• Blog,  Concerts

    I Saw Wolverine In Person: Hugh Jackman Show Review

    What can I say?
     
    I saw a super person in concert.
     
    His name is Hugh Jackman.
     
    Not only is he a famous movie star. He’s also a talented singer, dancer, storyteller, and just an all around great person.
     
    I saw him perform at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio.
     
    He told a lot of stories about his upbringing, his influences (he spent a whole section of the show paying tribute/acting like fellow Australian singer Peter Allen), got the audience involved (he brought an audience member on stage and interacted with him in a funny way and continuously mentioned the person on and off for the rest of the show), gave drum sticks to little kids, hugged people, sang, danced, tap danced, acted, told jokes, and in a word entertained.
     
    It was a very fun show.
     
    The act is very good. Great production and sound/visuals. Cool song selections (songs from various movies of his and classic musicals/broadway show tunes).
     
    He even had a AC/DC and Van Halen sample going on at one point.
     
    I learned something too: the word Leon means “spirit”. He said Columbus really brought the Leon out.
     
    He truly is a showman, to say the least.
     
    I wish I and really the world for that matter could be as kind and as positive as he is.
     
    This was a very fun event and I’m glad I went.
     
    Two more events and that will probably be it for me in 2019.
     
    Hopefully some cool events await me next year.

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    I Finally Saw Willie Nelson: Outlaw Music Festival Concert Review

    Disclaimer: I HATE country music.
     
    I always have and I always will.
     
    Having said that, I wanted to finally see Willie Nelson.
     
    So I did.
     
    I went to his Outlaw Music Festival in Cincinnati.
     
    There were five bands and I went for two of them: Willie and Bonnie Raitt.
     
    The first act, Derek Allan Band, was meh to me.
     
    The second act, Jamestown Revival, was actually good. I can’t say I’ll ever buy any of their music, but they were good.
     
    Bonnie Raitt was great!! She still sings and plays well, and her band is fantastic. I’m glad I saw her.
     
    The next act, Luke Combs, I could care less about.
     
    He’s considered hot stuff by a lot of people and that’s good for them, but I hated having to sit through his set.
     
    It was terrible to my ears. And you know what’s sad? He probably had the best reaction of the night.
     
    Not that Willie didn’t have a great reaction, but I swear many people were leaving during his set.
     
    Seeing Willie Nelson was good. He is still great at what he does, and his band, which is his family, are fantastic. Especially his sister, Bobbie, who plays piano.
     
    This concert was a mixed bag for me but I’m glad I saw Willie and Bonnie. They were great.
     
    I hope they keep going for a long time to come.
     
    Again, I HATE Country music and I always will. But I respect Willie and Bonnie and am glad I saw them.

    Willie Nelson Set List:

    1. Whiskey River/Still Is Still Movin’/Beer For My Horses
    2. Down Yonder
    3. If You Got The Money
    4. Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys
    5. Georgia On My Mind
    6. La La La Song
    7. My Favorite Picture
    8. Hard To Be Humble
    9. It’s All Going To Pot
    10. Roll Me Up And Smoke Me When I Die
    11. Good Hearted Woman
    12. Nuages
    13. On The Road Again
    14. Always On My Mind
    15. Jambalaya/Hey Good Lookin’/Move It On Over
    16. Circle Be Unbroken/I’ll Fly Away/I Saw The Light

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Conventions

    I Met Some Star Trek Stars: My Cincinnati Comic Expo Experience

    I went to the Cincinnati ComicCon again.
     
    This was the second time I’ve been to this con.
     
    It’s pretty cool.
     
    I saw a few celebrities but the ones I really wanted to see and did were Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura on Star Trek) and Brent Spiner (Lt. Commander Data on Star Trek:The Next Generation, it’s four movies, the Independence Day movies, and the upcoming Picard series).
     
    Both were very nice.
     
    As of next year, Nichelle is apparently not making personal appearances anymore so this was my chance to meet her. I’m glad I did.
     
    She had a great turnout, as she should.
     
    Brent I was supposed to meet last year but he had to cancel. I’m glad I met him today.
     
    I told him how much a fan I am and that I think the Star Trek Nemesis movie (the last Star Trek movie with The Next Generation cast) is underrated and under appreciated. He thanked me and agreed with me.
     
    I also said I’m looking forward to the Picard show, and he said he was looking forward to seeing it too. The last thing he said to me was “Be well”.
     
    Another cool day for me. Especially since I’m a Star Trek fan.
     
    I get to do it again tomorrow when I see Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, and others in concert at Riverbend Music Center, just outside Cincinnati.
     
    I consider that place my home away from home.

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Conventions

    I Met Dee!! My Scarefest Weekend Experience

    I went to Scarefest 2019 today in Lexington, Kentucky.
     
    There were several cool celebrities there like Lee Majors (who I have met twice, very nice man), Bruce Campbell, Clu Gulager, Mick Foley, and others.
     
    But I went there specifically to meet one of my biggest heroes: Dee Snider!!
     
    Dee signed all of my stuff.
     
    We conversed.
     
    He insisted I take pictures of him signing my stuff.
     
    He was funny. He was sooo nice to me.
     
    I had tweeted Dee on and off a bunch for a few years, and one day this year, I sent him a few pics of the stuff I have of his work (CDs, DVDs) saying I need to figure out what to bring to this event for him to sign.
     
    He was blown away by it.
     
    Instead of just saying oh that’s cool Lucas or words to that effect, Dee said “You’re hardcore. Bring what you got and I’ll sign all of it”. And he did.
     
    I’ve been a fan for 21 years.
     
    I sadly never got to see his band Twisted Sister in concert, but I did finally see Dee in 2017 in Northfield, Ohio.
     
    And I saw him in Kettering, Ohio this summer with Kings Of Chaos.
     
    It was an honor meeting Dee today.
     
    He went above and beyond for me, and he didn’t have to.
     
    But I will forever appreciate his kindness and generosity.
     
    And thank you to Danny Stanton for helping make this happen for me as well.
     
    The last thing I said to Dee was that I’m a fan for life. And I am.
     
    Another big highlight in my life.
     
    This is what I live for.

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Such a Fun Night!! The B-52s/OMD/Berlin Concert Review

    I had a fun weekend.
     
    First I saw L.A. Guns Saturday night (see other post) and Sunday night I saw Berlin, OMD, and B-52s. All in one night.
     
    First up, though, I actually met the lead singer of Berlin, Terri Nunn.
     
    She was very nice. I wish that her bandmates, bassist/founder/main songwriter John Crawford and guitarist David Diamond, participated in the photo op too, but that’s ok.
     
    I saw all of them rocking out together in concert. But yes, a happy moment.
     
    Berlin started the show. They’re on their 40th anniversary, and they have a new album out called Transcendence.
     
    They played the title track and another new one (I Want You) at this show (both of which are very good and the crowd reacted well to them), as well as Berlin classics No More Words, The Metro, Masquerade, Take My Breath Away (the song everyone knows), Sex (I’m A) which was phenomenal, and a cover of AC/DC’s Highway To Hell.
     
    Terri said that is her favorite religious song. Funny.
     
    Not a long enough set for me, but also good enough. Loved seeing her, John, and David together.
     
    Love this band and these people.
     
    Also, after I got home, Terri replied to a tweet I sent her (see pics).
     
    Very nice woman and PHENOMENAL singer.
     
    I’m glad I finally saw them.
     
    Next up was OMD (Orchestral Manouvers In The Dark).
     
    I was not familiar with a lot of their music, but they were very good and the frontman, singer/bassist Andy McClusky, definitely knows how to work an audience.
     
    The crowd was super hyped up and loved every second of their set.
     
    The rest of the band is rounded out by singer/keyboardist Paul Humphreys, Martin Cooper (keyboards and saxophone), and drummer Stuart Kershaw.
     
    Very fun set and I need to check out more of their music.
     
    Last was the B-52s. Like Berlin, they’re celebrating 40 years as a band.
     
    Classic members Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, and Cindy Wilson and their rocking band sure do put on a show.
     
    All their voices have held up, the songs and musicianship are strong, and the visuals, as Berlin and OMD’s visuals as well, are very cool.
     
    This was such a fun concert from start to finish.
     
    Again, this is what I live for people.
    More to come.
     
    Below are the setlists for each band. I’ve also posted pictures.

    Berlin Set List:

    1. No More Words
    2. The Metro
    3. Masquerade
    4. I Want You (New Song)
    5. Take My Breath Away
    6. Transcendence (New Song)
    7. Sex (I’m A)
    8. Highway To Hell

    OMD Set List:

    1. Enola Gay
    2. Secret
    3. Tesla Girls
    4. History Of Modern (Part 1)
    5. (Forever) Live And Die
    6. If You Leave
    7. Joan Of Arc
    8. Talking Loud And Clear
    9. So In Love
    10. Dreaming
    11. Locomotion
    12. Electricity

    The B-52s Set List:

    1. Private Idaho
    2. Mesopotamia
    3. Give Me Back My Man
    4. Channel Z
    5. Funplex
    6. Deadbeat Club
    7. Juliet Of The Spirits
    8. Roam
    9. Party Out Of Bounds
    10. Cosmic Thing
    11. Dance This Mess Around
    12. Love Shack
    13. Encore: Planet Claire
    14. Rock Lobster

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Rocking Show!! L.A. Guns Concert Review

    I finally saw L.A. Guns.
     
    I saw them at Blue Note Harrison in Harrison, Ohio.
     
    They played to a packed crowd and played many old songs and a few new ones.
     
    They did not disappoint.
     
    Singer Phil Lewis is still incredible and lead guitarist Tracii Guns is phenomenal!
     
    The rest of the band, guitarist Ace Von Johnson, bassist Johnny Martin, and drummer Scott Coogan are solid.
     
    Very loud and fun show.
     
    More to come.
     
    In a few years I won’t do this anymore, but until then, onwards.

    L.A. Guns Set List

    1. Over The Edge
    2. No Mercy
    3. Sex Action
    4. The Devil You Know
    5. Electric Gypsy
    6. Some Lie 4 Love
    7. Kiss My Love Goodbye
    8. Gone Honey
    9. I Wanna Be Your Man (not The Beatles song of the same name)
    10. Never Enough (with Hells Bells intro)
    11. Crystal Eyes (partial
    12. The Ballad Of Jayne
    13. Speed
    14. Hellraisers Ball
    15. Rip And Tear

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Don’t Fear The Reaper: Blue Oyster Cult Concert Review

    I saw another great band in concert: Blue Oyster Cult!!
     
    This time near where I live.
    Blue Oyster Cult played a free show in Portsmouth, Ohio.
     
    I was there with my cousin/little brother I never had Zachary, my best friend Jamie McClintic and my other best friend Kevin Montavon.
     
    BOC were very loud, but clear.
     
    Classic members Buck Dharma and Eric Bloom and their band really rocked the hits everyone knows (Don’t Fear The Reaper, Godzilla, Burning For You) as well as many other great songs.
     
    I’m glad I finally saw them, and for free no less.
     
    Such a great time.
     
    I’m glad I was able to do this before having to go back and be a slave to the system Monday.
     
    But even so, I have many events coming this month.
     
    Stay tuned.

    Blue Oyster Cult Band Members:

    Set List:

    1. Transmaniacon MC
    2. Golden Age Of Leather
    3. Burnin’ For You
    4. Secret Road
    5. The Vigil
    6. E.T.I. (Extra Terrestrial  Intelligence)
    7. Buck’s Boogie
    8. Then Came The Last Days Of May
    9. Dancin’ In The Ruins
    10. Godzilla
    11. Buck Dharma Guitar Solo
    12. (Don’t Fear) The Reaper
    13. Encore:  Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Conventions

    Mostly Terrible Experience: My Experience at a Certain Expo

    This has left SUCH a bad taste in my mouth!!!!

    Every time I said something honest on this event’s page, and people agreed with me, the posts got deleted.
     
    But yet I’m the villain for saying how terrible the event was run.
     
    I’ve been beyond furious about this all week!
     
    Again, It looks as if I had fun by the pictures below, but other than these very brief moments, it was a bad experience.
     
    Chuck Norris, Lee Majors, and Richard Petty are class acts.
     
    Very gracious to their fans.
     
    And all the other celebrities that were there seemed cool.
     
    But the event was poorly run, disorganized, misinformation, lies, many “cancellations” (if they were ever scheduled at all. I don’t think they were.)
     
    It took 90 minutes just to get inside.
     
    Now, I understand these events can be chaotic (I’ve been to a few), but nothing like this.
     
    And schedules change, but not like this.
     
    Of all the events I’ve ever been to, this was the worst and if this event ever happens again, I will not be attending.
     
    The only upside of this is the pictures you see below here, the fact they were nice to me, and I found out that even though Knoxville, Tennessee is a bit of a drive, it’s not a terrible drive.
     
    I hope to enjoy the rest of my vacation, although so far, I haven’t enjoyed much of it.

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    The Voice of Yes: Jon Anderson Concert Review

    Well I really got my Yes fix on this summer.
     
    I saw current Yes in July, and Friday night of August 16, I saw the original singer of Yes, Jon Anderson!!!!
     
    He and his fantastic band played a number of Yes songs, as well as some of Jon’s solo songs.
     
    I was able to buy his new CD, which is only available at shows and his website (CDs currently sold out), and I got to hear a few of them at the show. Sound great!!!
     
    Jon Anderson is another singer who has been doing this a long time and falls in the category of singers who have lost nothing in their vocal abilities.
     
    He’s 75 and still Sounds the way he did in the 70s. Perfect!!!
     
    I’m glad I saw him.
     
    This was perfect timing because seeing current Yes really finally made me a fan. And seeing him a month later really took the cake.
     
    I live for this stuff!!

    Set List:

    1. Intro (Ocean Song)
    2. Owner Of A Lonely Heart
    3. Yours Is No Disgrace
    4. Ramalama
    5. State Of Independence
    6. Makes Me Happy
    7. I’ve Seen All Good People
    8. America
    9. WDMCF
    10. Chicken Soup (Jon walks off while band plays, then a 15 minute intermission)
    11. Flight Of The Moorglade
    12. Sweet Dreams
    13. To The Runner
    14. Long Distance Runaround
    15. Wonderous Stories
    16. First Born Leaders
    17. 1,000 Hands (Come Up)
    18. Starship Trooper/Solid Space
    19. Encore: Roundabout
    20. Soon

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Pet Sounds & More: Brian Wilson Concert Review

    Well, I saw The Beach Boy, Brian Wilson, Tuesday night, in Huber Heights, Ohio.
     
    He and his fantastic band, which included fellow Beach Boy Al Jardine, and long time Rolling Stones sideman Blondie Chaplin, played a lot of Beach Boys hits, deep cuts, and The Beach Boys album Pet Sounds.
     
    I’m glad I finally saw Brian, as well as Al.
     
    This show had been postponed since June because Brian had an issue.
     
    I’m trying to see the legends while I can because someday, they will be gone.
     
    And when they are, I’m done with attending concerts.
     
    But until then, I’m soldiering on.
     
    My next one is Friday.
     
    This is what I live for people.
     
    Music, movies, concerts, and ComicCons. That’s it.

    Set List:

    1. California Girls
    2. I Get Around
    3. Surfer Girl
    4. Don’t Worry Baby
    5. Wake The World
    6. Add Some Music To Your Day
    7. Friends
    8. Free Flows
    9. Wild Honey
    10. Sail On Sailor
    11. Pet Sounds Album-Wouldn’t It Be Nice
    12. You Still Believe In Me
    13. That’s Not Me
    14. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
    15. I’m Waiting For The Day
    16. Let’s Go Away For Awhile
    17. Sloop John B
    18. God Only Knows
    19. I Know There’s An Answer
    20. Here Today
    21. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times
    22. Caroline No
    23. Encore-Good Vibrations
    24. Help Me Rhonda
    25. Barbara Ann
    26. Surfin’ USA
    27. Fun, Fun, Fun

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)