Concert Week: Crue Fest Live

After reading all the negative reviews for Crue Fest, I have to admit I was a little nervous before Tuesday's show at Riverbend Music Center near Cincinnati. I cannot attest to the other reviews, but I know from experience that every performance Tuesday night was excellent. 

In case you're new here (or you've been living under a rock) Crue Fest 2008 features Motley Crue, Buckcherry, Papa Roach, SIXX: AM and Trapt.  Now I will be the first to admit that I am not a  Trapt fan but  the band did their best to come out and give a high energy show. Running just five minutes behind schedule, Trapt played for less than 40 minutes. Trapt played  a track off their new album  Only Through the Pain. It was decent and I actually did receive that disc two weeks ago. Perhaps I should give it a shot? The crowd wasn't very big by this point, but people were starting to file-in nicely by the end of the set and yes, "Headstrong" got a nice reception.

As you can imagine, the crowd was getting dense for SIXX: AM. After all, Crue Fest is just about the only opportunity to see the band perform live. Nikki Sixx stayed off to the side and didn't steal much of the lime light. The 45 minute set was basically about singer James Michael and guitarist DJ Ashba. I was *very* excited about seeing SIXX: AM and I still stand by my statement that the Heroin Diaries soundtrack is perhaps one of the best rock albums of this decade. The band played "Tomorrow," "Accidents Can Happen," "Life is Beautiful" and "Pray for Me." I also got a lovely shower from DJ Ashba. He took a big swig of something and the spewed it all over the front two rows. Ah, Glam.

Biggest surprise of the night? Papa Roach. I need to give this band another chance. Ok, so I know a lot of their songs but I wasn't expecting such a good performance. Despite the fact that Jacoby Shaddix's eyes look like they were bugging out, I was pretty much mesmerized. Talk about putting 100% into a performance. As with nearly every other stop on the Crue Fest tour, Jacoby sang a song in the crowd. I had more fun watching Jerry Horton play his guitar (ladies: meow). For whatever reason, it seemed like Papa Roach got a longer time slot than Buckcherry. I can't say enough good things about Papa Roach - I loved the entire performance!  The band played a decent mix of songs from across their albums.

Obviously there were a ton of Motley Crue shirts in the crowd - but Buckcherry sure gave them a run for their money. By the time Buckcherry took the stage around 8 p.m., the amphitheater was packed. I think Papa Roach put on a better show, but Buckcherry were still very good. I can't get over how Josh Todd just sort of floats across the stage, kicking his legs to the side like a cartoon character. He's really very wiry, isn't he? While taking a photo of the floating Josh, a guitar pick hit my shoulder - and I handed it to Heather. Buckcherry are, after all, her band and she screamed along all the lyrics. Hearing "Too Drunk..." was fun to be sure. As a note, I don't recall ever hearing Riverbend more loud than when Buckcherry started the beginning of "Crazy Bitch." Insanity.

So, now it was time for me and Motley Crue. Being second row, center meant that I was thisclose to Nikki Sixx. There's no point in me posting the set list here because you already know the band played "Saints of Los Angeles" and "Motherfucker of the Year" from the new album and then all the Motley hits. Being so close to Vince Neil, it was easy to judge his mood: he was jolly. Jolly usually equals a good show and for the most part, Vince really did try to sing the words. He sang more lyrics than I expected and I swear he can still sing when he tries. As expected, Mick Mars was the highlight. So sick and quiet, just playing his guitar solos and owning the stage. I suppose that really says something when such a diminutive man with talent can outshine  glitz and bravado. I really wanted a guitar pick but it wasn't meant to be I guess. I was too far from Mick's side and he only ventured center two or three times.

I didn't understand why - of all bands - Motley Crue would choose to end their show with a ballad. "Home Sweet Home" as an encore actually worked and made a lot of sense. It really was quite touching, with the band ditching the pyro and coming together in one small spot on the stage to have a nice moment with fans. This song choice actually made the show feel more intimate - even though there were about 15,000 people behind me. I wish I had more time (and money) to see the show again. Truly excellent.

**Concert week continues tonight. I'll be seeing Def Leppard and Billy Idol right here in Dayton.

Update on Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 11:12AM by Allyson B. Crawford

**Allyson here. I just noticed the top picture looks terrible on my work monitor - but is awesome at home. I'm hoping you can see the devil image clearly. It really is a bad ass shot and excellent way for the Crue to open their show.

I Wish My Camera Phone...

I wish my camera phone came with a flash. That is all.

My Review of Crue Fest is Coming...

I  am just home from Crue Fest and it is late. I have a lot  to say, so check back later today for my review and an extensive photo gallery.

Erotics Working on New Disc

If you like dirty Glam -- and I know you do!

"For the last decade The Erotics have delivered raw rock-n-roll with unabashed reality, infectious hooks and a sly knack for sarcasm. From the punk rock beginnings of their debut release 'Born To Destroy' through the decadent and delinquent bluesy releases '21st Century S.O.B.' and 'All That Glitters Is Dead' and on to the diseased and depraved 'Rock N Roll Killing Machine' and last years highly acclaimed '30 Second Over You...'  the band have returned with a new collection of rock anthems with their new CD simply titled Rubbish. 

As one of the best kept (not-so) secrets in rock, The Erotics are riding the wave of the new rock-n-roll resurgence and are leading the charge, poised to expose themselves and sleazy, kick-ass rock-n-roll to the entire world."

 

01 - Dead Last In The Rat Race
02 - Terrorize You
03 - Push Comes To Death
04 - Get Away From Me (Mother F*cker)
05 - Nobody Wants You Around
06 - Born To Let You Down
07 - Frustrated
08 - Walk All Over You 

 

www.eroticrocknroll.com

www.myspace.com/theerotics

I am really looking forward to this CD. You can hear quite a few songs on the band's official Myspace. I think the Erotics are a twist between Faster Pussycat and Bang Tango. So Glam.

**Tonight I see Crue Fest in Cincinnati. Comprehensive coverage including photos tomorrow on Bring Back Glam!

Outside Writers are Wrecking Glam

Ladies, you'll probably remember your mothers saying "you can't change a man." Talk about the truth. It's hard to change a person. We are individual creatures of our own design with a specific world view, unique to only ourselves. Still, groups of people - such as sports teams or musicians - often share the same attitudes and behaviors. We've seen this with many a rock band...one member becomes a drug addict... and then suddenly everyone is off the wagon. Then, one person gets clean...and everyone is in rehab. While changing a person isn't good, altering a behavior or habit is something totally different. I believe you can always improve yourself...and that surely applies to the musicians we love.

A lot of Glam musicians have some very bad habits. I don't care about the personal habits -- I do, however,  care about the ones that interfere with music making. Today we'll talk about my cherished Aerosmith. Yes Aerosmith were drug addicts but they got clean and good for them. That is none of my business. My complaint? I wish Aerosmith would stop using outside writers every time the band needs a new tune.
A lot of bands use outside writers these days - and it doesn't really seem to matter the level of fame, although older bands seem to use more help. Some of this could be complacency, or apathy, or lack of creativity. I've often wondered if bands - the rare ones that enjoy prolific careers like Aerosmith - are actually plagued by their success. Think about it: a band is young and hungry - both literally and creatively. It's either write a good song and get a record deal...or starve. Play or die basically. Very few will make it - and even less will make it big. So, these are rare bands. The chosen few humans pulled together by rare instances to create harmony out of a very dissonant world. When you are young and hungry, you do what you gotta do. You scratch your way out of a bad situation. Desperate times often mean for great writing. When you're middle aged and filthy rich...there isn't much scratching left. Perhaps this is why bands like Aerosmith use the outside writers.

Here's the irony: those outside writers are often very famous and also exceptionally wealthy. They don't know how to scratch either! Also, how can they tell a band's unique story...when not an official member?! Without the history and chemistry, the end result if often obviously forced. Very rarely does this equal a good album.

Perhaps I'm prejudiced: I have no issue with pop artists using songs written by others. That form of music seems destined for writing help. When it comes to rock, Glam or Metal...I think it must be band members or bust. Agree?

If You Are Going to Rock the Bayou...We Need To Talk

Are you willing to spread the word about Bring Back Glam! during Rock the Bayou? The festival is in just a handful of days, so time is limited. This large-scale event is a great way to spread the word about our special community. If you would like to help, please send an email to allyson@bringbackglam.com. I want to do some BBG! promotion at the event, and I'm going to need some grassroots support.

Concert Week: Poison/Dokken/Sebastian Bach Live Review

Last night I saw Poison/Dokken and Sebastian Bach at Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati. Per usual, I attended with Eric and Heather. Before I say anything else, I must note that this was perhaps the most prompt concert I've ever attended. Bach took the stage just a few seconds after 7pm. I find that very impressive. On to the show.

I was expecting the same set lists from Rocklahoma, and I was basically correct. Sebastian Bach performed "Back in the Saddle," "18 and Life," "American Metalhead," "Love is a Bitchslap," "Monkey Business," "I Remember You," "Youth Gone Wild," and more. I will say that I think Mr. Bach sounded better in voice last night in Cincinnati, Ohio than he did last month in Pryor, Oklahoma. He can still hit a majority of his most famous notes, but when he can't he covers nicely. Heather was excited to hear, in her words, "Skid Row songs they way they should sound." For better or worse, Sebastian Bach singing "Youth Gone Wild" live always gets a crowd whipped into a frenzy. All told, Sebastian Bach sang for a solid 45 minutes.

Dokken took the middle spot last night, which was a flip from Rocklahoma. Again, the set list was similar to the festival, relying heavily on the Tooth and Nail album. Some of the classics Cincinnati heard last night were "Into the Fire," "Dream Warriors," "Alone Again" and "Breakin' The Chains." Dokken also played for about 45 minutes. Unlike Sebastian Bach,  I would say Don Dokken sounded weaker last night than he did at Rocklahoma. I also noticed a lot more people sitting during Dokken, whereas it seemed everyone was standing for Sebastian Bach. By the end of Dokken's set, I will admit most of the collective crowd up and moving.

Finally, Poison. I've seen Poison live several times now. In fact, I would guess that over half of the very large crowd at Riverbend have seen Poison live at least once before last night. If you've ever been to a Poison show, you know what to expect: pyro, a guitar solo, confetti and lots of ladies hoping to get featured on the jumbotron. Last night was much of the same. Poison played these songs for just over an hour:

Look What the Cat Dragged In
I Want Action
Ride the Wind
What I Like About You
C. C. DeVille guitar solo
Something to Believe In
Your Momma Don't Dance
Rikki Rockett drum solo
Unskinny Bop
Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Fallen Angel
Talk Dirty To Me
Nothin' But a Good Time

Now, I know many people may disagree with me, but I have to say it: I think Bret Michaels sounded hoarse yet again last night. I swear, he's destroying his voice by performing so many solo gigs in addition to his Poison duties. As Heather pointed out, you couldn't hear half the lyrics because the amps were turned up so loud. I presume this was in an effort to compensate for Bret's weak vocals. At any rate, the crowd really was having a good time - and please believe there were a lot of people at the show. In fact, I would bet last night's show was one of the fullest of the entire tour. Low ticket prices and a Saturday night contributed to the crowd. 

I think I'm getting sick of Bret's story about his one guitar lesson and the ending of "Every Rose Has Its Thorn." Still, I have to admit that I actually found myself thinking about Bret's one $12.50 lesson. You see, my lessons are a little more expensive but it is 2008, not the dawn of the 1980s. I bet Bret's dad really *does* still complain about the price of that lesson. After all, that was a lot of money back then. No matter Bret turned a little talent and a lot of moxie into a Glam empire and has made up for that lesson price a million times over. No, I get it. My parents still remember how much something cost 20 years ago, too.

Back to the show. As you can see by the set list, it was all the Poison hits. We all knew what we would hear last night, and that's ok. There was one variation: C.C. DeVille has recently added a bit of "Amazing Grace" to his guitar solo. This was at the urging of his pastor. I will say it was a bit odd to hear a hymn and then look at the giant screen behind the band projecting images of nearly naked women. Overall, I thought both the guitar and drum solos were too long. Of course, there is a practical reason: Bret uses these solos to check on his blood sugar and monitor his diabetes...and yet...too long. I've never noticed the Poison solos to take up that much of the set, but maybe the band is trying something new.

During the stage banter, Bret thanked the crowd several times for coming out and also mentioned Rock of Love quite a few times. There was an after-concert party at the Blue Note club in Cincinnati with Bret. I can only imagine that debauchery.

Concert week rolls on: Tuesday is Crue Fest again at Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati.