SKID ROW - Rock Log 082312

After a decade of Wolf Den shows, last night I determined that it is exactly 35.0 miles from my driveway to Level 4 Riverview Garage at the Mohegan Sun.  Skid Row was on my agenda for Thursday evening.  I was determined not to miss them since I have not seen them before despite their several previous visits to the Den.  However, I traveled those 70 roundtrip miles solo last night as this show was a bit much from my increasingly aged Den Men crew.

Fortunately, Skid Row did not disappoint me.  Arriving five minutes before show time, I was relegated to front row of the ‘old entrance’ since the bar was full.  Much like the Firehouse show from last week, the staged was surrounded with countless long haired, diehard fans including what appeared to be a tattoo/Harley Davidson convention on the Wolf Den floor.  I felt a bit out of place in my Nike golf shirt – yet when the music started we became one big Rock & Roll Family.

Skid Row starts every show with a pre-recorded version of the National Anthem and then jams out for 3 songs in a row before addressing the crowd.  Johnny Solinger, who has been the voice of the band since the departure of Sebastian Bach in 1999, was a true warrior.  He was wearing a sling for his left arm and had some major road rash.  As he tells it, he dumped his motorcycle in Texas last week and fractured some ribs and got all cut up – yet he was determined to make it to the Uncasville for the show.  You don’t get that dedication from every rock star.

Three original members from 1986 are still with the band including guitarists, Dave “The Snake, Sabo & Scotti Hill and bassist Rachel Bolan.  Rob Hammersmith on drums is the rookie, joining the band in 2010.  Each had a perfectly short-durationed solo and looked as if they were enjoying every minute of their performance.

The crowd really got going with ‘Monkey Business” and the ballad “I Remember You”.  But the last three songs of the evening:“Slave to the Grind” “18 and Life” and “Youth Gone Wild” drew some of the best audience participation I have seen in my 100+ Den shows.  Very fun, high energy, in your face Rock & Roll.

Absolutely loved it.

Randall

2U - Rock Log 082212

Billed as the second best U2 show in the world, 2U brought their talents to Uncasville for the second time in eighteen months.  Randall, Homework and I were their to witness Fake Bono, Fake Edge and the fake two other guys.  We saw the show on St. Patrick's Day 2011 as well.  Both shows were sparsely attending, catching us off guard once, but not twice.

Tonight the show started poorly as the boys from Fake Dublin were on stage for seemingly an eternity before starting as there was some type of equipment glitch, but once the show started, it took off like a...Fake U2 show.

Let's face it, the music makes the show, play it well and all is good.  It took awhile for the band to get going.  Beginning with "I Will Follow", Fake Bono launched into several high-leg kicks that were more reminiscent of Ralph Macchio than Bono, which set the giggles in motion.  Song three, "Beautiful Day", got the crowd going.  One dude in particular, Little Viz, air-drummed his way through the whole night.  

However, I never really bought into this show.  It was just a band covering U2.  Music was okay, but the actions and banter were pedestrian.  Some quality performances, but just missing key elements.  Strong numbers included "Bad", "In God's Country", "Vertigo" and "Mysterious Ways", during which a drunk bar fly passed out, grabbing me on the way down only to find my saving catch absent.   Falling to the ground, hitting her head on a stool, while maintaining her drink and lit Virginia Slim was spectacular.  She did in fact move in a mysterious way.

Other than that, its just an okay show.  If you like U2, why not.  If you do not then, stay home.  I should note that this same band also travels as Almost Journey, with Fake Steve and Fake Neil.  After two 2U shows, I still haven't found what I'm looking for.

Vick

GIN BLOSSOMS - Rock Log 081812

The Gin Blossoms invaded The Den tonight with their high-spirited pop-rock bonanza.  Joining me for the show were Randall, NK, Lady Vick and Tofu Steve.  This is the second GB show for me and Randall.  We anticipated a strong crowd, so I arrived at 6:45, getting the last remaining spot on the glass.  Settled and ready the show began at 8:00.

Every once in a while you run across a band that you know, but forgot exactly how many hit songs they had.  The Gin Blossoms are definitely that.  The set was fully of energetic songs all performed well.  Songs we all knew were "Until I Fall Away", "Found Out About You", "Allison Road", "Til I Hear It from You", and the ballad that kept the kept the crowd swaying "As Long as It Matters".  I personally thought the two best songs of the night were “Pieces of the Night” and “Wave Bye Bye”.

The band was good.  I did notice that guitarist Jesse Valenzuela missed a few missed chords during certain songs, but largely this is a polished group.  However the key the Gin Blossoms live is Robin Wilson.  According to Randall, and it is an apt description, “he is a little monkey”.  Basically, with most shows if you want a piece of the lead singer, you need to rush the stage.  At a GB show, there is no avoiding Wilson, he’ll come to you.  He sang from on the stage, on top of tables, on chairs, walking through the crowd, on the faux-rocks and even bar-top, which is where Randall, NK and I gave the man some skin.  Not that kind of skin, though the Jersey Housewife to my left certainly was willing to give Wilson what Wilson wanted (alliteration – four consecutive words with the same beginning letter, well crafted, I know).  I was truly entertained watching him and feel he is the best front man I have seen at The Den.

I was a bit surprised at 9:05 when there was a brief discussion on stage between the band mates after which Wilson announced “I just called and audible”, right before playing “A Million Miles” and then exiting.  Sure they returned for a great finale of “Follow You Down”, but the show still ended at 9:18, twelve minutes shy of the expected.  What was the audible and why the short show?  Thought about asking for my money back, but……

This is one of my favorite annual shows in Uncasville.  I will not miss them upon their return and neither should you.  Great music, high-energy lead guy, and plenty of forty-something women headed for Lukewarm City as Hot Town is clearly in their rearview mirror.

Vick

FIREHOUSE - Rock Log 081412

Some things in life aren’t meant to be together:  Pepper on an Oreo - Nope; Ketchup on a Hot Fudge Sundae- Yuck! - or Weight Watchers Meetings at Victoria’s Secret – No Way!!  Other things in life blend just fine:  Peanut Butter & Jelly – Of course; thongs at Miami Beach- For Sure!! or Randall at an 80’s Hair Band Show – No Doubt.  Last night’s life blend happily brought me together with 80’s Hair Band FireHouse at the Den and these rock veterans hit a home run.

I have never seen a more fitting crowd at any Wolf Den show than the one last night.  Typically we see lots of folks out of place ( ie old people at a hard rock show, Chinese people at Asia, myself at Chad & Jeremy or Vick at a Lita Ford show).  Yesterday’s Rock Show had just what you’d expect – 30-40 year old MTV rockers.  There was a plethora of amazingly good looking, properly attired (or un-attired) folks in the crowd – I can only imagine what this crowd would have looked like 20 years ago...To give you a visual of the show from my vantage point, I’ll offer:

That’s right, there were lots of moving parts last night; both in the crowd and on stage.  Now that everyone’s tents have effectively been pitched, on to the show...

FireHouse erupted onto the rock scene back in 1989-1991 and actually won best New Hard Rock band over the likes of Nirvana or Alice in Chains.  These days three of the original four members (CJ Snare, vocals, Bill Leverty, guitar & Michael Foster, drums) still actively tour along with Allen McKenzie on bass and have religiously made Uncasville a yearly stop.

While probably mislabeled as a power ballad band due to the success of ‘When I Look Into Your Eyes’ and ‘Love of a Lifetime’ –these boys actually have a high energy guitar & drum driven sound.  This coupled with the unique and amazing voice of CJ allows them to stand the test of time and continue to rock today.  They refreshingly mixed up the set list this year but the hits ‘Reach for the Sky’ and ‘Don’t Treat Me Bad’ brought the house down.

Plenty of merch and a meet and greet ended the night along with a promise to be back next year.  You can be sure I will be there.

-Randall

THE ZOMBIES - Rock Log 080712

Well, I did it again.  Tonight I drove by myself to see 60s rock legends Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent, better known as The Zombies.  This is the third time I have Zombied at The Den, the first was quite good but the second was abysmal, primarily because of the opening act, The Strawbs.  Don’t get me freakin’ started on The Strawbs.  Let’s just say the second Zombies show was the first and only show that we as a group could not get through and left early.

Anyway, the third time was better, not as good as the first, but a decent show.  Some new tunes mixed in but generally speaking the same set list.  Also, more of the same hyper-creepy looking Blunstone and the self-centered Argent, who took spent a collective fifteen minutes of the show talking about how much Dave Grohl and Paul Weller both loved The Zombies 1967 album Odyssey and Oracle.  It grows old after awhile.  Just play, please.

The music is solid, again led by “Time of the Season”, “Tell Her No”, “She’s Not There” and “Hold Your Head Up”, the latter from Argent’s solo band aptly named Argent.  Frankly, I never liked the whole let’s name the band after our last name thing.  Too pretentious.  I am thankful it is Argent that named his new band after himself and not Blunstone.  Can you imagine going to see Blunstone? 

• Loser A - “Hey, who’s warming up for Michael Bolton at the Coliseum? 
• Loser B - “I think it may be Blunstone” 
• Loser A - “Cool, I love Blunstone!”

Now that I am going, what the hell is a Blunstone?  Sounds like a chunk of crystallized calcium that one may be forced to extract through their urethra.  Blunstone, really?

In summary, not much to report, same old Zombie stuff.  Always good to hear “Time of the Season” as it a 60s anthem.  It was also nice that they mixed in a new song, “Old and Wise”, which is from Blunstone’s days with the Alan Parsons Project.  No need for a Z4, but I would not rule it out.  This is good news because on the trip down to Uncasville I had a felling they would be entering the Hall of Shame tonight.

Vick

SATISFACTION - Rock Log 080612

A must see show. Mick Jagger, Ron Wood and Keith Richards were terrific look-a-like/sound-a-like guys. Piles of hits done to precision. While never a huge Stones fan, I appreciate all that they are to Rock & Roll history and would not miss this show again.

Randall