BO BICE - Rock Log 091910

All day I wrestled with going to see 2005 American Idol runner-up Harold Elwin "Bo" Bice at the Wolf Den.  The dilemma morphed into a full-fledged conundrum when the rationale for going was the same for not going, that being "it's Bo Bice".  Ultimately I went, albeit solo.  I arrived four minutes before show time and got a good seat, stage right.  For those of you embarrassed to go to a restaurant by yourself, try saying "one, for Bice" to the hostess at the Den.

The show was a high octane blast on Mason-Dixon rock that actually set my foot a-tapping.  The first song was fitting, Take The Country Outta Me in which Bice held true to his roots proclaiming, "you can take me outta the country but you can't take the country outta me".  The concert was a mix of new and old stuff, but since I was unfamiliar with any of his stuff, it was all new.  Notable tunes included Wild Roses, Different Shades of Blue and The Real Thing.  Covers included Vehicle (Ides of March) and the encore Can't You See (Marshall Tucker), both done very well.

The band was tight with Rocky "Mask" Dennis on guitar, McLovin on keys, No Neck on drums and a young Michael Corleone on bass.  The centerpiece was Bice, who never let us forget that we are his family and he loves us.  Frankly, we loved him as he constantly played with his hair while prancing around in his Robert Plant nut-hugging dungarees.  A slew of 1978 prom queen runner-ups crowded the stage for the second half of the show.  I saw no celebrities of note.  Generally, every trip to the Den ends with a stop at Johnny Rockets.  However, I could eat nothing as I had already had a heapin' helpin' of humiliation with a side order of surreality. 

Overall, if asked to go again, I would.  Partly because it was good music and also because I am convinced that if the South should ever rise again, then the Confederacy will be led by General H. Bo Bice riding proudly atop his Southern Fried steed.  Three of five stars.

Rock on.

Vick

THE ZOMBIES - Rock Log 091110

Ventured out on Sat nite w/ Vick and another heterosexual male to the Den for the 60s group The Zombies.  I knew nothing of this group by name before we left although my rock & roll colleague was as excited as a 20 yr old on his first trip to a strip bar.  (It should be known that wedding anniversaries and kids sporting events come in a distant second to The Zombies).

The crowd was surprisingly large (mostly w/ raisins, blue hairs and a few walkers) but still quite crowded.  Robby Kreiger of the Doors fame sat very near us and was the only celebrity sighting of the evening.  The show started w/ three of the worst songs I could imagine – no one in the crowd moved.  I was ready to scalp 2XL (already done, if you haven’t seen him)  -  but we endured.   

I was glad we did, b/c the old boys kicked into gear and were actually quite good with only 2 original members.  Colin Blunstone, although a creepy looking dude, sounded great as lead singer at 65.  Rod Argent, another 65 yr old relic, pounded out the keyboards in impressive fashion.  The only other band member of note was the bassist, Jim Rodford, who played w/ the Kinks for 20 yrs. 

Although I didn’t know many songs – I did recognize old hits – “She’s Not There”, “Time of the Season”  & “Tell Her No”.  A surprise came when Argent talked of his solo stuff and played “Hold Your Head Up” – a true rock anthem.  Followed shortly by the story that Argent & Chris White penned “God Gave Rock & Roll to You” back in 1973 and while KISS is known for singing it, it was their song – so they jammed to that – The old folks actually moved to these tunes.

All in all, not my favorite show.  But if asked, I’d probably do it again – as they are very good musicians.

Randall

NIGHT RANGER - Rock Log 081710

Rocked out to Night Ranger last night w/ Vick & Chuck at the Den. 

First note on the show is the celebrity watch…the Rangers Mark Messier and Miami Vice’s Don Johnson were in attendance…Also, this was no Cowsill show – there was a gaggle of hot blondes up front who unfortunately got blocked from our view for most of the show as they were standing at the stage and got lost in a sea of Night Ranger junkies.  But by far, the best ‘eye-candy’ show we’ve seen there in a long while.

The show itself was highly entertaining as Jack engaged the audience throughout – the guys genuinely looked as though they were still thoroughly enjoying themselves even after 28 yrs of playing together.  For old NR fans, no surprises in the set list - Started out with old tunes This Boy Needs to Rock, Sing Me Away and Rumors in the Air – then hit one from the new CD  - Your Gonna Hear from Me.  After that they Jack told about his days w/ Damn Yankees and they did Coming of Age (later they did High Enough w/ the crowd singing along). 

A highlight is when Jack introduced Brad Gillis as the guitarist who replaced Randy Rhodes for Ozzy back in 82 and they did a good full version Crazy Train.  Then Kelly did a version of the Doors’ Roadhouse as they were discussing the first concerts they saw.

Electric guitars ruled the night as Brad and Joel play off each other flawlessly.  The crowd got into it pretty good when the hits started coming…When You Close Your Eyes, Sentimental Street, Four in the Morning, High Enough, Secret of My Success –(told the Michael J Fox story of the soundtrack of the movie), Don’t Tell Me You Love Me…Encore of course included Sister Christian and Rock in America…One song they missed was Goodbye off the 7 Wishes album.  But they played for 1hr 40 minutes  - which is rare at the Den – usually 90 min max.  Of course a visit to Johnny Rockets capped off the evening…

15^th time I’ve seen them, and wouldn’t miss the 16^th show when they come back.   Chuck has always liked NR and enjoyed it but more to my delight -Vick was pretty stoked about the show – think I turned him on to some old rockers….I think its safe to say he enjoyed himself far more at the NR show than I did at the 2 Cowsill and 1 Association shows he took me to.

Scrap Metal up next at the Den on Friday, Skid Row next Friday…for those interested…

Randall

THE ASSOCIATION - Rock Log 072210

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing but expecting a different result.

I first saw The Association in 1986, by myself as no one would go with me.  I was disappointed at that time as the band elected to forgo their own music in favor of a thirty minute ode to sixties hits such as “I Heard it Through the Grapevine”, “Joy to the World”, et al. 

Fast forward to 2010.  It was the same show that I saw twenty-four years earlier!  Same lack of original material and same Big Chill garbage.  The lone bright spot in this show, which I liken to a bad wedding reception, was “One Too Many Mornings” which is my favorite song by the group, albeit somewhat obscure.  Other than that, this was nothing but an exhibit of elderly men in matching white tuxedos, who harmonized well, primarily because they have been performing the same show since Carter was in office.

Yesterday I begged Frost to go to this show.  He voraciously refused to attend.  Who would have thought the elfin educator would have been dead-on in his assessment of what was to come.

I remain a huge fan of the group’s music, but when Terry Kirkman left in 1984, this group ceased to exist.  They should rename the band The Associashit.  On a rating of one to five stars, let’s just say this show was star-less. 

I am livid right now.

VICK

THE COWSILLS - Rock Log 071810

This past Sunday, July 18, I had the pleasure of attending the Cowsills concert at Mohegan Sun with 2 esteemed gentleman, Randall and Vick.  It was a packed house of frothing, unhinged Cowsill fans.

Two words: Paul Cowsill. 

Three more words: creepy old guy.  From a virgin Cowsills fan perspective, this band would do well to lose Paul and Bob Cowsill and re-focus all songs around Susan Cowsill, the one member of the group who actually has any talent. 

The Cowsills played a number of hits that everybody in attendance seemed to recognize.  The show stopper song was their cover of "Puff the Magic Dragon".  Absolutely breathtaking. 

There were plenty of memorable celebrities in attendance: Borat, Lizard Lady and the head of the Cowsills Fanclub lady who knew every word to every song.

We had a glimpse of the future with the introduction of Susan Cowsills' daughter and Paul Cowsills' son.  I have to say that when the remaining Cowsills pass-on in some untimely manner, whether accidental drug overdose or mysterious disappearance during a hurricane, the legacy will carry on, and I for one am thankful. 

It was an absolutely Cowsilly night.

Guest Reviewer - Fross Tee

THE DOORS - Rock Log 061210

When 2 Rock-N-Roll Hall of Famers come thru the Wolf’s Den – it is an automatic must see.  Although never a big Doors fan, they are part of music history – so I recruited SM & Vick to go see The Ray Manzarek-Robbie Krieger Band.  They played to a packed Den on Sat Nite.   Ray Manzarek (71) still on keyboards and Robbie Krieger (65) on guitar looked every bit of their age yet played the all the classic Doors hits for a 90 minute set starting w/ Roadhouse right on down thru Love Me 2 Times, LA Woman and an encore of Light My Fire.  Replacing Jim Morrison can never be an easy task but Mijenko Matijevic did a admirable job as a frontman.  Matijevic is lead singer for 80s Hair Band Steelheart and also sang most of the songs for Marc Wahlberg on the movie Rockstar -  in case you’ve never heard of him – youtube Steelheart’s Angel Eyes – the guy has some range like few others.

This was a glad-I-did it, but don’t need to do it again show.  Music was good and enjoyable, just not my favorite – capped off w/ a stop at Johnny Rockets.  We’re pretty sure we saw Johnson leaving the Carol King-James Taylor show which was in the arena.

On a side note the 5 minute full embrace from two-ample summer-clad women off to our right left an indelible print on my mind & made the trip worthwhile in itself.  Also thanks to SM and Vick for educating me on the “Reverse Peanut” – I’ll be sore for weeks to come.  Also interestingly - SM will yell out most anything you ask if you pony up the coin.

Randall