Buckcherry - March 10, 2007

The Starland Ballroom, in Sayreville New Jersey, was the venue where I had the distinct pleasure of seeing one of my favorite bands live for the first time. The band was reunited and performing for the first time in over five years. Out on the road in support of Fifteen, Buckcherry was poised to give an exceptional performance with both their amazing new songs and incredible classics.

When Buckcherry split up shortly after their tour for Timebomb, I was upset. These guys were my hard rocking heroes, and a band poised to take over the world. Then the band split up and the music industry suffered. It was a pure delight in 2005 to hear they had reformed and were working on a new album. That album, Fifteen, would be one of the best Buckcherry records ever released. Having missed them the first time around, I was so glad to have the opportunity to see them live in their revamped version.

Metal Eddie, his sister, and a couple of his friends were all in attendance for this concert. Shortly before Buckcherry was scheduled to take the stage, Metal Eddie made his usual snowplow toward the stage, trying to get as close as he could. I was right behind him, because I’ve learned over the years that following Metal Eddie will usually result in a fantastic view of the band.

The lights went out and Buckcherry roared to the stage, ripping out the lead track of their new album. So Far pelted my ear drums in a euphoric wash. I was so happy that I was practically levitating off the floor. I screamed as loud as I could and Metal Eddie and company jammed along to the opening number, hands in the air, horns out, and fists pumping. It was a great way to start the night.

Another song from Fifteen (Broken Glass) was next, but it’s a song that I never grew to love. It is by far the weakest song on Fifteen and a tune that I just didn’t take to. The song that followed it, however, made a grin erupt across my face. The opening riff of Porno Star filled the small theater and I just howled. I’ve always felt that Time Bomb is an underrated album and one that never gets the attention it deserves --- not from the band, the fans, or anywhere else. To hear one of the best tracks from this album performed live was a real treat. I sang every word with a wave of happiness washing over me that I had not felt in years.

The song selection Buckcherry chose for their New Jersey night was indeed a strong one. Hits like Sorry, and Crazy Bitch were performed alongside of massive rockers like Next 2 U, Ridin’, and Slammin’ (another gem from Time Bomb). The band sounded incredible and the years apart did nothing to hurt their road performance. Of course, by that point, they had been on the road for more than 200 shows in support of Fifteen. That’s how the real rock stars do it. Stay on the road until your album is platinum. And all of the touring that Buckcherry did not only helped their album sales, it enhanced their live presence. Their act was a well oiled machine spit out of a cannon and exploding into the night. Buckcherry were firework superstars.

At almost every concert I attend, there is one song I am not expecting to hear, and that I usually don’t know that well. Almost always, I end up becoming a huge fan of it by the time the live performance is completed. That chilly New Jersey night was no exception. When Buckcherry started to play Everything, I remember thinking that I liked the song and I needed to pay more attention to it. By the time their live performance of Everything was complete, the song had moved into my top 5 Buckcherry songs category. Josh Todd sang with a ferocious urgency that demanded the song be recognized. The band was so cohesive and precise during Everything that it was near impossible to not fall in love with the track. It was excellence performed live.

The main set ended with a rousing version of Buckcherry’s biggest hit at the time, Lit Up. In my opinion, this song has since been surpassed by Crazy Bitch as the band’s signature song, but in 2007, this was the song that everyone was waiting for. Buckcherry was kind enough to reward our patience. Lit Up sounded as great live as it did in my CD player and it was the perfect way to end the main portion of the night.

After a few minutes of waiting, Buckcherry came back onstage to perform the encore. What bothered me about the encore was not just the fact that the band played only one song, but also the song selection. Brooklyn, a new song from Fifteen was what the band chose to end the night with. And while Buckcherry did a great performance of it, Brooklyn was not the song that I wanted them to leave me with. I was hoping for something heavier. I was hoping for something more classic. It was not what I received. That complaint is but a minor one in an otherwise incredible performance.

For my first time seeing Buckcherry, they did their live show justice. The performance was raw, energetic, and incredible. I had never been happier about a band reuniting then I was on that night.

Set List
So Far
Broken Glass
Porno Star
Fall
Out Of Line
Sorry
Crazy Bitch
Next 2 U
Ridin’
Dead Again
Everything
Check Your Head
Slammin’
Lit Up
Encore
Brooklyn

The Triple Threat of Buckcherry, Three Days Grace, and Nickleback

This is a guest post from Metal Eddie. Previously the metal one posted about Sully Erna’s solo CD.

We were hanging on to the last days of summer getting pumped to see a killer show of Buckcherry, Three Days Grace and Nickelback. I planned to leave work early so I could pick up my son and bring him to my In-Laws for a few hours till my wife got out of work. I went to get my buddy, Jay, in Rochelle Park and then we were headed to the local gin mill until his friend Mike and Mike’s girlfriend got out of work.

While hanging out of the bar drinking a few beers we ordered Irish Nachos. What are Irish Nachos you say? They are your standard Nachos with the addition of potatoes and they rock! So, the beer was flowing and time was ticking away. The bar was in Maywood, New Jersey and we needed to get to Newark, NJ, which is a decent ride away. We met up with Mike and headed out to the Prudential Center. The ticket read that the doors open at 6:15 and we estimated getting there around 6:45 thinking that the show would start at seven.

We found parking right by the building at 6:40 which left us thirty dollars lighter, but we were off. Here comes the fun! Immediately, we noticed a long line to get in. We heard security yelling to put all chains away, get the keys and cell phones out, guys on the right ladies on the left. I was thinking “What the hell? Where are the good old days of one line in a fast pat down and that’s it?”

As we made our way up the escalator to the first level I heard Buckcherry performing. I turned to Jay and said that there was no way they were on already. It was 6:45 as we made our way to the seats. Buckcherry were finishing “Lit Up”. We were all kind of puzzled about what was going on. Why were we hearing “Lit Up” at 6:45. I’ll tell you why. It’s because Buckcherry came on at 6:15 when the doors opened. How sad is that boys and girls? We missed most of the set list, but we did catch four songs from them.

The stage was a regular stage with a long runway attached to it and a space for bands to rock out at the end of it. For some reason, Buckcherry nor Three Days Grace took advantage of this space. Could it be that they were not allowed to use it?

Here is the set list for Buckcherry who went on first to my surprise:

Talk to Me
Rescue Me
All Night Long
Everything
Next 2 You
Lit Up
These Things
It's a Party
Dead
Sorry
Crazy Bitch

I have to say that Buckcherry were weak at best. They looked burnt out and tired with no energy at all. Is it that they are tired of being a supporting band? Why aren’t they a headline act? Things better change or I think they will lose a huge following.

On to a band that I love and have never seen before – Three Days Grace I don’t really hear much about this band and it’s a shame. They too were not going up and down the cat walk. Why? But they gave one hell of a show for a four piece band. Every song was rocking! They kicked it off with “I Hate Everything About You”. The crowd went nuts singing along to every note. The energy picked up from the lack of showmanship from Buckcherry.

Lead singer Adam Gontier’s voice was on key without any flaws. It was very impressive as was the band. It was like listing to one of their CDs. Adam worked the crowd like a pro. He reminded me of Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden. He was running all over the stage singing his heart out. I hope that these guys hit it big someday and headline their own tour, they deserve it. My only regret is that they didn’t play longer. Here is their setlist:

I Hate Everything About You
Break
The Good Life
World So Cold
Pain
Home
Last To Know
Never Too Late
Riot
Animal I Have Become

Now up to that point I was telling everyone that I didn’t care if I saw Nickelback or not. I saw them open for Bon Jovi a few years back and they were good. I have to admit that I was wrong for having that kind of attitude toward Nickelback. They rocked the house down with a solid sound and strong setlist. The boys were joking with the crowd having a few beers and paying homage to some of their rock heroes such as Journey and Bon Jovi. They also strummed along to Garth Brooks. You can find the setlist below. Like I said they are a great band but there is something about them that I just can’t put my finger on.

Nickelback’s Setlist:
Burn It to the Ground
Flat On The Floor
Photograph
Savin' Me
Shakin' Hands
Something in Your Mouth
This Afternoon
Friends In Low Places (Garth Brooks cover)
If Today Was Your Last Day
Don't Stop Believing (Journey cover)
Rockstar
Animals
How You Remind Me
Too Bad
Encore:
Gotta Be Somebody
Wanted Dead or Alive (Bon Jovi cover)
Someday
Figured You Out

Ryo’s Note: I wonder if Nickelback performed Wanted Dead or Alive in honor of playing in Bon Jovi’s home state. What I can’t believe is that Buckcherry went on first and that they started right at 6:15. That last part is most shocking to me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a concert start at the exact time listed on the ticket – not even an opening act. What a surprise that must have been for everyone!

Buckcherry - All Night Long

The band once dubbed as “the saviors of rock and roll” return with their 5th studio album, All Night Long. Coming off the strong Black Butterfly, All Night Long is a continuation of the hard rock sound that has made Buckcherry such a popular hard rock act.

All Night Long launches with the title track, a heavy rocker that is immediately enjoyable. The cowbell kicks it off (and reminds us of the hysterical SNL skit) and then the guitars kick in and the song is off and running. All Night Long is a simple hard rock song that Buckcherry has become famous for. Josh Todd’s voice is in fine form and rock and roll is ever present on this opening track.

It’s A Party follows and continues the good time rock and roll. Another raw rocker, It’s A Party is hard, heavy, and fast. This is a song about good times, good women, and good drink. Let the fun continue, Buckcherry is leading the party and we should all join in.

These Things, the first ballad of the disc, draws on the strength of Buckcherry’s slower songs. Another magnificent ballad (think Cream or Sorry), These Things is bound to be a big hit, especially with the ladies. The melodic and powerful guitar riffs soak this song with beauty. Todd’s voice is at its peak, and the blend of music and vocals pull These Things together into a superb song.

All Night Long goes a little flat after These Things. While the first three tracks are amazing songs that show Buckcherry still has what it takes to make a fantastic record, the next group of songs is a step down lyrically, musically, and enjoyably. It’s not to say that they are horrendous songs, just not as strong as the opening three.

Oh My Lord suffers from clichéd lyrics (Oh my Lord, you are hotter than a firestorm) and basic chords, lacking in depth and solos. Recovery is just a lame song overall. The good news about Recovery is that it’s the shortest song on the record, clocking in at 3:00 minutes. Recovery is a song that wants to be a hard and heavy anthem, but falls short due to poor organization and arrangement. Never Say Never is another song that’s just not that good. The song tells a story of young lovers, but the story isn’t quite clear, and while the chorus is strong, the verses are weak, which damages the song overall.

The rest of the album rebounds nicely with a second ballad, I Want You, and some nice rockers to close out the disc, particularly the green themed Our World. Buckcherry sings about how we only have one world and we need to make the most of it. Be conscious of your friends and neighbors and do your part to help the world. A song with deep meaning that isn’t centered on girls or booze, this is quite a change for Buckcherry, but a welcome one. Our World is one of the best songs on All Night Long and shows that the band has depth beyond their usual muses.

Overall, All Night Long is a fine album that’s worth adding to your collection. If you love sleaze rock, or if you’re a fan of Buckcherry, then adding this album to your weekly rotation is a simple choice. If you’re on the fence, give Our World or It’s A Party a listen. Those songs should be enough to help you make up your mind.

Ryo’s Rating: 7.5 out of 10

TrackList
All Night Long
It’s A Party
These Things
Oh My Lord
Recovery
Never Say Never
I Want You
Liberty
Our World
Bliss
Dead

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Going On Vacation Edition

Next week, The Rock And Roll Guru will be on vacation. My family and I are heading to the lake for a week. We’ll be hiking, rafting, eating and drinking and enjoying some much needed downtime. I’ve been looking forward to it for quite some time, as has my wife. My daughter, well, she’s a teenager. When it comes to spending time with your family, I don’t think teenagers look forward to much.

While I’m on vacation, there will be no updates to the Guru. I’d like to say that I was ahead of the game and the site will go unaffected, but that wouldn’t be the truth. With my regular work schedule, plus all the other activities in my life, keeping up with the site has become a bit of a struggle at times. It’s worth it though, it’s always worth it. However, I am barely keeping up with weekly deadlines, so actually being ahead of the game is a luxury that is only a dream for now. Perhaps one day that will change, once I achieve my financial freedom and I am able to work part time and write full time (instead of the other way around).

Here’s what rocked this week:

The Dave Navarro Signature Guitar Us Now Available
It seems like everyone has a signature guitar these days. From Gene Simmons to Slash, all the guitar greats have their own signature line of guitars. This is Dave Navarro’s, an acoustic beauty from Epiphone. If you’re in the market for a new acoustic guitar, check this out.

25 Years Of Farm Aid
Farm Aid celebrates their 25th anniversary this year. The concert will take place on October 2nd in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (the first time the event has been located there). No word on performers, yet, but I expect that Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp will perform. I’m sure that Dave Matthews will be there as well.

Hear The New Buckcherry CD Before You Buy It
All Night Long came out this week. Even though you should buy it because it’s Buckcherry and they never steer you wrong, you can listen to it first if you must. Click on the link above to hear every track from the album. Then get out to the store and pick up a copy!

Guitar Center’s Drum Off Has Begun
Drummers, here’s your chance to be the next big thing. Sign up at a guitar center near you for the chance to win $25,000, a custom built drum kit, and a slew of other prizes. Click the link to learn all the details.

For more news, reviews, and oxymoronic contest names, you should follow me on twitter. www.twitter.com/ryovie

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Dave Matthews Band Concert Edition

Tomorrow night, thanks to a friend who called me out of the blue with an extra ticket, I am going to see Dave Matthews Band live for the fourth time ever. This concert is at Citi Field, a stadium where the New York Mets play their home games. So, not only will I be able to witness DMB live in a stadium setting (something I have never done before), but I will also get to see Citi Field for the first time. What a nice bonus!

Since this is the last tour for DMB until 2012, they have been playing some rarities during their concerts that the fans have loved. I am hopeful to hear some rarities tomorrow night. I would also like to hear some deep classics that I’ve never heard live. No matter what they play though, I am going to have an amazing time. A hot, Saturday night in July, seeing DMB live in New York City – it’s just incredible! Of course, I will have a full review in the days following the concert.

And while I was singing #41 in anticipation of the show, here’s what rocked this week:

Vie’s Verses
Another edition of Vie’s Verses has posted over at Hard Rock Hideout. This time around, I defend Iron Maiden’s fantastic setilst for their current tour. And so far, it appears that a lot of fans agree with me.

Continuing On The Iron Maiden Theme
Janick Gers addresses retirement rumors. All I can say is Maiden better not retire!

Bon-Jovi Live At Madison Square Garden
Here’s a well written review of Bon-Jovi’s latest DVD, Live At Madison Square Garden. After reading this review, I think I am going to have to pick this up. The concert looks amazing and I haven’t seen Bon Jovi live since the Have A Nice Day tour. This may serve as a good fill in until I can see them live again.

Nickelback Tickets On Sale Tomorrow
And finally, Nickelback/Buckcherry/Three Days Grace tickets go on sale to the general public tomorrow for most (if not all)) tour dates. Prices range between $50 - $90. If you’ve got the money, this could be one hell of a show!

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Iron Maiden Concert Edition

This Sunday is going to be an excellent day for your cousin Ryo. I am going to be seeing Iron Maiden live for the fourth time in my life. The setlist for this current tour has been taking a lot of punishment from the US fans, but I think it’s exceptional. I love the fact that Maiden is mixing it up and not playing the same nostalgia songs every tour. That’s the beauty of Iron Maiden, they are always willing to try something different. I know that I will be singing along with every song they play, and when they do get to the classics, it will just make them that much more exciting. Iron Maiden is an incredible live act, and this concert is going to be amazing. Expect a full review of the entire show in the upcoming weeks.

Now, here’s what rocked this week:

Nickelback To Tour With Buckcherry and Three Days Grace
Wow! Nickelback, Buckcherry, and Three Days Grace. I am SO there!

Damn the Torpedoes or Full Moon Fever?
Over at 3minutes, 49 seconds, Paul has started a new column entitled rock solid. This column attempts to identify those masterpiece records. His first foray into this arena finds him debating between Damn The Torpedoes or Full Moon Fever. Personally, I think that’s unfair. Damn The Torpedoes is a Heartbreaker’s record, while Full Moon Fever is a Petty solo record. Shouldn’t they both qualify as the greatest work by those artists?

Review – Faith No More In Concert
Blogs N Roses has posted a review of Faith No More live in Philly from July 3rd. Interesting setlist and to me, quite unexpected. Still, if the band were to come a little closer to home, I’d want to check them out.

An Interview With Rudolph Schenker
Deb Rao over at Hard Rock Haven had a chance to sit down and talk with the famed Scorpions guitarist Rudolph Schenker. Note Rudolph’s quote of “of course we’ll play…Still Loving You”. What? I didn’t get that song!

Mick Jagger Reportedly Upset About Keith Richards’ Biography
Are you kidding me? Come on, Mick, what’s there to be upset about? All of your drug use and woman abusing has already been captured in Stephen Davis’ Old Gods Almost Dead. So why do you care if Keith brings it up again? Mick always has been the priss of the band. Personally, I can’t wait for Richards’ biography. I’ve got a space on my bookshelf all carved out for October!

And Finally…
I am VERY proud to announce the launch of my own bi-weekly column, Vie’s Verses. The folks at Hard Rock Hideout were gracious enough to provide me the opportunity to write a bi-weekly column and I am so excited about it. My first post went up last week, discussing the M3 festival and Vince Neil. Check it out by clicking on the link above.

For more news, reviews, and concert revelations, and torpedoes, you should follow me on Twitter. www.twitter.com/ryovie

Rocklahoma 2010 - Better or Worse?

My initial reaction to this year’s Rocklahoma upon seeing the lineup was “What the heck? They’ve destroyed this festival.” I’ve had a few days to since digest the new direction of this year’s Rocklahoma and now I’d like to dissect it a little bit and point out the good, the bad, and the what the…?

The Good
The modern bands scheduled to perform are exceptional ones. Theory of a Deadman, Buckcherry, and Saliva are all up and coming massive hard rock acts in their own right. Godsmack (even though I don’t particularly care for them) is coming off a successful stint at CrueFest and they are loaded with a huge fan base that loves them. Adelita’s Way, Chevelle, and Saving Able are up and comers that have a nice follow of fans.

The classic rock bands on the bill are awesome ones. Cinderella, Tesla, and ZZ Top are about as good as it gets when you go back to 80s rock. Cinderella is huge as they haven’t toured in a while and a lot of fans are dying to see them in concert again. Tesla always deliver an incredible show and ZZ Top are classic rockers at their finest.

The decision to move this festival to May (rather than the ultra-hot and humid July) was also a good decision. One of the biggest complaints of Rocklahoma’s past was the disgusting weather that the fans had to sit through. The heat was sweltering during the day and not much relief was offered under the cover of night. Having the festival in May should alleviate a lot of the weather concerns.

The Bad
The total makeover of this festival. Now that AEG is promoting Rocklahoma, they’ve got their hands all over it. They took what was an awesome collection of 80s hair metal bands and they destroyed it. Now it’s a modern rock festival with the occasional 80s band thrown in to appease the masses. And who the hell are half of these bands on the bill? Janus? Aranda? Taddy Porter? Like A Storm? Never heard of them! Am I really going to shell out the money and travel to Oklahoma to see Within Reason and Year Long Disaster?

While moving the festival to May was a good idea, moving it to Memorial Day Weekend was a bad decision. This is a very busy travel and getaway weekend, and while a holiday weekend may make it easier for some fans to attend, others have annual plans that weekend, and this may make it more challenging for them.

What The…?
Out of the 27 bands performing, I’ve heard of 12 of them. That means more than half of the acts are ones that I don’t know, and I suspect not a lot of others do either. This is AEGs way of filling the bill with bands they don’t have to pay that much. I have to be honest, this lineup SUCKS. It is not a listing of acts that is going to make people fly in from all over the country. It’s more of a lineup that would make me say “Hmm, I might go to this,” only if I lived in a nearby state. I don’t know what AEG was thinking when they put together this lineup and I don’t know who the “very special guests” still to be announced are, but unless it’s the Beatles or Kiss, don’t expect it to change the attendance of this festival.

Look, if you’re going to change the entire chemistry of the festival by switching from hair metal to modern rock then at least add a lot of bands that people know and want to see. The Used, Taking Back Sunday, Rob Zombie, Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, and Pop Evil all would have helped beef up this lineup and create a buzz. Now, it’s just a joke. It’s a shame to see what was a great hair metal festival go down the tubes due to a major concert promoter that is only looking at lining their pockets with more cash.

What are your thoughts? Are you planning on attending this year’s Rocklahoma, or are you planning on attending a different festival with a lineup suited toward your tastes? Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

For more information or to order your tickets visit: http://www.rocklahoma.com/

Kiss With Buckcherry - October 10, 2009

This past fall I was lucky enough to secure tickets to see Kiss perform at Madison Square Garden. The band was on tour in support of their brand new album, Sonic Boom, and I was excited about the idea of hearing the new songs live. As an added bonus, Buckcherry was opening. Buckcherry is one of my favorite hard rock bands and to see them open for Kiss was a dream come true.

As soon as the tour was announced, I got in touch with Metal Eddie to confirm that he wanted to go. He did. He would need 3 tickets – one for him, one for his sister, and one for his 6-year old nephew. I’ll admit that I was skeptical bringing someone so young to the concert, but Metal Eddie insisted it wouldn’t be an issue. His nephew was a huge Kiss fan and Eddie had promised to take him to a show, should the opportunity ever arise. I trusted Metal Eddie’s judgment and got us the tickets.

On the night of the concert, everyone was in high spirits. Eddie’s nephew was more excited than anyone. He was going to see his first Kiss show and life couldn’t get any better. He was dressed in blue jeans, a Kiss T-shirt, and a Kiss ball cap. He looked great – an excited young fan. He sang a few Kiss songs during dinner and I was impressed with how many lyrics he knew .The kid was proving what a devoted fan he was.

We drove into the city, parked the car, grabbed some coffee and made out way into the World’s Greatest Arena. To me, Madison Square Garden has always been the greatest place to see a concert. Perhaps it’s the history, or maybe it’s being in New York City, or perhaps it’s the building itself, but nothing can compare to seeing a concert at MSG.

After getting a poster for Eddie’s nephew, we settled into our seats and took in the pre-concert atmosphere. Eddie’s nephew was in awe by everything. The sheen in his eyes reminded me of my first concert. He kept talking about Kiss, dying to see them take the stage. His excitement was infectious. And he was a very well behaved child. I was amazed at how good he was and how well he listened. There were times when I forgot we were at a concert with someone so young.

Buckcherry came out first and the arena was quite packed for this solid opening act. They opened with Tired of You and sounded great. We were up on our feet, singing along, and enjoying the hard rock mayhem. Even Eddie’s nephew was singing along!

Buckcherry put on a solid performance of hits, but their set was not without its glitches. Josh Todd’s voice sounded rough and scratchy. Buckcherry had been on a grueling tour schedule for a long time and that may have factored into his voice issues. Add in the fact that the sound is never perfect for opening acts and I’m willing to forgive Buckcherry and give them an “A” for effort.

The hits were all present and accounted for. Lit Up, Tired of You, Sorry, and Crazy Bitch were all performed for our listening pleasure. The crowds ate it up and we did too. Even when not performing at 100% Buckcherry can bring the goods and whip the crowd into a frenzy. As an opening act, they did a great job.

Buckcherry Performs Lit Up



After the crowd caught their breath from Buckcherry’s performance, the hottest band in the land took to the stage. Kiss came out in a furious explosion of bombs, smoke, and of course, make-up. Eddie’s nephew’s eyes popped out of his head and he screamed as loud as he could. KISS was there to rock our world!

The opening notes of Deuce filled the arena and Kiss was off and running. I’ve seen Kiss several times over the years, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen them open with anything but Deuce, so once again, it was the same opening song. I was hoping that for this tour they were going to mix it up, but when Strutter was played next, it looked like it was going to be the same set list they’ve been milking for years.

As far as Eddie’s nephew was concerned, it was the greatest set list in the world. Seeing the concert through his eyes was an overwhelming excitement that blew you away. He was singing every word to every song, standing on his seat, jumping up and down, and was amazed at the band and the music. Kiss was ruling his world.

After a few more classic cuts, the band decided it was time to play a new one. Paul introduced it as a classic in the making. The way he introduced the song, it was almost as if he was ashamed to play it. Sonic Boom is an incredible Kiss record, and in my opinion they should be playing 5 or 6 songs from that record. Instead, Modern Day Delilah was the only song from the new album they played. I was a little miffed. Kiss was supporting a new album and only played one song from it? What the hell was that about?

Kiss Performs Their Only New Song Of The Night



After Modern Day Delilah, the band pulled out C’Mon and Love Me and that was a nice surprise. I was not expecting to hear that one at all and thought things were really taking a turn for the better. She followed next and that was another unexpected beauty. That is, until Tommy’s guitar solo.

I have nothing against Tommy Thayer as a member of Kiss. I think he is a talented guitarist, and I believe that he really made Sonic Boom into a fantastic album. However, when it came time for his solo, he completely copied Ace’s classic solo note for note and riff for riff. He morphed Ace’s solo right down to the dropping on his knees and firing the guitar rockets. I was pissed.

Tommy is a talented enough guitarist in his own right. There is no need for him to clone Ace Frehley and play his solo. Metal Eddie and I were both so mad that we did not applaud at the end of the solo. Eddie even mentioned that he was half tempted to walk out.

Of course we didn’t. We stayed and listened to the rest of the classic hits that were played. Eddie’s nephew soaked it all in and the four of us enjoyed the rest of the performance and had a great time doing so.

Parasite



The bombs, the blood, the smoke, and the pyrotechnics, they were all there. However, I left the Garden at the end of the night a little disappointed about the band’s decision to not play more new songs and the fact that Tommy Thayer played the “Ace” solo. I know that he was probably just following orders from Gene, but it’s still upsetting. It makes me think that Kiss doesn’t believe their fans can evolve. It makes me wonder if they’re ashamed of playing new songs, or if they are just stuck in the past (and think their fans are too). It made me wonder if they think their fans are stupid. Real fans don’t want to see Tommy pretend to be Ace. This is why Tommy and Eric get called scabs. If Kiss was really proud of their current lineup and album, they would let Tommy play When Lightning Strikes and let him cut loose on a solo of his own. I would be all for that and I have a feeling that I wouldn’t be alone.

As for a certain 6-year old, well, he appeared happier than I’ve ever seen anyone in a long time. And that’s what rock and roll is all about – the power to make everything else pale in comparison. For that little boy with no cynicism and full of youthful innocence, Kiss was the greatest thing ever. He slept like a champ the whole ride home and I’m sure visions of firebombs danced in his head.

Setlist
Deuce
Strutter
Let Me Go Rock N Roll
Hotter Than Hell
Got To Choose
Modern Day Delilah
C’Mon And Love Me
She (Tommy Thayer Guitar Solo)
Parasite
100,000 Years
I Love It Loud
Black Diamond
Rock and Roll All Nite
Encore
Shout It Out Loud
Lick It Up
Cold Gin
Love Gun
Detroit Rock City

The Changing Of The Guards Part Three

In this three part series, I’m examining the bands that are on their way out, the bands that are in their prime, and the bands that are ready to take over the spotlight.

Part One: Bands Near Retirement can be found here: http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2009/11/changing-of-guards-part-one.html

and

Part Two: Bands In Their Prime is here: http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2009/11/changing-of-guard-part-two.html

Part Three: Bands Ready To Take The Limelight

Buckcherry
Although they have been together for over 10 years, Buckcherry are still new to the total domination of the world. Huge in the States, and gathering force throughout the rest of the world, Buckcherry is but one major headlining world tour away from being the next powerhouse, poised to stay around for 20, 30, or more years. When the band is on their game, they are unstoppable, as they showed during both the CrueFest and their current opening slot on the Kiss tour. Behind the album 15 they went on a never ending tour that lasted over 300 shows, which proves their commitment to their art. And the more a band tours, the larger the fan base they are going to attract. If there’s a band ready to be thrust into the spotlight and fill the void left by bands that are moving on or falling apart, Buckcherry is the band to accomplish just that. They are ready to take it to the next level and show the world what they are all about.



Papa Roach
Hot on the heels of Buckcherry is another exceptional band that not enough fans know about yet, Papa Roach. This is a band that has also been around for 10 years and has slowly built a loyal, die-hard following, one fan at a time. Their live show is insane with energy, the likes of which you’ve never seen. Lead singer Jacoby Shaddix is a madman in concert, always providing unlimited entertainment, interacting with the fans, and involving the crowd in every way possible. When performing live, Papa Roach deliver fans their money’s worth every single performance. Their musical style is evolving, and they are winning over new fans while keeping their longtime fans satisfied. With tours that never seem to end in between hit records, Papa Roach shows no signs of slowing down or calling it quits. They are here for the long haul and they are poised to take over as one of the next huge hard rock acts.



Hinder
With their next release (which will hopefully be out in 2010), Hinder is going to take over the rock world. There is no holding them back anymore, they are a band on the edge and they need just one more hit record to spring them into eternal greatness. Partying the likes of Guns N Roses, Van Halen, or Motley Crue in their heydays, producing exceptional rock and roll music complete with huge power ballads for the girls, and raunchy rockers for the guys, Hinder is a PR man’s dream. Both of their releases are smashing successes filled with excellent songs that sound even better live. The more you listen to this band, the bigger a fan you become. Haters (and there are plenty of them) take note: Hinder is the next level of greatness and they are going to be around for a very long time.



Theory of a Deadman
Although having been together since the early 2000s, Theory of a Deadman recently exploded across the scene with the massive Scars & Souvenirs, their third studio album. Backed by the radio friendly, chart topping hits, Bad Girlfriend, So Happy, and the teenage angst ridden, young adult understanding, older upset male chanting anthem, Hate My Life, Theory of a Deadman have found their voice and their audience. Initially written off as a Nickelback wannabe band, Theory have shown that they are worthy of their own audience of devout fans. Winning people over on the Motley Crue tour (twice) and crossing the country on their own club tour, Theory is getting road tested and proving their worth. Within 5 years, this will be the hottest ticket in town.



Nickleback
Love them or hate them, Nickelback is here to stay. They are one (two at the most) release away from launching themselves into the bands in their prime category and going down in history as a must see show. I know the haters want to write them off faster than Creed, but Nickelback is a band having fun, making great rock music, and living to perform live. While they record solid, pop radio friendly power ballads and cheese rock, there’s something about their music that just makes you feel good. And that feel good intensity carries over into their stage show. They put on a great performance every night, get the fans excited, interactive with them on every conceivable level, and give their best every time they hit the stage. Extensive nonstop touring behind their last two releases has only helped the band gain in popularity. Bringing out hot opening acts like Papa Roach, Breaking Benjamin, or Seether show their versatility and willingness to break into other markets, while opening those bands to Nickelback’s plethora of rabid fans. With their show and stage antics, Nickelback are true performers at heart. They don’t just go up and perform, behind the leadership of frontman Chad Kroeger, they put on a show. And it is that showmanship that is going to keep these guys rocking until the 2030s and beyond.



Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

Buckcherry - Live & Loud 2009

Every Sunday The Rock and Roll Guru reviews a new or classic music CD, DVD, or a rocking book.

Buckcherry, the band once dubbed the saviors of rock and roll, have released their first live CD in their illustrious on again/off again ten year career. So is this live record worth all the hype? Should we go out and add this to our collection? Let’s spin the disc and find out!

If you’ve seen Buckcherry in concert, then you understand the need for this live release. Upon seeing the band’s performance, fans are amortized and overtaken with the desire to relive the experience. Live & Loud 2009 helps to fill these desires.

Recorded in Canada during their current Black Butterfly world tour, Live & Loud launches with the fantastic Tired of You that only sounds better when played live. The band storms the stage with the adrenaline of a charging rhino. They are all business, but their business is a rock and roll party, which they pull off effortlessly on this live album.

Perhaps it was due to the fact that they knew a live recording was in progress, or perhaps it was because Buckcherry are just phenomenal in concert, but whatever the case, the band sounded terrific on this night of their tour. Captured in all of its live glory, these 15 songs tell the perfect tale of a Buckcherry concert. Josh Todd is in total frontman form, working the crowd and forcing their response with little effort. The band sounds studio perfect on every one of these 15 hits.

The early treasures are the best part of Live & Loud. Check Your Head, Lit Up and For The Movies are as powerful as they were during their release in 1999. The band’s decision to include the little known Lawless and Lulu on the live recording is a diehard fan’s treat. Almost unrecognizable at the mention of the title, once the first verse kicks in, it’s easy to imagine everyone nodding their head and saying, “Yeah, I know that song. I forgot about this one.”

A deeper surprise is the last song on the disc, Cream. Having never heard this song live in concert, it was a real pleasure to enjoy it live on this CD. The live version is just as good as its studio sister, and it was a perfect ending to a fantastic concert disc.

Holding high in the ranks with other notable live releases over the years, Live & Loud is a Buckcherry at their finest; a live recording containing enough deep cuts, new hits, and debut album classics to keep every fan happy. The only complaint that can be offered is the lack of cuts from their second album Time Bomb. While Ridin’ is included, the lack of other classics like Porno Star or Slamin’ is a disappointment, albeit a minor one.

Live & Loud is an excellent concert recording and a must have for the collection. It sets the stage for the fans to start demanding a live DVD, which hopefully will be recorded in the near future.

Ryo’s Rating: 8.5 (out of 10)

Track Listing
Tired of You
Next 2 You
Broken Glass
Check Your Head
Lit Up
Talk To Me
Rescue Me
Rose
For The Movies
Ridin’
Lawless and Lulu
Everything
Sorry
Crazy Bitch
Cream

New Videos To Overwhelm Your Senses

I’ve stumbled across some cool new videos this past week and thought that I would be kind enough to share them. Enjoy!

First up is Shinedown with The Sound of Madness. This song is a balls to the wall rocker and the video is just as loud and eerie. And is it me, or does lead singer Brent Smith look a little too much like Ozzy Osbourne in the beginning of this video?



Next, we have the latest from the All American Rejects, The Wind Blows. This is one of the slower songs from their latest disc, When The World Comes Down.



And finally, here’s Buckcherry with their new music video for Talk To Me. In typical Buckcherry fashion, the guys keep it fun and loose.



Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

CrueFest Part Four - August 23, 2008

Papa Roach
Sixx: AM
Trapt

Last week, I discussed Papa Roach’s amazing turn on the stage during CrueFest and how they turned me from casual fan to devoted die-hard with one performance. This week, I’ll delve into BuckCherry’s live outing.


With their new disc, Black Butterfly, a few weeks from release, Buckcherry was technically still supporting 15. I was expecting a typical set with Lit Up as the big closer and maybe even an encore. What I got was a totally unexpected turn on my head.

They ripped out onto the stage with Broken Glass from 15. This was never one of my favorite songs. It’s a rocking tune, but there’s something about it that never grabbed me. It didn’t bother the rest of the sold out crowd though, as they were all singing along.

Lit Up was the second song on the setlist, and I stopped in my tracks when they launched into it. I was shocked. Lit Up that early? Something special had to be planned. I sang/screamed along to their first ever hit with a big grin on my face. I always loved that song and to hear it that early in the performance meant good things ahead.

Josh Todd is a decent frontman, but much different than Jacoby Shaddix. Todd is subtler, slowly leading the crowd where he wants them to be, whereas Jacoby is in your face with demands. Both styles work for their respective bands. Todd spoke to the crowd with respect and gave his thanks for letting them perform so many shows. At that point they had done over 300 performances in support of 15.

They then launched into their new song …Too Drunk. A silly song, it sounded pleasurable live. The song has grown on me over time, but during the concert, it was one of the weaker songs played.

I must admit I was a little disappointed with Buckcherry’s setlist. I had seen them the year before as headliners and they played songs from every disc. Now, I know they had less time to work with as a supporting act, but they still could have worked in one or two songs from Time Bomb, which they ignored completely. The debut disc gave us the aforementioned Lit Up and two others. There was no Slammin, no Porno Star, no Check Your Head, no For the Movies… What the hell?

The big closing number was a drawn out, 15+ minute version of their biggest hit ever, Crazy Bitch I like the song as much as the next guy, and sometimes drawn out songs are good in concert, but I think they could have trimmed this to a 7-8 minute version and fit in a couple of other classics. (Like the ones I just mentioned).

This was Josh’s moment to work the crowd and he told a little story about what a crazy bitch is to him. It was comical and he did well eliciting crowd response. Gyrating and false fornicating on stage, Josh was being the sleazy rock star and it worked on that hot August night. The crowd loved it! A portion of Billy Squire’s The Stroke was inserted into the middle of their jam. When the band finally got back to the chorus after the long buildup, the entire theater was on their feet singing along and enjoying every word.

The band left the stage after that. No encore for Buckcherry either. While I thought they gave a solid performance, I still think it could have been better with the addition of one or two songs and a trimming of Crazy Bitch.

Before the concert I had read a lot of reviews on the tour and I had heard that people felt Papa Roach should be going on right before Motley. When I first read that, I thought that the writers were Buckcherry haters and didn’t know what they were like live, or that they hadn’t witnessed the full power of BC. However, after seeing the Cruefest, I am inclined to agree with those who said it before me. Papa Roach was the better band that night, and they should have had the slot before the Crue. They really whipped the crowd alive.

Next Week: Motley Crue Takes Us Home