Reviews

Motley Crue/Def Leppard Stadium Tour: DC Show Review

Published

2 years ago

June 25, 2022

Ron

Motley Crue and company not only brought to DC the good tunes they also brought the rain and lightning with them. The day started off with lots of sun and the weather being hotter than balls in leather pants.

Classless Act opened up the show coming on right as fans were emerging into the Nats Stadium. I got to interview them 2 months prior and was excited to see them on this huge stage. Classless didn’t disappoint and for all the fans that didn’t come in early to watch them, they missed out on a band that’s gonna be huge and going places and could have seen them on the ground level. With songs like This is for You and Time to Bleed, Classless Act is the next generation of rock and roll.

Next up was Joan Jett. I wasn’t able to photograph her on this tour but she always puts on a hell of a show. Joan still looks amazing and still rocks that guitar like nobody’s business. I did get to watch some of her set and still kills it on songs like Cherry Bomb, Crimson and Clover and I Love Rock and Roll. Ending the night with Bad Reputation.

Next up was Poison. Bret still amazes me how awesome he sounds and how cool he is. Coming out to the edge of the stage ramp and giving high-fives to fans and giving metal horns to us photographers. CC DeVille, Bobby Dall and Rikki Rockett are such a powerhouse. Opening up with “Look What The Cat Dragged In” Poison were killing it on the stage. Songs like “Your Momma Don’t Dance”, “Unskinny Bop” and ending the night with “Nothing but a good Time” it’s great to see to see Poison just rock out and the fans were right there with them.

Def Leppard was next and for us photographers we were going to shoot the last two songs of the night but unfortunately Mother Nature had different plans and brought down the rains and the lightning cutting their set two songs short. I did get to see a bit of them playing, opening up with “Take What You want” and rocking out some of my favorite Def songs like “Animal”, “ Foolin” and “Armageddon It” before I left to make my way to the photo area. Joe Elliot still sounds great, Phil Collen still looks great and Rick Allen still kills it on those drums. Def Leppard was a huge crowd favorite. Now while we didn’t get to photo Def, fans and us photographers had to seek shelter from the heavy rain and lightning.

Motley was suppose to go on at 9pm. While fans left and all hope was not looking good, the Metal Gods said no more lightning and let’s play some rock. Motley Crue hit the stage at 10:30 and played the full set in the rain and didn’t end til 11:50. While still hurting from the broken ribs we did get to see Tommy play a few songs then come back of course for “Home Sweet Home”.

Opening up with “Wild Side” and “Shout at the Devil” I thought Vince sounded good, he was moving around the stage and looked like he genuinely was having fun. Nikki Sixx was amazing so cool to see him upclose and just rocking that stage and Mick Mars is so damn killer. It was hard shooting Tommy in the back but you could see he was enjoying himself while you know he’s in some pain. The end of the night ended with a bang of great Crue songs like “Dr Feelgood”, “SOS”, “Girls, Girls, Girls” and ending with “Kickstart My Heart”.

I believe this was my only second time seeing Motley but damn was it a great time even though the weather was trying to beat us down. I got to photograph a Legendary band and one of my highlights for sure. Now we just have to wait and see if this “Destroyed” Contract that Crue had is still intact somewhere in a dark vault or will the Crue do another tour?

About Author

Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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Reviews

Collective Soul “7EVEN YEAR ITCH” Greatest Hits 1994-2001 Vinyl

Published

4 months ago

January 4, 2024

Ron

I’ve always been a big fan of Collective Soul and have been lucky to have seen them a few times. This band has always been in my music mixes since the 1990s.

The vinyl release is exactly what you would want for a greatest-hits album. All the best songs that collective soul had from 1994–2001 If you were a teenager or an adult in the 90s, you can’t tell me that you didn’t jam out to songs like “Shine,” “Gel,” and “December.”

With other great songs like “Heavy,” “Run,” “The World I Know,” and “Forgiveness,” This greatest hit album sounds amazing on vinyl as well. Craft Recordings has done a really great job of keeping the magic and sound of these amazing songs.

The sleeve cover has some cool photos of the band throughout the years. This vinyl just came out in Collective Soul fashion in December, and is ready to be part of your vinyl collection, and just brings you back to a great time in life.

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Ron

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Reviews

Otep – Hydra 10th Anniversary Vinyl

Published

5 months ago

December 15, 2023

Ron

I received a copy of the album, and when I first opened it, the artwork struck me first. Otep has always been a great visual artist, with her amazing drawings and characters. I even have one of them tattooed on myself. When you see the artwork on this vinyl release, you will really be drawn in and appreciate the artistry.

The sound of this vinyl is amazing. It’s been years since I’ve listened to anything on vinyl and forgot how much I loved the sound of the medium compared to CDs and digital releases. I love the songs on this album because, as with all Otep albums, it has such raw power and emotions, mixed with the anger and beauty of Otep’s poetry. Otep is one of the greats.

The album starts off with the track “Rising,” and this initial song sets the tone for what you’re about to hear from the balance of the album. The standout tracks on this album have to be “Necromantic,” “Apex Predator,” “Voyeur,” and “Feral Game.” Over all, the album as a complete piece of art is amazing. I would encourage you, if you’re a fan of Otep or a collector of vinyl, to add this vinyl to your collection.

About Author

Ron

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Reviews

WEDNESDAY 13: Performs Muderdolls Lititz PA Show Review

Published

5 months ago

November 24, 2023

Ron

Wednesday 13 came into Lititz, PA, on November 18th, bringing the music, or The MurderDolls, with him. Continuing the legacy of Joey Jordison and Ben Graves.

Wednesday 13 is on a tour now; that’s all MurderDolls. 21 years have passed since Beyond the Valley of the MurderDolls came out, and 13 years have passed since Women and Children Last was released. Wednesday and his bandmates are sharing the stage with Infected Rain and Gemini Syndrome on this tour.

The show was amazing; this was our first time covering a show at Mickey’s Black Box. The venue, the staff, and our media contact were so hospitable. The venue was amazing, with a cool balcony on the second floor to watch the show as well.

We got to hear a full set of 20 MurderDolls songs, which was pretty much every song on both albums. There were some songs I haven’t gotten to hear in a long time, like “Grave Robbing USA”, “Drug Me To Hell”, and “Summertime Suicide”. Of course, it wouldn’t be a MurderDolls show if they didn’t play “I Love to Say Fuck” and finish the night with “Dead in Hollywood.”

It’s always a blast to see Wednesday 13 in concert, and I was so excited for the band that a lot of these shows were sold out. It was also a special night because it was my GF’s “50th” birthday and my buddy’s GF’s birthday the next day. We got the MC of the show, Don Jamieson, to give them a little birthday shout-out.

Although it’s sad that Joey and Ben are no longer with us, I’m sure Joey is loving that Murderdolls is still kicking ass after all those years, and I know that Wednesday 13 is so appreciative of what MurderDolls has done for his career.