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Saints Of Los Angeles July 27, 2008
Friday 08-01-2008 3:09pm MT
Crue Fest. PARTAAAYYYYY!!! Sixx: AM. After Trapt kicked off the festivities, Nikki Sixx's new band played a lively set. The new album, 'The Heroin Diaries: A Year In The Life Of A Shattered Rock Star', is a concept album. The show started off with straight ahead hard rock, but then, as concept albums do, forayed into the dramatic, introspective realm. I turned to my partner in rock TC at one point and said, "I didn't know Queen was in town". They finished with the new single 'Tomorrow' and of course their crowd pleasing big hit 'Life Is Beautiful'. The anthemic chorus had the audience singing along and sounded great. (Of course life is beautiful if you have millions of dollars and date Playboy Playmates). After the set, the band, except for Nikki, milled about the venue. Hangin' with the fans and posing for pictures. After Papa Roach and Buckcherry played, the Saints Of Los Angeles took the stage. Amazing pyrotechnics and brilliant lighting assisted the band as they kicked ass through their tried and true hits. 'Live Wire' was my favorite (I need more cowbell!). The sound quality was phenomenal, and the boys were definitely on their game. These tattooed bad boys know how to work it. They know how to keep the guys rockin' and the girls hot and bothered. A neat trick to be sure. Over the years these showmen have gone from shock rockers to consummate professionals. They have great stage presence, they are smooth, and they make it look easy. But don't panic, they're still Motley Crue. Raw and Rude. The concert was down and dirty as a Crue show should be. Saints they are not. But when you are partying with Motley Crue on a hot summer night, flirting with Girls, Girls, Girls, Life is indeed Beautiful. Johnny Mustache I Want You To Want Me
Wednesday 07-16-2008 6:32am MT
Cheap Trick opened for Journey and Heart at the Fiddler's Green on Wednesday night. It was the first show of the tour, and CT kicked it off right with a fun, rockin' set of classics. This group of eclectic misfits has still got it: Rick Nielsen - the wacky, spirited lead guitarist with one of the most amazing guitar collections in the history of the world; Tom Petersson - (inventor of the 12-string bass) with his 'just stepped out of the salon' stylish look; Bun E. Carlos - proof that even dorky looking dudes can rip it up and be Rock Stars; And, last but certainly not least, the voice, the look, the poise, and the charisma of Robin Zander. I know this sounds a little wimpy, but the highlight of the show came when Cheap Trick played the song 'The Flame'. (Hey, we Metal Mass guys have feelings too. We're not just tight jeans, bulging biceps, and sexy hair). Hitting the note towards the end of that song on the word 'Flame', is somewhat akin to hitting the word 'Free' in the 'Star Spangled Banner'. Zander nailed it. He not only hit the note, he held it with singing sustain and made the crowd go wild. I looked to the side of the stage at that moment and saw the sound man raise his arms and signal 'touchdown'. Hot stuff! Surrender to Rock 'N' Roll.
Surrender to the Dream Police.
Surrender to Cheap Trick. Johnny Mustache
Somewhere Back In Time
Thursday 05-29-2008 8:36am MT
Journal Pavilion Albuquerque, NM ROAD TRIP. If Iron Maiden won't come to Johnny Mustache, Johnny Mustache will go to Iron Maiden. For some strange reason known only to Eddie and the Pharohs, Maiden decided to skip Denver on their current tour. So your Metal Mass correspondent (Trooper that I am) braved Memorial Day traffic on a musical quest. The show took place at the 30,000-plus person Journal Pavilion - an outdoor amphitheater similar to Fiddler's Green. And let me tell you New Mexicans love their Metal. Fully half of the drunken fools at the show were sporting Eddie shirts. Very cool. The concert was a killer. Sold out show. The set design was the legendary World Slavery Tour ('84-'85) - Egyptian theme with pyramids, hieroglyphs, Anubis statues, and the Sphinx with Eddie's face. The sound was excellent and the band was tight as a drum. When Maiden's axemen play their patented melodic riffs, then combine the guitars and harmonize the riffs an octave apart, it's pure magic. No wonder these blokes have sold an astounding 100 million albums. The highlight of the performance was 'Rime of the Ancient Mariner' - the epic 13 minute song based on the poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Dramatic, imagery-laden, with a 'Pirates of the Carribean' storyline. Amazing. These tattooed millionaires are still on top of their game and show no sign of slowing down. So write your local Congressman and demand Iron Maiden schedule a Denver date. So Many Parties - Only One Johnny
Tuesday 05-13-2008 7:46am MT
Stephen Pearcy rocked the house Sunday night . . .so I heard. Yes, that's right, your Metal Mass correspondent, Johnny Mustache, missed the concert. I fully intended to go, but I started drinking early and next thing I know it was lights out, the fat lady sang, and that was all she wrote. It's too bad because I'm a big Ratt fan and an Iliff Park Saloon fan. Ratt is definitely in the upper echelon of '80s Hair Metal bands. And Iliff Park, one of the only Metal bars around, is like stepping into '80s (my favorite decade). For all you Defenders of the Faith out there who did show up - I salute you. I'll see you at the next show - I promise. Talk Dirty to Me
Monday 04-28-2008 8:05am MT
How do you know you were at a Bret Michaels show? When you wake up and your panties are in the yard. In case you are the one person in the world who has not seen 'Rock of Love', Bret is about girls. The Grizzly Rose concert was like an 80s keg party. Torn jeans, bandannas, short skirts, teased hair, tons of hotties, and debauchery. Bret gave us all something to believe in. And now I have a great idea for my new show - Stache of Love. Any takers?
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© 2008