“2012 Vans Warped Tour”
Date: Tuesday, July 17^th 2012
Venue: Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Darien Center, NY

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The rolling circus known as the Vans Warped Tour made its way to the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center in Darien Center, NY on July 17^th. Though the temperatures for the day reach triple digits and constant wind/dust pounded concert goers and performers the day was still packed with tons of great performances.

With the tour growing larger each year it was amazing to see just how far the tour has come since its inception in the mid 90’s. The year’s tour features 11 stages and a variety of vendors and exhibits. Due to the layout at this venue the two main stages were quite a distance apart causing some difficulty when trying to catch acts that had set times close to each other. The closeness of the set times is a common problem with festivals and this one was definitely no exception.

The always entertaining Of Mice and Men kicked off the day with an energy fueled performance that instantly ignited the crowd which was pretty impressive for an 11:30am start time. Though the bands performance was brief they packed every possible second with greatness. Other highlights of the day were Warped Tour veterans New Found Glory, hometown favorites Every Time I Die and an insanely brutal performance from the Troy, Ohio based band Miss May I.

Though the day was long, hot and dusty those in attendance didn’t seem to mind as the overall mood of the festival was fun and upbeat. Concert goers shifted from stage to stage with ease and most everyone in attendance was somewhat courteous. If you are planning on attending one of this year’s tour dates make sure you are prepared to not only have a great time but to also brave the various elements.

Stage Line Ups:

Kio Rio Stage                             Kia Soul Stage                                 Monster Energy Stage

Chelsea Grin                                  Of Mice & Men                                     Mayday Parade

Skinny Lister                                 Four Year Strong                              Vampires Everywhere

Breathe Caroline                          New Found Glory                              Bless the Fall

Every Time I Die                          Blood on the Dance Floor              You Me At Six

Miss May I                                      We The Kings                                       The Ghost Inside

Streetlight Manifesto                 Falling In Reverse                              For Today

All Time Low                                 Taking Back Sunday                           Title Fight

Pierce The Veil                               Yellow Card                                         Rise to Remain

Sleeping with Sirens

Motionless in White

Memphis Mayfire

Tillys Stage                        House of Marley Stage                          Kevin Says Stage

Vanna                                       Ballyhoo                                                            Twin Atlantic

I Fight Dragons                     Stepdad                                                              Matt Toka

Polar Bear Club                     The Constellations                                         Tonight Alive

Bayside                                     G-Eazy                                                                Skip the Foreplay

Man Overboard                     T.Mills                                                                Super Water Sympathy

Senses Fail                               Mod Sun                                                            The Stellar Life

We Are The Crowd               The Green                                                          We Are the Ocean

A Loss For Words                 Dustin Jones & The Rising Tide                The Silver Comet

Lostprophets                          Tomorrows Bad Seeds                                 Captain Capa

Justina                                       Echo Movement                                             Bang Ups

Funeral Party                                                                                                        Lost in Society

After the Burial

Cherri Bomb

Dead Sara

Ernie Ball Stage                        Acoustic Basement Stage          Silent Disco

Anchor Me Down                          Kevin Meyer                                            Tony D’ Angelo

Rose City Burial                             Mariko                                                        Sas Attack

Young Bloods                                 We Are the Ocean                                   DJ Saucy

Through the Floor                        Geof Rickley                                             Wick-It The Instigator

Rosedale                                           Brian Marquis

Greek Fire                                        Transit

Danielle Barbe                                Owen Plant

Cold Forty Three                           A Loss for Words

Transit                                                Make Do and mend

Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!        Koji

Born of Osiris                                   Anthony Raneri

Iwrestledabearonce                     Skinny Lister

Fireworks

Troy Harley

Bring It Back Stage                                                      Ourstage.com Stage

Abadawn & The Kill Party      Adrienne Mack-Davis                           Stateside

Blue Funk Squad                         One Be Lo                                                   Atlantic Avenue

Baxter Wordsworth                  Chicharones                                              Phone Calls from Home

Zeps & Damanalz                                                                                               Avalon Roe

Verble                                                                                                                    Prolong the Agony

Maulskull                                                                                                              Junk or Decore

Bboy Showcase                                                                                                   Wargames

Dox Black                                                                                                              Larry Gee

Subkulture Patriots

J Ross Parrelli

Oso Slick

Quite Nyce

“Tail Gates and Tan Lines Tour”
Luke Bryan, Justin Moore. Lee Brice
Date: Sunday, June 17th 2012
Venue: Tag’s Summer Stage, Big Flats, NY

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

 Luke Bryan’s “Tail Gates and Tan Lines” tour pulled into the Tag’s Summer Stage in the Upstate NY town of Big Flats on June 17th to kick off the venues 2012 concert season. Along with Luke Bryan were fellow country music acts Justin Moore and Lee Brice.

Long lines stretched out the venues gates as the estimated 5,000 concert goers made their way into the medium sized outdoor venue to enjoy a night of music from 3 country superstars. Lee Brice would kick off the night bringing his brand of rock infused country to the already near capacity crowd.

Brice played a number of songs off his latest album “Hard 2 Love” which quickly had fanson their feet and singing along. The set also included a guest performance from Today Show host Hoda Kotb. Justin Moore would take the stage next as the venue reached near capacity numbers and preceded to kick the energy level up a notch.Moore opened the set with the country meets rock song “Guns” before launching into hits such as “How I Got to Be This Way “, “Small Town USA” and closed out the night with the song “Backwoods”.

Luke Bryan closed out the night and immediately took control of the crowd which consisted mostly of cowboy hat clad women and their unsuspecting boyfriends. Bryan opened his set with the popular song “Rain Is a Good Thing” before leading into his latest single “Drunk On You” and the always popular number “Country Girl (Shake It for Me)”. Those in attendance were treated to a great night of music and entertainment as all three acts seemed to put their best effort forward. I highly recommend checking out the tour if it is making a stop in your area this summer.

Justin Moore Set List:
1.) Guns
2.) How I Got to Be This Way
3.) My Kind of Woman
4.) Backroad
5.) Twang
6.) Til My Last Day/I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends
7.) Heaven
8.) Beer Time
9.) Bait a Hook
10.) Rowdy Friends/Hank It
11.) Small Town
12.) Ass
13.) Backwoods

“Midwest Rock and Roll Express Tour”
Ted Nugent, Reo Speedwagon, Styx
Date: Friday, July 6th 2012
Venue: Tag’s Summer Stage, Big Flats, NY

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

The “Midwest Rock and Roll Express Tour” rolled into Tag’s Summer Stage in the Upstate NY town of Big Flats on July 17^th and put on a show that was overflowing with classic rock hits. Local musician Brian Hughes kicked off the night performing a brief solo set of acoustic cover tunes. Hughes was able to put an interesting spin on several classic songs to which the crowd responded with heavy applause.

The always loud and outspoken Ted Nugent would follow and though performing hits like “Strangle Hold” and the always popular “Cat Scratch Fever” Nugent did not perform his staple of shooting his guitar with a flaming arrow. That aside the band performed flawlessly and sounded great.

Reo Speedwagon would take the stage next coming right out of the gate with “Don’t Let Him Go” and “Take It on The Run” before settling in to acknowledge the crowd. The band played all of their hits and closed out the night just as the sun was setting with the song “Ridin’ The Storm Out”. Reo played at the top of their game and the sound crew continued to shine with crystal clear sound which only added to the bands always upbeat performance.

Styx would close out the night as the near capacity crowd was on their feet from the opening notes of “Blue Collar Man” to the last notes of “Renegade” closed out the show. Tommy Shaw though appearing to be a bit under the weather still put on stellar performance. The band was full of energy interacting with each other and the crowd. The always animated Lawrence Gowan danced and spun around on his keyboard stand at dizzying speeds all without missing a beat.

The lineup, production and sound are top notch on this tour and if it’s making a stop in your area or nearby I highly recommend checking it out as the show is worth way more than the price of admission.

Ted Nugent :

1.) Wango Tango

2.) Just What the Doctor Ordered

3.) Free For All

4.) Stormtroopin’

5.) Wang Dang Sweet Poontang

6.) I Can’t Quite You Babe

7.) Hey Baby

8.) Cat Scratch Fever

9.) Strangle Hold

Reo Speedwagon:

1.) Don’t Let Him Go

2.) Take It on The Run

3.) Keep Pushin’

4.) Golden Country

5.) Can’t Fight This Feeling

6.) That Ain’t Love

7.) Like You Do

8.) Time For Me To Fly

9.) Back on the Road Again

10.) Roll With The Changes

11.) Keep on Loving You

12.) Ridin’ The Storm Out

Styx:

1.) Blue Color Man

2.) The Grand Illusion

3.) Too Much Time On My Hands

5.) Lorelei

6.) Man in the Wilderness

7.) Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)

8.) Miss America

9.) Come Sail Away

10.) Rockin’ the Paradise

11.) Renegade 

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“Rob Zombie & Megadeth”
Rob Zombie, Megadeth, Lacuna Coil
Date: Saturday, May 12th 2012
Venue: Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

On Saturday May 12th Rob Zombie and Megadeth came to the Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain in Scranton, PA. The co-headlining tour featured Rob Zombie, Megadeth and Lacuna Coil. It was a great night for music as the weather was perfect and the secluded hill top setting at the Toyota Pavilion made for a great concert experience.

The Italian rock/metal band Lacuna Coil started the show off and though the venue was still filling up at this point the fans that got there early were treated to a solid performance. Front woman Cristina Scabbia commanded the crowd’s attention which helped take the bands performance to the next level. Megadeth would take the stage next and were relentless in their approach. The band sounded fantastic blasting out song after song. The set was a mixture of newer songs such as “Never Dead” and “Public Enemy No. 1” as well as Megadeth classics “Sweating Bullets” and “Peace Sells”. Dave Mustain interacted off and on with the crowd and he and the rest of the band seemed very appreciate of the crowds applause and reactions. Horror Rock icon Rob Zombie would close out the night backed by his band consisting of John 5, Piggy D and newly acquired drummer Ginger Fish formerly of Marilyn Manson. The band played what could be considered as a greatest hits set, minus a few of the hits to the estimated 4,500 fans in attendance. Though the band sounded decent, I think it’s time for Rob to go back to the drawing board and design a new show. Fans saw an almost exact copy of the 2010 Halloween Hootenanny/Gruesome Twosome show and a similar set list. The brief 12 song set featured staple tracks such “Superbeast” and “Living Dead Girl”. The most notable event of the night came in the way of Zombie’s encore which started off with a pieced together trailer for his new film “Lords of Salem”.

Co-headlining tours are becoming more and more of a staple due to the ever changing economy. This has been both a blessing and a curse. Yes fans get to see several great acts for the price of one ticket however, in the essence of time bands are cutting their sets shorter and shorter. This tour is a perfect example of that. 12 songs by the tour “headliner” is just sad in my opinion. I only hope that if these co-headliner tours continue bands remember that it’s about the quality of the performance not the quantity of the bands on the bill.

Megadeth Set List:
1.) Never Dead
2.) Hangar 18
3.) Head Crusher
4.) In My Darkest Hour
5.) Trust
6.) She-Wolf
7.) Sweating Bullets
8.) A Tout Le Monde
9.) Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)
10.) Public Enemy No. 1
11.) Symphony of Destruction
12.) Peace Sells
13.) Holy Wars…The Punishment Due

Rob Zombie Set List:
1.) Jesus Frankenstein
2.) Superbeast
3.) Scum of the Earth
4.) Never Gonna Stop (The Red, Red Koovy)
5.) Living Dead Girl
6.) More Human Than Human
7.) Demonoid Phenomenon
8.) Sick-Bubble Gum
9.) Mars Needs Women
10.) Pussy Liquor
11.) Thunder Kiss ‘65
12.) Dragula

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“MassChaos Tour 2012”
Godsmack, Staind, Halestorm, Brook Royal
Date: Sunday, May 13th 2012
Venue: Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The “MassChaos Tour” made a stop at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton, NY on Sunday May 13th.The tour consists of native Massachusetts’s bands Godsmack and Staind along with special guests Halestorm and Brook Royal. This tour marks the first time the two Mass. natives have toured together.

The Broome County Veterans Arena is an older venue which is in desperate need of some upgrades. The venues biggest issue is the small entrance which caused fans to be backed up around the entire venue causing extremely long wait times. Once in the venue though fans were treated to a brief set by the band Brook Royal. Though I found the band to be nothing out of the ordinary they did use their time on stage wisely by playing song after song. Halestorm took the stage next and struggled through a number of mic issues which seemed to plague vocalist/guitarist Lzzy Hale resulting in her being very difficult to hear. Co-headliner Staind would be up next and treated the crowd to a strobe light induced barf fest as they played a spattering of songs tinged with hits such as “Outside” and “It’s been Awhile”. I found the bands performance to be stiff and somewhat boring. At times it seemed as though lead singer Aaron Lewis was just going through the proverbial motions. Despite my feelings towards the performance fans were on their feet showing their appreciation from start to the very end of the bands hour long set. Godsmack would close out the night and though the production of the show was much more scaled back than previous tours the band still

delivered. Front man Sully Erna worked the crowd back and forth as the night progressed kicking off songs such as “Keep Away” and “Cryin’ Like a Bitch”. Before the night was over Erna and drummer Shannon Larkin put the icing on the cake by treating the crowd to their signature dueling drum solos. This has been an amazing Godsmack live staple since the group’s 2003 Faceless tour.

Though the show had some technical difficulties and abbreviated sets the Binghamton crowd seemed appreciative of all the bands performances. The bands also seemed appreciative even though the venue was only about half full. There are few bands out there today still willing to tour outside the major markets and play smaller venues however the “MassChaos Tour” is making stops all over the U.S. which is something that I think is really great. If the tour is coming to a city near you make sure you check it out.

Halestorm Set List:
1.) Love Bites (So Do I)
2.) Mz. Hyde
3.) I Miss the Misery
4.) Freak Like Me
5.) Familiar Taste of Poison
6.) Rock Show
7.) It’s Not You
8.) Here’s to Us

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

Godsmack Set List:
1.) Awake
2.) The Enemy
3.) Good Day to Die
4.) Keep Away
5.) The oracle
6.) Love, Hate, Sex, Pain
7.) Cryin’ Like a Bitch
8.) Rocky Mountain Way
9.) Voodoo
10.) Batalla de Los Tambores
11.) Whatever
12.) I Stand Alone

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“End Game Tour 2012”
Rise Against, A Day To Remember, Title Fight
Date: Tuesday, May 8th 2012
Venue: New York State Fairgrounds

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Rise Against played the Chevy Court at the New York State Fairgrounds on Tuesday, May 8th as part of the bands “End Game 2012 Tour” The tour is in support of the band’s latest album of the same name which was release earlier this year. The tour line-up also featured Title Fight and the always entertaining A Day To Remember. Even though the weather at times was not the best causing a number of giant mud pits each of the three bands put on a solid performance for the assembled crowd.

Title Fight from Kingston, PA kicked off the show and received a warm reception from the crowd which was a mixture of styles and ages. Crowd favorite A Day To Remember were up next and once the band hit the stage the energy level went through the roof. The bands set featured flying beach balls, toilet paper and a giant hamster ball which singer Jeremy McKinnon used to walk over the top of the crowd. The later part of the bands set featured some of the bands more popular songs such as “Better Off This Way” and “All I Want”. As the storm clouds began to move in and day shifted to night headliner Rise Against would take the stage. After a brief intro taken from the 1970 film “Catch-22” the band launched into a thought provoking, energy filled set. The band wasted no time and played song after song. Though the band sounded muffled at time their set was still very tight. The set featured a number of Rise Against staples as well as some new songs off of the “End game” album. Later in the set fans were treated to an acoustic performance of “Swing Life Away” and a few other acoustic numbers. The band closed out the night with an extended version of the hit song “Savior” which left the muddy masses tired but still had them begging for more.

A Day to Remember Set List:
1.) The Downfall Of Us All
2.) A Shot in the Dark
3.) I’m Made of Wax Larry, What Are You Made Of?
4.) My Life For Hire
5.) All Signs Point to Lauderdale
6.) 2nd Sucks
7.) You Be Tails, I’ll Be Sonic
8.) It’s Complicated
9.) Homesick
10.) Better Off This Way
11.) Have Faith In Me
12.) All I Want
13.) The Plot to Bomb The Panhandle
Rise Against Set List:
1.) Survivor Guilt
2.) Ready to Fall
3.) Collapse (Post-Amerika)
4.) The Good Left Undone
5.) Broken English
6.) Help Is on the Way
7.) Disparity by Design
8.) Drones
9.) Re-Education (Through Labor)
10.) Blood to Bleed
11.) Satellite
12.) Paper Wings
13.) Prayer of the Refugee
14.) Audience of One
15.) Swing Life Away
16.) Make It Stop
17.) Give It All
18.) Midnight Hands
19.) The Strength to Go On
20.) Savior

Aretha Franklin
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Kansas City, Missouri
May 8, 2012

A few years ago, “Rolling Stone” magazine published a list of the 100 greatest voices in rock and roll history.  No surprise that number one went to the Queen of Soul herself, Ms. Aretha Franklin.  At the beautiful Kauffman Center in Kansas City, her majesty held court for a sold out audience.  And she didn’t disappoint.

Cloaked in a fur coat and carrying her pocketbook, as if she was just stopping by to say hello, Ms. Franklin opened her show with a rousing version of Jackie Wilson’s “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher.”  For the next hour and a half she regaled the audience with many of her hits (“Think,” “Chain of Fools”) as well as some surprises.

The show went off without a hitch.  Almost.  After her second number Ms. Franklin requested that the stage airconditioning be turned off, threatening to leave the stage if it wasn’t.  “I came to give Kansas City my best performance,” she informed the unknown tech, again requesting the a/c be cut.  Thankfully for all in attendance it was.  Later in the show one of her bracelets fell off.  She eventually enlisted the help of her band director, who refastened it to much applause.

Ms. Franklin was in fine voice, hitting all of the notes the audience expected.  She kicked off the second act of her show by sitting down at the piano and paying tribute to one of her mentors, the late, great Sam Cooke.  While images of Cooke were shown on the video screen, Ms. Franklin sang one of Cooke’s biggest hits, “You Send Me.”  “Jesus” she said, as shots of the handsome Cooke filled the screen, “he was a fine man!”  She followed up with a moving tribute

to the late Whitney Houston, singing a few bars of “I Will Always Love You.”  She concluded the second act with an audience favorite, “Freeway of Love.”

For her encore she informed the audience that the other night she had seen one of her five favorite films on television (among her favorites: “Dr. Zhivago,” “The Thomas Crown Affair” and “Lady Sings the Blues.”  I can only assume one of them is “The Blues Brothers.”)  She then delivered a moving version of “The Way We Were.”  She concluded the evening with her signature number, “Respect.”

On a side note, I must add here that this was my first visit to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and it was easily one of the most beautiful venues I’ve attended an event at, The complex, along with the Sprint Center, is one of the crown jewels in Kansas City’s performing arts crown.

SET LIST:  (Your Love Is Lifting Me) Higher and Higher, Share Your Love with Me, Think, Baby I Love You, Something He Can Feel, Chain of Fools, Ain’t No Way, Instrumental Highlights (the band was TIGHT), Find Me An Angel, Help Me Lift Him Up, You Send Me, I Will Always Love You, Freeway of Love.  ENCORE:  The Way We Were, Respect.

Engelbert Humperdinck
Northern Quest Resort & Casino
Airway Heights, WA
April 29th, 2012

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

Engelbert Humperdinck has been entertaining for 45 years and shows no signs of slowing down. While watching his perform, he just looks like he is having the time of his life during every song. He never stops strutting his stuff and dancing throughout the show. He also not only engages his fans with amazing stories in between but he even invites them up on the stage. For a man that is 75 years old, he acts half his age and puts to shame many of our current performers that have forgotten what is it like to perform live. Overall he just has this wonderful stage presence and it comes through with his fans and through this music.

I wasn’t able to personally attend this show but thanks to the wonders of the internet, I was able to be their watching it live from the comfort of my home. Thanks to Front and Center for setting up this fantastic streaming concert. The concert played perfectly without a hitch and did not encounter any streaming issues. It wasn’t just one boring camera angle either. There was numerous cameras constantly changing covering the whole stage. The sound quality was also very impressive, especially for streaming internet.

The concert ran from about 90 minutes and he really covered all of his classics. In this show he covers classics like “Quando, Quando, Quando”, “The Last Waltz” and “Release Me”. I also really enjoyed his new song for Eurovision 2012 and also currently #1 on the charts in the UK, “Love Will Set You Free”. Engelbert even covers classics like “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” and Bryan Adams’ “When You Love a Woman” along with his great guitarist Yohan Frank. What I like most about hearing him life is that he sounds exactly like he does on the album. Engelbert’s voice just sounds fantastic and he is not afraid to belt out some big notes.

Engelbert is one of the last great entertainers and he puts on what a great show. I also really enjoyed his video clips including a funny comedy act from Eddie Izzard and a rare performance with Engelbert and Dean Martin. I have never had the privilege of seeing Engelbert in person, which I hope will change very soon. You here that Engelbert…come to the Orlando FL area soon!!

“Return of the World Maggot Tour”
GWAR, Municipal Waste, Ghoul, Legacy of Disorder
Date: Thursday, March 22nd 2012
Venue: Wescott Theater, Syracuse, NY

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

The theatrical shock rock band GWAR made its way back to the Wescott Theater in Syracuse, NY on March 22nd as part of their “Return of the World Maggot Tour”. Though the venue was not completely full GWAR and the rest of the bands on the bill provided a great night of entertainment for those brave enough to weather the dousing’s of fake blood and ooze.

Legacy of Disorder who hails from New Zealand started the night off playing what could be considered as a unique blend of technical grind metal. Though the crowd response was somewhat minimal as fans were still filtering through the doors the band played a solid, straight forward set. Ghoul would take the stage next bringing their own style of horror inspired theatrics to the stage. The band clad in blood stained burlap hoods set the tone for what was to come later in the evening. At several point during the bands set they treated the crowd to free blood showers and some comedic banter provided by vocalist/guitarist Digestor and bassists/vocalist Cremator. Thrash heavy weights Municipal Waste were up next and elevated the night’s energy to a whole new level. Singer Tony Foresta worked the crowd into a frenzy by enlisting the help of the ever so popular “Wall of Death” and the more traditional “Circle Pit”. As the crowd slammed away to classic tracks by the band they were also treated to several new songs off the bands upcoming album “The Fatal Feast: Waste in Space”.

The latex clad kings of Richmond, VA better known as GWAR would close out the night leaving no stone or person un-bloodied. The band blasted out vintage tunes such as “Sadam A Go Go” and “Crack in the Egg” along with songs of the bands more recent album “Bloody Pit of Horror”. A likeness of “Jersey Shore” star Snookie was brought out and quickly put to rest by GWAR front man Oderus Urungus and his slaves which sent fake blood and ooze spewing everywhere. Later on in the evening the dreaded “World Maggot” was awoken from its slumber and preceded to attack a couple of unworthy slave pit scum before being beheaded by the bands faithful side kick Bone Snapper. Gwar closed out the night with “The Road Behind” which was a touching tribute to guitarist Cory Smoot aka Flattus Maximus. Smoot passed away while on the bands previous tour from a pre-existing heart condition. All in all those in attendance appeared to leave happy and will undoubtedly be going to work or school the following day with tinges of red and green speckling their skin.

GWAR Set List:
1.) Zombies, March!
2.) Sadam A Go Go
3.) Immortal Corrupter
4.) Crack in the Egg
5.) Jagermonsta
6.) Bring Back the Bomb
7.) Tormentor
8.) KZ Necromancer
9.) The Salamanizer
10.) Uberklaw
11.) Ham on the Bone
12.) Metal Metal Land
13.) Sick of You
14.) Maggots
15.) Road Behind

Thomas Dolby
“Time Capsule Tour”
The Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT
March 31, 2012

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

“I keep hearing about artists who have made a big comeback album after 2 years. Try two decades.”

Yes, indeed: it’s been 20 years since Thomas Dolby released his last disc comprised of original material, 1992’s “Astronauts & Heretics”. And it’s been 30 years since the release of his signature hit song, “She Blinded Me With Science”, in 1982.

None of the elapsed decades seemed to make any difference whatsoever at the Ridgefield Playhouse stop of Thomas’ appropriately-named “Time Capsule” tour, though. Throughout the entire show, Dolby more than adequately proved that his abilities as both a musician and a songwriter have not diminished one iota over the course of time that he’s been largely absent from the music scene. And he’s still one hell of a storyteller, both in terms of lyrics and between-song recollections and anecdotes that are full of his distinct British wit and accessible sophistication.

Even though Dolby may be dismissed by most as an 80’s one-hit-wonder, his musical catalog has always showcased a myriad of musical styles and influences – all of which he handles with a degree of mastery that makes each foray its own wonderful little aural journey. The cross-section of songs played in Ridgefield readily displayed this as Dolby bounced from quiet piano ballads (“Love is a Loaded Pistol”) to ethereal jazz crooning (“The Flat Earth”) and even some toe-tappin’ knee-slapping country bluegrass (“The Toad Lickers”).

Unlike his one-man “Sole Inhabitant” tour in 2006 in which he surrounded himself on three sides with an array of techogadgetry and delivered songs entirely synthesized, Dolby brought along a backing band this time around. Comprised of drummer Matt Hector and guitarist Kevin Armstrong (with occasional appearances by opening act bluegrass musicians Aaron Jonah Lewis and Ben Belcher), his musical entourage added the right level of instrumentation to Dolby’s songs – never overpowering the maestro’s keyboards but never slipping too far into the background as to become irrelevant.

The 110-minute, 16-song set concert touched upon all of five of his studio releases, including his most-recent release, “A Map of the Floating City”. There was even time for one mega-obscurity: 1986’s collaboration with Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Field Work”, a song that had never appeared on a Dolby album until the 2009 reissue of his debut disc, “The Golden Age of Wireless”. And, of course, a little bit of “Science” was thrown in for good measure.

It’s refreshing to have Dolby back on the scene performing music that’s every bit as powerful as it was decades ago as well as new material that easily matches the caliber of his earlier work. In a day and age that seems to produce so few virtuoso musicians, Dolby’s “Time Capsule” is a pill that, when taken, reminds us how rich and rewarding pop music can be when prescribed by someone as gifted as he genuinely is. One can only hope that Thomas doesn’t go on another multi-year sabbatical. I’m going to need a refill sooner than that.

To read Dave’s interview with Thomas Dolby, please click here.
To read Dave’s review of Thomas Dolby’s “A Map of the Floating City”, please click here.

For more information about Thomas Dolby, visit www.thomasdolby.com

“The Toasters 30^th Anniversary Tour”
The Toasters, The Rudie Crew, The XSKAVATORS
Date: Friday, February 24^th 2012
Venue: The Haunt, Ithaca, NY

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The Toasters 30^th Anniversary tour made a stop in the eclectic college town of Ithaca, NY on Feb. 24^th where they performed to a diverse crowd sprinkled with punks and old school rude boys. The first group to take the stage was The Rudie Crew who like The Toasters hail from New York, New York. The group performed a 40 minute set playing what could be described as Rasta infused ska music. The group provided an upbeat performance which got the crowd instantly off their checker clad feel. Home town favorites The XSKAVATORS would take the stage next performing their own unique version of early traditional ska.

The Toasters would close out the night providing me with some great flash back moments from the first time I saw the band some 13 years ago. Lead vocalist and guitarist Robert “Bucket” Hingley and his band belted out such classic hits as “2 Tone Army, “Dub 56” and “Weekend in LA”. As the crowd continued to skank their way through the evening the band closed out the night with their classic anthem “Don’t Let the Bastards Grind You Down”. Though the band now features a stripped down 5 piece line up The Toasters still provided their signature big band sound. The only negative from the night came in the way of time. The first group did not take the stage until 10:30pm which was an hour and a half after their scheduled time. After two stage changes and 3 full sets of music the show finally wrapped up at around 2 am making for a very long night.

The Toasters Set List:
1.)    House of Soul
2.)    Two Tone Army
3.)    Shocker
4.)    I’m Running Right Through the World
5.)    East Side Beat
6.)    Run Rudy Run
7.)    Social Security
8.)    Pirate Radio
9.)    Sitting on Top of the World
10.)  Dub 56
11.)  History Book
12.)  Talk is Cheap
13.)  Dog Eat Dog
14.)  Ploughshares Into Guns
15.)  Matt Davis
16.)  One Track Mind
17.)  Weekend in LA
18.)  Decision at Midnight
19.)  Don’t Let the Bastards Grind You Down

“A Different Kind of Truth Tour”
Van Halen, Kool & the Gang
Date: Friday, March 9th 2012
Venue: First Niagara Center Buffalo, NY

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Van Halen made a stop at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, NY on March 9th as part of their “A Different Kind of Truth” tour. The tour is in support of the band’s latest album of the same name and, is the first studio recording to feature original vocalist David Lee Roth since 1984. The unlikely act of Kool & the Gang would kick off the show playing an hour long set that filled the arena with the bands own special blend of R&B. Fans present for the group’s performance seemed a little baffled as to why this style of band was opening for a rock act. This question has plagued the tour since the line ups initial announcement and it will mostly likely be noted as one of the more odd tour line ups.

Van Halen would take the stage after a brief intermission and seemed to catch the crowd off guard as the set was kicked off by Alex Van Halen blasting into the classic Kinks song “You Really got Me” all while the house lights were still up. Within seconds the rest of the band was on stage and the crowd was on their feet. A place they would remain their throughout the rest of the evening. Though the show did not appear to be a sellout fans in attendance were treated to classic Roth era hits such as “Everybody Wants Some!!”, “Dance the Night Away” and “Jump”. The set also featured several new tracks off the bands newly released album. The entire band sounded and looked great. Each member appeared to be in great spirits as there was a lot of interaction between the members. I felt the set list for the night could have featured a few more of the bands hits and, I think everyone in attendance would have really enjoyed Michael Anthony back on bass completing the bands classic original line-up. One could only hope that we see that reunion sooner than later.

Van Halen Set List:
1.) You Really Got Me
2.) Runnin’ With the Devil
3.) She’s the Woman
4.) Romeo Delight
5.) Tattoo
6.) Everybody Wants Some!!
7.) Somebody Get Me a Doctor
8.) China Town
9.) Hear About it Later
10.) Oh, Pretty Woman
11.) Drum Solo
12.) Unchained
13.) The Trouble with Never
14.) Dance the Night Away
15.) I’ll Wait
16.) Hot For Teacher
17.) Women in Love
18.) Girl Gone Bad
19.) Beautiful Girls
20.) Ice Cream Man
21.) Panama
22.) Guitar Solo
23.) Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
24.) Jump

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“Reborn In Defiance Tour”
Biohazard, Sworn Enemy, Ghost Ship, Caustic Method, Jonestown
Date: Wednesday, February 8th 2012
Venue: Station 58, Syracuse, NY

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Biohazard brought their brand of NY hardcore to Station 58 in Syracuse, NY on Wed. Feb. 8th and even though the turn out for the show was somewhat small and, Biohazard guitarist Bobby Hambel was suffering from pneumonia the Brooklyn born band still put on a great show for all those in attendance.

Jonestown hailing from Watertown, NY kicked off the show as fans slowly made their way through the intimate venues door. A small number of people posed no problem for the band as they put on performance as though the venue was filled to capacity. Fan favorite Caustic Method took the stage in the form of a 3 piece due in part to still training a new guitar player. You wouldn’t have known the band was playing a man down as they blasted through a 30 minute set which had people banging their heads and pumping their fists. Syracuse’s own Ghost Ship followed and performed a solid straight edge filled set reminiscent of early spirit 90’s era Earth Crisis shows.

Veteran hardcore group Sworn Enemy was on next and after a brief stage change proceeded to kick the night/crowd into a giant circle pit of fury. Performing a variety of songs from the bands 17 year career did a great job of priming the crowd for what was to come. As soon as their last song was done the crowd pushed forward in preparation for the nights headlining act to take the stage.

Biohazard helmed by energetic vocalist/guitarist Billy Graziadei hit the stage at 10pm and for one sweat filled hour packed enough punch in their set to knock out the likes of UFC champion Anderson Silva. Despite guitarist Bobby Hambel suffering from a severe case of pneumonia he played as nothing was wrong and only paused for a brief second to throw up behind his amp once or twice. The set list featured a variety of classic songs and a few songs of the band’s latest album titled “Reborn in Defiance”. Even though the bands line up was not fully the original due to former bassist/vocalist Evan Seinfeld leaving the band last year Scott Roberts did a great job filling the void. On February 8th, Biohazard proved to Syracuse, NY that they are still the raining kings on NYC hardcore.

Biohazard Set List:
1. Urban Discipline
2. What Makes Us Tick
3. Chamber Spins Three
4. Reborn
5. Black and White and Red All Over
6. Retribution
7. Down For Life
8. Come Alive
9. Vengeance is Mine
10. Shades of Grey
11. Love Denied
12. Howard Beach
13. Punishment
14. Hold My Own

“Children of Bodom’s 15th Anniversary Tour”
Children of Bodom, Eluveite, Revocation and Threat Signal
Date: Monday, January 30th 2012
Venue: Water St. Music Hall, Rochester, NY

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

January 30th ad the Water Street Music Hall in Rochester, NY played host to the third show of a 36 date tour which is celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Finnish heavy metal group Children of Bodom. Along with Children of Bodom the nights line up featured special guests Eluveite, Revocation and Threat Signal.

Ontario, Canada’s Threat Signal kicked off the show playing a blend of harmony infused metal that did a great job priming the audience. Though their set was brief the band seemed to put everything they had into their performance. Revocation would take the stage next and treated the crowd to what could be described as Mid-Evil Metal. Front man Dave Davidson did a great job of setting the story for each epic song prior to its performance. This only seemed to draw the crowd more into the band’s blend of progressive, mystically tinged music.

The 8 piece Celtic-metal group known as Eluveite would be up next and despite every inch of the stage being filled with band members and instruments Eluveite stole the show. Lead vocalist Chrigel Glanzmann had the crowd in the palm of his hand during the bands 40 min. set. Chrigel and the rest of the band filled the venue with a variety of unique sound normally not heard in the metal genre. The band performed a number of tracks off their 2010 release “Everything Remains (As It Never Was)” album as well as a few new songs off the upcoming “Helvetios” album. After an impressive 40 min. performance the band left the stage to repeated chants of “one more song”.

Children of Bodom closed out the night treating the fans with songs that spanned their 15 year career. Front man Alexi Laiho put on a blinding display of guitar playing only further confirming why he is often considered one of the top metal guitarists of the day. Through most of the set I found Alexi’s vocals hard to hear over the deafening roar of guitar and drums. This could have been attributed to the tour being only on its third show and still having some bugs needing to be worked out or, the band is really just the loud. Over all the bands performance was ok. Personally I would have liked to have heard one or two covers tracks off the bands “Blooddrunk” album.

If you have never seen Children of Bodom before I highly recommend making out to one of the shows on this tour. I recommend getting their early as the entire tour package is really solid. Also you definitely won’t want to miss Eluveite.

Children of Bodom Set List:
1. Shovel Knockout
2. Are You Dead Yet?
3. Not My Funeral
4. Kissing the Shadows
5. Living Dead Beat
6. Round Trip to Hell and Back
7. COB/Deadnight Warrior/Hate Me!
8. SixPounder
9. BloodDrunk
10. Angels Don’t Kill
11. In Your Face
12. HCDR
13. Bodom After Midnight
14. Bodom Beach Terror
15. Downfall

Artist: Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band
Date: February 4th, 2012
Venue: Amway Center- Orlando, FL
Tour: Welcome to Fin Land

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

I have been a fan of Jimmy Buffett for at least the past 15 years or so but I am embarrassed to say that I have never attended a live concert. Now if you are Buffett fan or a Parrothead as they are called you know that it is the only way to party and listen to his music. Let me tell you one thing, FL knows how to party. It was quite an experience and I have to say Jimmy Buffett and his band, The Coral Reefers, really know how to put on a performance. There was so much energy in the Amway Center,  it was extremely infectious.

You know you are going to have a great time that before the concert even begins within the audience there is probably around 50 beach balls flying in every single direction. When Jimmy and the band takes the stand you just couldn’t help but shoot up out of your seat and scream! For someone like Jimmy Buffett that has been touring since 1976, you would think that this was his first time out. He sang his songs, barefoot, and did not stop smiling and grinning the entire time. You can just tell when someone is enjoying themselves and it definitely translates into the audience’s participation as well.

About 30 minutes into the 2+ hour concert, my wife turned and looked at me and said “what songs is he going to sing for an encore, he is playing all the good ones now”. It just a small reflection of how the night was going to pan out. The set list was absolutely fantastic, totaling 24 songs and 3 in the encore.  He kicked it off with all of my favorites songs and didn’t let up for one single second. It was just song after song and hit after hit. After years of listening to the concerts live on SiriusXM Margaritaville, I am very happy that I finally got the chance to experience the wonder that is Jimmy Buffett.  I think there might be only one small problem…I might be hooked. Until next time Mr. Buffett…

1. The Wino and I Know
2. License to Chill
3. It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere
4. Pencil Thin Mustache
5. Come Monday
6. Life Is Just a Tire Swing
7. Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes
8. Grapefruit—Juicy Fruit
9. Bama Breeze
10. Volcano
11. Cheeseburger in Paradise
12. One Particular Harbour
13. Creola
14. Floridays
15. Why Don’t We Get Drunk
16. Margaritaville
17. Son of a Son of a Sailor
18. School Boy Heart
19. Last Mango in Paris
20. Knee Deep
21. Woman Goin’ Crazy on Caroline Street
22. A Pirate Looks at Forty
23. Back Where I Come From (Mac McAnally cover)
24. Southern Cross (Crosby, Stills & Nash cover)

25. Fins
26. Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison cover)
27. Tin Cup Chalice