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My Review of “Metallica M72 World Tour Live in Cinemas” Night 1
I went to my local theater in Ashland, Kentucky to see Night 1 of a live Metallica concert film.
It really was live, shown in at least 2,500 theaters throughout the U.S.
This was night 1 of 2 concerts they are doing in Dallas, TX on August 18 and August 20 of 2023 (one repeat of each show is being shown in the same theaters the following night after each one).
The show started at 9 PM CT (10 PM ET where I was) and of course if you’re a Metallica fan, you know they are phenomenal live.
Well, they still are phenomenal live.
They give you everything they have and never disappoint.
It was great seeing and hearing them on the big screen and multiple speakers.
My only complaint is that I should have arrived at the theater shortly before 10 PM instead of 9:15 PM because I had to sit through 45 minutes of crowd shots, audio of various artists covering Metallica, and people in the live crowd doing the wave (which I hate and have never understood). Also, music was playing over people talking in promo ads, which eventually was fixed. And, sometimes the audio was distorted.
Aside from that, it was great.
I’ll be at the second night, but I’ll be at the repeat one since I’ll be seeing Jethro Tull for real in concert Sunday night of August 20. This I find kind of funny and ironic because Jethro Tull unfortunately beat out Metallica for a Metal Grammy in the late 80s. I say unfortunate because Jethro Tull are NOT a Metal band. But they are a good rock band though.
Either way, kind of funny.
Set List:
- Creeping Death
- Harvester of Sorrow
- Leper Messiah
- King Nothing
- Lux Aeterna
- Too Far Gone?
- Kirk and Robert Jam/Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
- Shadows Follow
- Orion
- Kirk Doodle/Nothing Else Matters
- Sad But True
- The Day That Never Comes
- Hardwired
- Fuel
- Seek And Destroy
- Master of Puppets
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Can You Feel The Spirit? Ted Nugent Concert Review
- Date of Concert: August 10, 2023
- Location of Concert: The Rose Music Center at The Heights
- Opener: Hillbilly Vegas
Many people may not even read this post, but here it goes:
I know this person is polarizing and controversial to many, but regardless of that (and I don’t disagree with those words I just said), I am a fan of Ted Nugent’s music and have been for many years.
He has made many albums. In the 1960s, he was guitarist of The Amboy Dukes and ultimately transitioned into being their leader/singer in the 1970s (they released quite a few albums and even had a hit with “Journey To The Center of the Mind).
He then transitioned into being a solo artist in the mid 1970s, making several albums to this day. He became known for such songs as Stranglehold, Hey Baby, Free For All, Cat Scratch Fever, and many more. Many of these are still radio staples today.
During this time, he also was the lead guitarist of the band Damn Yankees, who made two very good albums in the 1980s and 1990s, scoring hits with the songs “High Enough”, “Coming of Age”, and “Where You Goin’ Now”.
And let me preface what else I’m going to say with this: I’ve always been a music fan. However, when I became a teenager, I became a bigger music fan, and got into so many bands/artists and their discographies. Even started going to see them, which I never thought of doing before.
During this time, Ted Nugent was one of the artists I became aware of and I really liked his music and his over the top personality.
Now was I aware that some of the things he said/says and believed/believes were/are controversial and offensive to some or even many? Yes.
But did that stop me from liking his music? No.
I may not agree with everything he says, but you know what? I don’t agree with everything anyone says. No one agrees with everyone on everything. That’s just life.
So having said all of that, I saw Ted Nugent in concert last night for the first time in many years (I’d seen him in 2000 and 2001) with opening band Hillbilly Vegas in support.
Hillbilly Vegas are a rock and roll band from Oklahoma that I honestly had never heard of until recently. But, they were pretty good. Just fun rock and roll, which I love. They played for 30 minutes.
Then, 30 minutes after they were done, Uncle Ted (his nickname by fans) arrived and really rocked the house for about an hour and 35 or 40 minutes.
Ted I believe has always been a great performer, always has a great band, and for me, the music is what always counts.
Again, I don’t agree with everything he says, but it doesn’t stop me from buying his albums and liking his music.
Yes, I did not go see him for many years, but it was mainly because I was seeing sooooo many other bands/artists that I didn’t have the time. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to see him on other tours.
OK this is definitely one of my longest posts and I feel as if people are going to hate me because I like this man’s music or say something negative.
I’m sorry if I offend anyone by saying that I love Ted’s music, but that’s the way it is.
I don’t want this blog to be negative, political, or anything bad in general.
I want this to be fun, and I’m just reporting my experiences about the things I love.
But in short, I had a great time at the show.
Ted always rocks and I’ll always be a fan.
No apologies for that.
Ted Nugent Band Members:
- Ted Nugent: Lead Vocals/Guitar
- Johnny Schoen (Bass)
- Jason Hartless (Drums)
Ted Nugent Set List:
- Star Spangled Banner (played on guitar)
- Gonzo
- Stormtroopin’
- Paralyzed
- Motor City Madhouse
- Free-For-All
- Snakeskin Cowboys
- Wang Dang Sweet Poontang
- Hey Baby
- I Can’t Take It
- Good Friends and a Bottle of Wine (featuring snippets of his instrumentals Homebound, Free Flight, Sunrize, Earthtones, Winterspring Summerfall)
- Fred Bear
- Cat Scratch Fever
- Stranglehold
- Encore: Great White Buffalo (with some of Spirit of the Wild)
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“Breaking The Chains” Dokken/Lynch Mob Concert Review
- Date of Concert: August 5, 2023
- Location of Concert: Smuggler's Run in Wyandotte, MI
- Opener: Kamenar
I FINALLY got to see Dokken members Don Dokken (vocals) and George Lynch (guitar) together!!!!
It wasn’t until the end of the show, but it was worth it.
Their respective bands Dokken and Lynch Mob have been doing shows together for the past few years and this was one of them.
I saw them in Michigan.
Opening band was a twin brother duo called Kamenar. One is the singer/guitarist (he has the bass playing from a pedal), and the other is the drummer. They’re from Tampa, Florida. All original songs, except for two covers (one of which was a song from Aerosmith’s last album, which I was impressed they did). Pretty good rock band.
Then, the night really started rocking even more when Lynch Mob took the stage.
George has had many lineups over the years, but currently, his band includes singer Gabriel Colon (phenomenal singer), bassist Jaron Gulino, and drummer Jimmy D’Anda.
George is one of my favorite guitarists of all time, and he is still ripping it up. He’s got a great band and I look forward to their new album, which comes out in October, according to the singer. It’s called Babylon.
In fact, one new song they played went over so well that George was so blown away that he asked the crowd if they wanted to hear another new song. They did, and so the band played another new song. I love that. I’m a fan that wants to hear and buy new music. Yeah the old stuff is great, but to me, bands are supposed to make music, not just rely on the hits. Great to see.
They were very loud and kicked some serious butt.
Then later on, Dokken took the stage and rocked even harder and louder. My ears actually hurt at one point, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Founder/lead singer/namesake Don Dokken has a phenomenal band that includes guitarist Jon Levin, bassist Chris McCarvill, and drummer BJ Zampa.
They played roughly an hour and 45 minutes and even though they did not play any new music, Don did talk about their upcoming album, Heaven Comes Down, which will be out in a few months.
They really kicked butt too, and for hardcore Dokken fans like myself, as great and fun as the show was by then, the best was saved for last when George (who played guitar for Dokken for many years) came back on and played the last three songs with the band.
As much as I wanted to see everyone, that was what I wanted to see the most.
I’ve been hoping to see a classic Dokken reunion (it’s happened a few times but I never got to see it) and at this point, this was as close as I’m going to get (former bassist Jeff Pilson is in the band Foreigner and drummer “Wild” Mick Brown is retired).
But that’s ok because I at least saw Don and George together and I have seen Jeff with Foreigner and saw Mick when he was still in Dokken.
Don told lots of stories and he and the band seemed to have a great time. And the fans loved every second it seemed.
It was what a rock show is supposed to be.
Another great one for me.
More shows coming.
Lynch Mob band members:
- George Lynch (Guitar)
- Jimmy D'Anda (Drums)
- Jaron Gulino (Bass)
- Gabriel Colon (Vocals)
Lynch Mob Set List:
- 21st Century Man
- River of Love
- For In a Million Years
- Hell Child
- Time After Time (New Song)
- Synner (New Song)
- Street Fightin’ Man
- Wicked Sensation
Dokken Band Members:
- Don Dokken (Vocals)
- Jon Levin (Guitar)
- Chris McCarvill (Bass)
- BJ Zampa (Drums)
Dokken Setlist:
- Kiss of Death
- The Hunter
- Don’t Close Your Eyes
- Into The Fire
- Breaking The Chains
- Dream Warriors
- Just Got Lucky
- Alone Again
- Paris is Burning
- Too High To Fly
- It’s Not Love
- In My Dreams
- Unchain The Night (with George Lynch)
- When Heaven Comes Down (with George Lynch)
- Tooth and Nail (with George Lynch)
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Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
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“We’re an American Band!” Grand Funk Railroad Concert Review
- Date of Concert: July 28, 2023
- Location of Concert: Goodyear Theater in Akron, OH
- Opener: Subliners
My girlfriend Mariah (@deathbytango) and I saw the phenomenal Grand Funk Railroad last night in Akron, Ohio. This was my 3rd time seeing them and her 2nd. This is a band we’ve been able to bond over.I love that founding members Don Brewer (drums, vocals) and Mel Schacher (bass) are still there. And one of our favorite guitarists, Bruce Kulick, has been in the band almost 25 years now.Phenomenal band. Great albums and songs. You can’t go wrong. We had a great time!Grand Funk Railroad Band Members:
- Don Brewer (Drums)
- Mel Schacher (Bass)
- Max Carl (Lead Singer/ Rhythm Guitar)
- Bruce Kulick (Lead Guitar)
- Tim Cashion (Keyboards)
Set List:
- Rock & Roll Soul
- Footstompin’ Music
- Shinin’ On
- Heartbreaker
- Locomotion
- Walk Like a Man
- Sky High
- Second Chance (.38 Special cover)
- Lightning and Thunder (Drum Circle)
- Star Spangled Banner Guitar Solo (By Bruce Kulick)
- Inside Looking Out
- Some Kinda Wonderful
- I’m Your Captain/ Closer to Home
- We’re an American Band
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An Evening with Vanilla Fudge Concert Review
- Date of Concert: July 22, 2023
- Location of Concert: The Kent Stage in Kent, OH
Vanilla Fudge were great!!! Great singing and great playing. Sadly, Carmine Appice was not there. He had some kind of a medical issue.Carmine – Take care and I hope I’ll see you someday.Keep on rocking!!Set List:
- She’s Not There
- Take Me For a Little While
- People Get Ready
- Gimme Some Lovin’
- Let’s Pray For Peace (Dedicated to Ukraine)
- Shotgun
- Season of the Witch (Dedicated to Alison Steele)
- Dazed and Confused/ Babe I’m Gonna Leave You
- You Keep Me Hangin’ On
- Encore: I’m a Believer
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Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
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“Soldiers, soldiers, Fighting the Lord’s Battle Plan” Stryper Concert Review
- Date of Concert: July 15, 2023
- Location of Concert: Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, KY
- Opener: The Fifth
Fourth time is the charm: I FINALLY saw Stryper!!! (I’ve tried to see them 3 other times over the past year, but ended up not being able to go due to work, illness, and Stryper cancelling a show). Nothing stopped me this time.They have been a band since 1983 and they’re still as great as ever. Awesome singing and phenomenal musicians. Still making great albums (they have many), and what can I say? They rock!!!!Thank you guys so much for sharing your gift of music to us fans. Keep on rocking!The opener, The Fifth, was also a very good, solid rock band. I really enjoyed them as well.Stryper Band Members:
- Michael Sweet (Lead vocals/guitar)
- Robert Sweet (Drums)
- Oz Fox (Guitar/ Backing Vocals)
- Perry Richardson (Bass/ Backing Vocals)
Set List:
- Sing-Along Song
- More Than a Man
- Surrender
- Calling on You
- Free
- In God We Trust
- Revelation
- Sorry
- Transgressor
- All for One
- Always There for You
- Divider
- No Rest for the Wicked
- No More Hell to Pay
- The Valley
- Yahweh
- Soldiers Under Command
- To Hell With the Devil
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“Burn with me, heaven’s on fire!” Kuarantine Concert Review
- Date of Concert: July 1, 2023
- Location of Concert: JD Legends in Franklin, OH
- Opener: Blackwater
Thank you Chris Jericho and all of Kuarantine for such a great, fun show in Franklin, Ohio. For those that don’t know, this is a non makeup era KISS tribute band. I love all KISS albums but especially the 80s/90s period. And this band gives those songs the love and respect they deserve. Thank you guys.Plus, this was my first show since having a biopsy. It felt great being back in the saddle.I’ll be busy this month with more shows.Kuarantine Band Members:
- Chris Jericho (Lead Singer)
- Joe McGinness (Lead Guitar)
- P.J. Farley (Bass)
- Kent Slucher (Drums)
Set List (including original KISS album):
- I Just Wanna (“Revenge”)
- Heaven’s On Fire (“Animalize”)
- Heart of Chrome (“Revenge”)
- Thou Shalt Not (“Revenge”)
- Charlie Parra guitar solo
- Love’s A Deadly Weapon (“Asylum”)
- Cold Gin (“Kiss”)
- Joe McGinness guitar solo
- No No No (“Crazy Nights”)
- Silver Spoon (“Hot in the Shade”)
- Who Wants to Be Lonely (“Asylum”)
- Love Gun (“Love Gun”)
- Uh! All Night (“Asylum”)
- Lick It Up (“Lick It Up”)
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What a Great Day: Jack Russell’s Great White Concert Review
- Date of Concert: June 10, 2023
- Location of Concert: Blue Note Harrison in Harrison, OH
First off, thank you Robby Lochner!!I owe you a lot.Thanks to him (he’s one of the guitarists of Jack Russell’s Great White), I had an even more fun time seeing the band for the second time.I got to hang out at sound check, got to sit on stage on the drum riser and watch the band go through their sound check, and later on, I had a great time seeing the show (I’d seen them last year too at this same venue actually, Blue Note Harrison), and I got to meet the man himself Jack Russell after the show. I got my picture taken with him and Robby and he signed 3 of my favorite Great White CDs. Two of which are his favorites too and he told me that (Can’t Get There From Here, which is my favorite, and He Saw It Comin’). I also got Hooked signed, which I really love too. I had a lot more CD booklets with me, which he was impressed by (I have all but four live albums) but I said I didn’t expect him to sign everything because I was blessed to meet him and to have this special day and I didn’t want to take up too much of his time.But ultimately I got what I wanted signed.He’s a very kind man, loves his fans, and loves what he does, which is being in my opinion one of the greatest singers there is. He was very kind to me and thanked me for being a fan.He and his band are fantastic. I truly can’t wait for more new music from them and to see them again sometime.I would’ve seen the show and had a great time regardless, but thanks to Robby (phenomenal guitar player and even more phenomenal person), I got to have a very special day.Anyone who has seen my posts knows that music and going to concerts makes me more happy than anything.However, occasions like this are even more special. None of this had to happen, but it did and I’m forever grateful.Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you Robby. If you ever play anywhere else near me, feel free to allow me to buy you and all the guys lunch or dinner.And thank you Jack for all the music, and for being such a great person.Love you all. You all rock!!!Keep on doing it.Setlist-Desert Moon, Heart The Hunter, Wooden Jesus, Mista Bone (with Come Together), Save Your Love (with Nathaniel Peck), Gone With the Wind, Old Rose Motel, Lady Redlight, Can’t Shake It, All Over Now, Face The Day, Call It Rock ‘N’ Roll, Rock Me, Once Bitten Twice ShyJack Russell's Great White Band Members:
- Jack Russell (Lead Vocals)
- Robby Lochner (Lead Guitar)
- Tony Montana (Guitar/Keyboards)
- Dan McNay (Bass)
- Ken Mary (Drums)
Set List:
- Desert Moon
- Heart The Hunter
- Wooden Jesus
- Mista Bone (w/Come Together)
- Save Your Love (w/Nathaniel Peck on guest vocals singing with Jack)
- Gone With The Wind
- Old Rose Motel
- Lady Redlight
- Can’t Shake It
- All Over Now
- Face The Day
- Call It Rock ‘N’ Roll
- Rock Me
- Once Bitten Twice Shy
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Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
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Last KISS?: Sonic Temple Festival (KISS, Rob Zombie, & Others) Concert Review
- Date of Concert: May 27, 2023
- Location of Concert: Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, OH
I went to some of the Saturday portion of Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival 2023 in Columbus, Ohio.I only saw Trivium super briefly, which I’m disappointed about because I really wanted to see them.I saw some of From Ashes To New and most of Falling In Reverse.I only saw video of Puscifer, Maynard James Keenan of Tool/A Perfect Circle other band because I had a decent spot waiting for my favorite band which I will get to shortly.Rob Zombie was the co-headliner.This was my 4th time seeing him.He’s always great and fun.But the main event was what made me the most happy. My favorite band KISS!!I’ve seen them 11 times in the past 25 years, and I love every album and every lineup this band has had.They never let me down.I always feel 16 again when I listen to them and see them.I love many bands but they make me the most happy.Thank you so much to them for everything they have done and made.And if this was my last time seeing them (I’ve said that before), then it was a great last time.KISS Band Members:
- Paul Stanley (Lead Vocals/Guitar)
- Gene Simmons (Lead Vocals/Bass)
- Eric Singer (Drums/Vocals)
- Tommy Thayer (Guitar/Vocals)
Rob Zombie Band Members:
- Rob Zombie (Lead Vocals)
- Riggs (Guitar)
- Piggy D (Bass)
- Ginger Fish (Drums)
KISS Set List:
- Detroit Rock City
- Shout It Out Loud
- War Machine
- Heaven’s On Fire
- I Love It Loud
- Cold Gin
- Guitar Solo
- Lick It Up
- Calling Dr. Love
- Psycho Circus
- Drum Solo
- 100,000 Years
- God Of Thunder
- Love Gun
- I Was Made For Loving You
- Black Diamond
- Encore: Beth
- Rock And Roll All Nite
Rob Zombie Set List:
- The Triumph of King Freak (A Crypt of Preservation and Superstition)
- Superbeast
- Meet The Creeper
- Shake Your Ass-Smoke Your Grass
- Living Dead Girl
- More Human Than Human
- Dead City Radio and The New Gods of Supertown
- Scum of the Earth
- Never Gonna Stop (The Red, Red Kroovy)
- Well, Everybody’s Fucking In a U.F.O.
- House of 1000 Corpses
- Thunder Kiss ’65
- Dragula
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Kiss From a Rose and Video Killed The Radio Star: Seal and Trevor Horn of The Buggles Concert Review
- Date of Concert: May 7, 2023
- Location of Concert: Louisville Palace Theatre in Louisville, KY
Such a great way to end my weekend.Seal and The Buggles.The Buggles were the first band to have a video on MTV.Singer/multi instrumentalist/producer Trevor Horn is still doing it (keyboardist Geoff Downes is very busy in Yes now).Great little set.Seal used all of The Buggles band for his show. The drummer and keyboardist have been with him from the very beginning. Trevor Horn is also his producer and friend.His set mostly focused on his first two albums.Seal is one of my favorite singers and his songs have been there for me through good and bad times.His second album (self titled or Seal 2) and Human Being are two of my favorite albums of all time.Sooooo phenomenal.Seal Set List:
- Crazy
- The Beginning
- Deep Water
- Whirlpool
- Future Love Paradise
- Violet
- Bring It On
- Prayer For The Dying
- Don’t Cry
- Fast Changes
- Killer (Seal sang this song walking around in the crowd)
- Kiss From A Rose
- Encore: Get It Together
- Love’s Divine
The Buggles Set List:
- Two Tribes
- Living In The Plastic Age
- Elstree
- I Am A Camera
- Owner Of A Lonely Heart
- Video Killed The Radio Star
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Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
