basically (as I type this in 2023,  he is now a phenomenal solo artist).

    Sadly, Eddie passed away in 2020.

    There will never be another one like him.

    And because of his passing, VH is no more, but thank goodness the music will live forever.

    Set List:

    1. You Really Got Me (The Kinks cover)
    2. I’m The One
    3. Runnin’ With The Devil
    4. Romeo Delight
    5. Somebody Get Me A Doctor
    6. Beautiful Girls
    7. Dance The Night Away
    8. Atomic Punk
    9. Everybody Wants Some!
    10. So This Is Love?
    11. Mean Street
    12. Oh, Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison cover)
    13. Drum Solo
    14. Unchained
    15. I’ll Wait
    16. And The Cradle Will Rock…
    17. Hot For Teacher
    18. Little Dreamer
    19. Little Guitars
    20. Jamie’s Cryin’
    21. Ice Cream Man
    22. Panama
    23. Guitar Solo
    24. Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
    25. Encore:  1984 (Tape)
    26. Jump

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

    379631707_291603073649217_8451857174998969679_n

  • Blog,  Concerts

    An Evening With RUSH!!

    September 3 2007 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: September 2, 2007
    • Location of Concert: Germain Amphitheater in Columbus, OH

    My brother Christopher and I went to see one of our mutually favorite bands:  RUSH!!

    This was my 1st time seeing them.  My brother had seen them once before in 1994.

    I’m glad we got to see the band together because not only do we both love them, but he was the one that made a fan.

    Here is some backstory:

    I came home from high school one day (I was 16.  I’m 41 as I type this.) and he told me to come into his room because he wanted me to hear something.

    So I did and he played some of what was the band’s most recent live album, Different Stages Live.

    I was instantly blown away.

    I had not heard anything quite like this.

    I asked him if I could borrow the CDs (Triple live album) and he said yes.

    I dubbed it over to cassettes (I eventually bought it.) and played it to death.

    I used to play it with a dark light on air drumming to the great Neil Peart’s (RIP) parts and cranked up the music.

    Geddy Lee (Vocals/Bass/Keyboards) is my favorite bassist for all time.

    Alex Lifeson (Guitar) is such a special player and was perfect for this band.

    Just 3 guys that made a PHENOMENAL sound, made tons of albums, and were around for over 40 years (the band stopped in 2015, Neil passed away in 2020.).

    Anyway, we saw them on their Snakes And Arrows album tour.

    They played a lot of songs from that great album, along with lots of other songs from their massive career.

    They never disappointed.

    They were always great.

    We will love them forever.

    Thank you Geddy, Alex, and Neil for all the great music.

    Set Lists:

    1. Set 1:  Limelight
    2. Digital Man
    3. Entre Nous
    4. Mission
    5. Freewill
    6. The Main Monkey Business (New Song)
    7. The Larger Bowl (New Song)
    8. Secret Touch
    9. Circumstances
    10. Between The Wheels
    11. Dreamline
    12. Set 2:  Far Cry (New Song)
    13. Workin’ Them Angels (New Song)
    14. Armor And Sword (New Song)
    15. Spindrift (New Song)
    16. The Way The Wind Blows (New Song)
    17. Subdivisions
    18. Natural Science
    19. Witch Hunt
    20. Malignant Narcissism (New Song)
    21. Drum Solo
    22. Hope (New Song)
    23. Summertime Blues (Eddie Cochran cover)
    24. The Spirit Of Radio
    25. Tom Sawyer
    26. Encore:  One Little Victory
    27. A Passage To Bangkok
    28. YYZ

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

    379631782_847739386735694_1483873016865695123_n

  • Blog,  Conventions

    My 1st Wrestling Show in 16 Years

    August 4 2007 / No Comments
    • Date of Event: August 3, 2007
    • Location of Event: Big Sandy Superstore Arena in Huntington, WV

    I’ve been a wrestling fan since I was 6 or 7 years old, but I did not watch it as much for many years because I was focused on other things. 

    However, I got back into it more many years later and this was the first wrestling show I went to since 1991 when I was 8.  I was 25 at this point.

    It was the same venue I saw my first wrestling show at too.

    I know I have pictures of this event, but I currently cannot find them.  If I do find them, I will add them, but until then, here are my thoughts, and the results of the show, courtesy of thehistoryofwwe.com web site are listed below.

    It was great seeing “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan wrestle.  I’ve been a fan of his since I was little.  I got to see then WWE Champion John Cena wrestle Randy Orton.  They had a big feud at the time and have wrestled each other many times.  And it was cool to see Jerry “The King” Lawler wrestle King Booker (more known as Booker T).

    There were other wrestlers too but those are some of my thoughts.

    This was a fun show and it was great seeing wrestling live in person again.  I’m sorry I did not see as much of it in person when I was younger.

    Here are the complete results below, again courtesy of thehistoryofwwe.com web site:

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

    379635226_1241693116509471_2686956018060858847_n

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Two Classic 80s Bands: Poison/RATT Concert Review

    June 20 2007 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: June 19, 2007
    • Location of Concert: Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, OH

    My brother and I went to see two of the best and biggest 80s rock bands.

    Poison and RATT!!

    It was a co-headline tour, but RATT started the show.

    Singer Stephen Pearcy had just recently returned after being out of the band for about 7 years.

    It was great seeing Stephen back because no offense, you HAVE to have Stephen sing these songs.

    Classic members Warren DeMartini (Lead Guitar) and Bobby Blotzer (Drums) were still there, as well as long time Bassist Robbie Crane (who replaced Juan Croucier when RATT reunited in the late 90s) and John Corabi (Motley Crue, Union, The Scream) on Rhythm Guitar.

    Corabi is most known for being a great singer, but he was just playing guitar and singing backing vocals.

    I LOVE RATT.  I think they’re suck a kicking band with soooo many great songs and albums.

    They’re most especially known for the song Round And Round, which is great.  But trust me, there’s sooooo much more to their catalog.

    And they played a lot of deep cuts at this show (Closer To My Heart was dedicated to RATT Guitarist Robbin Crosby, who sadly passed away in 2002), and of course the hits.

    I’m so glad I got to see them.

    Then Poison closed the show.

    Still the original members (Bret Michaels, CC Deville, Bobby Dall, and Rikki Rockett).

    They’re arguably the biggest, along with Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, and Def Leppard, of the 80s rock bands.

    Lots of hits (they were promoting a cool covers album Poison’d on this tour) and I think they’ve always rocked and been a fun band.

    If you’re a fan, they don’t disappoint.

    Great night this was.

    Poison Set List:

    1. Look What The Cat Dragged In
    2. What I Like About You (The Romantics cover)
    3. I Won’t Forget You
    4. Suffragette City (David Bowie cover)
    5. Guitar Solo
    6. I Hate Every Bone In Your Body But Mine
    7. Can’t You See (The Marshall Tucker Band cover)
    8. Something To Believe In
    9. Just What I Needed (The Cars cover)
    10. Your Mama Don’t Dance (Loggins & Messina cover)
    11. Drum Solo
    12. Unskinny Bop
    13. Every Rose Has It’s Thorn
    14. Fallen Angel
    15. Talk Dirty To Me
    16. Encore:  Nothin’ But A Good Time

    RATT Set List:

    1. Sweet Cheater
    2. Dangerous But Worth The Risk
    3. I’m Insane
    4. City To City
    5. Wanted Man
    6. Closer To My Heart (Dedicated to Robbin Crosby)
    7. Back For More
    8. Slip Of The Lip
    9. Way Cool Jr.
    10. Lay It Down
    11. Over The Edge
    12. You’re In Love
    13. Lack Of Communication
    14. Body Talk
    15. Round And Round

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

    379631692_708326647809824_5603799344158479967_n

  • Blog,  Concerts

    I Saw Black Sabbath w/Dio!!! And Megadeth Opened!!

    May 9 2007 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: May 8, 2007
    • Location of Concert: U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, OH
    • Openers: Megadeth and Machine Head

    This was quite a treat:  My brother and I saw Black Sabbath (or Heaven And Hell as they were calling themselves at this point to distinguish themselves as a different lineup) and Megadeth opened.

    Unfortunately, we missed Machine Head but we got there in time for Megadeth.

    They’re always great live and most of their albums I love.

    They were about to release their great album United Abominations, which they played a couple of songs from, along with Megadeth classics.

    The lineup at this point was Dave Mustaine on Vocals and Guitar as always, along with the Drover brothers (Glen on Guitar and Shawn on Drums) and James Lomenzo on Bass.

    Regardless of the lineup, Megadeth are always great and I love Megadeth for all time.

    Then the main event happened:  I saw Ronnie James Dio sing for Black Sabbath!!!!

    This was the 3rd time this lineup happened.  Ronnie on Vocals, Tony Iommi on Guitar, Geezer Butler on Bass, and Vinny Appice on Drums.

    They played nothing but Dio era Sabbath songs (from the phenomenal Heaven And Hell, Mob Rules, and Dehumanizer albums), plus two out of the three great new songs they had just released on a compilation called Black Sabbath The Dio Years.

    I love the original lineup sooooo much, as well as all the other lineups, but this is definitely my second favorite Sabbath lineup.

    Everything Ronnie sang was just magical, and he being with these guys was always the best, in my opinion, of what he did.

    And the band is sooooo tight and played so great together.

    Sadly, Ronnie passed away in 2010 (I’m typing this in 2023.), but his music will live forever.

    I love all of these guys and my brother and I had a great time.

    I miss you Ronnie!!

    Black Sabbath (Heaven And Hell) Set List:

    1. Intro Tape (E5150)
    2. After All (The Dead)
    3. The Mob Rules
    4. Children Of The Sea
    5. Lady Evil
    6. I
    7. The Sign Of The Southern Cross
    8. Voodoo
    9. The Devil Cried (New Song)
    10. Drum Solo
    11. Computer God
    12. Falling Off The Edge Of The World
    13. Shadow Of The Wind (New Song)
    14. Die Young
    15. Heaven And Hell
    16. Encore:  Neon Knights

    Megadeth Set List:

    1. Sleepwalker (New Song)
    2. Take No Prisoners
    3. Kick The Chair
    4. Wake Up Dead
    5. Hangar 18
    6. Washington Is Next! (New Song)
    7. She-Wolf
    8. Symphony Of Destruction
    9. Tornado Of Souls
    10. Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying
    11. Holy Wars…The Punishment Due

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

    379629338_1480183732746396_8234635871008466330_n

  • Blog,  Concerts

    I Finally Saw The Black Crowes

    August 6 2006 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: August 5, 2006
    • Location of Concert: Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, OH
    • Openers: The Drive By Truckers and Robert Randolph & The Family Band

    This was the only show I saw in 2006.

    My brother, some friends of his, and I went to see The Black Crowes.

    I really like the band, and love some of their stuff, but it’s one of my brother’s favorite bands ever and he’s seen them sooooo many times.

    This was the first time I had seen them.

    I thought they were very good.

    The Drive By Truckers opened and they were good and solid.  Future solo superstar Jason Isbell was still in the band at this time.

    I don’t remember Robert Randolph at all (I’m typing this in 2023, so 2006 was a long time ago.).

    I honestly don’t have much more to say other than I thought it was a good, rocking show.

    And I talked briefly with the first friend I ever had in elementary school, Josh Geyer.  He was there, along with his wife.  We took our picture together.  It was nice talking to him again, because I had not seen him since high school.

    The Black Crowes Band Members:

    • Chris Robinson (Lead Vocals)
    • Rich Robinson (Guitar)
    • Marc Ford (Guitar)
    • Steve Gorman (Drums)
    • Sven Pipien (Bass)
    • Eddie Harsch (Keyboards)

    The Drive By Truckers Band Members:

    • Mike Cooley (Guitar/Vocals)
    • Patterson Hood (Guitar/Vocals)
    • Jason Isbell (Guitar/Vocals)
    • Shonna Tucker (Bass)
    • Brad Morgan (Drums)

    The Black Crowes Set List:

    1. Jam
    2. Black Moon Creeping
    3. Gone
    4. Hotel Illness
    5. Comin’ Home (Delaney & Bonnie cover)
    6. Lay It All On Me
    7. Soul Singing
    8. Nebakanezer
    9. Jam
    10. Thorn In My Pride
    11. Fearless (Pink Floyd cover)
    12. Sometimes Salvation
    13. Alabama (Neil Young cover)
    14. Jealous Again
    15. Twice As Hard
    16. Hard To Handle (Otis Redding cover)
    17. Encore:  Let It Bleed (The Rolling Stones cover)

    Drive-By-Truckers Set List:

    1. Hell No, I Ain’t Happy
    2. Marry Me
    3. Never Gonna Change
    4. Wednesday
    5. Space City
    6. Sink Hole
    7. The Day John Henry Died
    8. Let There Be Rock
    9. Lookout Mountain

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

    379603828_311024834855103_1395995877870010087_n

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Gigantour 2005 Review

    September 1 2005 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: August 31, 2005
    • Location of Concert: Huntington Civic Center in Huntington, WV

    My cousin Zachary and I went to Gigantour 2005 near where we live.

    Gigantour was a festival started by Megadeth leader Dave Mustaine for bands with great musicanship would come together for one festival.   

    This was the first year of the festival, and would continue in 2006, 2007, 2008, and Dave would revisit it in 2012 and 2013.

    It was a lot of bands in one day.

    We got there right when the first band Bobaflex was ending.

    There were two stages.  About half the bands played on the second stage while the others played on the main stage.

    We saw Dry Kill Logic but I don’t remember them.  Sorry guys (I’m typing this in 2023 so 2005 was a long time ago.).

    But I do remember the next band:  Symphony X.  They were very good.  I still haven’t heard much of their stuff (I have one album) but they were very good and singer Russell Allen (who also has sung for a band I really like called Adrenaline Mob, was excellent.

    Life Of Agony were next.  I thought they were very good, but for whatever reason, most of the crowd did not like them and gave them crap throughout their set.

    I’m sorry that happened, but I liked them and I’m glad I saw them.

    Those were all the second stage bands.

    Nevermore started on the main stage and even though I don’t remember a lot of them, I thought they were very good.

    The Dillinger Escape Plan, who I was looking forward to seeing, were not there for some reason.

    So, Fear Factory was next.

    I’ve been a fan of theirs for many years and they are very good.

    They put on a very good show.

    Then the co-headliner played:  Dream Theater!!

    This band (James LaBrie, John Petrucci, John Myung, Mike Portnoy, and Jordan Rudess) is phenomenal.  Think RUSH but even more progressive and heavy.

    This was the 2nd time I had seen them, and they played a great set of songs.

    In fact, Megadeth were behind for some reason so I think Dream Theater played a bit longer than were originally allotted, but hey, I was OK with that because again, they’re phenomenal.

    But the headliner, Megadeth, finally came on and kicked butt as always.

    Founder Dave Mustaine (Vocals/Guitar/Songwriter) had just restarted the band a year before this after not playing for a few years, due to an injury.

    He formed a whole new lineup, which included at the time the Drover brothers (Glen on Guitar and Shawn on Drums) and James MacDonough on Bass.

    Unfortunately, we had to leave about 40-45 minutes into their set, but they were great.

    Dave has had a lot of lineups, but regardless of who is playing for/with him, they’re always great.

    Megadeth is one of the founders of Thrash Metal and is one of the best bands, in my opinion.

    The albums have mostly been consistently great and even the not so great ones have great songs on them.

    Dave is awesome at what he does and I’ll always be a fan.

    This was a long but great day.

    Megadeth Set List:

    1. Blackmail The Universe
    2. Set The World Afire
    3. Skin O’ My Teeth
    4. The Scorpion
    5. Wake Up Dead
    6. In My Darkest Hour
    7. Die Dead Enough
    8. She-Wolf
    9. Reckoning Day
    10. A Tout Le Monde
    11. Angry Again-We sadly had to leave during this one.
    12. Trust
    13. Hangar 18
    14. Sweating Bullets
    15. Tornado Of Souls
    16. Kick The Chair
    17. Symphony Of Destruction
    18. Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying

    Dream Theater Set List:

    1. The Root Of All Evil
    2. The Glass Prison
    3. Panic Attack
    4. Honor Thy Father
    5. Just Let Me Breathe
    6. Lie
    7. Never Enough
    8. Act II:  Scene Six:  Home
    9. Pull Me Under/Metropolis Pt. 1:  The Miracle And The Sleeper

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

    379624201_3566049406999845_3637286464381017862_n

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Carnival of Sins: Motley Crue Reunited

    August 29 2005 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: August 28, 2005
    • Location of Concert: Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, OH

    After being away for a few years, Motley Crue (Vince Neil, Mick Mars, Nikki Sixx, and Tommy Lee) were back together for a big tour.

    They called it Carnival of Sins.

    My brother and I went to the Cincinnati show.

    It was set up like a circus show.

    They played a very long set (in fact, they had a brief intermission at one point).

    Very loud and rocking, as usual.

    One of my favorite Motley shows for sure, and I’ve seen them 8 times.

    I’ll always love this band.  Through thick and thin.

    Rock on!!

    Set List:

    1. Shout At The Devil 97
    2. Too Fast For Love
    3. Ten Seconds To Love
    4. Red Hot
    5. On With The Show
    6. Looks That Kill
    7. Louder Than Hell
    8. Live Wire (brief intermission after this song)
    9. Girls, Girls, Girls
    10. Wild Side
    11. Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
    12. Primal Scream
    13. Glitter/Without You
    14. Home Sweet Home
    15. Dr. Feelgood
    16. Same Ol’ Situation (S.O.S.)
    17. Sick Love Song
    18. Kickstart My Heart
    19. Encore:  Helter Skelter
    20. Anarchy In The U.K.

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

    379564368_678991020826053_3631891993561832007_n

  • Blog

    Shadows Fall Soundcheck

    August 2 2005 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: August 1, 2005
    • Location of Event: Monkey Bar in Huntington, WV

    I’m typing this in 2023, and this was not a full concert I saw anyways, but nevertheless, it’s part of my history and I want it documented here.

    My friend Jamie was assigned to film a band of a friend of his at the Monkey Bar in Huntington, WV.

    I think the band’s name was Gizmachi or Bury Your Dead, but don’t quote me on that.

    I tagged along and mostly didn’t care, but I did like seeing Shadows Fall, who were headlining that night, do their soundcheck.

    I’ve been a fan for many years, so that was cool to see.

    He filmed the band, we hung around a little bit, then we left.

    Not much more to say.