RIDERS ON THE STORM (Doors Tribute) - Rock Log 120811

It was a fine week @ that Den.

Randall, Vick & I caught a good show on Thursday evening.  Vick's 2nd show for the week and the 3rd for Randall and I.  Thursday evening brought Riders on The Storm a Doors tribute band to the stage.  Musically  they were spot on.  The guitar, drums and keyboard were perfect.  Close your eyes and one is transformed back to when the Doors were in their prime.  Open them, that is when it gets a little rough.  You are transformed back to the Jim Morrison's" bloated like a tic/Grizzly Adams era".  The Vocalist we will call "Jim" sonically was perfect.  His voice was exact and it was evident it came natural to the guy. Having seen many Door's covers over the years, many singers over sing and have piss poor results, Jim had perfect pitch, never strained and let the mic do the work, he was simply outstanding.

The Den has had a good run of regulars in the crowd. Thursday's  worth mentioning is  first and foremost the lovely Sasquatch accompanied by Greg Allman. There was also a brief appearance from Troy D. We also had Charlie Manson sporting a newer look for him (Blond Dreads and a smoking hot brunette with fake ta ta's on his arm/cane).  Also distracting from the "bloated tic like" Jim was the plethora of hot hippy chic's. 

All and all a very  good show, I can think of  3 things that would have made it better.

1.       our being more familiar with the trippy side of the doors material.

2.       our being young enough to finish the marathon and see them do "LA Woman"

3.       An appearance from the Lumpy, four step, bearded Bill Parcells

          

Respectfully submitted,

Homework

WICKED PEACH - Rock Log 120711

Three days removed from recovering from my incredibly painful “Eye-Ache” after watching the crowd at The Beginnings (Chicago Tribute Band) I regrouped with NK & Homework to switch gears and watch Wicked Peach - self proclaimed New England’s Ultimate Rock Cover Band at the Wolf Den last night.

Contrary to Sunday night and much to our collective relief, it took exactly 20 seconds after entering the bar at our familiar front row standing spot that we saw several eye-pleasing patrons.  Mind you, this was no Dierks Bentley-type of crowd where you feel movement down below when you watch the ladies, but it definitely kept your interest as the evening wore on.  More to come on the crowd later...

On to the show – Wicked Peach played a vast array of tunes spanning the 80s and 90s during three sets lasting over 3 hours.  The 4 member band is solid and made up of 2 talented guitar players who both take lead vocals, a good but plain-looking bass player and a very skilled drummer.  Here’s the cliff note summary... First the good – they played many tunes and nailed most and got the small but animated crowd dancing.  The bad....they played so many tunes by so many artists that some weren’t so good - (as noted on many other Rock Logs, this is the main difference between a Tribute Band and a Cover Band).

There is a bad but common element to every cover band that I have seen – and it needs to be addressed.   STOP playing Journey songs!! You can’t sing like Steve Perry - so don’t attempt “Don’t Stop Believin” or “Any Way You Want It” – the audience will survive without those tunes.  Other sub-par Peach covers included Def Leppard & The Steve Miller Band – both musically fine, but vocally off.

Wicked Peach, however, did an excellent job with groups like Nirvana, Green Day, Sublime, Train, 3 Doors Down, Lincoln Park, Black Crows, and even a impressive version of Buck Cherry’s “Crazy Bitch”.  Also, the dance floor was loaded with ladies for many songs highlighted by Cheap Trick’s “I Want You to Want Me” and Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl”.  Some audience members were good dancers and enjoyable to watch – others probably would have been better served to boogie in their seats.

Last night we witnessed two guys who must have coconut sized cuhonas because they stepped up to the dance floor and fearlessly danced their own style without thought to what they looked like to the general public.  First off – was a blubbery bearded rollie-pollie dude whose non-stop solo-4step-square dance attracted much attention - and to our amazement he ended up scoring a dance or two with a half-tanked woman.  Next we saw the unceremonious return of Troy D – who, try as he might, couldn’t get one female to acknowledge him on the dance floor for the whole evening despite his ghetto-type hand gestures and Italian looking swagger.

We watched a good band last night and remained safely away from the dance floor – perhaps we are nutless, but we walked away satisfied and with our pride.

Randall

BEGINNINGS (Chicago Tribute Band) - Rock Log 120411



Tonight, for the second time in 2011, The Den welcomed Beginnings, the ultimate Chicago tribute band.  Billboard magazine states that Chicago is the second most successful American rock band of all time, second only to the Beach Boys.  Thus, it is fitting that there be a tribute band.

Conventional wisdom dictates that if you are going to pay tribute to a band, then you had better perfect the attributes of such tribute-worthy band.  In this case, that would be the horns.  If you are paying respect to Chicago, then get the horns right.  Beginnings does that and then some.  Close your eyes and instrumentally you would think that you are listening to the real deal.  This band is tight and dead on, with the exception of the guitar, which I would classify as average.  Otherwise, this was a most enjoyable show.

Based out of Long Island, Beginnings is comprised of four horns, a drummer, one keyboardist, guitarist and bassist.  The vocals are shared adequately between four members, the better of whom would be the drummer Adam Colombo, who single handedly answers the question “If Ray Romano and Steve Perry had a baby, what would it look like?”.   Not to be outdone, bassist Mason Swearingen, is clearly the love-child born to power-couple Tommy James and Richie Sambora.  Otherwise, this band’s strongest asset is the Funky in the Middle Horns.  They flat out stole the show.  Whether facing off front stage in a brass battle or driving the bus from the downstage, these guys were fantastic and well worth going to the show.  Highlight for me 25 or 6 to 4 and the lowlight would be Colour My World, classic romantic song, but just plain embarrassing if you are three dudes named Randall, Vick and Homework. 

approximation, but damn close

The song selection was acceptable, but did include two Christmas songs and a few too many Chicago ballads.  I understand that you have to do a lot of the Cetera love songs for the ladies in the house, but there were just a few too many of those.  Speaking of ladies in the house, this is the first show in my years of Denning where there was not one woman that I would consider attractive.  That being said, there was one full-figured woman who I could not take my eyes off.  I had last seen her at The Cowsills 2010 and at that moment all that I thought to be feminine was completely erased from my brain.  Well, she was there again tonight, escorted by her fella, Mr. Gregg Allman.  Same ridiculously tight dress, but this time black.  The timing was not right to get a picture of her, the one to the right is just about spot on.

To recap this show, (a) Beginnings is worth the listen if you like great horns, and (b)if your demographic status is adult female and your weight begins with a three, then form-fitting garments should be a part of your wardrobe.    I am Vick and tonight I took a trip to the Windy City and it rocked.

REAL DIAMOND - Rock Log 110611

Tonight, my wife and I caught the show known as Real Diamond at the Den.  The night can best be described by the literary definition of irony, that being “an intention or attitude opposite to that which is actually or ostensibly stated”.

Firstly, it is ironic that the name of the band, Real Diamond, implies that they are the real item when in fact they are imposters of the REAL Diamond, better known as Neil Diamond.  Secondly, it is Randall’s birthday.  He could not make this tribute show because of the family celebration.  The irony is that Real Diamond frontman Curt Di Domazio has a strange resemblance to Randall.  Lastly, I attended the show with the Lady Vick, which was only made ironic by the fact that, one of the back-up singers, Victoria Serrone, was clearly the hottest woman I have ever encountered at the Den or the Mohegan Sun in general.  Generally, you do not gawk at another woman while with your wife, but she too was in agreement on the sheer hotness of Serrone.

Di Domazio, accompanied by two horns, two keys, a bass, a guitar, drummer and three back-up singers (the “Diamondettes”), actually sounded very much like Neil Diamond. The musicianship was adequate, although the Diamond Catalog is not exactly rife with intricate musical compositions.  The key to this night, as I had expected, was to be song choice.  If this band chose early Neil, then they had me.  If there focus was Heartlight, then I would soon check-out.  I am pleased to say that the song selection was acceptable, not great but acceptable.  The show started with America, from the Jazz Singer soundtrack.  Frankly I could do without this one, but since the audience was largely comprised of World War I babies, the song was met with great enthusiasm.  The Jazz Singer was prominent in tonight’s show, as Real played Love on the Rocks and Hello Again.  Also on the set list was, Forever in Blue Jeans, Play Me and September Morn, none of which I like, but were done well.

Real did the smart thing by focusing on early Neil by belting out Holly Holy, Shilo, Solitary Man, Longfellow Serenade, et al.  Best song of the night, Crunchy Granola Suite, and the worst song was You Don’t Bring Me Flowers, which was essentially a mock break-up performed on stage with Real and a Diamonette.  It was the low point.  The high point, well that was clearly Serrone (far right in the picture), who on top of her smoketitude was also a gifted singer, as demonstrated with the duet I’ve Been This way Before.  As for the stage show and the flash, I do not recall any of it as I was focused 100% on Serrone.  If Victoria Serrone was a back-up singer for the Association (an “Associa-She?”), then I would be first in line to see that band, something I vowed to never do again (Rock Log 072210).

Basically Real Diamond should be seen for only two reasons; (i) if you are a hard core Neil Diamond fan, or (ii) if you want to spend ninety minutes drooling over Victoria Serrone.  If they return to the Den, so will I, but only if Serrone is there.  I’m just keepin’ it real…Diamond.

Vick

DIERKS BENTLEY - Rock Log 102211

I’ve always considered myself a classic Rock N Roll fan – big guitars, crazy drums, powerful vocals, catchy hooks – never a big fan of pop, rap, classical, or country.  I just don’t get the appeal of that music.  You can scratch country off that list for me – I now get it.  Dierks Bentley was showcased as another top act celebrating The Mohegan Sun’s 15^th Anniversary bringing his fresh brand of country music to the Den on Saturday night.  I’ve seen my share of shows at the Wolf Den over the years, but I must say I was in awe of how many people showed up for this concert.  A few years back Ace Frehley put on a show that drew a crowd that exceeded all others.  Dierks blew the KISS guitarist out of the water on the attendance front.  Best of all, it had to be a 3 to 1 ratio of girls to guys.

Chazbo & I arrived 2 hours before showtime and got a decent standing spot, stage right.  There was eye-candy everywhere and you knew it was going to be a good night when we were witness to a stunning 20-something year old brunette who was “Sharon Stoning” off to our right at the slot machine.  Never seen quite a sight like that in all my days of Denning.  I physically had to put my counterpart’s eyeballs back in his head. 

Then the Tennessee native took the stage on time with no opening act – (that’s +1 in my book).  He played for 75 minutes of not-so-twangy country music.  His band did have the signature fiddle player, but also had plenty of guitar and drums.  Thank god Chazbo prepped me a bit for this show because I seemed about the only person there who didn’t know every lyric to every song. There was fist pumping, cowboy hat waving, boot tapping going on all around us.  This dude is a babe magnet to the nth degree.  I mean if we had a FingerHut booth set up next to the merch booth  – we would have sold out in 10 minutes with or without a coopin.

He even came prepped for the anniversary night by adding a third verse to a song that referenced the Wolf Den – (another plus in my book).  My pre-show research on this guy had me watching his videos to become familiar with several of his songs – and to my surprise they were pretty damn good.  And to top it off this country boy loves to sing songs about girls in white tank tops...how can you not appreciate the artistry of this guy. 

I’ve learned that many country songs are pretty short in duration (in the 3 minute range) and he performed a bunch them.  The 75 minutes went by pretty quick but a couple of highlights included the song “Sideways” and the drinkin tune “Am I the Only One”.  All the while he was high-fiving those fortunate to be stage-side and signing some mid-show autographs. He finished with his popular “What Was I Thinking” and left to a huge ovation.

Not pursuing country music over the years....What was I thinking, indeed.

Randall

STEPHEN STILLS - Rock Log 102111

The Mohegan Sun has scheduled some heavy hitters this weekend to celebrate the casino’s 15^th Anniversary.  Among them was Rock ‘N Roll legend Stephen Stills who took the stage on Friday night to entertain a packed Wolf Den.  When I say legend, I mean legend....For those familiar but not well versed in Stephen Stills, consider this – He has twice been entered into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame for his work with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young as well as for Buffalo Springfield.  He also ranks 28^th on the list of Rolling Stones’ Greatest Guitarists of All Time.  And perhaps lesser known, but most importantly and very near and dear to me, he is a fellow prostate cancer survivor.

NK and I arrived late and were 10 deep stage right (still with a decent view) as the clock approached 8:00 – you could feel the excitement in the air as the middle-aged crowd’s anticipation of the concert was building.  Then déjà vu.  Circle back to RockLog 092411 for the Zombies.  What the....an opening act...Again!!  Please stop the madness. Some unknown guy, bless his heart - a 29 year old war vet, come on stage and acoustically performed for 30 minutes of slow paced, run of the mill guitar tunes.   All I can say is thank God Vick wasn’t there, because I’m sure we would have witnessed a guy in his late 40s having a full blown tantrum complete with plenty of stomping, pouting and foaming at the mouth. 

Fast forward to showtime and the reason we went.  A much slimmed down Stephen Stills (lost 40 lbs) came on stage at 8:45 and played for 75 minutes.  We weren’t expecting much more as you have to remember this guy is now 66 years old.  There is no doubt Stephen Stills is a guitar genius – he seemed to have a different guitar for every song and man can he play.  His voice, on the other hand, showed glimpses of his age, but overall he did a great job.  He knocked out several solo songs, both acoustically and with his band and then dropped in some CSN&Y and a Buffalo Springfield tune.

While Stills has been on his own for a while now, the concert had a Rice Krispies feel to it...it was good, but it was Snap without the Krackel and Pop.    You can eat a whole bowl of Snap and that will satisfy, but when you add Krackel & Pop that will gratify.  While musically on target this show lacked the amazing harmonies of a Crosby Stills & Nash concert.  I suppose that’s nitpicking but as blogger, I’m entitled.

Still, for me, the highlights were those CSN tunes “Southern Cross” & “Love the One You’re With” and his show-ending Buffalo Springfield song “What It’s Worth”.  Hearing these classic tunes made putting up with the hordes of people and the opening act a worthwhile show.

Pass the milk....it’s on to Dierks.

Randall

LENNON LIVE - Rock Log 100911

October 9 is seemingly an ordinary date - nothing marked on the calendar, no holiday or historical event to speak of.  Yet if you’re a music fan or more specifically a Beatles fan that date means a great deal.  You see, John Lennon was born on that date in 1940.  He would have been 72 on Sunday.

To celebrate John’s birthday, the Wolf Den, maybe purposefully, maybe co-incidentally, scheduled a tribute to the rock legend.  Tragically taken from us nearly 32 years ago, many rock fans obviously never got the opportunity to see this master musician live.  Fortunately a man named Peter Gendron has devoted himself to recreating the John Lennon experience and performed in Uncasville last night as “Lennon – Live”

NK and I arrived right at showtime and lucked out with two front row bar spots.  The Den was well attended with plenty of die-hard Beatles fans.  Gendron, was a spot-on likeness to Lennon, both vocally and in appearance with his signature round eyeglasses and Beatles haircut.  He even donned military fatigues and later a ‘New York City’ shirt that Lennon was often seen wearing in old concert/interview clips.  So good was his resemblance that if you closed your eyes, you’d swear you were hearing the real Lennon.  So good was the resemblance that if you blocked your ears, you’d swear you were looking at the 40 year old Beatle.  If you closed your eyes and blocked your ears, well you missed a very good show.

The set list was comprised of Beatle tunes as well as Lennon’s solo stuff.  “Come Together” and “Imagine” started the show and were alone with the trip.  Then hearing Gendron rip into “Well we all shine on...like the moon and the stars and the sun”...was a true thrill.  Hearing less mainstream songs like “Dear Prudence”, “Woman” and “Mind Games” only heightened the experience.  Gendron was very capable on both guitars and the keys and was backed by a solid core of musicians which included a 3 horn section.   “(It’s Just Like) Starting Over” was very popular with the crowd including a favorite mainstay old couple who were dancing in the aisle.

Celebrating Lennon’s 72nd, the night’s highlight had to be when Gendron fittingly belted out “You say it’s your Birthday, well it’s my Birthday too yeah!!”  The song was very well done and got the crowd up and moving, followed shortly by a rocking version of “Twist & Shout”.

October 9, 2011 was no ordinary date.

Randall

THE ZOMBIES w/ THE STRAWBS - Rock Log 092411

Randall, Chuckie Love, Homework, Grove City Bob and I met up at the Den for our second Zombies show in less than a year.  If you read our last review (Rock Log 091110) you will find that the show received a less than enthusiastic review, but nonetheless positive.  This year we were hoping for a little more.  Well we got it, but absolutely none of it was good.  Holy Mackerel What a Colossal Waste of Time!

The Den was crowded tonight my friends.  As 8:00 neared I felt myself getting borderline giddy with anticipation of The Zombies.  Well, that giddiness was not only delayed but eventually extracted stepped on and thrown to the curb by something I have never seen before in all my Days o’ Denning…a warm-up band.  Huh?  The Zombies, bless them, have not needed an opening act since the Zapruder film was made public.  The Zombies ARE a warm-up band.

Upon realization that the three elderly gents on the stage were not Zombies but in fact The Strawbs, my rock sails lost their wind.  Not a soul in our Concert Klatch had ever heard of The Strawbs, and with good reason…they were bad.  Not bad instrumentally or vocally, just real bad music.  It was forty five minutes of some of the worst music I have ever heard.  It was a blend of one cup acoustic Jethro Tull, one cup Ray Conniff Singers and eleven cups of dog shit...and I do not like to bust out the swear words.

After our trip down repulsive avenue with The Strawbs, The Zombies finally came onto the stage at 9:00pm.  They opened with their classic song, I Love You.  Okay, I’m coming back now, starting to forget The Strawbs.  Colin sounds great, Rod is energized, I’m digging it and then POW!  The words no, and I mean no, band from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s should ever say.  “We would like to do some songs off our new album".  NOOOOOOO!  You are a novelty act, just bang out the tunes that get the blue hairs remembering the days when they had a libido, shut up and move on to the next show.  NO MUSIC FROM YOUR NEW ALBUM!  I became increasingly more enraged with each song.

After five vanilla new songs, Argent began to speak of their legendary album, Odyssey and Oracle.  But by this time Randall, C-Love and Primanti Bob had left as The Zombies recent tunes combined with The Strawbs, forced them to leave in favor of pulled pork sandwiches.  Homework and I plodded through the three songs from O & O and then had to leave ourselves.  The show was that bad and leaving immediately after an eight minute version of Time of the Season seemed to be the right thing to do. 

Here’s the deal, and opening act should get the crowd going, not completely enrage them until the only option is leaving mid-show, which is unprecedented I remind you.  I will never go anywhere to see The Zombies again, not because they are that bad, but simply because I am fearful of a Strawbs sighting.  Tonight I revised my list of life's three biggest fears, which are, in the correct order:

1.       Tragedy involving kids or wife

2.       Boner in church

3.       Strawbs in concert        

This show was the worst I have seen in sometime and may just give The Association a run for their money.  Bad stuff.

Vick

STEVEN PAGE - Rock Log 090111

Tonight Randall and I caught former Barenaked Ladies (heretofore referred to as BNL, Barenaked, or the Ladies) front-man Steven Page at The Den.  Personally, I was anxiously awaiting this rock and roll show because BNL virtually dominated my playlist between the years of 1999 and 2006.  The whole Barenaked thing came to a crash in early 2009 when Page left, fresh off a coke bust and Page’s abhorrence of the Ladies’ release of a children’s album.  I had seen the group seven times, each show in some arena, where I was one of ten thousand attendees.  Tonight I was looking forward to seeing Page amid a crowd of five hundred or so.  Well……

It was depressing.  This show was the least attended I have ever seen.  The audience was mixed though comprised of numerous heavy-set people, one of which was the spitting image of Violet Beauregard.  Only four seats were used in the upper deck and there was still plenty of space on the floor.  I counted 82 people total.

Page entered the stage precisely at 8:30 wearing a powder blue gingham check poplin suit with matching bowtie adorning his pale yellow shirt.  The band (three brothers) were similarly decked out albeit in more drab colors.  From the get go this show had a Pee Wee’s Playhouse feel.  The setlist totaled seventeen songs, only seven of which were Barenaked.  His solo songs all had similar undertones, answering the age old question “what would it sound like of the 1966 Beatles met the 1992 Lemonheads?”.  Of the seven Barenaked tunes, four were done quite well (Jane, Apartment, Good Boy and Call/Answer).  I especially liked the extended post-vocal closing of the latter two.  The new material was forgettable except for These Wasted Words, which was a well-done song.  A BNL show was known for its witty banter among bandmates, something Page attempted to recreate with his new band, but failed.

Make no mistake about it, Page still has the vocals, which were on full display, perhaps a little shaky during the crescendo of What a Good Boy, but otherwise he nailed it.  Musically the band was adequate, centered around Page’s guitar and Jay Baird on keys, trumpet, chimes, et al.  However, this show felt like exactly what it was, a guy who had immense success wanting to be on his own only to find that it was not him, but the band that was the key to success.  Page appeared to be happy but it really seemed to me as an act.  Plainly, it wasn’t a good show.  I must add that the four remaining Ladies have not fared much better having played Indian Ranch (a campground) in Webster, MA not but eleven days before this show.   

For me, the love affair with the Barenaked Ladies has waned a bit in recent years.  There is no doubt that some of their songs will forever be on my play list, but I have moved on.  Page should either reconcile with his former bandmates or continue to slide into this eerie Randy “The Ram” Robinson creative abyss.

The show ended with the classic song Brian Wilson.  My thoughts is that it should have ended with the lamenting BNL song Thanks That was Fun, with the poignant lyrics “don’t forget, no regrets”.  I do not recommend seeing Steven Page, words I thought nearly impossible hours ago.

Vick

PS: after the show Randall and I purchased an aggregate forty Krispy Kremes, which I believe to be the record for a duo.     

ELVIS TRIBUTE SPECTACULAR - Rock Log 082111



Tonight the undisputed King of Rock and Roll took the stage at The Den, albeit in tribute form.  Shawn Klush, dubbed "the closest thing to the king", was chosen by Graceland as the winner of Elvis Presley Enterprises’ first ever Ultimate Tribute Artist Contest, so I knew I was seeing the best.

I arrived five minutes before showtime and the house was absolutely jammed.  I had not seen a crowd that large in quite some time.  The composition ran the gamut with no discernible age prevalent.  The show began with a song from the two original members of The Sweet Inspirations, Elvis' back-up singers.  The song was pedestrian, but since there lives intersected with the King, I paid them there just rewards.  Then Klush was announced.

I never saw Elvis live, but I have seen and heard enough of him to know that Gladys would not know the difference between her Baby E and Shawn Klush.  This guy was lights-out, slam-dunk, 100% Elvis.  It was borderline scary.  The movements, the voice the banter....Klush was amazing.  Though he can impersonate "early Elvis" or "peanut butter and banana sammich Elvis", Klush opted to replicate Elvis in Vegas.  Beginning with CC Rider and ending with An American Trilogy, this show was great.  For me, the highlights were A Little Less Conversation and Suspicious Minds, the latter was the longest song of the night and included several "arm whips", "head shakes" and "pelvic pumps". 

The sentimental highlight of the night was when 80 year old D.J. Fontana, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Elvis' original drummer, joined the band for three songs.  Fontana later returned to tell a few stories of the King.  Cool, but whatever.

Overall, if you like Elvis, then this was the show to see.  Klush nailed Presley to the point where at times it seemed as if the Sweet Inspirations thought the former was the latter.  I also realized this...the foremost aphrodisiac for a menopausal is not a healthy 401k as I previously thought, it is Elvis impersonation.  There were no less than ten stunning, and I do mean stunning, mid-fifties, grabbing at the King, holding his hand, rubbing is leg and fighting for his scarves.  If divorce ever befalls me, then my first post-marriage purchases will be a high quality Elvis suit, Jovan Musk and a tank full of gas for the trip to Naples, FL.

To Shawn Klush, I say thank you...thank you very much.

Vick

MULLETT - Rock Log 081511

You know how you have to look at a car accident when you drive by – no matter how gnarly?  You know how you have to look at the 250 lb woman in the two piece bathing suit at the beach – particularly when she is coming out of the water?  You know how you have to look at the mangled animals on the side of the road – especially after rigor mortis sets in?  You know how you have to look when two girls kiss – no matter what they look like? 

Enter Mullett to the Wolf’s Den stage. 

Homework & I had to go and watch.  Fortunately for us, this train wreck never happened.  Mullett, the 80’s hair band cover group, entertained a small but lively crowd on Monday with a plethora of that generation’s instantly recognizable hits.  The talented band members include Ron Jovi on vocals and guitar, Dan Halen on lead guitar, Teddy Lee on bass and Jef Leppard banding away on the drums in a very Tommy Lee – like fashion.

Imagine waking up each day to Ron Jovi’s dilemma.  Try to sing a song like David Lee Roth, then follow it up like Kevin Cronin.  Try to sing a song like Axl  Rose, then follow it up like Mike Reno.  Try to sing a song like Dee Snider, then follow it up like Rick Springfield.  Try to sing a song like Steve Perry, then follow it up like Kevin DuBrow.  It’s a daunting task we all should be thankful we don’t have to figure out.

Ron Jovi has it figured out and the boys of Mullett, sporting their 80’s hair band attire, were pleasantly accurate in their renditions of many of the 80’s super groups hit songs.   So much so that by the time they were finishing their set they had a dozen ladies (and Troy D) jumping around and one table of rockin’ grannies clapping to their version of Journey’s “Any Way You Want It”.

The evening’s downer had to be that inflammation of a woman to Homework’s right.  This woman had an Adam’s Apple bigger than Lyman Orchard’s best Cortland.   And despite our efforts to ease away – she stoically stood by her man.  I’ve had hemorrhoids that were easier to get rid of.

If that was the downer, then the highlight came mid-show when three women arrived and plunked down at center stage – One was a curvatious, stunning blonde that came to rock.  Mesmerizing! Homework & I longed for just one Whackin’ Hut (which unfortunately remain on backorder).  We, instead, were relegated to looking uncomfortably at the holes in our Krispy Kreme Originals with an air of uneasiness as we exited the Den.

I proudly award the show 4 of 5 stars.

Randall

HOTEL CALIFORNIA - Rock Log 081411

Based on all my many nights at the Wolf’s Den, I can say without reservation that there is a definite difference between a Cover Band and a Tribute Band.   Cover Bands play a wide variety of music from many groups while the Tribute Band focuses solely on one particular group.  While Cover Bands are usually tight musically, very often the difficulty with them is hitting the vast ranges from the various lead singers’ voices.  We’ve seen several good Cover Bands, but the fact is the Tribute Band has hit a home run every time. 

Last night was no exception.  In 1998 the Eagles were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame...I guess that makes them Tribute Band worthy.  Noel, Homework Squared and myself occupied our familiar post at the Den for a Sunday night with “Hotel California – A Salute to the Eagles”.   The concert had the feel of Rock, R&B & Country – strange for a show to transcend so many music boundaries – none of which overpowered the others.

For the most part, the Eagles are a sit-in-your-chair-and-listen group.  Their tunes typically have a melodic, easy listening feel.  With the exception of the hand clapping “Heartache Tonight” and the stand up encore “All She Wants to do is Dance”, the crowd listened intently and applauded appreciatively to very well-played music.  And there was a good crowd in attendance (of note, a Great Viz sighting, girl-girl action, and an animated blonde trifecta off to our right).

The Eagles were a bit unique in that they had so many lead singers singing their countless timeless classics.  The challenge for Hotel California was to hit the sounds of Don Henley, Glen Frey, Joe Walsh and Timothy B Schmit.  The group was lead by a guy who looked like a cross between Jim Varney & Geddy Lee and he did a pretty good job fronting the Glen Frey stuff, but surely the key was the guitar player who picked up many of Don Henley’s songs and nailed it.  Of less consequence were the two songs sung by Joe Walsh and Timothy B Schmit – of which the strong musical accompaniment and harmonies downplayed the need to hit their voices.

Hotel California went through the whole gamut of Eagles hits, from Witchy Woman, Take It Easy, Life in the Fast Lane and a strong Desperato down to their namesake Hotel California for an entertaining 90 minute set. 

For this Tribute Band...I salute you.

Randall

GARY PUCKETT - Rock Log 081111

Gary Puckett invaded the Wolf Den tonight.  Despite numerous requests to join me, I was unable to find a willing accomplice to join me in my rockin’ trip down 60s pop lane.  The room was loaded with gray and this was the first time in all my Den shows where I felt I did not belong.  Tonight the Den was a converted into a convalescent home with a hundred or so Asian visitors, Wheel of Fortune slot machines and Gary Puckett.

Puckett and his group The Union Gap had a string of hits in the late sixties, including six top-twenty singles.  The concern with this is that the theme for three of those singles was older man “loving” young girl.  I cite lyrics which firmly cement Puckett as the godfather of what I am calling Pop-ophilia:

• Young Girl (March 1968) – Beneath your perfume and make-up, your just a baby in disguise.  And though you know that it’s wrong to be alone with me, that come on look is in your eyes.
• Lady Willpower (June 1968) – Did no one ever tell you the facts of life?  Well there’s so much you have to learn.  And I would gladly teach you if I could only reach you and get your lovin’ in return.
• This Girl is a Woman Now (August 1969) – This girl tasted love, as tender as the gentle dawn.  She cried a tear, a teardrop that was sweet and warm.  Our hearts told us we were right, and on that sweet velvet night.  A child had died, a woman had been born.

Now the show.  Puckett, at seventy-one years of age, still has an amazing voice.  Despite recovering from a bout of strep throat, his voice was quite good, rife with runs and vibrato.  That is pretty much where it ended. The band was comprised of three mates (drums, bass and keys), all of whom had the appearance that they were mailing it in until there was an opening in another nostalgia-based band (“Honey, guess what…Davey Jones called while you were at the doctor”).  Guitar was limited to four songs in which Puckett himself grabbed the axe and I think he played it, but cannot confirm.

Generally I like to discuss highlights and lowlights of a show, but there simply were not any.  There were no-lights.  It was an eventless show from a guy who had hits, all of which he sung.  None memorable, none forgettable, he just sung his songs for ninety minutes and left.  The audience appreciated it despite having been several hours past bed time.  I wish I could write more, but there is nothing to write.  It was a vanilla show by a man who once dominated the airwaves.  I went to pay my respect to him, as is my duty.  I left not knowing what I just saw, if I liked it or not. 

In addition to the music, Puckett mixed in six jokes, three of which were politically charged, two of which were cute and one of included his five year old nephew standing naked in the shower.  Therein lays the undertone with Puckett that I just cannot shake.  The man appears to be a decent and genuine person, having closed the show with thanks to God.  However, three songs of young girl love and a naked boy joke left a sour taste in my mouth.  The kind of taste that only two Krispy Kremes can erase.

In sum, Gary Puckett, seen him once, will not do so a second time. 

Vick

BACK IN BLACK (AC/DC Tribute) - Rock Log 080811

Monday’s suck....except for special events like Monday Night Football and when “Back in Black – the AC/DC tribute band” comes to the Den for a true Rock & Roll party.  It’s been years since this dinky little state of ours has seen the real AC/DC here...so when the opportunity arises to see the next best thing – you grab it like a young gir.., eh...... well, you just grab it.

When a tribute band starts a show with a 3-4 minute hi-animation cartoon skit of a Runaway Train – loaded with images of the band members and gratuitous T&A shots and sexual innuendo – you know this ain’t no ordinary cover band.  These boys, from Springfield Massachusetts, come to play to honor the band they love and they do it with amazing precision.  As with any tribute band, two members must be spot on in order to be good - the lead singer and the lead guitar player – and these guys nailed them.  Boz & Brian are incredibly unique singers with their signature raspy voices – but if you closed your eyes you’d have a hard time telling it wasn’t them belting out the tunes. 

The highlight of the group is what appears to be a 12 yr old kid who’s out past his curfew.  Spencer, deck out in his schoolboy outfit, had all of Angus’ moves down and ripped out the countless familiar AC/DC riffs with relative ease.  Aside from his diminutive stature, this kid had it going on. 

The setlist was full of everything you’d expect – songs that were done particularly well were TNT, Thunderstruck & Hell’s Bells...and the encore shout out to our uniformed countrymen with For Those About to Rock, We Salute You.  One noteworthy omission was Money Talks which happens to be my favorite AC/DC song.  It may be nitpicking but even though there is no accepted industry maximum length of a bagpipe solo, we are sure that this band certainly pushed the envelope.

The stage was decorated with a big cannon on one side and a huge bell on the other – unfortunately just props, but cool looking nonetheless.  An endless supply of stage smoke kept spewing from the drum kit.  And speaking of spewing, watching the blond jumping bean at stage right for 90 minutes prompted the immediate ordering of 4 Whackin' Huts.  Delivery is scheduled just in time for Sheena Easton.

Don’t miss these guys if get the chance.

Randall

SCRAP METAL - Rock Log 080511

A collection of 80’s hair band lead singers and some talented, bounced around musicians all coming together and playing nothing but their individual hit songs is the creation of a band named Scrap Metal.  For some reason this group, originally formed several years ago by the Mark Slaughter (Slaughter), Gunnar & Matthew Nelson (Nelson), Kelly Keagy (Night Ranger) & Eric Martin (Mr. Big), does not make many tour stops, yet has now played at our prestigious Wolf’s Den for five years running.

The lineup changes at each show and other past performers have  included the talents (and not-so-talents) of Kip Winger (Winger), Steve Plunkett (Autograph), John Payne (Asia), Jimi Jamison (Survivor), CJ Snare (Firehouse), Jani Lane (Warrant) and Jeff Scott Soto (Journey).

Although we weren’t jacked with the lineup this year, Vick, Homework, Chazbo and myself donned our mullets and jean shorts and made the familiar trip down Route 2 on Friday night.  Accompanying the Nelson boys for this summer’s bill were returning headliners Joe Lynn Turner (Deep Purple, Rainbow) and Janet Gardner (Vixen) and Scrap Metal newcomer John Corabi (Motley Crue, The Scream).  Strangely absent was Mark Slaughter who was present for all other gigs in Uncasville.

Here’s what you need to do before you read on.....Cleanse your Rock & Roll pallet from any bad taste you had in your mouth about the Nelson twins....Erase the memories of their long blonde, he/she looking videos...Unclench your fists and purge the urge to punch them in their pastel-wearing nuts...

Now, let the review begin....

First the good news, Gunnar & Matthew have transformed themselves from those Barbie-doll looking tools to regular looking Rock & Roll celebs who have a pile of talent – plus they appear draw a vast female audience.   This band has offered them the opportunity to rock out to many of our favorite hits and escape their embarrassing past – albeit their ticket to fame.  Each year Gunnar shows he is a capable guitar player (even changing two broken strings on stage while the set continues around him) and Matthew plays a solid base.  Most impressive is they know their place with this group – that is, they are there to have fun and jam for 100 minutes rather upstage anyone else with their music.  Their harmonies are still spot on for the diverse set list yesterday.  Now the bad news, everyone still needed to endure three Nelson songs in the set list.

Bad news continued....Back in the MTV days Vixen was the all-girl band whose videos you loved to watch with the volume off.  While the years have yet to take a major toll on Janet’s looks, her songs provided nothing other than a chance to over-criticize her on stage moves as a nearly 50 yr old woman trying to hold on to her 25 yr old babe image.   While her voice still is very good, Janet seemed misplaced on a Scrap “Metal” show. 

It must have been difficult combing the globe to find this year’s talent if Janet had to return and the talented but little-known John Corabi were the best available 80s rockers.  It was our first time seeing John and the consensus is this guy can sing and he looked the part of a rock lead singer with his unkempt white-man dread locks.  His best tune by far was Motley Crue’s Live Wire – however, his other Crue song selections of Home Sweet Home and Smoking in the Boys Room resembled a cover band performance.  Motley Crue belongs in arenas not in Dens.  John actually shined to open the show with Thin Lizzy’s The Boys are Back in Town.

Surely the highlight of the night was when 60 year old rock legend Joe Lynn Turner appeared to play two classic  Rainbow songs “Stone Cold” and “Street of Dreams” then rockin renditions of Deep Purple’s Smoke on the Water and Highway Star.   Joe Lynn, who keeps Hair Color for Men in business with his jet black mop, still has that familiar powerful voice and range that is unwavering.  Always a bit disturbing to me about this Rock & Roller is what I call his microphone gloves – an unnecessary wardrobe accompaniment that should have died w/ Michael Jackson a few years back.  Apparently Microphone Blisters are a job hazard that I was completely unaware of.

The band mixed in some other classic rock hit including Led Zeppelin and had the Den rockin’ towards the end.  Overall, while this show was not Scrap Metal’s best - it still outperformed my expectation and the trip down memory lane was rock-worthy.

Randall

JEFFERSON STARSHIP - Rock Log 073111

Jefferson Starship rolled into The Den tonight and I caught this show by myself.  True, it is a loser who Dens alone, but when the godfather of psychedelic rock, Paul Kantner, is there then you must go, albeit sans amigo.  

First a little history.  Kantner is the sole remaining member of the original band.  It was he, Grace Slick and Marty Balin who drove this band in the 60s and 70s.  During this period they morphed from the world’s preeminent LSD band to a hard rockin’ pop band.  By the end of the 70s Slick and Balin were gone.  Then in April 1979 the band hired Mickey Thomas to replace Balin and that was the beginning of the end.  Replacing Balin with Thomas would be akin to the Stones replacing Mick Jagger with Michael Bolton.  Bad.  

Anyway, the show was a good one.  Kantner, at 70 years of age, looked it.  He was confined to a chair throughout the show.  This was painful to see as my memories of him were of wild rhythm axe-man.  The lead guitar duties were handled quite admirably by Slick Aquilar, who at times would walk over to chair-bound Kantner for a jam session, only it looked more like a child next to a department store Santa.  Sad.  

The set list was perfect, which included several Airplane tunes.  The best song of the night was Wooden Ships which became a ten minute jam session with Aquilar driving it home.  Law Man was done to perfection, as lead singer Cathy Richardson’s voice was uniquely her own while at the same time eerily similar to Slick.  Richardson’s antics were rife with sensuality and whacked out looking eyes.  However, she lost me entirely during White Rabbit during which she crawled around the stage with the back of her sweater pulled over her head.  I found her actions irritating as this was THE song that I wanted to see.  Mad.  

The Starship songs were done well including Miracles, Fast Buck Freddy, Jane and Count On Me.  During the latter song Richardson implored the crowd to sing along, something they failed to do.  In fact, this was the most lackluster crowd I think I have seen at The Den, which was not deserved because the band could actually rock.  They were flat at times, but generally they rocked.  The show ended with a three man jam as only Aquilar remained with drummer and keyboardist as they tore through ten minutes of instrumental While My Guitar Gently Weeps.  When the rest of the band returned to the stage they ripped through Somebody to Love and ended with Volunteers, both done very well.  Glad  

Essentially, I go to The Den to see rock legends perform their songs.  Seeing Kantner on stage strumming along to White Rabbit is all I needed.  He is a trooper, but clearly the years of “licking the stamp” have slowed the man down like a slow swimming fish.  Shad.  

Tonight I took an airplane ride and it rocked.  

Vick