• Blog,  Concerts

    The Tour!! KISS/Motley Crue Concert Review

    September 1 2012 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: August 31, 2012
    • Location of Concert: Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, OH

    In the summer of 2012, my favorite band KISS and maybe my 2nd or 3rd favorite band Motley Crue did a tour.

    In fact, it was called The Tour!!

    I could not miss this.

    KISS were about to come out with a new album (Monster) and seeing these two together, although I had seen both separately quite a few times by this point, was a no brainer.

    My cousin Zachary and friend Jamie went with me.

    Unfortunately, we were late to the show so we got there when Motley were playing their 6th song of their set.

    I’d heard all of these songs they played sooooo many times by then, but still it upset me I missed half their set.  Still upsets me as I type this in 2023.

    But what I saw of their set was great and fun.

    Motley (original members Vince Neil, Mick Mars, Nikki Sixx, and Tommy Lee) always put on a fun show, and I love their music/albums, so just seeing them at all was a treat.

    But I saw all of KISS’s set thank goodness.

    They came out on a giant truss that was designed to look like a huge spider, and played a great rocking set as always.

    I have many favorite bands, but they are my number 1.

    They always make me feel like I’m 16 again, which is when I first saw them.

    I love all of their albums and all of their band lineups (Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer, and Tommy Thayer since 2004.).

    Not much more to say, other than I love both of these bands and even though we weren’t there for all of it, it was still a fun time.

    KISS Set List:

    1. Detroit Rock City
    2. Shout It Out Loud
    3. I Love It Loud
    4. Firehouse
    5. Hell Or Hallelujah (New Song)
    6. War Machine
    7. Shock Me
    8. Guitar/Drum Solos
    9. Bass Solo
    10. God Of Thunder
    11. Love Gun
    12. Lick It Up
    13. Black Diamond
    14. Encore:  Calling Dr. Love
    15. Rock And Roll All Nite

    Motley Crue Set List:

    1. Saints Of Los Angeles
    2. Wild Side
    3. Shout At The Devil
    4. Same Ol’ Situation (S.O.S.)
    5. Sex (New Song)
    6. Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)-They were playin this song when we arrived.  We saw everything else after this and saw all of KISS’ set.
    7. Home Sweet Home
    8. Drum Solo
    9. Guitar Solo
    10. Live Wire
    11. Primal Scream 
    12. Dr. Feelgood
    13. Girls, Girls, Girls
    14. Kickstart My Heart

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Mayhem Festival 2012 Review

    July 25 2012 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: July 24, 2012
    • Location of Concert: Riverbend Music Center and PNC Pavilion in Cincinnati, OH

    My cousin Zachary and I again went to Mayhem Festival.  This time in 2012.

    Lots of great bands at this.

    We did not see them all, unfortunately, but the ones we did see were great.

    We saw Anthrax, Hatebreed, and a couple of other bands too I think on the second stage, and we saw Slipknot, Slayer, and Motorhead on the main stage.

    I’m typing this in 2023 so I’m just going to say that wow this was quite the concert bill and every band kicked butt!!

    Slipknot Set List:

    1. (sic)
    2. Eyeless
    3. Sulfur
    4. Wait And Bleed
    5. Before I Forget
    6. Disasterpiece
    7. Gently 
    8. Vermilion
    9. The Heretic Anthem
    10. Psychosocial
    11. Duality
    12. Spit It Out
    13. Encore:  People=Shit
    14. Surfacing

    Slayer Set List:

    1. Disciple
    2. War Ensemble
    3. Die By The Sword
    4. Hate Worldwide
    5. Mandatory Suicide
    6. Alter Of Sacrifice
    7. Jesus Saves
    8. Seasons In The Abyss
    9. Hell Awaits
    10. Dead Skin Mask
    11. Angel Of Death
    12. Encore:  South Of Heaven
    13. Raining Blood

    Motorhead Set List:

    1. Bomber
    2. Damage Case
    3. I Know How To Die
    4. Stay Clean
    5. Over The Top
    6. The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
    7. The One To Sing The Blues (w/Drum Solo)
    8. Going To Brazil
    9. Killed By Death
    10. Ace Of Spades
    11. Overkill

    Anthrax Set List:

    1. Caught In A Mosh
    2. Got The Time
    3. Fight ‘Em ‘Til You Can’t
    4. Antisocial
    5. Indians
    6. Madhouse
    7. I Am The Law

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    I Finally Saw a Member of Pantera

    May 26 2012 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: May 25, 2012
    • Location of Concert: The V Club in Huntington, WV

    I finally got to see a member of one of my favorite bands, Pantera, in 2012.

    Vinnie Paul!!

    Drummer of Hellyeah at this point.

    I sadly never got to see Pantera.

    They played in Huntington in 2001 but I stupidly did not go.  I’ll forever regret that (Pantera Guitarist Dimebag Darrell, Vinnie’s brother, was murdered in 2004.)

    But I’m glad I got to see Vinnie drum for Hellyeah.

    They kicked butt.

    I’m typing this in 2023 and unfortunately, Vinnie is now gone too.

    RIP Vinnie.  Forever missed.

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Godsmack/Staind/Halestorm Concert Review

    May 13 2012 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: May 12, 2012
    • Location of Concert: Big Sandy Superstore Arena in Huntington, WV

    This was a great show.

    1st time seeing Halestorm and I was blown away.

    Never been a big Staind fan but they impressed me.  They were quite heavy and rocking.

    And Godsmack stole the show.  Always awesome.

     

    Godsmack Set List:

    1. Awake
    2. Straight Out Of Line
    3. The Enemy
    4. Good Day To Die
    5. The Oracle
    6. Cryin’ Like A Bitch!!
    7. Keep Away
    8. Speak
    9. Love-Hate-Sex-Pain
    10. Voodoo
    11. Drum Duel Solo
    12. Whatever
    13. I Stand Alone

    Staind Set List:

    1. Raw
    2. Right Here
    3. Eyes Wide Open
    4. Spleen
    5. Failing
    6. So Far Away
    7. Now 
    8. Country Boy
    9. For You
    10. Paper Wings
    11. Outside
    12. Not Again
    13. It’s Been Awhile
    14. Mudshovel
    15. Something To Remind You

    Halestorm Set List:

    1. Love Bites (So Do I)
    2. Mz. Hyde
    3. I Miss The Misery
    4. Freak Like Me
    5. Familiar Taste of Poison
    6. Rock Show
    7. It’s Not You
    8. I Get Off
    9. Here’s To Us

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    2nd Time Seeing Alice Cooper

    November 28 2011 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: November 27, 2011
    • Location of Concert: Keith Albee Performing Arts Center in Huntington, WV

    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)

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  • Blog,  Concerts

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

    November 9 2011 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: November 8, 2011
    • Location of Concert: U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, OH

    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

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

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  • Blog,  Conventions

    My Last WWE House Show to Date

    September 17 2011 / No Comments
    • Date of Event: September 16, 2011
    • Location of Event: Big Sandy Superstore Arena in Huntington, WV

    While going through my archives preparing to type my reviews for this web site, I had forgotten about this WWE house show (non-televised event).

    I was thinking my last WWE house show was in March of 2011 (I’m typing this in 2023.).

    But I was wrong.

    Then I did remember some of the matches.  

    I remember Dolph Ziggler wrestling.

    I remember seeing Sin Cara wrestle.

    I also remember seeing Alberto Del Rio wrestle.

    I’m sorry I don’t remember much else, but I did find the results and have posted them below, courtesy of the great website thehistoryofwwe.com, along with my ticket stub.

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    1st Time Seeing Alice Cooper

    August 18 2011 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: August 17, 2011
    • Location of Concert: LC Pavilion in Columbus, OH

    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

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    I Finally Saw Steely Dan in Concert

    July 20 2011 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: July 19, 2011
    • Location of Concert: PNC Pavilion in Cincinnati, OH

    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)

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

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  • Blog,  Concerts

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

    June 27 2011 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: June 26, 2011
    • Location of Concert: Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, OH

    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)

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