Well, I missed both the Yes and Springsteen concerts in my area last weekend, but I'm making it up to myself for today I got my tickets to the ultimate 2-day concert, the Classic Rock festival which is going to be at the Patriot's theatre in Trenton, NJ the first weekend of October. Three of my all-time favorite bands are going to be playing there and I am psyched!!!
Which bands, Todd?
I'm going to see Incubus with my bf (and a college football game the next day
).
He & I may go to an Ozzfest next year.
I'd like to go to the B.B. King and other blues artists (I just checked the site promoting it, and can't find info. Considering that they're the ones promoting it...)
Last concert I went to was in August of 2000. I saw Tony Bennet and Diana Krall at Fiddler's Green. I tried to get tickets to the Area 2 festival, but no dice. 
CC, that would be Uriah Heep, Asia and Nektar. I saw the first two seperately last summer here in Va and thought that would be the concertgoing year of my life, and now this comes along. There's also going to be a band there called Mostly Autumn, which I've never heard but which I've heard lots of people raving about.
Earlier this year I saw Meredith Brooks and Cyndi Lauper in concert. (Still haven't gotten the pics from the show developed yet. I need to.) On September 14th I plan to be in Sundance Square in Ft. Worth to see Blue Oyster Cult and Grand Funk Railroad. The weekend before that I may go see Edie Brickel and New Bohemian (yeah, they've reunited. Sort of.) or the Butthole Surfers.* ("Marky got with Sharon/Sharon got Sheree/She was sharin' Sharon's outlook/On the topic of disease/Mikey had a facial scar/And Bobby was a racist/They were all in love with dyin'/They were doin' it in Texas/Tommy played piano/Like a kid out in the rain/Then he lost his leg in Dallas/He was dancin' with a train." Sorry. "Pepper" just popped into my head.)
Then on Sept. 21st "The Who" (quotation marks because it'll only be Pete and Roger) will be in town. I may try to go see that show.
The Boss plays in November. That's also a possibility.
* A little factoid I find amusing. Growing up here in Dallas there was a children's show called Mr. Pepppermint (Derf you may remember the show). I grew up watching it. The host was Jerry Hsynes. His son is Gibby Haynes, the Butthole Surfers' lead singer.
INCUBUS IS AWESOME.
HELL of a show, and great music!
After returning from the Classic Rock Festival in Trenton, NJ, this is all I have to say . . .
WOW
The Stones played near where I live this same weekend but this experience (as much as I love the Stones) was much, MUCH better than seeing them.
If you wonder what I look like, you can go to http://www.933thebone.com/pictures/bonebash-02/bb-1.htm Go seven rows down – just below the picture of the black dune buggy. It’s a shot of a crowd facing the stage. Look in the foreground, lower left side of the picture. You’ll see three guys there, two in white shirts, one wearing a blue bandanna. That’s not me. I know the guy in the bandanna, though – Dan. I’ve been meeting up with him at Blue Oyster Cult concerts since ’96, I think. The other guy in a white shirt is Dan’s brother, Kevin. Me? I’m the black hair guy wearing sunglasses, a beard and a black T-shirt.
If you go to the second page of pictures, you can see me again. Go down five rows. Look for a guy wearing a Staff Event shirt on (he’s facing the crowd). I’m immediately to his left.
The pictures were taken at Bone Bash 2002 (93.3 The Bone, a local radio station) featuring Roadside Couch, Back In Black, Broken Toys, Blue Oyster Cult and Grand Funk Railroad. The concert, which started around 4 on Saturday, September 14th, was held in Ft. Worth’s Sundance Square.
So how was it? I had fun.
The opening act was Roadside Couch. When I saw them, I thought, “My god! They brought in Hanson!” Actually, they turned out to be pretty good. They weren’t previously announced as being a part of Bone Bash. As a matter of fact, I didn’t find out about them until I got to the gate. I still don’t know, however, how they won a spot on the show. IIRC, it was their stage debut.
They opened their set with a fairly competent version of Tom Petty’s “Runnin’ Down a Dream”. Their next song was unknown to me and their lead singer said the third tune was a Green Day song. Their fourth and final number was their version of the Kinks’ “You Really Got Me”. Musically they did an excellent job. Vocally… well, the kid handling the lead vocals didn’t have Ray Davies’ range. Still, I was impressed. The kids in Roadside Couch didn’t embarrass themselves.
Next was Back In Black, an AC/DC cover band… er, tribute band. Originally, that time slot was supposed to be filled by a “tribute” band called Tres Hombres, dedicated to imitating ZZ Top. Personally, I’d’ve preferred them to Back in Black. It’s not that I don’t like AC/DC. I have 8 AC/DC CDs (hey! That’s almost a palindrome!) and only five ZZ Top discs, but frankly, I think that little ol’ band from Texas is the better act. On the other hand, it’s not like we’re talking the real bands, now are we?
As Back In Black was setting up, three or four twelve packs of Coors Lights were laid out around the stage. The second guitarist even threw a few cans out to the audience. Dan made the comment that “it’s just Coors Light. Nothing worth fighting over.”
I couldn’t help but wonder, “They (Back In Black) realize that’s how they lost Bon Scott – the alcohol?”
At one point, a guy in a uniform jacket and hat appeared on stage. I thought it was either supposed to be Angus Young or the new principal of the Catholic school. Turned out he was neither. He was there to play the bagpipes on one of the songs (I forget which one). That made the third time I seen a rock band use the bagpipes. KoRn used them for “Shoots and Ladder” and Nazareth’s Dennis McCaffery played them on “Hair of the Dog”.
Back In Black opened with “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap”. They did a good job on it, except the lead guitarist, who was their “Angus Young”. The poor guy was exhausted before the song was finished. Now, I’ve never seen AC/DC in concert, but I have seen the movie, Let There Be Rock. Judging by the live footage in that film, the real Angus Young does not get tired. All throughout the show, Angus roved the stage, moving like a marionette having epileptic seizures. Back In Black’s “Angus” just did not have that same level of energy. For the rest of the show, he would only half-heartedly do his imitation of the real Angus Young’s imitation of Chuck Berry’s duck walk. And no sweat was flying from “Angus’” forehead. I mean, judging by Let There Be Rock, the sweat flies off Angus at near warp speed to hit the people in the cheap seats.
The fact that “Angus” lacked the proper energy, kinda spoiled things for me. My advice: either find out what drugs Angus Young takes, or “Angus” should drink a case of Red Bull before hitting the stage.
The audience liked Back In Black, though. They acted like they were at a real AC/DC concert. Oh well, at least when they did “Highway to Hell”, “Angus” did put on a pair of devil horns.
When Back In Black did “You Shook Me All Night Long”, the band invited the some of girls in the audience to join them on stage. This one drunken girl, wearing what looked like a black slip, was lifted over the barricade where I stood. The slip rode up over her hips, revealing that the poor girl may not have heard the term “bikini wax”. As she climbed over the speakers in front of the stage, the slip was again over her hips. Sisqo’s “Thong Song” for some reason came to mind. Her boyfriend kept yelling at her to raise her slip.
For “Thunderstruck”, Back In Black brought out a few of The Bone’s DJ’s. Among them was long time Dallas institution, Bo Roberts. Bo was originally heard on the late, lamented Q102’s morning show. In and around 1998, after about 25 years of broadcast, Q102 went off the air. I don’t, off-hand, remember what format replaced it. I think it was an “Urban Classic” format. Anyway, Bo and his co-conspirator in radio comedy, “Long” Jim White, soon found themselves on KZPS’ morning show. Last year, the two were dropped by Kay-Zips (as I call KZPS). They were replaced by some morning jocks broadcasting out of Chicago (I think). In March, Bo, minus Jim White (who’s contractually bound to Kay-Zips), began broadcasting on the Bone’s morning show. Last I heard, his show was beating Kay-Zips’ in the Arbitron ratings. Yay! There’s justice in the universe after all!
Anyway, this marked the first time since ’89, I think, that I’ve seen Bo on a rock stage. I kinda thought it was pretty cool. But Bo, next time, resurrect the Frontal Lobotomy Boogie Band. We need to hear “Life Sux, Then You Die” performed live again! (Well, I do.)
Next was Broken Toys. They were as bad as Roadside Couch should have (could have) been. Broken Toys was an old school, retro Eighties hair metal band, along the lines of Warrant or Winger. Maybe even (gack!) Nelson. They broke the cardinal rule of hard rock – they were boring!
The highlight of their set was when they did their version of Deep Purple’s “Highway Star”. Not good. When a thirty years old rock song outshines your original material, you’re not doing well. Trust me.
They did, I admit, sound pretty good when they did a blues number. The only trouble is, it wasn’t until the song was almost over, that I recognized the song – “Evil Minded Woman” by Howling Wolf. I know “Evil Minded Woman” and if it takes the entire song for me figure out what you’re performing, you’re doing something wrong. I suggest a refresher course in Rock-Bluesology 101; paying special attention to the sections on early Led Zeppelin, Stevie Ray Vaughan and maybe some Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix thrown in for good measure.
I should point out that while I didn’t particularly like Broken Toys, the ladies were quite pleased with them. The band had several hand towels with “Broken Toys” written on them, that they would use to wipe the sweat from their foreheads. They then would toss the towels into the crowd. The girls sometimes fought over those towels. Pretty strange, considering we’re talking about a rock band that’s really not even ready for the minor leagues.
One thing that occurred during Broken Toys’ set that I thought was funny – an airplane, towing a banner for rival radio station, KEGL (The Eagle), circled around Sundance Square. I wonder what the Bone’s people thought about that. Probably laughed at it like I did.
After Broken came the reason I was a Bone Bash 2002: Blue Oyster Cult.
During Toys’ set, Blue Oyster Cult drummer, Bobby Rondinelli, began setting up his drum set. After Broken Toys left, the riser with Rondinelli’s drums on it was pushed into position from the back of the stage, with Bobby behind them.
After a little bit, I could see B.O.C. keyboardist/guitarist Allen Lanier start checking out his guitar. I yelled out “Hey Allen!” He heard me and kinda waived. The last time I saw B.O.C. was in 1999 at the Canyon Club in South Dallas. I went to the men’s room located to the right of the Canyon Club’s stage. As I was going in, I saw Allen Lanier coming out. I said, “Hi Allen. How’s it going?’ I think he was shocked anyone recognized him. He said, “Oh, uh alright. Thanks.”
A few minutes later, I saw Blue Oyster Cult lead guitarist Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser setting up on the Bone Bash stage. I screamed, “Hey Buck!” He nodded in acknowledgment.
Eventually, lead singer/stun guitarist Eric Bloom, came onstage to check his guitars and speakers. Only bass player, Danny Miranda failed to do a pre-show check.
Finally, the lights were dimmed and “Blade Runners – End Titles” could be heard over the P.A. system, signaling that it was showtime. After being announced, Blue Oyster Cult hit the stage playing “Burnin’ For You” (one of my favorite Cult songs).
Gotta tell ya, the Oyster Boys put on a damned good show that night. The band, especially Eric and Danny, was in good spirits, very clearly having fun on stage. They had a lot of energy. I loved it.
Behind me, this one couple had maneuvered their way to being almost at the front of the stage. The girl, a cute little blonde, kept bumping into me. She apologized. I told her, “I’d be more worried if it was a guy bumping into me.” She then rubbed her boobs across my back and grabbed my butt. She was hot. Too bad her boyfriend was with her. 
That was the thing, so many girls flirted with me that night, but they all had their boyfriends or husbands with them. I blame the beer. It certainly couldn’t be that I’m all that good looking. (Far from it!)
(While waiting for Blue Oyster Cult’s set, this other blonde, Sunny, claimed she knew me from somewhere. Dunno. Might be from when I used to go to topless clubs. She looked like a dancer [and I use the term very loosely].)
I was distracted during B.O.C.’s performance of “Cities On Flame”. Scanning the crowd, I saw two girls, sitting on the shoulders of their boyfriends (?), kissing each other – passionately. The girl in the red shirt pulled up her shirt to show her breasts. I tried, Lord, I tried to take a picture of her. Either Walgreen’s censored the photo, or the light was too bad. Tarim! She was cute. (So were, um… never mind.) I gotta admit, I now have a new title for “Cities On Flames”. I just can’t post it here.
My big complaint with the Blue Oyster Cult set is that it was too short. Normally, they play about 16 songs. That night they did exactly half that. The set list, just so you’ll know, was
1. “Burnin’ For You”
2. “E.T.I.”
3. “Dance On Stilts” (from their most recent studio album, Curse of the Hidden Mirror)
4. “Harvester of Eyes”
5. “Ti..” er, “Cities On Flames”
6. “Perfect Water”
7. “Godzilla”
8. “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper”
Oh well, with any luck, Blue Oyster Cult will return to the D/FW area next year.
Next up, Grand Funk Railroad. Not to slight the band in any way, but just how did they get their reputation as a hard rock band? Really, they’re not. Just listen to “Walk Like a Man”, “Some Kind of Wonderful”, “The Locomotion” and “Closer to Home/I’m Your Captain”. These songs, like most of Grand Funk’s, are hard pop at best. I can only conclude that Grand Funk is categorized as hard rock solely on the strength of “We’re an American Band” – both album and song. There’s little else to support the hard rock label. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed their show. This is just something that has been bugging me.
For the record, Grand Funk only has two original members in it – Don Brewer (drummer) and their bass player, whose name escapes me right now. Original lead vocalist, Mark Farner, has been replaced by Max Carr. (Farner, I understand, has become a born again Christian and has dropped out of the rock and roll business.) The band’s lead guitarist is Bruce Kulick, the third person (after Vinnie Vincent and Mark St. John) to replace Ace Frehley in KISS. (If I’m not mistaken, Bruce was actually in KISS longer than Ace.)
Grand Funk’s show opened with “Rock and Roll Soul”; followed by a song I can’t remember the proper title of. After that, they did “Walk Like a Man” and “The Locomotion”.
Mid-way through their set, the Railroad did a song performed solely on drums. Only Bruce Kulick did not play a drum. Kulick got to be Grand Funk’s Davey Jones/Tracy Partridge: he played a tambourine. I have no idea what the song is called. The song mentioned “railroad” and had phrases like “the devil’s daughter” and “love like thunder” in it. Does anyone know what it’s called?
After the percussion song, an American flag was planted in front of the stage and Bruce Kulick favored the audience with his rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” on lead guitar al a Jimi Hendrix (which must be the one hundred millionth electric guitar version of the National Anthem).
I saluted the flag, and then, as is the proper protocol, placed my hand over my heart. This one girl, who made her way to the front of the stage (and was also flirting with me [and also had a boyfriend/husband]), also put her hand over heart. The man standing next to me not only put his hand over his heart; he took his hat off, too.
But you know what? We three may have been the only ones who paid the proper reverence for the flag as “The Star Spangled Banner” was played. Everyone else was yelling, pumping their fists, drinking their fortieth bottle of Coors Light. Many of these folks were my age or older. Have people really forgotten how to show the proper respect for the American flag and National Anthem? I don’t know about you all, but I find this a bit disturbing.
Just for the record, and to Grand Funk’s credit, they didn’t go for the obvious and play “We’re an American Band”. Instead they played a song that I think might be called “I Want My Baby”.
The final three songs were “Some Kind of Wonderful”(for which Don Brewer stepped out from behind his drums dressed up as a 1970s era pimp to sing lead), “Closer to Home/I’m Your Captain” (I was very curious to hear how they’d arrange that song for a live performance). The sole encore number was “We’re an American Band”, naturally. Brewer this time was dressed in a red, white and blue top hat and jacket.
Overall, I had a great time. Only three things marred the evening – Broken Toys, a short Blue Oyster Cult set and no unattached girl flirted with me.
Well, next month I’m tentatively planning to attend X’s show at Tree’s in Dallas’ Deep Ellum section. I saw X back in ’93 and I look forward to seeing the Los Angeles punk band again. (It is all the original members; John Doe, Exene Cervenka, Billy Zoom and DJ Bonebrake.)
n.p - i{Chamber Music} – Coal Chamber
Great review Ben. I should give one for the Classic Rock Festival two weeks ago but it was too awesome to put into words. If you want to see what I look like, in a pic from this festival, go to:
http://www.streamingrockclips.com/hv02photos/a023_23a.jpg
I'm the guy in the black t-shirt almost dead center of the photo whose face is partially blocked by the guy sitting down in the white tee in front of me. Not the most detailed image, I know. This photo was taken on the final number of the last night of the festival when Uriah Heep played "Lady In Black" and a dozen fans (myself included) were invited by the band to go onstage with them and sing backing vocals. It was an incredible weekend in which I not only saw three of the greatest bands of all time but also was able to hang with them and have conversations with them at the hotel. I'm afraid I rather embarrassed Asia's John Payne by telling him I thought he had the greatest voice in rock history. Nektar, who is recording and touring for the first time in twenty years, put on one of the most incredible stage shows I've ever seen. The guy who does their light shows is the same guy who did them for Pink Floyd. I've never seen Floyd live but I couldn't imagine them putting on a better show than Nektar did. I also picked up Nektar's new live album from their concert in Jersey earlier this year (a month before its official release) and it is one of the most incredible live albums I've ever heard. I intantly rank it with classics like Rush's Exit Stage Left, Floyd's Pulse, Yessongs and Genesis' Seconds Out. Well, I'd better stop now, I'm running out of synonyms for "incredible"
>Next up, Grand Funk Railroad. Not to slight the >band in any way, but just how did they get their >reputation as a hard rock band? Really, they’re >not. Just listen to “Walk Like a Man”, “Some >Kind of Wonderful”, “The Locomotion” and “Closer >to Home/I’m Your Captain”. These songs, like >most of Grand Funk’s, are hard pop at best. I >can only conclude that Grand Funk is categorized >as hard rock solely on the strength of “We’re an >American Band” – both album and song. There’s >little else to support the hard rock label. >Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed their show. This >is just something that has been bugging me.
Benn, you're just basing that on the "commercial friendly" hits which everyone knows from radio. GFR's hard rock credentials are impeccable. You should go back and listen to the early albums (which are currently being re-released)and not just the hits. After you've heard numbers like "Heartbreaker", "Anybody's Answer", "Paranoid", "TNUC", "Inside Looking Out", and "Got This Thing On The Move", then tell me that GFR is not a hard rock band.
"Benn, you're just basing that on the "commercial friendly" hits which everyone knows from radio." - Todd
Yeah, that and the concert. I admit that I'm not a GFR expert, and that the "hard pop" term may have been an exaggeration, but GFR to me are not in the vein, of say, Bachman Turner-Overdrive. On reflection, I'll agree that GFR are probably more straight ahead rock and roll along the lines of pre-Michael McDonald Doobies Brothers.
The one thing I get from listening to what I have of Grand Funk's music, is that they tend to dabble in various musically styles without really absorbing those styles. They do not strike me as being a very musically focused band. But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.
BTW, thanks for the compliment of my review. Glad you enjoyed it. Cool picture of you, too. Must've been pretty schweet bein' onstage with Uriah Heap. Who took the picture, btw?
That's also cool that you got to hang out with the bands. Congratulations!
n.p. - Dallas Cowboys - Arizona Cardinals. Go Cowpokes!
GFR definitely commercialized and streamlined themselves in the mid-seventies . . . but their earlier stuff was on par with Zeppelin, Sabbath and Purple. You're probably right about them dabbling in various musical styles without absorbing them, but they play straight ahead rock and roll witn no apologies. I see them as being akin to Humble Pie, perhaps. Oh, and they definitely are at least as heavy as BTO.
>Must've been pretty schweet bein' onstage with >Uriah Heap.
Let me put it this way, Benn . . . how would you feel if you were invited onstage with BOC?
>Who took the picture, btw?
It could have been any one of a hundred people in the audience who were snapping pics. But I believe it was Helen Fredricks, the wife of my friend (and fellow Heep fan) Dale from California.
I also picked up a lot of cool souveniers from the festival. Among these were a reprint of the Roger Dean artwork book. I also got a poster of Dean's cover from Demons and Wizards which now adorns my living room, supplanting the painting of the Cutty Sark which once hung there. Also a family tree of Rock and Roll poster.
That was a great weekend. Unfortunately, later that week after I got back, the girl I had been dating (and had high hopes for) dumped me (by e-mail, no less). That ruined the week for me.
I used to have a family tree of Rock and Roll poster! Is it the one for America or Europe? (There were two different ones.) I had the American one. I'd love to find another copy of that poster.
The other souvenirs you got sound pretty cool, too. Congratulations!
Sorry to hear about your girlfriend. With any luck you'll find somebody else - someone better. (A "Dear John" email? Has it come to that now? How gauche.)
As far as Grand Funk goes, I'll take your word for it that they could be as hard rockin' as BTO. Who knows, maybe I'll even listen to one of their earlier albums and find out for myself. Can you recommend any one in particular? (I have We're an American Band.) I have to say that so far, from what I've heard (which includes a Capitol Records greatest hits disc), I don't hear it.
n.p. - SRV - Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. Specifically, "Willie the Wimp". Love that song.
Here is a link to the version of the family tree poster that I got:
http://www.rockfamilytree.com
The hardest-rocking GFR albums are undoubtedly the first two ones, On Time and Grand Funk. The early Live album is also recommended. We're An American Band was probably the beginning of their commercialization period.
Didn't GFR go by the name Grand Funk on those albums? Perhaps (and coincidentally) the musical style changed with the addition of the word "Railroad" to their name?
Thanks for the link, btw. And the recommendations. I'll check 'em out when I can.
Btw, the poster is different from the one I owned. But still interesting.
Earlier on this board, I noted that Nektar released "Prodigal Son", their first studio album in twenty-two years. I now see that Humble Pie has released their first studio album in twenty-one years. In addition, back in 1997, Stray released their first new studio album also after a twenty-one year gap. This is all cool and a testament to the fan support of all of these classic legedary bands. I wonder what other bands/artists are setting or have previously set such records of coming back after such a long hiatus?
Well, the DVD from Asia's performance at the Trenton festival back in October that I attended has just been commercially released to the public, and guess what? I'm on the DVD as one of the fans interviewed! Immediately after the first song, "The Heat Goes On", I appear on screen and say something about what a great perfomance John Payne gave and they use that as a segue into John's first interview. It's a proud moment for me, even if it is only a few seconds of screen time and I am obviously "well into my cups!"
Hey! Congratulations Todd! That's tres cool! I envy you.
Oh. Yeah! On July 3rd, Blue Oyster Cult will be playing in Arlington Heights, Ill-annoy. And it's a foolish question to ask if I'll be there. Duh!
On October 8th, in Springfield, Nazareth will be playing the Ill-annoy State Fair. I hope to go to that one, too. We shall see.
np - Number of the Beast - Iron Maiden
"It's all one song" - Neil Young
Another shameless self-promotion: now the DVD in which I appear on-stage as a backup singer has just been released!
http:www.classicrockproductions.com/storen/uriahheep/uhliveinusa.html
This past weekend I caught Steppenwolf at a local festival . . . pretty decent show, although they only played for about an hour or so.
Are there any Nitpickers out there who've just come back from this year's Glastonbury Festival? I've heard reports saying it was the best festival yet.
Just went to a great concert last night, with four of the best Motown groups ever.
Okay, to tell the truth, only two of them were under the Motown label.
The Whispers/Four Tops/O'Jays/Temptations, at the Chronicle Pavilion.
In short (since I'm no long-winded reviewer) a great show. None of the groups had retained all of their original members (which goes almost without saying) but everyone involved did great work with the old material.
The Whispers was the group I was least familiar with. They started off great with Rocksteady but lost my interest, partly because it was still hot out (Chronicle is an outdoors venue) and I was really looking forward to the other three groups.
The Four Tops came, saw, and conquered. It could just be that they're still one of my favorite groups, but the entire set was excellent. A little annoyance, tho. In an attempt at a cute medley, they took several of their best hits (Including It's the Same Old Song and Walk Away Renee) and truncated them cruelly. Levi Stubbs' absence was particularly noticeable.
The O'Jays were in fine voice, and paid excellent homage to their old material, but something unfortunate's happened to Love Train. At the concert, it was a little bouncier, a bit less smooth (if there's anything Love Train should be, it's smooth), and sounded almost like an ABBA tribute. Sad, sad.
The Temptations, which includes only the one surviving original Temptation (Otis Williams) were good, but for some reason it just left me feeling a little cold. There was none of the "get-up-and-dance" I felt during the Four Tops' set. It could have been the fact that the sound just wasn't the same with all the new singers. Finally, I left early to beat the traffic, and right in the middle of My Girl. Time to break out the old albums.
I'm taking a lady friend to see George Benson this Friday (8/22) at Manhattan Pier 54, barring another blackout. I don't particuarly like Mr. Benson, and think his cover of The Drifters' "On Broadway" is borderline sacreligeous. However, my lady friend really likes him, and I know that when I'm with her, I'll have a good time.
I wanted to see Fleetwood Mac. They play the Jones Beach Theater on 9/21, and Madison Square Garden on 9/30. However, the ticket prices are outrageous ($85 at Jones Beach, and a price range of $50-150 at the Garden show.) At those prices, they can "Go Their Own Way".
Hey Todd Pence,
I know you are a Northern Virginian and a classic rock fan. I am planning to go see Love (with Arthur Lee) at the Birchmere tomorrow, Oct 21. I thought you might be interesting in attending. If you need more info, let me know.
Any other DC area nitpickers want to go?
Hey Cazbob,
Thanks for the invite. This is kinda short notice for me, send me more info either here or at tpence@hotmail.com and I'll see if it's do-able.
Todd,
Here's the info about the Birchmere:
http://www.birchmere.com/calendar/calendar_list.cfm
and here is info about the current Love tour:
http://www.lovewitharthurlee.com/
My email is cazbobcaz@hotmail.com
Thanks, Cazbob. I'll go if it's at all possible. I really would like to see Forever Changes performed live. And a band the Doors once opened for (incidentally, the Birchmere venue is very close to the site of Jim Morrison's boyhood home). Unfortunately, it is a working night, and I also may be going out of town to Morgantown, WV on Wednesday night for a college football game. Let me see if I can work the logistics out, but it looks like a long shot.
The last concert I ever went to was Iron Maiden, Queensrÿche, and Halford on September 1, 2000. Now that was a kickass show! Too bad I had to sit way back in the lawn section. In between songs, Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden singer) said some funny stuff. Like how he thinks most new rock music sounds like "a faulty f**kin' washing machine." And that MTV was made for "people with the attention span of a one-legged mosquito."
Hey, Cazbob, have fun without me. If it was a weeknight I probably could have swung it but things are just too hectic this week and I don't really have the spare cash right now to burn. Let me know how the concert was and we'll get together for one of these local concert things sometime.
I was able to hear a couple of tracks from the Love concert on a local radio station Saturday night. The hosts of the show also had a long discussion about Love and the Forever Changes album. Pretty cool.
ASIA are coming to my neck of the woods again next weekend!
This will be the third time I've seen the band in three years and all in a fairly intimate setting. Geez, it seems like I'm old friends with them already.
"Only time wil tell."
Hope you enjoy the show, Todd!
np - Georgia On My Mind - Ray Charles
"Music is a world within itself and a language we all understand."
Great show last night by the boys, as usual. This was part of a mini-tour of the US by the boys, before they start playing larger venues in the fall to coincide with the release of their new album. It looks like they have everything in place for a much deserved recognition as one of the great "reunion" tours (actually only Geoffery Downes remains from the original line-up, but the current incarnation of the band has earned the right to be called the definitive line-up.) A really great live act, if they come to your town don't pass up the chance to see them.
Got a chance to hang out with the band a little bit after the show - surprised that a couple of the band members recognized me ("Hey, you're the guy from the DVD!) Chris Slade, current Asia (and former AC/DC and Uriah Heep) drummer is always fun to talk to.
Hey Todd, glad you had a good time last night. Sounds like it was a great show.
Got a chance to hang out with the band a little bit after the show - surprised that a couple of the band members recognized me ("Hey, you're the guy from the DVD!) - Todd
Now that is way cool, bro. I'd be pretty shocked if anyone in B.Ö.C. were to recognize me.
np - an untitled instrumental tape I'm putting together for MrPorter - various artists
"Music is a world within itself and a language we all understand."
np - an untitled instrumental tape I'm putting together for MrPorter - various artists - Benn
Muchas Gracias again, Benn, but "untitled"? That's the most important part! ;)
Yeah, it's one I'm working on. I've got a few working titles in mind. But nothing concrete as of it. As a matter of fact, I'm giving the tape another run through now. (I made several changes and am in the process of seeing how well I like the sequencing of songs.)
"Music is a world within itself and a language we all understand."
Alanis Morrissette is currently touring with the Barenaked Ladies. I saw them tonight at Jones Beach Theater. I had a fabulous time. Alanis went on first, and I think they're alternating who opens the shows. Alanis didn't concentrate a lot on her new CD, "So-Called Chaos;" the set went all over the map for her. I'm less familiar with BNL's output, but that didn't diminish the great time I had. If they come around where you are, grab the tickets. But - be prepared. The show is four hours long.
I have tickets to the Doobie Brothers for this October 22, in Sayreville, New Jersey, and REM for November 4, at Madison Square Garden. The lady I was planning to take to both events has suddenly decided that she wants no part of me; I don't know why. I have an alternate person for the Doobies, but I don't think she'd want to see REM. So, if any NitCentralers would like a shot at seeing the boys from Georgia, let me know.
I have tickets for the Beastie Boys here in Atlanta on Oct 15.
Doobies kicked major butt last night in New Jersey. One of the turn-offs for me, though, was the number of people smoking in the Starland Ballroom. I'm almost positive smoking is banned there, yet people lit up like usual. If there are no ash trays, I assume smoking is banned. Yet, the inconsiderate jackasses were putting out their butts anywhere - beer bottles, the floor, or anywhere else. Didn't they ever hear the words "fire hazard"? I guess not.
Just saw The Eagles last night and MAN do these guys put on a heck of a show! Seriously they had our local Entertainment center (which was packed with about 10,000 people) just rocking. All the usual Eagles suspects were on the playlist (but, surprisingly, not "The Last Resort") but it was cool to hear Don Henley do tracks like "Boys Of Summer" and "All She Wants To Do is Dance". Glenn Frey did one of his big solo hits (which was obviously so huge I can't remember the title). But the biggest cheers of the night went to Joe Walsh who not only proved that he is still one of the leading guitarists of his day but that his solo material is also cool (he did "Rocky Mountain Way", "Life's been Good" and "Walk On").
Seriously, this is how the big boys play. They played for three hours and quite simply they were phenomenal.
Rodney, was the Glenn Frey tune "Smuggler's Blues"?
Nope, try again. And it wasn't "The Heat Is On" either (which I was annoyed they didn't do...but anyway...)
"You Belong to the City"? It's that or "The One You Love".
"Music is a world within itself and a language we all understand."
THE FIRST ONE!!! THE FIRST ONE!!!! Trust the music God to know.... (not that I'm complaining...)
Hey, what can I say? Even we deities need to maintain our reputations every once and awhile. 
Oh, and you're welcome, Rodney!
"Music is a world within itself and a language we all understand."
"You Belong To The City" and "Smuggler's Blues" were immortalized on Miami Vice. I wonder if Glenn Frey will be a contributor to the upcoming film version.
We saw Don Henley and Stevie Nicks this past Friday night at the Jones Beach Theater. They put on a fabulous show, and Ms. Nicks still looks wonderful, even though she's 57 years old now. They did solo songs and duets; as well as Eagles songs ("Witchy Woman" and Fleetwood Mac songs ("Dreams.") "Edge of Seventeen" was turned into a 15 minute jam by Ms. Nicks band, especially her longtime guitarist, Waddy Wachtel.
A word to the wise - If anyone is going to a show at the Jones Beach theater this (or any) summer, please bring a jacket with you, regardless how hot it was in the afternoon, as the wind over the water makes for a very cold evening (tha afternoon temperature was in the high 80's that day.) Even Don Henley had a jacket on when he was performing. As for myself and my lady friend, well, she was prepared and I wasn't. We still froze our arses off.
I just spent the weekend at Music Midtown here in Atlanta, GA. Saw The White Stripes, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Kid Rock, Montgumery Gentry & a bunch of others.
I would really like to make it to the Judas Priest concert in San Francisco on July 2 (oops I mean 2 July). However, whether or not I can make it depends on my ability to run a mile and a half in 11:45, do 45 pushups in a minute, and 45 situps in a minute.
Ah, my first real concert ever - Priest on the Turbo tour in the summer of '86.
My first concert: ELO at the St. Louis Checkerdome in '80.
My first one was Nightranger and Sammy Hagar at the Beaumont Civic Center back in 1983. For years, whenever I'd hear "Rock In America", I'd think it was a Sammy Hagar song.
I envy you seeing ELO, Scott. I've seen ELO part II and that's the closest I've come to seeing the band.
My next concert should be Foghat/Blue Öyster Cult at the Illinois State this August. I'm looking forward to it.
However, whether or not I can make it depends on my ability to run a mile and a half in 11:45, do 45 pushups in a minute, and 45 situps in a minute. - Tom Vane
Okay, I've gotta ask: Why does seeing Priest depend on that?
np - "Bittersweet" - Hoodoo Gurus
"Music is forever." - Paul Simon
Oh, and Hall&Oates opened for them, Benn.
Later caught Joe Walsh at the Forum and then Springsteen (1980 tour, I think it was "the River" tour).
If anyone is going to a show at the Jones Beach theater this (or any) summer, please bring a jacket with you, regardless how hot it was in the afternoon, as the wind over the water makes for a very cold evening (tha afternoon temperature was in the high 80's that day.) Even Don Henley had a jacket on when he was performing. As for myself and my lady friend, well, she was prepared and I wasn't. We still froze our arses off. - Adam Bomb
I'll second that. I haven't been there in a while, but we used to even bring blankets with us on occasion, though I'm not sure how security would feel about that nowadays. Still- be prepared.
I do remember seeing Blue Oyster Cult play there in the late 70's (question for Benn- was Jones Beach one of the venues for the Some Enchanted Evening live disc? I may have been there for the taping.) I also remember the Black and Blue tour ( a double bill with Black Sabbath) a few years later and, also seeing them perform as Soft White Underbelly at a local club (1982ish).
BOC was definitely one of my first concerts, though not the virgin experience. I believe that disctinction belongs to Eric Clapton, Slowhand tour of 1977(?). Either that or a Meatloaf/ Eddie Money double bill, same time frame.
Unfortunately, I don't go to see live music very much nowadays. I've got significant hearing loss, no doubt due to the abuse I heaped upon myself throughout the 70's and 80's. I'd hate to rain on anybody's parade but, well..., take care of what you have. (and so ends today's PSA...)
According to the liner notes, Some Enchanted Evening was recorded at various places. Here's the breakdown:
"R.U. Ready to Rock" and "Kick Out the Jams" were recorded April 13th, 1978 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia.
"E.T.I." and "Astronomy" were recorded on April 11th, 1978 at the Municipal Auditorium in Columbus, Georgia.
"(Don't Fear) The Reaper" was recorded on April 9th, 1978 at the Barton Coliseum in Little Rock, Arkansas.
"Godzilla" and "We Gotta Get Out of This Place" are from the June 1st, 1978 show at Newcastle City Hall in Newcastle, England.
However....
That's the vinyl version of Evening. The tape for the track, "We Gotta Get Out of This Place" was switched for some reason when the album was transfered to disc. Thus, the version of "We Gotta" appearing on SEE is from a London Show.
So, sorry, Mikey, you're not in the audience. Too bad. That would've been tres cool.
np - "Whatever Happened to Randolph Scott?" - the Statler Brothers
"Music is forever." - Paul Simon
However, whether or not I can make it depends on my ability to run a mile and a half in 11:45, do 45 pushups in a minute, and 45 situps in a minute. - Tom Vane
Okay, I've gotta ask: Why does seeing Priest depend on that?
I was waiting for someone to throw out that question. In case I haven't mentioned it, I recently joined the Air Force and right now I'm at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA. Those standards above are the physical training (PT) requirements. They have this "phasing" program here which gradually takes away your restrictions. I won't be able to travel as far away as San Francisco until phase 3, which for me should start 29 July. You don't need to pass the PT eval to get to phase 2, but it is necessary for phase 3 and 4. I'm in phase 2 and I failed the last eval. The next one is a week from next Monday. If I pass that one I can get to phase 3 on time, but if not I'll be stuck at phase 2 on the day of the concert.
Benn- thanks and look what I found: it's a Tour Shirt from 1978 listing Jones Beach, NY, so that was the year. Those shows from Some Enchanted Evening aren't on the shirt, so I'm assuming I saw the tour in support of the album.
Hey, that t-shirt looked pretty cool. I'm almost tempted to get it myself.
Hey, Tom - Good luck, buddy!
np - "She Will Be Loved" - Maroon5
"Music is forever." - Paul Simon
I've got my ticket for Blue Oyster Cult at the State Theater in Falls Church, VA on Sept 23. I reckon Todd P might be interested. Anyone else in the DC area wanna go?
No, but I'm gonna go see Blue Öyster Cult this coming Tuesday at the Illinois State Fair. Foghat will be the opening act. I can't wait. It'll be my first concert in almost three years.
np - Slow Ride - Foghat (it's part of a double disc set I've created to help familiarize myself with Foghat's music.)
"Music is forever." - Paul Simon
Hell, yeah! That's right in my backyard!
I'm also going to see Alice Cooper at the end of the month at Wolftrap.
Well, I just got back from seeing Foghat and Blue Öyster Cult at the Illinois State Fair. God, I needed that!!! That was kick-ass!
Originally, the show was supposed to be at the State Fair Arena. However, due to the recent rains they've had, the venue was switched to the Grandstand Stage. Suits me fine. From what I can tell, it was a better venue.
I went with a friend from work and a couple of other people I know from work, Crystal and Rodney, went, too. I actually saw them there at the concert. Brian, the guy I went with to the show and his friend, Darryl, saw the show from a different part of the Grandstand than I did. I have no idea where Crystal and Rodney were.
As for me...
Well, I managed to get myself up by the front of the stage, so hopefully, I've got some good pictures. I think I have one or two of Eric Bloom without his sunglasses on. (If you know anything about B.Ö.C., you know that's a rarity.
Foghat is currently comprised of two original members - drummer Roger Earl and bassist Craig McGregor. The rest of the band features Bryan Bassett on slide guitar and Charlie Huhn on lead guitar and vocals.
They opened their set with "Night Shift". The rest of their set featured the following songs:
2. "Take Me to the River" (Yes, the Al Green/Talking Heads tune. Well done, I might add.)
3. "Stone Blue"
4. "Drivin' Wheel"
5. "Mumbo Jumbo" (from their most recent album, Family Joules)
6. Drum solo and band intro. During this segment, it was mentioned that Bassett had played with such acts as Molly Hatchet and Wild Cherry. I yelled out, "Play That Funky Music, White Boy!" I dunno. Maybe this was something that was a regular part of their set, but damned if they didn't play a few bars of that disco classic. Everyone around me laughed about it. [And yes, I was that close to the stage, people.])
7. "Fool For the City"
8. "I Just Wanna Make Love to You" (Which to me was the low point of the show. That tune just seemed to go on forever. Like they couldn't find the ending for it.)
9. "Slow Ride" (Of course)
I'm not a big Foghat fan, mind you. I like what I've heard. But I don't get too excited about it. Now, Crystal thought Foghat put on the better. I, of course, didn't think so. Brian agreed with me that B.Ö.C. was better.
Anyway, B.Ö.C.
This was my 14th time to see the Öyster Boys in concert. (There was a guy in front of me who was also seeing B.Ö.C. for the 14th time.) The twelfth time was at a club in Dallas, Texas called the Canyon Club. (It's gone now.) As I was entering the bathroom, Allen Lanier, B.Ö.C.'s keyboardist/guitar was walking out. I said, "Hey Allen." He was a bit startled, but said, "Hi" back.
The thirteenth time was in downtown Ft. Worth. Allen was on stage before the show adjusting his keyboards. I called out "Hello" to him and he acknowledged it.
Last night, Allen was again working on his keyboards just before the B.Ö.C. show started. I again called out his name and got him to wave. This is becoming a game for me now.
According to Brian, the sound mix from where he and Darryl were was very good. Where I was at, the bass was too prominant at times and the vocals buried too deep. That still didn't keep me from enjoying a great rock show, though.
B.Ö.C. opened with "The Red and the Black" (which suprised me). The rest of the set was as follows:
2. "Harvester of Eyes"
3. "Burning for You" (Very unusual that it was played so early in the set. Normally, if this isn't the opening number, it's near the end of the show.)
4. "E.T.I."
5. "Shooting Shark" (YES!! This is one of my two favorite B.Ö.C. songs and one I've never heard performed live. 'Til now. And it was great! I am happy happy happy happy happy!)
6. "Lips In the Hill"
7. "Cities On Flames (With Rock and Roll)" (When the band does this song, Eric will go to the drumset and do some drumming on the cymbals. One of the things he does with the drumsticks is to throw them on the floor to try to get them to bounce up. He will then grab them on the rebound. I swear, this poor guy went through four sticks and not a one of them bounced back!)
8. "Joan Crawford" (Allen Lanier played a different ending to the song than I've seen before.)
9. At this point, Eric Bloom, B.Ö.C.'s lead singer, gave us a choice on what song we wanted to hear. The choices were "Then Came the Last Days of May" or "Astronomy". "Astronomy" won.
10. "Godzilla"
11. "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" (just before doing this song, Buck Dharma, the band's lead guitarist, played an instrumental that's, so far, unreleased and for all I know, untitled.)
The encore was "Dominance and Submission", my other all-time favorite Blue Öyster Cult song.
Blue Öyster Cult's current bassist is Richie Castellano. And young as he is, the kid's got talent. He's a helluva bass player. The new drummer, Jules Radino, also did an excellent job on the skins. Their solos during "Godzilla" was terrific. Richie was constantly running from one end of the stage to the other. Man, that kid had energy!
While I didn't get a guitar pick or drumstick, I did get a copy of Blue Öyster Cult's setlist. It's interesting because according to it, the encores were originally supposed to "Hot Rails to Hell" and "Black Blade". I guess time was a factor. Because of the change in venues, the show started almost an hour late. (The Grandstand was used for a horse show just prior to the concert.) Thus, the whole concert ended at about 12:25.
Much as I like "Dominance and Submission", I haven't heard the band do "Hot Rails" since 1986. It'd been nice to hear it performed again. Even "Black Blade" would have been nice to hear again.
I should mention that a lot of people at the show were commenting on how old Allen looks. They were also saying he looked like he's been through a lot in life. And he really does. The man is still a great musician, though.
Still. It's been almost three years since I've been to a concert. And as strung out as I've been getting from work, I've really needed that show. So I'd like to thank Charles, Craig, Bryan, Roger (Foghat) and Eric, Buck, Allen, Richie and Jules (Blue Öyster Cult). Y'all put on an effing great show. Let's do it again, soon!
np - Bad Channels Soundtrack - various artists
"Music is forever." - Paul Simon
Well, all I can say after tonight is, Alice Cooper still knows how to put on a great show.
The best thing about the concert was the number of lesser-known songs in the setlist that were slipped in with the well-known standards. As an example, one of the encores (along with "School's Out", "Poison" and "Under My Wheels") was one of the more obscure songs ("Wish I Was Born In Beverly Hills") from one of his more obscure albums (From The Inside). I had figured coming in that Alice would concentrate on his more recent material which I am not too familiar with, however, when he opened with "Department of Youth" I knew it was going to be an old school night.
And yes, I did get to see ole Vince get the guillotine. Good night out.
Good to hear you had a great time, Todd. I saw Coop back in like '86. It was a great show. He got guillotined that night, too.
np - The Fragile - nine inch nails
"Music is forever." - Paul Simon
Some notes on last evenings Blue Oyster Cult concert at the State theatre in Falls Church Virginia which I attended with Bob and a couple of his friends:
The evening began when Bob graciously invited me to his house for pizza before the concert. Us two nitcentral posters met face to face for the first time, and he introduced me to his family. Soon his two fellow BOC fantatics showed up and we were off to the show!
We arrived about an hour and a half early at the venue, which was a combination of theatre and formal dining area. Almost immediately I was struck by the oddity of the assemblange. The crowd which had gathered did not look like the kind of contigent one would expect to see a classic hard-rock seventies band. Indeed, it looked like nothing so much as a bunch of families out to have a nice Sunday dinner. I had expected to see a bunch of thirty and forty-somethings like myself. While there were certainly plenty of those, the crowd had plenty of representatives of both the geriatric and the very young as well. There were a couple of kids there at least wh didn't look like they could be more than eight or nine years old, as well as a few old folks who couldn't have been younger than sixty (and they didn't look like aging hippies, they looked like your grandma or grandpa). Looking at some of them, the Air Force base scene from "Spinal Tap" kept coming to mind. There were also a fair amount of teenagers there, all of whom from their conversations and their responses to the songs seemed to have a more than passing familiarity with the works of a band who hit their commercial peak years before they were born.
So it was one of the most unusual crowds I've ever seen at a rock concert - but it was also enthusiastic. Getting there early allowed us to take up prime positions close to the front of the stage - and we pleasantly whiled away the hour or so until showtime talking music.
And then the lights dimmed and we prepared to welcome the Cult - but we would have to wait still a while longer. For some technical reason I never found out, the band was forty minutes late taking the stage and the crowd was starting to get decidely impantient. Again "Spinal Tap" came to mind . . . had the band gotten lost backstage?
But good things come to those who wait, and we finally welcomed the boys to the stage as they opened with a rousing version of "Buck's Boogie". And the rocking was on!
Here's the setlist in terms of internal chronology since I can't remember exactly the order they were played (Bob probably can though!)
Cities on Flame (encore)
Hot Rails to Hell (encore)
ME 262
Harvester of Eyes (opener after Buck's Boogie)
ETI
Reaper (closing first set)
Godzilla (featuring a bass solo plus one of the most intense drum solos I've ever seen)
The Vigil
Burning For You (surprisingly this was played very early in the set, I thought this would be near the end or an encore, it being BOC's second most well-known song)
Joan Crawford
Perfect Water
I think those were all the songs. Of course it was a great show, taking me back to my sophomore year in college when I first became a big BOC-head.
Well, chalk up another memorable concert going experience for yours truly. Thanks again Bob for the invite - we'll have to do it again sometime!
I can echo many of Todd's observations on the BOC show. The crowd was quite an interesting mix. I was mostly amazed by the group of teenagers up near the stage with us. They were rockin and rollin and having a good time without being obnoxious. The band experienced many technical difficulties (broken guitar strings, problems with mics and amps) but the show was still a lot of fun. It was a pleasure meeting and spending some time with Todd as well.
Anyway, the complete set list:
1. Buck's Boogie
2. Harvester of Eyes
3. Burnin' For You
4. E.T.I.
5. The Vigil
6. ME 262
7. Joan Crawford
8. Perfect Water
9. Astronomy
10. Godzilla (extended bass and drum solos)
11. The Reaper
Encores
12. Cities on Flame
13. Hot Rails to Hell (Lead vocal by Richie)