• Blog,  Concerts

    2nd Time Seeing Alice Cooper

    I first saw Alice Cooper in August of 2011.

    The second time was just a few months later, in November.

    My cousin Zachary and I went to this show.

    It was just 20 minutes from where we lived so it was a no brainer.

    Like the first show and every time I’ve seen him since (I’m typing this in 2023 and have seen him many times and even met him once.) he and his band (Guitarists Steve Hunter, Orianthi, and Ryan Roxie, Bassist Chuck Garric, and Drummer Glen Sobel) are always great.

    Classic song after classic song.

    Great stage show.

    Great theatrics.

    I can’t say enough about Alice.

    Aside from his first two albums, I think every album he has released is awesome and he never does a bad concert.  EVER!!

    Rock on!!

    Set List:

    1. Tape:  Vincent Price Intro
    2. The Black Widow
    3. Brutal Planet
    4. I’m Eighteen
    5. Under My Wheels
    6. Billion Dollar Babies
    7. No More Mr. Nice Guy
    8. Hey Stoopid
    9. Is It My Body
    10. Halo Of Flies (w/Bass and Drum Solos)
    11. I’ll Bite Your Face Off (New Song)
    12. Muscle Of Love
    13. Only Women Bleed (included a short Guitar Solo by Orianthi at the beginning)
    14. Cold Ethyl
    15. Feed My Frankenstein
    16. Clones (We’re All)
    17. Poison
    18. Wicked Young Man
    19. Killer (Partial)
    20. I Love The Dead (Partial)
    21. School’s Out (included part of Pink Floyd’s Another Brick In The Wall Part 2)
    22. Encore:  Elected

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Epitaph? Not Quite: Judas Priest/Black Label Society/Thin Lizzy Concert Review

    This was supposed to be Judas Priest’s farewell tour, hence why it was called Epitaph.

    But luckily, it turned out not to be, because as I type this in 2023, they are still around making albums and touring.  I’m glad.

    However, last tour or not, this was a great tour and lineup of bands.

    A newer incarnation of Thin Lizzy opened.

    Classic members Scott Gorham (Guitar), Brian Downey (Drums), and Darrell Wharton (Keyboards) were there, along with new singer Ricky Warwick, who sounds uncannily like Phil Lynott (RIP).  The band was rounded out by Bassist Marco Mendoza and Guitarist Richard Fortus, who also plays in Guns N Roses.

    They played an awesome set of Thin Lizzy classics.

    Sadly, they’re only known for two songs in America, The Boys Are Back In Town and Jailbreak.  Both great songs, but trust me, they have sooooooooo many great songs.  Please do yourself a favor and seek out their music.  They rock.

    Next was Black Label Society, which is Singer/Guitarist Zakk Wylde’s band.

    They’re a very good band and Zakk is incredible, but to my ears, as well as my cousin Zachary’s who was there with me, they sounded terrible that night.  SOOOO loud and distorted.  The mix was awful.  I’m sorry but it was.  Again I love Zakk but the mix was awful.  I’m sure most of their shows sound great, but to our ears, they were not great on this night.  Maybe it was just where we were because I later heard an audio bootleg and they sounded fine.  I don’t know.

    Thank goodness that was not the case with Thin Lizzy or the headliner Judas Priest!!

    They went on a little after 10 PM and played until after Midnight.

    Tons of songs from almost every album they had released up to that point.

    Singer Rob Halford forever a commander of the stage and singing/screaming his head off like no other.

    Guitarists Glenn Tipton and newcomer at the time Richie Faulkner (replacing KK Downing, who left the band) playing phenomenally.

    Bassist Ian Hill and Drummer Scott Travis solid as a rock, like always.

    Priest are one of my favorite bands ever and I try to go see them every chance I get.

    They never let me down.

    Judas Priest Set List:

    1. Intro Tape (Battle Hymn)
    2. Rapid Fire
    3. Metal Gods
    4. Heading Out To The Highway
    5. Judas Rising
    6. Starbreaker
    7. Victim Of Changes
    8. Never Satisfies
    9. Diamonds & Rust
    10. Intro Tape (Dawn Of Creation)
    11. Prophecy
    12. Night Crawler
    13. Turbo Lover
    14. Beyond The Realms Of Death
    15. The Sentinel
    16. Blood Red Skies
    17. The Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown)
    18. Breaking The Law (Rob did not sing this.  He let the audience sing it.  It was a rush!!)
    19. Painkiller
    20. Encore:  The Hellion/Electric Eye
    21. Hell Bent For Leather
    22. You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’
    23. Encore 2:  Living After Midnight

    Black Label Society Set List:

    1. Intro Tape:  New Religion
    2. Crazy Horse
    3. Funeral Bell
    4. Bleed For Me
    5. Suicide Messiah
    6. Overlord
    7. Parade Of The Dead
    8. Fire It Up
    9. Guitar Solo
    10. Godspeed Hell Bound
    11. Concrete Jungle
    12. Stillborn

    Thin Lizzy Set List:

    1. Are You Ready
    2. Waiting For An Alibi
    3. Jailbreak
    4. Massacre
    5. Emerald
    6. Killer On The Loose
    7. Rosalie (Bob Seger cover)
    8. Roisun Dubh (Black Rose):  A Rock Legend
    9. Cowboy Song
    10. The Boys Are Back In Town

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    1st Time Seeing Alice Cooper

    I’m typing this in 2023 and I can say I’ve been an Alice Cooper fan for 25  years.

    I’ve seen him many times, have all his albums, and love all of it (except for his first two albums, they’re not that great).

    But this was the first time I saw him concert:  13 years after I became a fan.

    Yeah it took me awhile to see him, but thank goodness I finally did.

    He and his band, which have mostly been the same since I first saw him (Guitarists Ryan Roxie, Orianthi and Steve Hunter, Bassist Chuck Garric, and Drummer Glen Sobel at the time), have always been great.

    Alice always has great musicians around him anyways.

    And the songs are just beyond classic.

    I can’t say enough about Alice.

    He’s PHENOMENAL.  Still making great albums and doing great shows.

    Set List:

    1. Tape:  Vincent Price Intro
    2. The Black Widow
    3. Brutal Planet
    4. I’m Eighteen
    5. Under My Wheels
    6. Billion Dollar Babies
    7. No More Mr. Nice Guy
    8. Hey Stoopid
    9. Is It My Body
    10. Halo Of Flies
    11. I’ll Bite Your Face Off (New Song)
    12. Muscle Of Love
    13. Only Women Bleed
    14. Cold Ethyl
    15. Feed My Frankenstein
    16. Clones (We’re All)
    17. Poison
    18. Wicked Young Man
    19. Killer (partial)
    20. I Love The Dead (partial)
    21. School’s Out
    22. Encore:  Elected

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    I Finally Saw Steely Dan in Concert

    After being a fan for 13 years, I finally saw Steely Dan in concert.

    Steely Dan is comprised of founders Donald Fagen (Vocals/Keyboards) and Walter Becker (Guitar/Bass/Vocals) and they always have the best musicians in the world playing with them.

    Thanks to my brother Christopher, I became a fan of this band when I was still in high school.

    I love their albums and songs soooooooo much.

    And live, they deliver the songs to the fans very well.

    I’m sooooooooooooooooo glad I finally got to see them.

    Set List:

    1. Dizzy’s Bidness (Cannonball Adderly cover)-The Miles High Band played this song to introduce Donald and Walter onto the stage
    2. Aja
    3. Black Friday
    4. Hey Nineteen
    5. Your Gold Teeth
    6. Black Cow
    7. Time Out Of Mind
    8. Green Earrings
    9. Show Biz Kids
    10. Bodhisattva
    11. Dirty Work (The Embassy Brats sing this song)
    12. Home At Last
    13. Neighbor’s Daughter (Lee Dorsey cover-Walter talks and introduces the band during this)
    14. Josie
    15. Peg
    16. My Old School
    17. Reelin’ In The Years
    18. Encore:  Kid Charlemagne
    19. Last Tango In Paris (Gato Barbieri cover-The Miles High Band plays this as Donald and Walter exit the stage)

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    70s and 80s Classics: Motley Crue/Poison/New York Dolls Concert Review

    This was another great show my cousin Zachary and I saw.

    The New York Dolls opened the show.

    They included original members David Johansen on vocals and Sylvain Sylvain on guitar.

    They played some songs from their most recent albums, plus songs from their cult classic first album.

    Some people may know of David as an actor and as Dexter Poindexter of the 1980s with the hit song “Hot Hot Hot”.

    Very good band and please seek out their music.  Highly influential, but never got past cult status.

    I’m glad we saw them.

    Then Poison played. 

    This was the second time I had seen them.

    Still all original members (Bret Michaels on Vocals and some Guitar, CC Deville on Guitar, Bobby Dall on Bass, and Rikki Rockett on Drums).

    This band was one of the kings of the late 80s/early 90s and are always at the top of their game.

    I wish they would make more new music (nothing since 2007, although Bret continues to make solo music), but when they play live, they’re always great and a lot of fun.

    Then Motley Crue closed the show.

    Again, all original members (Vince Neil on Vocals, Mick Mars on Guitar, Nikki Sixx on Bass, and Tommy Lee on Drums).

    This was my 5th time seeing Motley (8 as I type this in 2023).

    They’re one of my favorite bands of all time.

    The last time I saw them in 2009, Tommy could not play the drums because he had an accident, so it seemed to me that he had something to prove this time and played extra hard. 

    Some give them crap live, especially Vince because of him skipping every other word on a lot of the songs, but it’s never bothered me and he’s always sang enough to satisfy.

    I’ve always had a great time seeing them, and I love their albums.  All of them.

    Again, great time.  Zachary had a great time too.

    I don’t have a lot of pictures to show, and they’re not great, but again, this was a disposable camera, so unless you were super up close, they were never that great.

    Motley Crue Set List:

    1. Wild Side
    2. Saints Of Los Angeles
    3. Live Wire
    4. Shout At The Devil 97
    5. Same Ol’ Situation (S.O.S.)
    6. Primal Scream
    7. Home Sweet Home
    8. Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)-also featured some of the Cee Lo Green song Fuck You
    9. Drum Solo
    10. Guitar Solo
    11. Looks That Kill
    12. Dr. Feelgood
    13. Too Young To Fall In Love
    14. Too Fast For Love
    15. Girls, Girls, Girls
    16. Smokin’ In The Boys Room
    17. Kickstart My Heart

    Poison Set List:

    1. Look What The Cat Dragged In
    2. Ride The Wind
    3. We’re An American Band
    4. Your Mama Don’t Dance
    5. Guitar Solo
    6. Fallen Angel
    7. Unskinny Bop
    8. Drum Solo
    9. Every Rose Has It’s Thorn
    10. Talk Dirty To Me 
    11. Nothin’ But A Good Time

    New York Dolls Set List:

    1. Looking For A Kiss
    2. Dance Like A Monkey
    3. Cause I Sez So
    4. Talk To Me Baby
    5. Kids Like You
    6. Pills
    7. Trash
    8. Personality Crisis
    9. Jet Boy

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Avenged Sevenfold/Stone Sour Concert Review

    My cousin Zachary and I went to see Avenged Sevenfold and Stone Sour in concert.

    New Medicine and Hollywood Undead opened.

    I don’t remember a ton from them, but they were good to start the night.

    Stone Sour, which was the biggest reason why I wanted to go to this show, played next.

    I think every album they’ve released is great and it was great to see them play live.

    Singer Corey Taylor, also of Slipknot, is a great singer/songwriter/frontman.

    I love Slipknot but I love Stone Sour too.  They’re a little more hard rock, and not quite as heavy and intense as Slipknot is and I like that too.

    As I type this in 2023, Stone Sour is on a indefinite hiatus (Corey is still in Slipknot and has a solo career now too.) but hopefully they will someday return.

    Now to the headliner:  Avenged Sevenfold.

    I’ve been a fan of theirs since college, but I still don’t quite worship them like a lot of people do.

    But I definitely like them and they’re a huge band.

    They put on a big rock show and give the fans what they want.

    Can’t ask for anything more.

    Avenged Sevenfold Band Members:

    Stone Sour Band Members:

    Avenged Sevenfold Set List:

    1. Nightmare
    2. Critical Acclaim
    3. Welcome To The Family
    4. Danger Line
    5. Buried Alive
    6. So Far Away
    7. Afterlife
    8. God Hates Us
    9. Bat Country
    10. Unholy Confessions
    11. Encore:  Fiction
    12. A Little Piece Of Heaven

    Stone Sour Set List:

    1. Mission Statement
    2. Reborn
    3. Digital (Did You Tell)
    4. Hesitate
    5. Say You’ll Haunt Me
    6. Made Of Scars
    7. Bother
    8. Through Glass
    9. Hell & Consequences
    10. 30/30-150

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Clash Of The Titans Part 2: Slayer/Megadeth/Anthrax Concert Review

    My cousin Zachary and I went to see 3 out of “The Big 4” of Thrash Metal bands.

    They called the tour American Carnage, but really, it was the Clash Of The Titans tour all over again, because these bands toured together with that tour name in the early 90s.

    Comedian Jim Florentine, also known as one of the hosts of VH1 Classic’s That Metal Show and in 2023 a YouTube show called That Rocks, did a stand up comedy set in between each act.  It was cool to see Jim.  I even met him briefly at the soundboard.  Cool guy.

    Anthrax started the show.  Singer Joey Belladonna had recently rejoined the band for the 3rd time, while the rest was the same as it had been for many years (Guitarist Scott Ian, Bassist Frank Bello, Drummer Charlie Benante, and Guitarist Rob Caggiano).

    It was a short but great set of classic Anthrax songs.  

    They’re always great live and it was great seeing Joey back in the band.

    Megadeth played next and they played all of their classic Rust In Peace album, plus other Megadeth greats.

    I honestly think Megadeth got the best crowd reaction on this night.

    They were awesome, as always.

    The lineup this time was founder Dave Mustaine (Vocals/Guitar), returning Bassist David Ellefson, Drummer Shawn Drover, and Guitarist Chris Broderick.

    Again, Dave has had a lot of lineup changes in Megadeth, but they’re always great.

    Slayer closed the night by playing all of their Seasons In The Abyss album, as well as other Slayer greats.

    It was still the original lineup at this point (Singer/Bassist Tom Araya, Guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, and Drummer Dave Lombardo).

    Sadly, this would be the last time I saw Jeff play in person.  He sadly passed away in 2013.  He will be forever missed.

    But anyway, Slayer were always great live (they ended in 2019) and if you were a fan, you knew what to expect and probably would not be disappointed.

    All these bands are favorites of mine.  And it was awesome to see them all together in one night.

     

    Slayer Set List:

    1. World Painted Blood
    2. Hate Worldwide
    3. Seasons In The Abyss Album (Tracks 3-12)-War Ensemble
    4. Blood Red
    5. Spirit In Black
    6. Expendable Youth
    7. Dead Skin Mask
    8. Hallowed Point
    9. Skeletons Of Society
    10. Temptation
    11. Born Of Fire
    12. Seasons In The Abyss
    13. South Of Heaven
    14. Raining Blood
    15. Aggressive Perfector
    16. Angel Of Death

    Megadeth Set List:

    1. Rust In Peace Album (Tracks 1-9)-Holy Wars…The Punishment Due
    2. Hangar 18
    3. Take No Prisoners
    4. Five Magics
    5. Poison Was The Cure
    6. Lucretia
    7. Tornado Of Souls
    8. Dawn Patrol
    9. Rust In Peace…Polaris
    10. Trust
    11. Head Crusher
    12. How The Story Ends
    13. Symphony Of Destruction
    14. Encore:  Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying

    Anthrax Set List:

    1. Caught In A Mosh
    2. Madhouse
    3. Antisocial
    4. Indians
    5. A.I.R.
    6. Metal Thrashing Mad
    7. I Am The Law

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    Aerosmith and Sammy Hagar Concert Review

    I saw one of my favorite bands Aerosmith for the 2nd time in 2010.

    Another one of my favorites, Sammy Hagar and his band The Wabos, opened the show with a rocking set of songs by The Wabos, as well as Sammy solo tunes, Van Halen songs from his era, and Montrose songs, also a band Sammy was in.

    This was the 1st time I saw Sammy and he and his band did not disappoint.

    Aerosmith Guitarist Brad Whitford was watching from the side of the stage for most of the show and eventually was welcomed on stage by Sammy to help he and the band play the song “Mas Tequila”.  Brad even bowed with the band.  Really special treat.

    Then later on, Aerosmith played another rocking set.  Again, they are one of my favorite bands of all time, and I truly am a fan of everyone in the band (Vocalist Steven Tyler, Guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford, Bassist Tom Hamilton, and Drummer Joey Kramer).

    Joey played one of my favorite drum solos ever that night too.

    Love all these guys.

    Great night.

     

    Aerosmith Set List:

    1. Eat The Rich’
    2. Train Kept A Rollin’ (Tiny Bradshaw cover)
    3. No More No More
    4. Love In An Elevator
    5. Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
    6. Livin’ On The Edge
    7. What It Takes
    8. Pink
    9. Last Child
    10. Cryin’
    11. Drum Solo
    12. Rag Doll
    13. Joe Perry Guitar Battle (He was playing guitar along to the video game of the Aerosmith version of Guitar Hero).
    14. Stop Messin’ Around (Fleetwood Mac cover)
    15. I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing
    16. Come Together (The Beatles cover)
    17. Sweet Emotion
    18. Draw The Line
    19. Encore:  Dream On
    20. Walk This Way

    Sammy Hagar & The Wabos Set List:

    1. There’s Only One Way To Rock
    2. I Can’t Drive 55
    3. Top Of The World
    4. Space Station #5
    5. Rock Candy
    6. Bad Motor Scooter
    7. Best Of Both Worlds
    8. Three Lock Box
    9. Right Now
    10. Finish What Ya Started
    11. Heavy Metal
    12. Mas Tequila (w/Brad Whitford)
    13. Encore:  Why Can’t This Be Love

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Mayhem Festival 2010 Review

    My cousin Zachary and I went to this festival and boy what a show it was.

    KORN, Rob Zombie, Lamb Of God, and Five Finger Death Punch.

    All in one evening.

    FFDP started the show, although for some reason, we ended up not being able to get to our seats for awhile (I know it rained but nothing should’ve prevented us from being as late as we were to our seats.  They were under roof too.) 

    Either way, what we saw of FFDP was great.  I’ve been a fan since then as I type this in 2023.  They’re one of the bigger rock/metal bands now but they were just blowing up at the time.

    Lamb Of God played next.  Another band that is always great live and they’re sooo heavy.  One of the best at what they do.

    Rob Zombie was next.  My 2nd time seeing him at this point (I’ve seen him 5 times as of 2023.).  He and his band are always great and I love all of his albums.

    This was the 1st and only time I’ve seen KORN to date, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to see them again.  I’ve just been busy as you’ve seen by these reviews.

    Anyway, KORN were amazing.  Again, great live band and for the most part, the albums I think are great.

    Great show.

    KORN Set List:

    1. Right Now
    2. Twist
    3. Here To Stay
    4. Did My Time
    5. Oildale (Leave Me Alone)
    6. Falling Away From Me
    7. Somebody Someone
    8. Let The Guilt Go
    9. Freak On A Leash
    10. Blind
    11. Shoots & Ladders (w/some of Metallica’s One at the end)
    12. Clown 
    13. Got The Life

    Rob Zombie Set List:

    1. What Lurks On Channel X?
    2. Superbeast
    3. Scum Of The Earth
    4. Living Dead Girl
    5. More Human Than Human
    6. Sick Bubble-Gum
    7. House Of 1,000 Corpses
    8. Never Gonna Stop (The Red, Red Kroovy)
    9. Mars Needs Women
    10. Thunder Kiss ’65
    11. School’s Out (Alice Cooper cover)
    12. Dragula

    Lamb Of God Set List:

    1. Intro Tape:  The Passing
    2. In Your Words
    3. Set To Fail
    4. Walk With Me In Hell
    5. Now You’ve Got Something To Die For
    6. Laid To Rest
    7. Red Neck
    8. Black Label

    Five Finger Death Punch Set List:

    1. Burn It Down
    2. Salvation
    3. No One Gets Left Behind
    4. Bad Company (Bad Company cover)
    5. The Way Of The Fist
    6. Never Enough
    7. The Bleeding

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Seeing KISS On My Birthday

    I got to see my favorite band on my 28th birthday.

    KISS!!

    I had not seen them in 10 years (I was busy seeing other bands.).

    Ace Frehley and Peter Criss were gone by this point, and Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer were there, along with original members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley.

    They had released their first studio album since 1998 the previous year, Sonic Boom, which I loved and still do as I type this in 2023.

    It was great seeing my favorite band again, as it always is great.

    Lots of great songs.  Great stage show.  The best.

    Phenomenal way to spend my birthday, and with my Dad and cousin Zachary with me.

    Set List:

    1. Modern Day Delilah (New Song)
    2. Cold Gin
    3. Let Me Go, Rock ‘N’ Roll
    4. Firehouse
    5. Say Yeah (New Song)
    6. Deuce
    7. Crazy Crazy Nights
    8. Calling Dr. Love
    9. Shock Me
    10. Guitar & Drum Solos
    11. I’m An Animal (New Song)
    12. 100,000 Years
    13. Bass Solo
    14. I Love It Loud
    15. Love Gun
    16. Black Diamond
    17. Detroit Rock City
    18. Encore:  Beth (the band played the song acoustically)
    19. Lick It Up
    20. Shout It Out Loud
    21. I Was Made For Loving You
    22. God Gave Rock And Roll To You II
    23. Rock And Roll All Nite

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)