07/24/2018 Godsmack, Shinedown, Like A Storm (Darien, NY @ Darien Lake Performing Arts Center)
By Eric Bonus | July 25, 2018 10:48 am
I had initially gotten $10 lawn tickets for both this show and the Breaking Benjamin/FFDP show later in August at the same time, just as a “if I can get in the door for $10, why not” sort of idea. Both Shinedown and Godsmack had new albums out, and I’d seen them both on their respective last album cycles. As it turned out, despite being a Tuesday night, I was able to go without much heartache on the homefront. The weather was not as willing to cooperate however, as the forecast called for rain during most of the show. Thankfully, for most shows at Darien Lake, Live Nation offers seat upgrades for a somewhat reduced price. Given that this was a Tuesday night, the crowd was kinda sparse, so I wasn’t going to have any issue getting under the tent! I got in line and started chatting with the woman in front of me, who apologized for taking awhile because she was uprgrading 4 tickets for her whole family. I’m like, no worries, its all good, yadda yadda. I get my ticket upgrade to the 300 section for less overall (meaning upgrade + my original $10 lawn ticket) than that seat would have cost me to buy from the get-go! So I get to the seat, and who rolls in a minute later? The woman from in line with her husband and two tween kids. I mention this because while I always make concert buddies, these people were some of the nicest folks I’ve ever randomly sat next to at a show. Like, EVER. They had come in from Utica for the day, and were camping overnight at the campground at the park. Pretty sure it was the kids’ first concert, and they were all HYPED for Shinedown. I think she said it was their (the adults) first time seeing Shinedown (and Godsmack for that matter) too, so of course I’m telling them how great they always sound, if Brent has a good day he sings his ass off, etc. etc.
Like A Storm starts, and part of me finds it funny that they keep getting opening spots on tours like these, and the other part of me realizes that it’s probably because they have enough of a following, have enough songs that get spun on Octane, do their job as hype men for the other bands, and are probably super professional as tourmates. They got their five songs, closed with Love The Way You Hate Me, and sounded good doing it. Perfect openers.
So Shinedown is up next, and of course the family next to me goes bonkers. I’ll hand it to the band, they came out of the gate hard, with Sound of Madness, Diamond Eyes, and Cut The Cord. Great opening run. Brent was sounding really good, the rest of the band always does, and everyone was into it. The mom had told me that “Get Up” off the new album was their favorite, and that was the first new song they played. Seeing how happy this family was that they got to hear their song was priceless – I hope I look like I’m having that much fun when my stuff gets played! After a couple more songs, Brent and Zach trekked out to a little stage at the edge of the lawn to do Simple Man acoustically. A very nice treat for everyone out in the back starting to get rained on. They closed it out with Devil to cap off a great set.
We’re in set change, and then the dad comes back with a beer for me, and I’m like, uhhh… and the mom says “that’s for putting up with us!” I’m like, this is a show, you guys were rocking out, that’s what supposed to happen!!! Couldn’t believe it. No good deed goes unpunished, however, so I bought them one each as well, Put me in the hole by a beer, but I told them it was beyond worth it to have such awesome concert “citizens” next to me! Mutual admiration society meeting going on, but whatever, it was great.
Time for Godsmack. Opened with new stuff, the new title track When Legends Rise into 1000hp, before going all the way back with Keep Away, and then into the rest of the set, They’re *still* doing the drum battle. My family headed out halfway through the set, and I was sorry to see them go as I never got any contact info from them! Ah well, perhaps I’ll run into them again at a show someday. As for the balance of the Godsmack show, it was pretty standard issue. The pyro was good, band sounded fine, Sully sounded fine. I Stand Alone was the closer, and I had been slinking out towards the door through the entirety of the song and successfully beat most of the traffic (out the front gate I might add!).
Best revelation of the night? They built a Tim Hortons on the corner of Rts 5 and 77! And on this night, I got my coffee for free because the girl said I had waited too long. I hadn’t, but whatever, go figure!
Like A Storm
—————-
Pure Evil
Become The Enemy
Wish You Hell
The Devil Inside
Love The Way You Hate Me
Shinedown
————–
Sound of Madness
Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom)
Cut the Cord
I’ll Follow You
Bully
Get Up
Enemies
Black Soul
State of My Head
Second Chance
Simple Man (acoustic with Zach and Brent on the lawn)
Devil
Sound of Madness
Get Up
Simple Man
Godsmack
————-
When Legends Rise
1000hp
Keep Away
Cryin’ Like a Bitch
Unforgettable
Straight Out of Line
Awake
Someday
Voodoo
Batalla de los tambores
Whatever
Bulletproof
I Stand Alone
1000hp
Topics: Concerts | Comments Off on 07/24/2018 Godsmack, Shinedown, Like A Storm (Darien, NY @ Darien Lake Performing Arts Center)
Tags: 2018, Darien, Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Godsmack, Like A Storm, Shinedown
07/21/2018 Adelita’s Way, Dead Girls Academy, Zero Theorem, Small Town Titans (Rochester, NY @ Montage Music Hall)
By Eric Bonus | July 23, 2018 11:17 am
This was my typical “eh, if the kids bedtime goes smoothly I’ll go check it out” type of show. It did, so I did. I’d seen Adelita’s Way as openers twice, once with Fozzy and Buckcherry, and then with Theory of a Deadman. I like them well enough, its standard Octane-type fare, and they put on a good show those last two times.
The openers were a mixed bag. Small Town Titans were okay, pretty standard rock. I didn’t see a whole lot of the set. Zero Theorem, on the other hand, were great. Fairly polished, the band had the same electronic-tinged sound like a Gemini Syndrome, and the lead singer, both in sound and look, reminded me of the singer from Atomship. So much so that I talked to him at the merch booth after the set to mention it, and naturally, he’d never heard of Atomship. I bought the EP they were selling, and it’s pretty damn good.
With the yin comes the yang – Dead Girls Academy was one of those bands that are “goth” and “spooky” with a generic Warped Tour look and sound. The band sounded okay, the lead singer was fine (scene tats everywhere), but the songs were less than interesting. Eh, can’t win em all.
Adelita’s came out and played a very solid set. The place wasn’t full by any means, but the fans that were there were quite enthusiastic, singing along with everything and rocking out. The band sounded good, lead singer Rick DeJesus was on point, and the setlist selection was pretty varied, including a three song acoustic jaunt in the middle. They saved the best for last, as the final four songs were Criticize, Notorious, Sick, and Invincible, which capped off a fairly entertaining night of rock.
Adelitas Way setlist
———————
Bad Reputation
Ready For War (Pray For Peace)
Still Hungry
Alive
Somebody Wishes They Were You (acoustic)
Last Stand (acoustic)
Tell Me (acoustic)
Good Die Young
Criticize
Notorious
Sick
Invincible
Criticize
Sick
Topics: Concerts | Comments Off on 07/21/2018 Adelita’s Way, Dead Girls Academy, Zero Theorem, Small Town Titans (Rochester, NY @ Montage Music Hall)
Tags: 2018, Adelitas Way, Dead Girls Academy, Montage Music Hall, rochester, Small Town Titans, Zero Theorem
Zero Theorem – 2018 – Ataraxis
By Eric Bonus | July 22, 2018 6:00 pm
Artist: Zero Theorem
Title: Ataraxis
Label: SHIM SHAM
Released: May 4, 2018
Packaging: Digipack
Pack-in DVD?
Release Type: Standard
Autographed?
Tracklist:
#Euthanize
#Area
#Becoming
#Rorschach
#Ataraxis
#Low
Review:
Topics: CD Collection | Comments Off on Zero Theorem – 2018 – Ataraxis
Tags: 2018, Digipack, SHIM SHAM, Standard, Zero Theorem
Toadies – 2017 – The Lower Side Of Uptown
By Eric Bonus | July 17, 2018 6:00 pm
Artist: Toadies
Title: The Lower Side Of Uptown
Label: Kirtland
Released: Sep 8, 2017
Packaging: Digipack
Pack-in DVD?
Release Type: Standard
Autographed?
Tracklist:
#When I Die
#Take Me Alive
#Polly Jean
#You Know The Words
#Mama Take Me Home
#Keep Breathing
#Amen
#Human Cannonball
#Broke Down Stupid
#I Put A Spell On You
#Echo
#Sentimental
Review:
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Tags: 2017, Digipack, Kirtland, Standard, Toadies
Toadies – 2015 – Heretics
By Eric Bonus | July 17, 2018 6:00 pm
Artist: Toadies
Title: Heretics
Label: Kirtland
Released: Sep 18, 2015
Packaging: Digipack
Pack-in DVD?
Release Type: Standard
Autographed?
Tracklist:
#In The Belly Of A Whale
#Tyler
#Beside You
#Queen Of Scars
#Rattler’s Revival
#Heart Of Glass
#Possum Kingdom
#The Appeal
#Dollskin
#Backslider
#Jigsaw Girl
#Send You To Heaven
Review:
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Tags: 2015, Digipack, Kirtland, Standard, Toadies
07/07/2018 Vanilla Ice, Dwayne Gretzky (Buffalo, NY @ Canalside)
By Eric Bonus | July 9, 2018 3:20 pm
Vanilla Ice is one artist I didn’t think I’d ever see in person again, but when it was announced he’d be at Canalside in Buffalo on a Saturday, I figured why the hell not. Nothing was going to live up to the legendary April Fools Day show in 1999, but I figured it could be cool. And it was… okay. He more acted like his own hype-man than anything else. He did part of Play That Funky Music, part of Prozac, part of Ninja Rap, and all of Ice Ice Baby in-between a lot of “make some noise!” and “I can’t hear you” type stuff, plus some snippets of other peoples songs. It was fine, and as far as “keeping the party going”, he did that pretty well, but as a capital-C concert, there wasn’t much. The opening band, Dwayne Gretzky, is a cover band out of Toronto ala the Skycoasters, and they did their part and sounded good doing it. The highlight of my night was running into old RIT friend Mary and her boyfriend Justin, it was great catching up with her and talking about all of the other shows we’d both been to (mainly The Tea Party!). So certainly a fun night, despite the “show” not exactly being the standard concert fare.
Topics: Concerts | Comments Off on 07/07/2018 Vanilla Ice, Dwayne Gretzky (Buffalo, NY @ Canalside)
Tags: 2018, Buffalo, Canalside, Dwayne Gretzky, Vanilla Ice
Bad Wolves – 2018 – Disobey
By Eric Bonus | July 2, 2018 6:00 pm
Artist: Bad Wolves
Title: Disobey
Label: Eleven Seven
Released: May 11, 2018
Packaging: Jewel Case
Pack-in DVD?
Release Type: Standard
Autographed?
Tracklist:
#Officer Down
#Learn To Live
#No Masters
#Zombie
#Run For Your Life
#Remember When
#Better The Devil
#Jesus Slaves
#Hear Me Now
#Truth Or Dare
#The Conversation
#Shape Shifter
#Toast To The Ghost
Review:
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Tags: 2018, Bad Wolves, Eleven Seven, Jewel Case, Standard
Nine Inch Nails – 2018 – Bad Witch
By Eric Bonus | July 2, 2018 6:00 pm
Artist: Nine Inch Nails
Title: Bad Witch
Label: Capitol
Released: Jun 22, 2018
Packaging: Cardboard
Pack-in DVD?
Release Type: Standard
Autographed?
Tracklist:
#Shit Mirror
#Ahead Of Ourselves
#Play The Goddamned Part
#God Break Down The Door
#Im Not From This World
#Over And Out
Review:
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Tags: 2018, Capitol, Cardboard, Nine Inch Nails, Standard
Sons of Texas – 2017 – Forged By Fortitude
By Eric Bonus | July 2, 2018 6:00 pm
Artist: Sons of Texas
Title: Forged By Fortitude
Label: Razor & Tie
Released: Sep 22, 2017
Packaging: Jewel Case
Pack-in DVD?
Release Type: Standard
Autographed?
Tracklist:
#Buy In To Sell Out
#Feed The Need
#Down In The Trenches
#Cast In Stone
#Beneath The Riverbed
#Expedition To Perdition
#Turnin’ The Page
#Jaded Eyes
#Wasp Women
#Forged By Fortitude
#Slam With The Lights On
Review:
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Tags: 2017, Jewel Case, Razor & Tie, Sons of Texas, Standard
06/23/2018 ZZ Top, John Fogerty, Ryan Kinder (Canandaigua, NY @ CMAC)
By Eric Bonus | June 25, 2018 11:58 am
ZZ Top is the band I have the earliest memories of, as I can clearly recall Dad spinning Eliminator (on vinyl!) at our old house when I was about four years old. Seeing the videos for all those singles over the years on MTV didn’t hurt either, let alone the fact that the band is just flat-out great. So not for lack of opportunity, as they’ve come around pretty regularly, but I finally got to see ZZ Top! I tried to convince the parents to come with me, but no dice on that front, so rolling solo I managed to get a front row ticket, albeit on the far right-hand side, but front row nonetheless. Being a passing CCR fan, having John Fogerty on the bill also was pretty nice. I got pretty lucky parking-wise, picking the right (and correct!) lane and then putting the car on some guys front lawn on the corner of Lakeshore and Moran. Got in, got a brew, and sat down for the opener, Ryan Kinder. I’m sure the guy is talented, but when it’s just a guy, a guitar, and a backing track, I’m instantly unimpressed. As I said on Facebook: “So the first “band” on for ZZ Top and John Fogerty is this guy Ryan Kinder, with a female accompanist singer, and a GODDAMN BACKING TRACK. No bass player, no drummer. WTF is this shit? FOH with this nonsense.”
So he got his half-hour or so, and then John Fogerty was next. He had a ton of energy, his band sounded great, and they played a very lengthy setlist that included a bunch of CCR in addition to his solo stuff – Fogerty has hits for days. He brought out his son (who is in the band) to sing Good Golly Miss Molly, and then Billy Gibbons came out to play a new song called “Holy Grail” that was pretty cool. All around solid set and I’m very happy to have gotten to see him!
John Fogerty
————
Travelin’ Band
Hey Tonight
Rock and Roll Girls
Who’ll Stop the Rain
Good Golly Miss Molly
Psycho
Up Around the Bend
Holy Grail – with Billy Gibbons
Love and War
Have You Ever Seen the Rain?
I Heard It Through the Grapevine
Long as I Can See the Light
Keep On Chooglin’
Born on the Bayou
My Toot Toot
Jambalaya (On the Bayou)
New Orleans
Down on the Corner
Centerfield
The Old Man Down the Road
Fortunate Son
Encore:
Bad Moon Rising
Proud Mary
Holy Grail (with Billy Gibbons)
Born on the Bayou
Bad Moon Rising / Proud Mary
Now it was time for that Little Ol’ Band From Texas! Just like with John Fogerty, it was all hits, all the time. It’s not like they have a bad song in the catalog anyway. Got Me Under Pressure was a cool opener, I personally love I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide, and I Gotsta Get Paid was pretty sweet too. Could not go wrong, they sounded awesome, and 4-year old me would have been proud.
ZZ Top
——
Got Me Under Pressure
I Thank You
Waitin’ for the Bus
Jesus Just Left Chicago
Gimme All Your Lovin’
Pearl Necklace
I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide
I Gotsta Get Paid
Sixteen Tons
Just Got Paid
Sharp Dressed Man
Legs
Encore:
La Grange
Tush
Gimmie All Your Lovin
I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide
Topics: Concerts | Comments Off on 06/23/2018 ZZ Top, John Fogerty, Ryan Kinder (Canandaigua, NY @ CMAC)
Tags: 2018, Canandaigua, CMAC, John Fogerty, Ryan Kinder, ZZ Top