• Blog,  Conventions

    I Met Jake “The Snake” Roberts

    Moments like this do not suck.

    I met one of my biggest heroes, wrestling legend and WWE Hall Of Famer Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Saturday at an autograph signing in Ashland, KY.

    I have been a fan of his for 25 years and will continue to be a fan for life.

    Jake has gone through a lot, especially in the past few years, and I am happy for him, and proud of him for coming out the other side.

    It was a pleasure to meet you Jake.

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Finally!! I saw Pearl Jam. My Concert Review

    It took me long enough, but I finally saw Pearl Jam.

    My best friend Jamie and I went to Cincinnati to see them.

    It was great, long show.

    Lots and lots of songs.

    They more than give you your money’s worth.

    I don’t think he was drunk, but singer Eddie Vedder was walking around stage throughout the night with a HUGE bottle of wine or something.

    He even shared it with the crowd at one point.

    He even dove out into the audience at one point and he was standing on top of some of them.  They held him up.

    If you’re a Pearl Jam fan and have not seen them, you SHOULD.

    And if you see them multiple times, you will get a different show each time because they always change up the set list.

    Great time.

    Pearl Jam Band Members:

    Pearl Jam Set List:

    1. Pendulum
    2. Nothingman
    3. Of The Girl
    4. Mind Your Manners
    5. Lightning Bolt
    6. Corduroy
    7. Spin The Black Circle
    8. Got Some
    9. Even Flow
    10. Sirens
    11. Love Boat Captain (w/Jumpin’ Jack Flash guitar tease)
    12. Present Time
    13. Daughter
    14. State Of Love And Trust
    15. Waiting On A Friend (The Rolling Stones Cover)
    16. Jeremy
    17. Comatose
    18. Setting Forth (Eddie Vedder Song)
    19. Porch
    20. Encore:  Sleeping By Myself (Eddie Vedder Song)
    21. Man Of The Hour
    22. Parachutes
    23. All Those Yesterdays
    24. Elderly Woman Behind The Counter in a Small Town
    25. Given To Fly
    26. Unthought Known
    27. Do The Evolution
    28. Better Man
    29. Encore 2:  Black 
    30. The Real Me (The Who Cover)
    31. Alive
    32. Rockin’ In The Free World (Neil Young Cover)
    33. Yellow Ledbetter (w/The Star-Spangled Banner)

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    You Go Chris: Chris Robinson Brotherhood Concert Review

    My best friend Jamie and I went to see Chris Robinson Brotherhood.

    I had seen Chris’ band The Black Crowes once but never this band.

    He formed this after The Crowes stopped for awhile.

    It’s very much a jam band.

    Lots of songs and jamming.

    Chris even plays rhythm guitar, which he doesn’t do in The Crowes.

    Really good band.  Small, but cool place.

    We were right at the front all night.

    Good stuff.

    Chris Robinson Brotherhood Band Members:

    Chris Robinson Brotherhood Set Lists:

    Set 1:

    1. Hello L.A., Bye Bye Birmingham (Delaney Bramlett Cover)
    2. Tomorrow Blues
    3. Shore Power
    4. It Serves You Right To Suffer (John Lee Hooker Cover)
    5. Meanwhile In The Gods…
    6. Badlands Here We Come
    7. Reflections On A Broken Mirror
    8. Poor Elijah/Tribute To Johnson (Delaney & Bonnie Cover)

    Set 2:

    1. Try Rock And Roll (Bobby Mitchell Cover)
    2. Tornado (The Black Crowes song)
    3. A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall (Bob Dylan Cover)
    4. About A Stranger
    5. Beggar’s Moon
    6. Clear Blue Sky & The Good Doctor
    7. Vibration & Light Suite
    8. Rosalee
    9. Encore:  Betty & Dupree (Chuck Willis Cover)

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Part 2: KISS/Def Leppard Concert Review

    My cousin (more like little brother) Zachary and my best friend Jamie went to see KISS and Def Leppard at a venue we had not been to before.

    The venue itself was nice, but the parking was atrocious.

    It took us at least 2 or more hours to get out of there after the show.

    OH MY GOSH!!!!

    The show itself was great, EXCEPT, that there was also rain.

    If we were under the roof (it was an outdoor amphitheater), it would have been fine, but we were on the lawn.

    Now we thought there was not supposed to be any rain until after the show, but of course, the rain started IMMEDIATELY once Def Leppard took the stage and rained throughout their entire set.

    They were awesome, but we were soaked.

    I told Jamie and Zachary that if it’s still raining during KISS’ set, that we will leave after a few songs.  Of course, the rain ended IMMEDIATELY once Def Leppard were done.

    Again, we were soaked and never quite dried off for some time.

    I was not going to buy any shirts at this show, but since we were so wet, I felt like I needed to, and I did.

    OK negatives aside, the show itself was great.

    The Dead Daisies, who I had never heard of at that point, opened. 

    They were a solid rock band.

    I recognized their bassist, Marco Mendoza, who is a great talent. 

    Otherwise, I knew nothing about them (edit:  I later knew a lot about them and saw them a few more times after that.  Even met them once but that’s in another review.  Read on.)

    Then Def Leppard took the stage, playing an amazing set as always.

    Like I said in a previous review, you really have to be great to go on after them.

    But KISS is the band to do it.

    And as always, they delivered another great set.

    They always make me happy and feel like I’m 16.

    I love these bands.  So much so that this was the second time Jamie and I saw this tour (see previous 2014 review).

    I hope I don’t get rained on like that again and the parking stunk, but otherwise, a fun time was had by all.

    Def Leppard Band Members:

    KISS Band Members:

    Def Leppard Set List:

    1. Let It Go
    2. Animal
    3. Foolin’
    4. Love Bites
    5. Let’s Get Rocked
    6. Two Steps Behind (Acoustic)
    7. Bringin’ On Heartbreak (Acoustic/Electric)
    8. Switch 625
    9. Hysteria
    10. Rocket
    11. Armageddon It
    12. Pour Some Sugar On Me
    13. Encore:  Rock Of Ages
    14. Photograph

    KISS Setlist:

    1. Psycho Circus
    2. Deuce
    3. Shout It Out Loud
    4. War Machine
    5. Hotter Than Hell
    6. I Love It Loud
    7. Lick It Up
    8. Bass Solo
    9. God Of Thunder
    10. Hide Your Heart
    11. Calling Dr. Love
    12. Cold Gin
    13. Love Gun
    14. Black Diamond
    15. Detroit Rock City
    16. Rock And Roll All Nite

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Awesome Rock and Roll: Aerosmith/Slash w/Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators Concert Review

    My best friend Jamie and I went to see Aerosmith and Slash Feat. Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators.

    This my 3rd time seeing Aerosmith but my first time seeing Slash/Myles and the Conspirators.

    Slash/Myles/The Conspirators opened the show with roughly 45-50 minutes of awesome rock and roll.

    I love this group.  This is the best band Slash has had since he was in Guns N Roses (edit:  two years later, he would rejoin GNR but also continue this band too).

    Myles Kennedy is one of the best singers of all time.  Yes I said of all time.  Trust me he’s that great.  Seek him out.  And he’s a phenomenal guitarist too.

    The band itself is solid as a rock but Slash and Myles to me are the new Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith.  They have such chemistry together.  It’s magic.

    In fact, I’ll say that they blew Aerosmith off the stage.

    Yes they did!!

    However, Aerosmith were good too of course.

    They’re one of my favorite bands ever.

    Steven Tyler still is an amazing singer.

    Joe Perry and Brad Whitford are phenomenal guitarists.

    Tom Hamilton is a great bassist.

    And Joey Kramer is one of my favorite drummers ever.

    You cannot go wrong with Aerosmith.

    Again honest opinion:  I (and Jamie too) think that Slash/Myles blew Aerosmith off the stage.  We both said to each other we could go home after them because we were happy.  

    But of course, we stayed for Aerosmith and I’m glad we did.

    Great great show.

    Slash Feat. Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators Band Members:

    Aerosmith Band Members:

    Slash Feat. Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators Set List:

    1. You’re A Lie
    2. Nightrain
    3. Back From Cali
    4. World On Fire
    5. You Could Be Mine
    6. Anastasia
    7. By The Sword
    8. Mr. Brownstone
    9. Sweet Child O’ Mine
    10. Slither
    11. Paradise City

    Aerosmith Set List:

    1. Back In The Saddle
    2. Eat The Rich
    3. Love In An Elevator
    4. Cryin’
    5. Livin’ On The Edge
    6. Monkey On My Back
    7. Kings And Queens
    8. Toys In The Attic
    9. Rag Doll
    10. Freedom Fighter
    11. Big Ten Inch Record
    12. Rats In The Cellar
    13. I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing
    14. No More No More
    15. Dude (Looks Like A Lady)
    16. Walk This Way
    17. Encore:  Dream On
    18. Sweet Emotion

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Two Favorites Together: KISS/Def Leppard Concert Review

    My best friend Jamie and I went to see two phenomenal bands:  KISS (our favorite) and Def Leppard (a favorite) in Cincinnati.

    They had never toured together before so this was a great opportunity to see these band together.

    It was a co-headline (meaning each band gets the same amount of set time) but Def Leppard would always go on first and KISS would close.

    Def Leppard are always phenomenal live and put most bands to shame in concert.

    You HAVE to be on your game to go on after them, otherwise, you will be crushed, because they’re that great.

    Great discography, tons of hits, everyone sings great, awesome stage set, BIG!

    This was my 2nd time seeing Def Leppard.  Love them.

    KISS closed the show, as I said.

    This was my 5th time seeing them and even though I have many favorites, they are my number one favorite band.

    They always make me happy and feel like I’m 16 again every time I see them (they were my first concert in 1998 when I was 16).

    The current lineup of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer, and Tommy Thayer always deliver the goods.

    They dug deep a little bit into their catalog here and played a song they had not played in many years (Hide Your Heart from their 1989 Hot In The Shade album), along with Hotter Than Hell from the album of the same name, which they have played a lot, but I had not seen them play it before.

    Great show from both bands.

    However, this night was emotional for me in another sense that my Pawpaw 4 days before this show.

    We had just had his wake and funeral service the previous few days, so I was going into this show with that grief still fresh.

    And I did cry a little at this show because I was still feeling it.

    I’m very sad that Pawpaw died, but what breaks my heart the most is seeing my Granny cry.

    I had NEVER seen her cry in my life until he died.

    They were together 67 years.  Forever joined at the hip.  From beginning to end.

    (Edit:  My Granny died 5 years later, in 2019.  Beyond heartbreaking to me and I’ll never get over it.)

    Life will never be the same in my family.

    But having said that, he lived a long and great, full life.

    Can’t ask for anything more.

    I love and miss you Pawpaw (and Granny)!!!!

    Def Leppard Band Members:

    KISS Band Members:

    Def Leppard Set List:

    1. Let It Go
    2. Animal
    3. Foolin’
    4. Love Bites
    5. Let’s Get Rocked
    6. Two Steps Behind (Acoustic)
    7. Bringin’ On The Heartbreak (Acoustic/Electric)
    8. Switch 625
    9. Hysteria (w/Beth by KISS tag)
    10. Rocket
    11. Armageddon It
    12. Pour Some Sugar On Me
    13. Encore:  Rock Of Ages
    14. Photograph

    KISS Setlist:

    1. Psycho Circus
    2. Deuce
    3. Shout It Out Loud
    4. War Machine 
    5. Hotter Than Hell
    6. I Love It Loud
    7. Lick It Up
    8. Bass Solo
    9. God Of Thunder
    10. Hide Your Heart
    11. Calling Dr. Love
    12. Cold Gin
    13. Love Gun
    14. Black Diamond
    15. Detroit Rock City
    16. Rock And Roll All Nite

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    What a Motley Crew!!: Motley Crue/Alice Cooper Concert Review

    My best friend Jamie and I went to see Motley Crue and Alice Cooper at my favorite venue:  Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, OH.

    I’ve been going to this venue since the summer of 1999 when I first saw Motley Crue actually.

    This was my 7th time seeing them and my 3rd time seeing Alice.

    Alice started the night with an awesome show, as usual.

    His songs are timeless (he’s still making awesome new albums) and his band is always solid as a rock.

    There’s no such thing as a bad Alice show.  It just doesn’t happen.

    Go see him if you get a chance.  He tours all the time.

    Then later on, Motley took the stage.

    They are one of my favorite bands of all time.

    I’ve always thought of them as more of a gang than as a band.

    Through all their ups and downs, they always come back.

    This is their “Final Tour” (edit:  they later returned in 2019 to record some new songs for their biopic The Dirt and started touring again in 2022) but truth or fiction, I always have fun at a Motley show.

    Say what you want about singer Vince Neil (he tends to skip words when he sings live) but he really does sing live and every time I’ve seen them, he sings enough that the skipping of words never bothers me.  And I’ve always loved his voice.

    Tommy Lee is one of my favorite drummers.

    Bassist Nikki Sixx is one of my favorite songwriters (he’s written most of Motley’s great discography).

    Guitarist Mick Mars (edit:  John 5 took over on guitar in 2023) is one of my favorite guitarists and he never gets enough credit for the great playing he always delivers.

    I love these guys, through thick and thin.

    Go see them if you can.  They always put on a fun rock and roll show.

    And at the end of the show, they played on a stage in the audience, which was really cool.

    Alice Cooper Band Members:

    Motley Crue Band Members:

    Alice Cooper Set List:

    1. Hello, Hooray
    2. No More Mr. Nice Guy
    3. Under My Wheels
    4. I’m Eighteen
    5. Billion Dollar Babies
    6. Poison
    7. Dirty Diamonds
    8. Welcome To My Nightmare
    9. Feed My Frankenstein
    10. Ballad of Dwight Fry
    11. Killer
    12. I Love The Dead
    13. School’s Out

    Motley Crue Set List:

    1. Moterfucker Of The Year
    2. Wild Side
    3. Primal Scream
    4. Same Ol’ Situation (S.O.S.)
    5. Looks That Kill
    6. On With The Show
    7. Too Fast For Love
    8. All Bad Things (Not sure if this was played)
    9. Smokin’ In The Boys Room (Brownsville Station Cover)
    10. Without You
    11. Saints Of Los Angeles
    12. Anarchy In The U.K. (The Sex Pistols Cover)
    13. Too Young To Fall In Love
    14. Shout At The Devil 97
    15. Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
    16. Mick Guitar Solo
    17. Live Wire
    18. Dr. Feelgood
    19. Girls, Girls, Girls
    20. Kickstart My Heart
    21. Encore:  Home Sweet Home (on B-Stage in the audience)

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    The Boss: Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band Concert Review

    My best friend Jamie and I went to see Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band!!

    Neither of us had seen Bruce before but had wanted to for a long time.

    The weather was still a bit chilly (some snow was blowing in the air while we were waiting in line) but otherwise, we had a great time.

    Bruce and the band went on at 8 PM and played until 11 PM.

    No opening acts.

    Bruce took requests from the audience as he is known to do.

    Sixth song in, he was crowd surfing.

    This guy and his band give it their all every single time they play.  Bruce even brought a lady out from the audience and strapped a guitar on her and let her play near the end of the show.

    And if you’re a fan, you will always get your money’s worth.

    Lots of songs.

    And personally, I thought it was cool that guitarist Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave) is playing with the band on this tour and the current album they are promoting, High Hopes.

    He even sang The Ghost Of Tom Joad with Bruce, which was really cool.

    Such a great night.

    Band Lineup:

    Set List:

    1. High Hopes
    2. Adam Raised A Cain
    3. Death To My Hometown
    4. Hungry Heart
    5. Blinded By The Light (Audience Sign Request and tour premiere)
    6. Prove It All Night
    7. Trapped
    8. Wrecking Ball
    9. The River
    10. American Skin (41 Shots)
    11. Johnny 99
    12. Darlington County
    13. Shackled And Drawn
    14. Waitin’ On A Sunny Day
    15. The Ghost Of Tom Joad (duet with Tom Morello)
    16. The Rising
    17. Lonesome Day
    18. Badlands
    19. Light Of Day
    20. Encore 1:  Backstreets (w/Sad Eyes Interlude)
    21. Born To Run
    22. Bobby Jean
    23. Dancing In The Dark
    24. Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
    25. Shout (The Isley Brothers Cover)
    26. Encore 2:  Dream Baby Dream (Suicide Cover-Bruce solo w/Pump Organ)

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Overkill/Kreator/Warbringer Concert Review

    It was great to see Overkill and Kreator in concert.

    Both are awesome at what they do.

    Warbringer, who opened the show, were quite good too.

    This was a really heavy, heavy show, musically.

    Great stuff.

    Overkill Set List:

    1. Deny The Cross
    2. Bring Me The Night
    3. Electric Rattlesnake
    4. Hammerhead
    5. Rotten To The Core
    6. Hello From The Gutter
    7. Ironbound
    8. Necroshine
    9. Thanx For Nothin’
    10. Overkill
    11. Elimination
    12. Encore:  Horrorscope
    13. Fuck You (The Subhumans cover)

    Kreator Set List:

    1. Intro Tape:  Mars Mantra
    2. Phantom Antichrist
    3. From Flood Into Fire
    4. Warcurse
    5. Coma Of Souls/Endless Pain
    6. Pleasure To Kill
    7. Hordes Of Chaos (A Necrologue For The Elite)
    8. Riot Of Violence
    9. Enemy Of God
    10. Phobia
    11. Tape: The Patriarch
    12. Violent Revolution
    13. United In Hate (w/Acoustic Guitar Solo)
    14. Civilization Collapse
    15. Flag Of Hate/Tormentor

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Lionize Concert Review

    My friend Jamie and I went to see a band I had never heard of called Lionize.

    He was a big fan, and even though I was not aware of them, I went anyway.

    It was a fun show, in a very small venue.

    We were right in front of the stage and we had a good time.

    Not much more I can say about this one.

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)