September 2021

Live Review -Music festivals Return to Canada!

It has been a difficult 18 months for the music and entertainment industry, especially in Canada with travel restrictions still in effect, but the light at the end of the tunnel has arrived as live music has returned with the sold-out 4th annual Rock the Hub music festival in Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada this past September 10-12, 2021. Featuring an array of Canadian-only headlining bands due to travel restrictions, Rock the Hub brought back the sense of community that festivals and live music can bring that has been missing far too long.

Although the larger bands may have taken a hit during the lockdown, it’s also the start-up and unsigned bands that got hurt the most so opening acts like Skye Wallace and the Blue Stones on Friday were really excited to play. They were the first live bands to play a festival in Eastern Canada in almost 18 months!

The Sheepdogs from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and The Sam Roberts Band from Montreal, Quebec were the headlining acts that evening with each of them bringing an excitement and energy to their shows because, once again, it’s been a long time since they have played live. And it was a long time since crowds got to see live music so it didn’t take much for closing act Sam Roberts to get the crowd going to sing along on all his hits.

The second night of Rock the Hub promised to be the big one and delivered. Starting with Motorleague, a rock band from Moncton, NB, with a huge local following, started the evening and brought in an early crowd. The Standstills, a duo from Oshawa, Ontario followed next with a sound similar to Royal Blood. This all set up for the headlining trio of Monster Truck, Big Wreck and Our Lady Peace – three legendary Canadian bands with international success. They played all their hits and as well as new songs “Ought to be” by Big Wreck and “Stop making stupid people famous” by Our Lady Peace. The standout moment of the evening was Our Lady Peace’s cover of Tragically Hip’s “Ballad of a Poet” in tribute to the late Gord Downey.

The last evening brought in two more Canadian legends Danko Jones and Billy Talent. While Royal Tusk had to cancel due to illness, that left Andre Pettipas & The Giants from Montreal, Cleopatrick, and The Wild from British Columbia to get the show going. And getting the show going is also the trademark of the king of Canadian banter Danko Jones, who not only played his hits and two new songs from his latest album, but also brought his “A” game for his banter. From getting the crowd to boo the band for never playing in Truro, NS before, trying to tune a guitar, insisting on playing the Sunday show because that’s when only real rock fans attend – Danko never failed to entertain.

And Billy Talent, the last band of the festival, really entertained. After a 1080-day layoff between live shows for them, they were really happy to play. And the people were happy to see them as their show brought the most energy from the sell out crowd. They also played all their hits from their catalogue including their new single “End of Me”.

It was really exciting to see the return of live music and festivals and it was sad to see the festival end. The 4th annual Rock the Hub was a huge success and a symbol of hope for the return of live music and festivals throughout the rest of Canada in 2022!

Live Review- Judas Priest -50 Heavy Metal Years at Covelli Centre

Youngstown ,Ohio- The might priest have returned and with that I mean Judas Priest ,the leaders of NWOBHM aka New Wave of British Heavy Metal ( an all encompassing term of endearment from an old school metal head ) and they did not disappoint. The Youngstown area is almost perfectly midpoint between Cleveland and Pittsburgh and drew fans from both states to make the Covelli Centre the house of metal for the evening . The band is celebrating 50 years as a band which is much longer that most companies, relationships and buildings last nowadays . Bravo guys and well done .

The band had a whole back log of songs to pick from and they choose some of my favorites including , ” Painkiller”, “Turbo Lover” ( my brother was at that tour and caught half a drum stick ) ,” The Sentinal ” and many many more including from the start ” Rocka Rolla ” and ” Electric Eye ” and the near capacity crown was delighted with every note .

The performing line up that night was Ian Hill on bass guitar, Ron Halford on vocals, Scott Travis on drums, Richie Faulkner on guitar and touring musician Andy Sneap on guitar as well and all of them did a great job .

The highlight of the evening was when a 9 year old fan came up on stage twice once during opening support act Sabaton’s set and was treated like heavy metal royalty and not to be outdone Priest brought him back and showed him how the metal veterans treat the fans .On another note I must give Sabaton credit as they put on a killer performance and just knew that they are going to dominate the area circuit one day soon ( a full review of their set will posted at a later date .

I give Judas Priest and the evening in general a four star review and must be watched to be believed. Make sure you see them if they are coming to a city near year . To keep up with all thing Priest please see the official website at https://judaspriest.com/

BROTHERS IN ARMS RELEASE THE SECOND SINGLE AND VIDEO FROM THEIR FORTHCOMING DEBUT ALBUM SUNSET AND CLARK Inbox

Brothers In Arms is the brainchild of guitarist/composer Jack Frost (Savatage, Seven Witches, Lizzy Borden, etc…), who along with several recruited iconic rock brothers, has made it his mission to prove rock music will never die. The guys unified to take a stand against the doubters and cynics who have claimed that it’s simply not possible to resurrect this celebrated music in which so many lasting and fond memories were built around. Banding together, Jack & the Brothers forged ahead with one main goal: To make quality music that would both represent and immortalize the days of the sold-out legendary rock venues, to show the world that rock is not just a thing of the past.

Their second single and video for “Bitch Is Crazy” is out on now and features Jack along with vocalist Keith St John (Montrose, Kingdome Come, Burning Rain), drummer Karl Wilcox (Diamond Head), and bassist Alex Jansen (Hardline). Keith had this to say about his involvement, “Me and Jack Frost share a common affinity for the late, great Ronnie Montrose, and I think thats how we started talking a few years back. In like half a second, I knew that he was a straight up NY/NJ guy, so we got along (as if we were kindred bro’s) immediately.

Jack sent a me a few tracks to try out, to contribute to an upcoming record he was working on, & when I heard the one that’s now “Bitch”, I knew it was a chaotic oddball, but it had such the outstanding presence of being a live band in a room. So I called Jack and said, ‘Can ya leave everything just as it is? Like with no quantization & no fixes of any sort?…like leave it raw?’ Well, Jack was already WAY on that same page, and I knew I would be happy. I also knew I had my work cut out for me, having to drop a strong hook into this loco little oddball!
‘Brothers’ is what Jack has made it feel like all the way through…but I think that’s just Jack, for real! Other fine musician ‘brothers’ of mine that played with me on this record are Mick Mahan (Pat Benatar), who spent a few years in Montrose with Ronnie & me back in the day, and Dave Amato (REO Speedwagon), who plays in the Ronnie Montrose Remembered (RMR) festivals with me. Dave & I have also performed in some live streams together such as with Monsters of Rock, in both KSJ & Friends & Stairway to Zeppelin. My singing brothers from another mother lol, who I’m ecstatic to hang on the same record with, yet had no idea about when I was fashioning my tracks, are Andrew Freeman and Paul Shortino, who both have killed at the RMR Festivals. Both are also Rock Vault vets, who have really helped me whenever I went out to do that show with them. For me, there couldn’t have been a better title for this record.”

Pre-save the album and single here: https://bit.ly/2VFISX5

View video here: https://youtu.be/DyMTXkrPmGM

Brothers In Arms also features Andrew Freeman (Last In Line, Lynch Mob), Paul Shortino (Rough Cutt, Quiet Riot), Steve Overland (FM, Overland), Nick Walsh (Moxy, Slik Toxik), Jesse Damon (Silent Rage), Todd Poole (Roxy Blue, Saliva), plus special guests Dave Amato (REO Speedwagon), Charlie Calv (Angel), and Mick Mahan (Pat Benatar). The full album is set to drop on September 24th through Deko Entertainment.

You can pre-order the album now and there are limited edition bundles available (while supplies last), which can be ordered via: https://bit.ly/3jDgH36

Product Includes:

(1) Brothers In Arms – “Sunset and Clark” CD
(1) Brothers In Arms – Rock Is Not Dead T-Shirt
(1) Brothers In Arms – Sticker

“Brothers In Arms” Tracklist:
1. Bitch Is Crazy
2. Last To Know
3. The City Never Sleeps
4. Feel The Love
5. Make You Mine
6. The Ties That Bind
7. Long Way From Love
8. My Heart Knows
9. Wasting Light
10. Voices Are Calling

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
https://www.dekoentertainment.com/brothers-in-arms
www.dekoentertainment.com

Live Review -Stewart Copeland’s Police Deranged with The Cleveland Orchestra

Cuyahoga Falls , Ohio- The end of the summer season of the Cleveland Orchestra was this past Saturday and did they bring out the stars for this one . This is the second time this particular show has ever been performed and it was done to perfection bringing the magic of Steward Copeland to the masses .

The evening was conducted by Edwin Outwater with Steward Copeland performing as drummer , part time M.C. and guest conducting for a bit as well .

Some of the hits performed but changed in many ways were ” King of Pain ” , “Roxanne” and “Spirits in the Materiel World ” my favorite song of the evening has intense solos by the orchestra which showcased the pure talent of our musicians was ” Equalizer ” and a very unique version of ” Every Breath You Take ”

The tour continues next month and then some dates in November but to truly keep informed please see his official website at https://www.stewartcopeland.net/ but to be honest even if you are just a casual Police fan this is a show that should not be missed as is a four star show and that will be talked about for years ! Thank you and see you at the show !

Live Review-Salute To John Williams at Blossom Music Center

Cuyahoga Falls ,Ohio- The historic Blossom Music center is the summer home for the Cleveland Orchestra and a perfect setting under the stars ,can we say ” The Force is Strong in North East Ohio ” Okay bad pun but great music and the renowned Cleveland Orchestra was the catalyst to a great night of fun, music and stories .

The night was led and conducted by Richard Kaufmann who himself has appeared on six scores as a violinist composed by John Williams and knows the man personally .( it is safe to say if you can call him at home you know the person well )He led the night and filled it with humor,history and charm and he definitely added a touch of Hollywood to the night ( but without the ego typically found in the movie industry .

The evening started off with the ” Olympic Fanfare and Theme” and proceeded faster then a speeding bullet as the music from “Superman The Movie ” filled out ears with delight .Some of the material i was not familiar with such ” Minority Report : A New Beginning ” and”If We Were In Love ” from ” Yes, Georgio “. Memories came flooding back as scores from Jaws, E.T. The Extra Terrestrial and Raiders of the Lost Ark delighted my senses along with newer work from Harry Potter and of course “Star Wars” had to be mentions as a John Williams retrospective with not be complete with out it . On a side note even thou it was not played I love his original ” Lost In Space ” score as well .

The Cleveland Orchestra will soon be ending the summer session but they can always be found at Severance Hall and on the official website for further information https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/

Event Review -A Celebration of Cleveland Rock History

Cleveland ,Ohio – The Beachland Ballroom played host to an afternoon of music history , trivia and some of Cleveland’s most notorious , I mean loved music icons of the local area.

Hosted by music maestro extraordinaire Ray Carr ( radio and podcast host ) and celebrated author Deanna Adams ( who just came out with a new book ” Cleveland’s Rock N Roll Venues ” .

The afternoon brought back memories for some and knowledge for others of the cities music history and lost venues of our past including Peabody’s, Flashes, The Empire Club, The Sahara Club, Cleveland Cafe and many many more with extensive photographs as well along with the discussion .

One of Cleveland’s most distinguished photographers, Janet Macoska was on hand to give her thoughts and memories of the history of our town as well .

Other scheduled guests included Tommy Rich ,David Spero , Billy bass, Jim Bonfanti, Jim Quinn ,George Sipi Alan Greene , Billy Coakley, Steve Jochum, Sue Csendes, Trenda Jones and Cindy Barber .

If you missed it , make sure you get a copy of Deanna Adams book “Cleveland’s Rock N Roll Venues ” available at most retail outlets . I give this event two horns up ! Rock on !!!