• 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)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Great Guitar Playing and Songs: Santana/The Doobie Brothers Concert Review

    Another phenomenal concert.
     
    Santana and The Doobie Brothers!!
     
    I had not seen The Doobie Brothers in years, but they are still fantastic.
     
    Lots of hits, great singing and playing, and just rocking!
     
    I had not seen Santana before, and I’m glad I finally did.
     
    Lots of hits, old and somewhat old now (20th Anniversary of his Monster hit album Supernatural), covers (even a song which most of The Doobie Brothers joined him on), jamming, you name it.
     
    Another great night had my me.
     
    I’m seeing Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys Tuesday and Jon Anderson of Yes Friday.
     
    And more to come after that.

    Santana Set List:

    1. Soul Sacrifice
    2. Jin-Go-Lo-Ba
    3. Evil Ways/A Love Supreme
    4. (Da Le) Yaleo
    5. Put Your Lights On
    6. Shes Not There (featuring The Doobie Brothers!!! )
    7. Black Magic Woman
    8. Oye Como Va
    9. Breaking Down The Door
    10. Hope You’re Feeling Better
    11. Imagine
    12. Instrumental
    13. Corazon Espinado
    14. Maria Maria
    15. Foo Foo
    16. Encore: Are You Ready
    17. Smooth
    18. September
    19. Love, Peace, And Happiness

    The Doobie Brothers Set List:

    1. Rockin’ Down The Highway
    2. Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)
    3. Spirit
    4. Ukiah
    5. Clear As The Driven Snow
    6. Cotton Mouth
    7. Takin’ It To The Streets
    8. Sweet Maxine
    9. Jesus Is Just Alright
    10. Without You
    11. Long Train Runnin’
    12. China Grove
    13. Encore: Black Water
    14. Listen To The Music

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Mr. Roboto: Dennis DeYoung Concert Review

    Well I’ve now scratched off another huge bucket list concert.
     
    Dennis DeYoung, singer/songwriter/keyboardist/leader of Styx!!
     
    I’ve seen his Styx bandmates twice before (they split from him in 1999), but I had not seen Dennis.
     
    Until this past night.
     
    I didn’t have the best spot at the place (Columbus Commons), but it was the best I could do.
     
    But it’s ok. I could still see/hear everything.
     
    And boy did I!!
     
    Dennis and his great band were accompanied by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Pretty cool.
     
    Some classical interludes were played occasionally throughout the show.
     
    But the main part were the Styx songs and one solo song Dennis and his band perform.
     
    It’s mostly Styx songs Dennis sings/wrote, but his band also does some Styx songs that are sung/written by classic Styx member Tommy Shaw.
     
    Dennis has two guitarists, like Styx, and they play the parts well and the one guitarist sings just like Tommy.
     
    Dennis also had his wife Suzanne there too. They are close to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Great for them!
     
    Phenomenal concert.
     
    Dennis is 72 and his voice is still as great as ever.
     
    I think he is very underrated as a talent and deserves more attention and respect than he gets.
     
    He does not do just ballads. He has plenty of rock songs in his repertoire too.
     
    He also has a great sense of humor.
     
    Go look at his Facebook page and you’ll see.
     
    I can’t wait to buy his new album, which he said should be finished later this year.
     
    Anyway, I could go on and on about this guy, but I’ll end here just by saying once again that this is the stuff I live for.
     
    I love music, movies, ComicCons, and most especially, seeing my musical idols in concert.
     
    All of this is fuel to keep me going and this stuff is about the ONLY things that truly make me happy.
     
    And that’s it.
     
    Here is Dennis’ setlists. He had a slight intermission and I bought a cool shirt.

    Set Lists:

    Set 1:

    1. The Grand Illusion
    2. Lady
    3. Lorelei
    4. Blue Collar Man
    5. Desert Moon
    6. Too Much Time On My Hands
    7. Don’t Let It End

    Set 2:

    1. Mr. Roboto
    2. Babe
    3. Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)/Sing For The Day (part of it)
    4. Prelude 12/Suite Madame Blue
    5. The Best Of Times
    6. Renegade
    7. Come Sail Away

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Show Me The Way: Peter Frampton/Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening Concert Review

    Another fun concert.
     
    I went with my Aunt Kim Keffer and friend Barry Gillum to see Peter Frampton and Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening.
     
    I had seen Jason and his band many times, and they’re always great (as they were at this too), but this was my first time seeing Frampton.
     
    I’m glad I finally did.
     
    Lots of hits, cool covers, jamming, and just a great rocking night.
     
    Next up for me is Dennis DeYoung of Styx tonight!!
     
    I live for this!

    Peter Frampton Set List:

    1. Baby (Somethin’s Happening)
    2. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)
    3. Lines On My Face
    4. Show Me The Way
    5. The Lodger
    6. Georgia (On My Mind)
    7. Me And My Guitar
    8. Same Old Blues
    9. Breaking All The Rules
    10. Black Hole Sun (Instrumental)
    11. (I’ll Give You) Money
    12. Baby, I Love Your Way
    13. Do You Feel Like We Do
    14. Encore: Four Day Creep
    15. I Don’t Need No Doctor
    16. While My Guitar Gently Weeps

    Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening Set List:

    1. Immigrant Song
    2. Good Times Bad Times
    3. Over The Hills And Far Away
    4. What Is And What Should Never Be
    5. The Ocean
    6. Ramble On
    7. Whole Lotta Love
    8. Rock And Roll
    9. Stairway To Heaven

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)