LOU GRAMM - Rock Log 090812

WARNING!  This Review is Rated PG-17

Lou Gramm makes the trip to Uncasville every year.  We make the trip to see him every year.  It is the same show every year; same set, same mediocre band, same lifeless crowd...but that was yesterday.

Randall, Homework, Paulie and I caught former Foreigner front man Lou Gramm, who has made it pretty clear that he needs the cash and that is why he continues to tour upwards of thirty shows annually.  He has historically been a relentless hawker of his merch.  But tonight was pleasing different.  Lou was not about the money tonight.  Lou wasn't about taking no shit tonight.  He all but said "I am the captain of the Good Ship Kick Ass and if you don't want to rock, then get the fuck off my boat".  I'm paraphrasing.

The night began with a strong rendition of Double Vision as does every Lou show.  But the similarity to past shows ended shortly.  Lou entered about thirty seconds into the musical interlude and he was pissed off.  Somebody got under his skin and his only method of coping was the blow the roof off the Den.  He practically stated "Grab your lance and board my mighty rock and roll steed because tonight I am going to rape and pillage Ye Olde Wolf Den, no pussies shall there be".  I am paraphrasing. 

It was an unprecedented eighty minute show of non-stop classics, only one song I did not know. You cannot conceive of how many hits this guy has until you see him live.  The musical highlight was I Want to Know What Love Is, which included a full eight member youth ensemble joining in the vocals.  My favorite was the poppy Just Between You and Me, which captured Lou's full range.  Lou was full of energy, only taking one eight minute break while his drummer brother Ben had his solo.  Nobody likes a drum solo, nobody.  But nothing could ruin Sir Lou's night.  High notes, low notes, screams, he was dead on.  I noticed only one crack in the voice, but I feel guilty even mentioning it.  He was that good.  Noticeably absent was Live Without Your Love, but I ain't complainin'. 

Also noticeably absent tonight was Lou's endless pandering of his merch, which we frankly love.  But again, tonight Lou was not about the money.  Lou almost came out and said "merch don't mean shit, I'm all about melting your fucking skulls tonight".  Again, not factually accurate, but I perceived that to be his non-verbal intent.

This is the first Lou show for Paulie at the Den, second for me and Homework and fourth for Randall.  Neither of us thought we needed to go, but we were damn glad we did.  Well done Lou, it felt like the first time.

Vick

PS: sorry for the foul language, but the blame goes to Lou Gramm

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