VOYAGE w/ HUGO (Journey Tribute) - Rock Log 053112

While technically not yet summer, it sure felt like summer time last night at the Wolfs Den as Voyage (featuring Hugo) a Journey Tribute Band, took the stage.  A smorgasbord for the eyes to feast on while listening to all the classic songs of one of American premier melodic rock bands.

I’m not saying that the eye-feast was all good; in fact, quite to the contrary, there was more train-wreck watching than ogling.  Case in point is the 50-something year old guy in a Cabo T-shirt wearing light-up sneakers while dancing spastically on the dance floor.  That’s right a 50 yr old guy with light-up sneakers.  Where else but at our beloved home-away-from-home.     I also couldn’t take my eyes off the Man-Squatch playing keyboards up on stage.  His pumpkin-sized head and frizzed out hair were a bit mesmerizing.  Luckily the crowd was also sprinkled with several “globe shows” which balanced out the eye sores.

On to the show...45 days ago we saw “Draw the Line – an Aerosmith Tribute Band” (RockLog 041612) and were amazed with the likeness of Neill Byrnes to Steven Tyler.  We knew going in last night that Hugo was going to challenge Byrnes for best lead-singer likeness as he was a dead-ringer for Steve Perry.   After watching both shows, however, I’ll give the nod to Byrnes.  Hugo was good, mind you – hair, voice, stage presence – but Byrnes was better.

Voyage started slow then hit their stride mid-show and ended with a flurry.  Opening songs should fire up a crowd and set the pace for what’s to come.  When you start a Rock N Roll show with “Ask the Lonely” you don’t accomplish these tasks.  Also , as Chazbo, Vick, Paulie & myself watched the show woman-less, the G-factor was high as one would expect with a ballad-laden setlist.  Hard to be enthused with “Open Arms”, “Faithfully” and “Send Her My Love” with only the Den Men sausages nearby.  “Be Good To Yourself”, “Don’t Stop Believin”, “Anyway You Want It” and “Wheel in the Sky” were done very well and had the dance floor full.  The Neil Schon guitarist was very good as was the chicken-headed drummer. 

Yes summertime is fast approaching my friends.....looking forward to many more Voyages!!

Randall

BACK IN BLACK (AC/DC Tribute) - Rock Log 051312

For Those About to Rock……..

Yup, tonight was Mother’s Day gift for us all as Back in Black - the AC/DC tribute band invaded The Den.  What was expected to be the largest attended crowd in our rock and roll show history turned out to be a pedestrian showing as Randall, Homework, Chazzy, Lady Vick and I were there from the start and Paulie joined us at the midway point, following his day at Fenway.  The crowd was larger than most Sunday nights and did not suffer because the Beach Boys were in the arena.  But then again your average Beach Boy ain’t getting on the Highway to Hell anyway.

Back in Black, hailing from Springfield, MA, has been doing this for twenty-two years.  Let me tell you, they have perfected their craft.  Our first viewing of this band (Rock Log 080811) was superb and this show was not too far behind.  Beginning with Rock and Roll Train, the ninety four minute show powered through the entire career of AC/DC, with a fair amount of deep cuts.  Surprisingly they played Back in Black and Shook Me All Night Long within the first twenty minutes of the show.  These are your typical end of the show standards, but it did get us rockin’ early. 

However, nobody told the crowd that it was time to rock as they were largely mute and unmoved, which I found odd and prompted the lead singer (Tony) to shout, “What is there a gas leak in here?”  The stage side was adorned by two dirty hots, which spent the entire show pelvic-pumping in short-shorts and seemed all too comfortable dancing to “What Do You Do For Money Honey”.  Not my brand of lady, but visually worth the spin. 

Admittedly, many of the songs played tonight were new to me, but the standards were great.  Hell’s Bells was dedicated to Bon Scott and absolutely blew the roof off The Den.  All other songs were as if you were listening to the album.  When viewing a tribute show, I always squint and try to imagine that I am watching the real band.  This band gives me that feeling, with the only caveat being that Brian Johnson hit Old Country Buffet every meal since Let There Be Rock was released.  The lead guitarist (Spencer) is fantastic, steals the show and is quite Angus-worthy.  Vocals are great and spot-on, the rhythm section is flawless.  They closed in dynamite fashion, with “Long Way to the Top” and “For Those About to Rock”.  For the record, bagpipe solos should be limited to ninety seconds.

Overall, great show, yet again.  If you like AC/DC then you must see this band.

….FIRE!

Vick

LYNCH MOB - Rock Log 051012

When you see as many shows as the Den Men do, you are bound to see some truly amazing Rock N Roll Shows.  Yet you are also bound to see some of the most God-awful musical performances you can imagine.    Last night’s trip to Mohegan Sun landed me right smack in the middle.  Lynch Mob took to the wolf-cave stage yesterday and played before a decent Thursday night crowd – only to have me leave feeling emotionless as the show ended. 

I’m not saying it was a bad show, nor am I saying it was a great show....it was just a show.

Watching band founder and guitar virtuoso George Lynch play was well worth the price of admission (free).  Former Ratt bassist Robbie Crane did a decent job as did the keg-bellied Scot “The Cat” Coogan on drums.  I was less impressed with lead singer Oni Logan – not for his singing per se, but he was one of the worst front man I have seen to date.  No flair, no fire – simply a non-entity as a supposed band leader.  But when this band was created and centered around its lead guitarist – do you really need a great front man?  I guess not.

George Lynch, of Dokken fame, was the reason we came.  (that, and we owed Vick some payback for the eggs he has laid on us over the years).  Back in the day, George auditioned for Ozzy Osbourne’s lead guitarist – coming in second to Randy Rhodes.    Now, at 58 yrs old, George has established himself as a true guitar hero...numerous hits, solid riffs, amazingly quick fingers and good sound.  (Plus, his side of the stage was littered with “Randall” amplifiers).  He was fun to watch.

The set list was comprised mostly of Lynch Mob songs with two Dokken tunes added in.  I was most looking forward to “Wicked Sensation”, yet I thought they ruined that song with a long-drawn out banter in the middle by Oni.  “She’s Evil But She’s Mine” led off the show nicely and “River of Love” was also done well.  The crowd was dominated with 90% males and when Dokken hit “Into the Fire” was played early in the set, I think we all thought we’d get a nice blend of those 80’s Dokken songs mixed in – unfortunately  we didn’t get any more until “Tooth and Nail” ended the show.  

Overall, aside for the impressive guitar work of Mr. Scary, the show was as plain as the two dozen Krispy originals I left with.

Randall

BIG HEAD TODD & THE MONSTERS - Rock Log 050512

Tonight, Lady Vick and I went to the Sun, she to shop and gamble and me to take in Big Head Todd & The Monsters.  Arriving half-way through the first song, I nestled comfortably at Blossom Rock, staying there for the next eighty-six minutes. It was a large crowd, even by Saturday standards, and they came to rock.  The night was rife with no less than ten standing ovations, and many, Many, MANY dancing ladies strewn throughout.  This show was a good one, actually a VERY good one.

I knew three Monsters' songs before this show, one of which (Bittersweet) is a top ten favorite.  Basically, I did not know what to expect.  Led by Todd Park Mohr, this band did not disappoint.  In fact, through the first forty-five minutes, this had the potential to be my favorite show ever at The Den.  The middle thirty minutes missed the mark in my opinion, but they finished strong closing with an encore of Sexy and I Know It, done a la blues.

Mohr is a strong axe man and has a gifted voice.  He led this group, all of whom was ridiculously talented, none more than Jeremy Lawton who bounced between keys and pedal steel guitar.  Drummer Brian Nevin was all energy and quite good.  Bassist Rob Squires was non-descript, like a bassist should be.  Overall, great sound, great songs, vocals were top-notch and the rhythm section is still pounding in my head.

Neither of The Monsters gets overly excited during their shows, but Mohr is subject to outburst, making the show a visible spectacle as well.  Lawton, was an all out pro, going from steel to keys mid-song without missing a beat.  Songs done well were Circle, Don't Tell Her That I Love Her and Broken Hearted Savior.  Songs done ridiculously well were Bittersweet and Secret Mission.  And as for the song Resignation Superman, let's just say could be the best song I have ever seen performed at The Den, excluding Distant Shores (Rock Log 052211).

Here's the deal, I would never be so brazen as to say go to see this band because Todd Park Mohr is a seven-foot Korean dude.  This alone should make anyone want to see this band.  But let me tell you, they blew the roof off The Den tonight.  A return visit to The Den is an absolute must see.  Randall did not go tonight and he would go to any show, so you know the family need was pressing.  However, if ever faced with that dilemma again, my advice to him would be go Korean my Bro.  

Big Head Todd, simply awesome.

Vick