JONATHAN EDWARDS - Rock Log 042212

Well, I saw my second drum-less show at the Den on Sunday night – this time with NK along.  Coincidently this show proved to also be the second bare-footed performer I have now seen there.  Yes, Jonathan Edwards, (not the politician), played before a convalescent crowd on a rainy, sports-less evening which we had nothing better to do.

On the plus side, this was my favorite drum-less show (Chad & Jeremy).  On the negative side, this was least favorite bare-footed show (Marrakesh Express, a Crosby, Stills & Nash Tribute Band).

On the plus side, we saw Greg and spaghetti-strapped Squatch cuddled up in the first circular booth stage left.  On the negative side, we saw Real Estate Joe and his bride bail after thirty minutes.

On the plus side, Jonathan Edwards – who, by the way, I had no idea who he was or what he sang – is a talented singer, harmonica player and guitarist.  At 65, this guy knows his role in the music industry...play some old tunes for some old folks to reminisce about.   On the negative side, I am not one of those old folks.

On the plus side, I witnessed a campground/fair type show that featured unique instruments which we don’t see every day at the Den – bass violin, mandolin, harmonica to go along with the piano and guitar.  On the negative side, I need my electric guitars and drums.

On the plus side, the show had a James Taylor type vibe to it – easy listening.  On the negative side, it also had a Hee Haw feel to it (without the babes).

On the plus side, I didn’t know his songs so I can’t comment in good conscience.  On the negative side, I didn’t know his songs so I can’t comment in good conscience.

Lastly, on the plus side, NK and I spent $0 as we found out water bottles are complimentary.  On the negative side, we blew our very first absolutely “free” evening by snagging a BOGO on the way out…. $7.99.

Randall

DRAW THE LINE - Rock Log 041612

ROCK 'N ROLL NEWSFLASH....ROCK 'N ROLL NEWSFLASH....ROCK 'N ROLL NEWSFLASH

Aging Boston based rock band Aerosmith legally changes to their name to “Aerosmith, a Draw the Line Tribute Band”.

Well, that may be pushing it just a bit, but fuckin’ A, what an incredible Monday night at the Den with fellow men Vick, Homework & NK.  We just witnessed possibly the best tribute band for any group in any genre and the closest thing you will ever see to a real Aerosmith show.  To my knowledge, Draw the Line is the first fully ‘endorsed’ tribute band of any performers we have seen.  This is a tribute that defines the very word.

You will have a hard time convincing me that Steven Tyler does not a have a long lost son in lead singer Neill Byrnes.  This guy looks, sounds, acts and even plays harmonica just like Steven Tyler.  Years ago Byrnes won a Steven Tyler look-a-like contest and got to meet the rock legend.  Tyler was so impressed with Byrnes’ talents that he introduced him to his personal singing coach and so began the ride to stardom for Draw the Line.

Touring the world with Aerosmith’s blessing for the last 19 years these guys have perfected the many sounds of Aerosmith including works from all decades.  While Byrnes was the only visual doppelganger to the real band members, the rest of the band was exceptional in mastering the music.  Didn’t matter the era, they nailed it.  We were particularly impressed with the talents of the 80 lb axe man, who stood stage left wearing a pair of leather pants that were easily 6 sizes too big.  Nonetheless, this boy was smoking in Joe Perry’s lead guitar role.

The setlist included works from old Aerosmith and not so old Aerosmith.   “Sweet Emotion” was done with impeccable precision and “Dream On” was an expected crowd favorite.  Trouble with being an Aerosmith tribute band at Mohegan Sun is the 90 minute time limit.  The vastness of Aerosmith’s collection makes it impossible to play everyone’s favorite.  Notable omissions were “Big 10 Inch”, “Janie’s Got a Gun” and “Back in the Saddle”.  However, they played most of the others hits.  The show ended with us jumping aboard an awesome version of “Train Kept a Rollin”.

Yes the boys and I went on a Rock N Roll Ride last night....and man was it fun.

Randall

KIX - Rock Log 041412

Ahhhhh, the 80s.  The Rock N Roll genre where hair was as big as trademark dual guitars, and power ballads & arena rock anthems ruled the airwaves with their catchy hooks and unique sounds.

Some of the bands from the 80s have disbanded, some have had deaths or vicious feuds never to be seen or heard together again – while still others have been re-created in a new form.  However, there are a select group that realizes that while their heyday is behind them, they can still reap the rewards of touring smaller venues and rockin out to the tunes that made them Rock N Roll icons.

Saturday night at the Den brought one of these groups to town for the pleasure of Homework and myself.  Baltimore-based Kix put on what can only be described as a true high-energy 80s Rock N Roll show.  From a guy who has seen 85+ shows at the Den in the last 5 years, when I say high energy, I mean high energy.  These boys missed out on some big money as they could have been as spokesmen for Monster, Red Bull & Mountain Dew.  True to the eighties, the crowd was loaded with huge mullets and big guns a-blazin with ample cleave strewn about.

Kix’s high octane show is fronted by lead singer Steve Whiteman.   He is both the reason the show was entertaining and the reason the show had some “problem areas”.  On the plus side, this blond stickman was a true showman – excellent and unique singing voice, engaging with the crowd and a very active stage presence.  He was incredibly good with his range on “Don’t Close Your Eyes” and then getting audience participation on my favorite “Cold Blood”.  On the minus side, when he talked, he sounded like a Peter Brady pre-pubescent 13 year old boy which a high squeaky voice.  Also, while he tried to be funny and engaging for the entire show, he lacked in the funny part.   No matter what the venue, a lead singer should not be telling the crowd, “I have to pee”...then leave the stage to relieve himself.

Now for the band – musically speaking these guys were spot on.  Founding members and dual guitar players Ronnie “10/10” Younkins and Brian “Damage” Forsythe were right up my alley.   These guys fed off each other flawlessly on stage and jumped up on uniquely placed risers to better showcase their talents.  Jimmy “Chocolate” Chalfant was a mad-man banging away on the skins and back-up vocals while Mark “I Don’t Have A Nickname” Schenker was front stage as the bass player and back-up vocals.  The show included many good songs including “Blow My Fuse”, “Get It While Its Hot”, “Cold Shower” and “Midnite Dynamite” – while obscure to most, these tunes were very well known and received well by this lively Kix crowd. 

While most encores complete a show with the bands’ big score tunes (the Rock N Roll money shot, if you will), Kix went a different route - they ended the show with a lesser known song called “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah” and littered the stage with huge colorful balloons.  Definitely different but strangely fun.

My new goal in my Wolf Den life will be to get Vick to a Kix show and see his reaction. 

Randall

BLUES TRAVELER - Rock Log 041312

Big name bands bring out the masses, as was the case tonight as Blues Traveler stopped by The Den.  Thus, Randall, NK, Homework, Paulie S, K-Syl and I rumbled down to Uncasville in two, yes two, rock wagons.  Six attendees is not unprecedented, but is quite an accomplishment.

The Den was mobbed tonight in anticipation of the legendary blues/rock/jam band.  Arriving thirty minutes before show time proved foolish as there were no good viewing spots to be had.  We finally nestled in to Blossom Rock, which offered obstructed views but fairly good sound.  Since our scope was limited, we could not determine if any Den Notables were in attendance.  We did get a surprise visit from GJ and K-Law who were there for the Moody Blues in the Arena.  In The Den itself, I could not take my eyes off of Sherry Garcia, who spent the whole night in the aisle either “dead dancing” or trying to rid herself of a hovering swarm of locusts, I’m not sure.  Either way, it was visually entertaining.

Now the show.  Blues Traveler is more comfortable on stage versus in the studio.  Their entire career has been that of road warriors, jamming every show.  As such, it was not uncommon that the ninety minute set was comprised of twelve songs.  If you like the jam band thing, then this was a top-notch show.  I am on the bubble, but this show was very good in my eyes.  The band’s founder, John Popper (who also founded The Spin Doctors), is a rock force like few others.  Strong vocals, nice banter and that harmoni-bong thing that he blows into was just flat out cool.  Whether Popper is fat, skinny, carrying weapons, baked or simply wrecking his hog, I liked the guy.  Great entertainer.  Right with Popper is Tad Kinchla, who instrumentally stole the show with his incredible playing of a six-string bass.  This was good because guitarist, and brother, Chan Kinchla was horrible.  A jam band should have a dude on the axe who can rip, this guy was not the one.  I think Gary Puckett was a better guitarist (Rock Log 081111).

Now the Music.  The songs were done well.  Most casual fans, myself included, only know of “Hook”, “Run Around” and “But Anyway”.  All three were played tonight, the latter two were done extremely well, with But Anyway taking off for a long journey through Jam Town led by Captain Tad Kinchla and his wailing bass.  However, Hook was sub-par for me.  Why? The guitar was terrible if non-existent.  Listen to the song and it has a melodic undertone that was missing in this live version because the guitar was nowhere to be heard.  Other songs of note included two covers; What I Got (Sublime) and Creep (Radiohead), both were good, though a few comments were made that Creep was not as edgy as it should have been.  All that being said, the key to this band is “the jam” and jam they did.  Some songs were too long, some not long enough but overall, this was a good show by a good band that understands its place in the world.  I liked it and would go again.

Ending the night is always critical and tonight was the best ever because for the first time in all of my Denning, the light was on, which meant warm originals at Krispy Kreme.  I shoved two in my cake hole in record time.  Now that, my friend, is jamming.

Vick

THE BRITISH INVASION - Rock Log 040112

One if by land, two if by sea, and three if by Rock ‘n Roll Sedan…..

Tonight Randall, Homework and I took the trip down to Uncasville to see The British Invasion, a tribute to the music of the 60s.  Arriving about fifteen minutes before show time, we were able to commandeer a favorable spot, barside left.  It was clear from the onset that this had the potential to be a magical evening; Wee Girl, Captain Quint, Fred & Ginger and The Squatch were all in attendance.  It was a virtual red carpet of Wolf Den notables. 

The introduction of The British Invasion let us know that they would be playing three distinct sets of music from the 60s; one of UK music, the US answer, and finally music from the four lads that started it all.  The band is comprised of four members.  Robert Murdock looked normal as he sang and played bass.  However, the other three had memorable features.  On guitar and lead vocals was Lee Scott Howard, with fluffy faux hair that would have made Phil Spector blush, drummer Jeff Alai’s hair was the exact shape of a speed cyclist’s helmet and keyboardist Jon Wolf’s look answers the question of “what would Gabe Kaplan look like if he made a porn flick?”

Once the band commenced, it was clear that they were solid.  Hard Day’s Night kicked off the near ONE HUNDRED MINUTE SHOW, which exceeds the normally strict Wolf Den ninety-minute policy.  From there it was a journey through the mid-1960s with classics from The Beatles, DC5, Hermits, Swinging Blue Jeans, Who, Kinks, Stones, Zombies and Moody Blues.  I could have done without two songs from Herman’s Hermits (Hush and Henry), but I thank them for playing as now we do not feel compelled to see Peter Noone on May 26.  This set of thirteen songs was done extremely well and my personal favorites were Tuesday Afternoon and Paint it Black, the latter song I do not like, but was nonetheless performed well.

The second set was dedicated to the late Davey Jones.  The set was dubbed as the US answer to the Invasion and included songs from The Monkees, CCR, Beach Boys, McCoys, Turtles, Playboys, Kingsmen, Archies and Tommy James. This is where the show came to a screeching halt.  The performances were good but the song selection was just abysmal.  Mony Mony, Louie Louie and Sugar Sugar (sense a trend) are just flat out terrible songs.  In addition Judy in Disguise is a forgettable song that should not have been played.  The only song I liked from this set was Fortunate Son.  I struggled through this set only due to selection. 

Now we enter the third set.  I am feeling lukewarm right now at best.  However, that tepid sensation turned white hot as the British Invasion announced that they were going to play the entire second side of Abbey Road.  This is where the band took complete control of the night.  They rocked this hard.  I have heard several bands play this music and there are two things you need to get right; the drums in Carry That Weight and the vocals in Golden Slumbers.  Both were done to supreme perfection.  I was riveted to the stage and barely noticed the final five minutes and overtime of UConn’s loss to Notre Dame.  They closed the show with an encore of Got to Get You into My Life, but should have just left after The End.

This was a unique band.  My grade on this show would be a solid B+.  First set was good, second set was bad (song selection) and third set was great.  We have seen many tribute bands, but this is the first I have seen as a tribute to an era, not a group.  That being said there was no need to judge vocals, appearance or anything other than the music.  The British Invasion is just plain good music.  My only advice would be to stick to the British stuff and no more "US answer".  If they mix the set then I would see this band every time they visited The Den. 

Just a good night of music, Krispy Kremes and The Squatch.

Vick