• Blog,  Concerts

    Let The Music Do The Talking!: The Joe Perry Project Concert Review

    April 23 2023 / No Comments
    • 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:

    1. I’ve Got the Rock ‘N’ Rolls Again
    2. Somebody
    3. East Coast, West Coast
    4. S.O.S. (Too Bad)
    5. Aye, Aye, Aye
    6. Lick and a Promise
    7. Fortunate One
    8. Beck’s Bolero
    9. Flying Saucer Rock ‘N’ Roll
    10. Won’t Let Me Go
    11. Reefer Head Woman
    12. Quake
    13. Chip Away The Stone
    14. You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory
    15. Bone To Bone (Coney Island White Fish Boy)
    16. Rockin’ Train
    17. Let The Music Do The Talking
    18. Encore:  Lightning Strikes
    19. Walk This Way
    20. Train Kept a Rollin’

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)


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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Master Musicians: Hot Tuna Concert Review

    April 21 2023 / No Comments
    • 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:

    1. Ain’t In No Hurry
    2. Another Man Done Gone
    3. Ice Age
    4. Hesitation Blues
    5. Barbeque King
    6. Great Divide Revisited
    7. That’ll Never Happen No More
    8. Full Go Round
    9. Sea Child
    10. Trial By Fire
    11. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
    12. How Long Blues

    Set 2:

    1. Blue Railroad Train
    2. Highway Song
    3. Come Back Baby
    4. San Francisco Bay Blues
    5. Been So Long
    6. Letter To The North Star
    7. 99 Year Blues
    8. Sleep Song
    9. Good Shepherd
    10. Song For The Stainless Cymbal
    11. Hamar Promenade
    12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
    13. I Know You Rider
    14. Encore:  Water Song

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)


  • Blog,  Concerts

    A Great Night of Metal!: Queensryche/Marty Friedman/Trauma Concert Review

    April 5 2023 / No Comments
    • 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:

    1. Behind The Walls
    2. Don’t Look Back
    3. Child Of Fire
    4. En Force
    5. Spreading The Disease
    6. In Extremis
    7. Light-Years
    8. Sicdeth
    9. Forest
    10. Jet City Woman
    11. Empire
    12. My Empty Room/Eyes of a Stranger
    13. Encore:  Deliverance
    14. Queen of the Reich
    15. Roads to Madness

    Marty Friedman Set List:

    1. Stigmata Addiction
    2. Devil Take Tomorrow
    3. Amagigoe
    4. Tornado Of Souls (Megadeth song.  Marty was in Megadeth for many years)
    5. Paradise Express
    6. Dragon Mistress
    7. Kaze ga Fuiteiru

    Trauma Set List:

    1. From Here to Hell
    2. Meat
    3. The River Red
    4. End of Everything
    5. Walk Away
    6. Death of an Angel

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)


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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Fozzy Rocks!: Fozzy Concert Review

    March 27 2023 / No Comments
    • 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:

    1. Sane
    2. Burn Me Out
    3. Martyr No More
    4. Eat The Rich
    5. Everybody’s Working For The Weekend

    Fozzy Main Set List:

    1. Sane
    2. Drinkin’ With Jesus
    3. Nowhere To Run
    4. Do You Wanna Start a War
    5. Lights Go Out
    6. Relax
    7. I Still Burn
    8. Burn Me Out
    9. Spider In My Mouth
    10. God Pounds His Nails
    11. Purifier
    12. The Vulture Club
    13. Enemy
    14. Encore:  Judas
    15. Blitzkrieg Bop

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)


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    Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    I’m Your Captain: Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad Concert Review

    March 25 2023 / No Comments
    • 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:

    1. Are You Ready?
    2. Rock & Roll Soul
    3. Footstompin’ Music
    4. Bad Time
    5. Paranoid
    6. Rain Keeps Falling (opening riff)
    7. We’re An American Band
    8. Shinin’ On
    9. Ohio
    10. In Need
    11. Aimless Lady
    12. Creepin’
    13. The Loco-Motion
    14. Drum Solo (w/Mark on a side drum kit)
    15. Extended Intro Music
    16. Some Kind Of Wonderful
    17. I’m Your Captain/Closer To Home

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)


  • Blog,  Concerts

    Can You Feel It?! Angel Concert Review

    March 13 2023 / 1 Comment
    • 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:

    1. On The Rocks
    2. Can You Feel It
    3. Mirrors
    4. Wild and Hot
    5. Bad Time
    6. Cast The First Stone
    7. The Fortune
    8. We Were The Wild
    9. Got Love If You Want It
    10. Don’t Leave Me Lonely
    11. It’s Alright
    12. Pressure Point
    13. Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore
    14. Feelin’ Right
    15. Rock And Rollers
    16. The Tower

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)


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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Great Power Trio: The Winery Dogs Concert Review

    March 2 2023 / No Comments
    • 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:

    1. Gaslight
    2. Xanadu
    3. Captain Love
    4. Hot Streak
    5. Desire
    6. Breakthrough
    7. Time Machine
    8. Stars
    9. Damaged
    10. Mad World
    11. The Other Side
    12. Bass Solo
    13. The Red Wine
    14. I’m No Angel
    15. Oblivion
    16. Encore:  Regret
    17. Elevate

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)


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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Chainsaw & Rock N Roll: Jackyl Concert Review

    February 18 2023 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: February 18, 2023
    • Location of Concert: Blue Note Harrison in Harrison, OH
     
    Loved this show.
     
    Jackyl kicks butt!!
     
    It’s that simple.
     
     
    Many more coming.

    Jackyl Band Members:

    • Jesse James Dupree (Lead Vocals/Guitar/Chainsaw)
    • Jeff Worley (Guitar)
    • Roman Glick (Bass)
    • Chris Worley (Drums)

    Set list:

    1. Blast Off
    2. My Moonshine Kicks Your Cocaine’s Ass
    3. Get All Up In It
    4. Encore (It Makes My Bic Dig Her)
    5. Screwdriver
    6. Down On Me
    7. Back Off Brother
    8. We’re An American Band (Grand Funk Railroad cover)
    9. Push Comes To Shove
    10. A Country Boy Can Survive (Hank Williams Jr. cover)
    11. Just Because I’m Drunk
    12. I Stand Alone
    13. When Will It Rain
    14. Dirty Little Mind
    15. Redneck Punk
    16. Suspicious Minds (Mark James cover)
    17. Lumberjack

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)


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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Kiss Me Deadly & Don’t Treat Me Bad: Lita Ford/ Firehouse Concert Review

    January 21 2023 / No Comments
    • 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 Center
     
    Four 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 Sky
     
    I 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 Deadly

    Band Members:

    • Lita Ford (Lead Vocals/Lead Guitar)
    • Marten Andersson (Bass)
    • Patrick Kennison (Guitar)
    • Brent Fitz (Drums-sitting in for Bobby Rock)

    Set List:

    1. Gotta Let Go
    2. Relentless
    3. Larger Than Life
    4. Back to the Cave (with solos and jams)
    5. Hungry
    6. Cherry Bomb
    7. Black Leather
    8. Cant’s Catch Me
    9. Only Women Bleed/Close My Eyes Forever
    10. Kiss Me Deadly

    Firehouse Band Members:

    • CJ Snare (Lead Vocals)
    • Bill Leverty (Lead Guitar)
    • Allen McKenzie
    • Michael Foster (Drums)

    Firehouse Set List:

    1. All She Wrote
    2. Overnight Sensation
    3. Shake & Tumble
    4. When I Look Into Your Eyes
    5. Home Is Where the Heart Is
    6. Lover’s Lane
    7. Love of a Lifetime
    8. Don’t Treat Me Bad
    9. Reach For the Sky

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)


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  • Blog,  Concerts

    I Wanna Be Somebody & Can U Deliver: W.A.S.P./Armored Saint Concert Review

    December 1 2022 / No Comments
    • 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:

    1. On Your Knees/The Flame/The Torture Never Stops/Inside The Electric Circus Medley
    2. L.O.V.E. Machine
    3. Wild Child
    4. The Idol
    5. The Great Misconceptions of Me
    6. Chainsaw Charlie (Murders in the New Morgue
    7. Blind In Texas
    8. Encore:  Animal (Fuck Like A Beast-about half of it)/The Real Me (The Who Cover)
    9. I Wanna Be Somebody

    Armored Saint Set List:

    1. Reign Of Fire
    2. End Of The Attention Span
    3. Nervous Man
    4. Last Train Home
    5. Chemical Euphoria
    6. Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants
    7. Win Hands Down
    8. Can U Deliver
    9. March Of The Saint
    10. Mad House

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)


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