Dave’s Rock Blog

Actually, two things occurred to me when I attended a Stone Temple Pilots concert on September 10, 2001, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

First off, Stone Temple Pilots in 2011 now hold the title of “my favorite band.” Secondly, Newark, New Jersey’s NJPAC, after I attended two rock concerts there, has quickly become one of my favorite music venues.

Stone Temple Pilots are an American hard rock band who formed in southern California during the early 1990s. In 1994, Rolling Stone Magazine named Stone Temple Pilots the Best New Band in a poll of its readers, and the magazine’s music critics named them the Worst New Band. The band was barely on my radar during their run through the 1990s. When the band Velvet Revolver formed in 2004, with S.T.P.’s Scott Weiland on vocals, I saw a few of their concerts and Scott’s prowess as a frontman blew me away. I re-visited the music of Stone Temple Pilots and quickly realized the mistakes I had made overlooking their records and not attending their live performances. All of that changed when the band reformed in 2008.

Stone Temple Pilots blend hard rock of the 70s and grunge of the 80s with modern alternative rock. Their lyrically driven songs are well written, and are played in various musical tempos. Stone Temple Pilots’ live performances are high-energy, and there’s never a dull moment. Individually, they have a top-notch rhythm section with Robert DeLeo on bass guitar and Eric Kretz on drums. Robert’s brother Dean is an excellent lead guitarist with a trademark guitar style that’s considered to be heavily layered and distorted. Vocalist Scott Weiland is energetic, charismatic, and flamboyant as he slithers around the stage to deliver the songs of Stone Temple Pilots, often singing through a megaphone for an added vocal effect. All of the above were present during their Newark, N.J. performance. They hit the stage running playing “Crackerman,” “Wicked Garden,” and “Vasoline” back to back to back. Any time you get three of your favorite five songs to start the show, you’d better jump up out of your seat. I love a band that strays from the “greatest hits” setlist to play tunes from deep within their song catalog. Stone Temple Pilots did that playing “Heaven and Hot Rods” next, with “Still Remains” and “Silvergun Superman” a few songs later.

Bands are often challenged by wanting to showcase new material they are touring to support with trying to play all of the hits the fans want to hear. Stone Temple Pilots chose to play only two songs from their 2010 self-titled record: “Between the Lines” and “Hickory Dichotomy.” As much as I wanted possibly one more new song, I couldn’t pick the song they’d have to cut out of the setlist if they featured a third new song. Dean DeLeo’s guitar work on “Hickory Dichotomy” included some stellar slide guitar. After playing the two new songs and deep catalog cuts with the slow-tempoed “Big Empty” squeezed in-between, Stone Temple Pilots delivered two consecutive one-two punches with “Plush” and “Interstate Love Song” followed by “Big Bang Baby” and “Down.” Just before the latter, Scott commented how cool it was for him to see the handful of parents who brought their kids out to see his band. It felt like we made eye contact when he said that, as my son, Michael, stood at my side. Scott Weiland added that this would be the part of the show where earplugs for the kids are highly recommended. “Down” is definitely one of the band’s heaviest tunes, as well as one of my favorites. They closed their awesome show with “Sex Type Thing” and encored with “Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart.” I think even the most casual fans of the band would have to admit that Stone Temple Pilots have both the chops and the song catalog to make their concerts one of the most entertaining rock shows out there.

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center opened its doors in 1997. Past performances by Bob Dylan and Sting would arguably be the closest thing to a rock concert that NJPAC has hosted. In 2011, the performances by ZZ Top and Stone Temple Pilots showed NJPAC’s willingness to book true rock concerts. NJPAC has three theaters, and the 2,750 seat Prudential Hall is one of a kind. It is horseshoe- shaped, with four tiers of balconies along the sides and at the rear. Its sightlines and acoustics are phenomenal. NJPAC’s administrative staff, ticket office, ticket takers, and ushers, are warm, friendly, and accommodating. Concertgoers are greeted upon their arrival and addressed as they exit the theater. It’s very easy to see why I now consider NJPAC to be one of my favorite venues to attend a show. The staffs of many of New Jersey’s theaters and concert venues could learn a valuable lesson from the folks at NJPAC. Given the high prices people pay to attend musical performances, a bit of goodwill goes a long way to enhance an evening out.

The city of Newark, like any large urban area, does have issues. Newark’s reputation is what it is. NJPAC is conveniently located a few blocks from Newark Penn Station and the city’s Ironbound section. Well-lit and attended parking lots surround NJPAC if you choose to drive, yet utilizing mass transit couldn’t be easier. Newark’s light rail system has a stop on NJPAC property. NJPAC offers a few different dining options on its premises. But if you’re adventurous like me, the Portuguese and Brazilian restaurants in the Ironbound are a short walk away.

For 35 years, Emerson, Lake and Palmer held the title of “my favorite band.” During their many hiatuses, bands like Led Zeppelin, U2, Talking Heads, The Ramones, and The Jam subliminally wrested away that title. Yet E.L.P. regained its title any time they toured. Unfortunately, E.L.P.’s 2010 40th Anniversary concert at the High Voltage Festival in England seems to be a one-off appearance. I still enjoy seeing and listening to the Carl Palmer Band and the Keith Emerson Band. These bands obviously feature the music of Emerson, Lake and Palmer, but they are not E.L.P. Stone Temple Pilots, who have continued to tour since their 2008 reformation, have also released an excellent record of new music, 2010’s “Stone Temple Pilots.” As long as they keep on keeping on, Stone Temple Pilots will be my favorite rock band for years to come.

Those “tres hombres” from Houston, a.k.a. “that little ol’ band from Texas,” are on their way to rock New Jersey when they play a concert at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on August 30, 2011.

ZZ Top, the rock icons who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, are out on the road this summer celebrating over 40 years of rock, blues, and boogie. The celebration will be at Prudential Hall, a 2,750-seat theater, which is part of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in downtown Newark.

NJPAC is the home of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. Since opening in 1997, over six million patrons have walked through its doors. Prudential Hall was dubbed by Clive Barnes as “the nation’s most glamorous theatre.” It has hosted many other orchestras, choirs, dance groups, ballets, and a wide range of musical performers. Rock concerts, in my humble opinion, have been few and far between. Although Bob Dylan, Sting, Elvis Costello, and Don Henley have played NJPAC previously, I cracked a big smile when I heard that ZZ Top, Stone Temple Pilots, and John Mellencamp would grace the stage of NJPAC in 2011.

Tickets for the must-attend ZZ Top concert, priced at $95, $75, $55, and $35, are available by phoning 1-888-GO-NJPAC. They can also be purchased online at www.njpac.org or in person at the NJPAC Box Office on One Center Street in downtown Newark.

Somebody once said that “the more things change, the more they remain the same.” That cannot be said for NJPAC. Its roots are in Newark, which is culturally diverse and New Jersey’s largest urban community. Yet NJPAC is branching out by hosting artists from different musical genres.

That ages-old cliché is a better fit when applied to ZZ Top. Throughout their 40-year history, ZZ Top’s lineup has remained intact with lead guitarist and vocalist Billy Gibbons, bass guitarist Dusty Hill, and drummer Frank Beard. Their albums have differed sonically, as has their musical approach, but they’ve always stayed true to their roots. Their 1970s style was undoubtedly blues-based boogie rock. In the 80s, synth-pop and arena rock was added to the band’s formula. In spite of the long hair and chest-length beards sported by Billy and Dusty, MTV made video icons out of the band while airing videos to some of their biggest hits like “Legs,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Gimme All Your Loving.” Yet as Billy Gibbons proudly proclaims, ZZ Top is “the same three guys bashing out the same three chords.” Without ever having to be “flavor of the week,” ZZ Top keeps it fresh and endures music’s ever-changing landscape with this band mantra: “Tone, Taste, and Tenacity.”

I haven’t attended a ZZ Top concert since the “El Loco” tour in the early 1980s. While attending the 25th anniversary concert of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at New York City’s Madison Square Garden in 2009, I witnessed Billy Gibbons joining Jeff Beck and his band for an incredible version of Jimi Hendrix’s “Foxy Lady.” I knew right then and there that I had to jump at the next opportunity to see ZZ Top at a headlining concert. I’m glad NJPAC is presenting the chance. I’m looking forward to my first show at their venue. Newark is a great place to visit. One of the city’s treasures is the Ironbound section, which is a few blocks’ walk from NJPAC. The Ironbound is home to an endless amount of Portuguese, Spanish, and Brazilian restaurants that serve up huge portions of seafood and shellfish, or an all-you-can-eat feast of indoor grilled meats called rodizio.

Join me for the ZZ Top show on August 30, and you won’t be disappointed. I’ll be seated outdoors a few hours before the show at Iberia Restaurant in the Ironbound on Ferry Street. I’ll be the rock and roller with a big smile on my face as I think about the concert ahead of me. I’ll be wearing a t-shirt from the 60s rock band MC5, and I’ll have my mouth full of filet mignon wrapped in bacon!

What boys? Thin Lizzy!!

One of the world’s greatest rock bands, and one of my all-time favorites, is back with a new lineup that’s as strong as the Phil Lynott-era from the late 70s.

Founding member and original drummer Brian Downey is back in the band. He’s joined in the rhythm section by bass guitarist Marco Mendoza, who had stints in the band from 1996 to 2001, and from
2005 to 2007. Long time lead guitarist Scott Gorham is joined on axe duty by Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell. Darren Wharton returns on keyboards and Ricky Warwick is the new frontman.

Whether Thin Lizzy records any new material remains to be seen. North American concert-goers will be the first to experience the “Lizzy legend” when the band tours the East Coast later this month. Here’s the confirmed dates so far:

03/24/2011 Jim Thorpe, PA. Penn’s Peak
03/25/2011 New York City, Best Buy Theatre
03/26/2011 Uncasville, CT. Mohegan Sun Casino Wolf’s Den
03/27/2011 Sayreville, NJ. Starland Ballroom
03/29/2011 Glenside, PA. Keswick Theatre
03/30/2011 Toronto, ON. Canada Sound Academy
03/31/2011 Detroit, MI. Sound Board at Motor City Casino Hotel
04/01/2011 Chicago, IL. Vic Theatre

Stop waiting an alibi! Grab your tickets and get ready to rock. I’ll see ya in Sayreville!

In his 1973 album “Billion Dollar Babies,” Alice Cooper had a great song titled “Elected.” He sang “We’re gonna rock to the rules that I make, I wanna be elected.” Today, almost 30 years later, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame FINALLY elected the Alice Cooper Band for induction. It’s about time! Congrats to Alice, Dennis Dunaway, Glen Buxton, Michael Bruce, and Neal Smith.

John Lennon, in his song “Nobody Told Me,” utilized the phrase “strange days indeed” in the song’s chorus.

And December 8th is a strange day, indeed! Born on this day in 1943 was The Doors frontman Jim Morrison. Other notable musicians born on December 8th are three musicians that I’ve been lucky enough to interview: Utopia/Meat Loaf bass guitarist Kasim Sultan, X drummer D.J. Bonebrake, and drummer Athena Kottak.

Yet December 8th, to the music world, is more a death about death than a day of birth.

John Lennon was shot dead on this day in 1980. Guitarist Dimebag Darrell of Pantera and Damageplan fame was shot dead onstage in 2006. Uriah Heep bass guitarist Gary Thain died of complications from a herion overdose in 1975, and Hanoi Rocks drummer Razzle died in a car crash in 1984.

Driving the car drunk, in the crash that claimed Razzle’s life, was Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil. So much for showing remorse. Motley Crue would go on to release two box sets titled “Music to Crash Your Car To-Volume 1″ and “Music to Crash Your Car To-Volume 2.”

God bless you John, Dimebag, Gary, and Razzle. Only the good die young. And Vince Neil, if you ever read this, FUCK YOU!

December 8th, a strange day indeed.

in Asbury Park!!!!

This ain’t no Brucie Springsteen tour warm-up concert at the fabled Convention Hall. It’s a not-to-be-missed event called Lucha VaVOOM. This action packed show combines high-flying Mexican masked wrestlers with burlesque dancers, and comedians provide color commentary in-between.

This sexy, dangerous, and fun show is right up my alley. Where else can I watch Mexican wrestlers the likes of Dirty Sanchez and Little Chicken, sharing the stage with burlesque performers like Ursulina and Lux La Croix.

See ya Saturday night in Asbury Park. Leave the kiddies home because this raucous event is only for those 18 and over. It’s the perfect way to end the pumpkin picking, hay riding, Halloween trick or treating season. It’s that last HOT evening before a few months of cold, wintry evenings on the Jersey Shore.

If you can’t make Asbury Park, here’s all of the East Coast dates:

11/04: Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
11/06: Asbury Park, NJ @ Convention Hall
11/08: Boston, MA @ Royal Boston
11/09: New York, NY @ Webster Hall
11/11: Chicago, IL @ Park West

For a sneak peek and more info, go to www.luchavavoom.com

It’s rock and roll.

The “show,” unfortunately, is not a re-formed Emerson, Lake, and Palmer touring North America in the Fall of 2010. ELP’s appearance this summer in England at the High Voltage Festival was a one-off gig. The “show,” in my humble opinion, is the next best thing. It’s the Carl Palmer Band revisiting this side of “the pond” for the first time since 2006.

ELP’s drummer extraordinaire Carl Palmer, with a lead guitarist and bass guitarist in tow, will once again be delivering instrumental interpretations of ELP classics and rarities to North American concertgoers. WITHOUT KEYBOARDS! Paul Bielatowicz returns as the lead guitarist. We shared a few e-mails recently and Paul stated that “this tour will be the first time we’ve played tunes such as “Bitches Crystal,” “Nutrocker,” or the epic “Pictures at an Exhibition” in the U.S.”

The new bass player for this tour is Simon Fitzpatrick. He’s an ex-student of Dave Marks, who was the original bass player for the Carl Palmer Band. “We like to keep it in the family,” said Paul. “He came to my house to run the set for the first time last night. He plays great and I’m really looking forward to playing with him in a full band setting.”

An ELP fanatic like me thought it was sacrilegious in 2006 when I heard Carl’s idea of playing my favorite band’s music without keyboards. My heart felt for the guitar player trying to “replace” the keyboard wizardry of Keith Emerson. I asked Paul what his reaction was when Carl Palmer first approached him with that idea. Paul replied that “when I was at music college I used to spend hours of my spare time arranging classical pieces for guitar, classical piano pieces in particular. It’s something I’ve always loved doing. So when Carl got in touch about joining his band, and explained that I’d be playing Keith’s parts on guitar, I was really excited. I felt like this was the band I’d been waiting to join!”

Paul even takens his classical arrangement hobby a step further. He has a column in the U.K.-based guitar magazine Guitar Techniques where he takes a classical tune each month and arranges it for guitar. According to Paul, he’ll “be starting the arrangements on the road in the U.S. and I might even try out a couple in my solo spot as the tour progresses.

The “time and a place” for me to hear the Carl Palmer Band will be in Lakewood, New Jersey’s Strand Center for the Arts in mid-October. A full listing of the tourdates is at the end of my rambling. My final question to Paul was about the differences between U.S. and European music audiences. “US audiences are great, says Paul. “I love playing in the U.S. because I love the people there. I’ve never been anywhere in the world where the people are so friendly; you’ll be stood in an airport queue and, completely out of the blue, someone will start a conversation with you, asking you something about yourself. I love that. Americans seem so open and that really comes across in a U.S. audience.

Keep rockin’ and say hello if our paths cross on the road this Fall when we “see the show.”

Tue 10/12/10 Hamilton, ON
Wed 10/13/10 Toronto, ON
Thu 10/14/10 Montreal, QC
Fri 10/15/10 Londonderry, NH
Sat 10/16/10 Foxboro, MA
Sun 10/17/10 Lakewood, NJ
Tue 10/19/10 New York, NY
Wed 10/20/10 Glenside, PA
Thu 10/21/10 Annapolis, MD
Fri 10/22/10 Rockville, MD
Sat 10/23/10 Cleveland, OH
Sun 10/24/10 Detroit, MI
Tue 10/26/10 Indianapolis, IN
Wed 10/27/10 Chicago, IL
Thu 10/28/10 Milwaukee, WI
Fri 10/29/10 Saint Charles, IL
Sat 10/30/10 Iowa City, IA
Tue 11/02/10 Denver, CO
Thu 11/04/10 Park City, UT
Sat 11/06/10 Petaluma, CA
Tue 11/09/10 San Diego, CA
Thu 11/11/10 Agoura Hills, CA
Fri 11/12/10 Santa Ana, CA
Sat 11/13/10 Las Vegas, NV
Sun 11/14/10 Phoenix, AZ

Monday August 9 was a happy night for me in New York City. One of my favorite rock bands, Lillian Axe, traveled from the Big Easy to the Big Apple for a headlining show at B.B. King’s.

Steve Blaze and his band were there to introduce their new vocalist, ex-Metal Church frontman Ronny Munroe. They stopped at the Times Square club and played a two-hour set. It featured a mix of their classic material, as well as selections from their awesome new record “Deep Red Shadows.” They also mixed in a bunch of songs from their post-2000 records “Sad Day on Planet Earth” and “Waters Rising.”

Ronnie did a tremendous job in his debut with the band. Mid-set they did a tribute to the late Ronnie James Dio by playing “Children of the Sea.” Steve Blaze would later salute the New York City crowd after soloing with his rendition of the “National Anthem.”

The concert had many highlights for me, including my leaping catch of a cracked drumstick pitched into the crowd by drummer Ken Koudelka. Musical highlights for me included one of my favorites, “Jesus Wept,” which led into the title track from “Waters Rising.” Another standout was “47 Ways to Die.” That song, from the latest record, will hopefully be included on future setlists.

Joining Steve, Ronnie, and Ken in the latest version of Lillian Axe are bassist Eric Morris and guitarist Sam Poitevent. They seemed right at home playing all of the new material written during their tenure, and just as comfortable playing Lillian Axe classics like “Misery Loves Company,” “Show a Little Love,” and “Deepfreeze.”

Lillian Axe is a band that shouldn’t be missed when they roll into your neck of the woods. They were recently honored by being selected as the first rock band to ever be inducted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame. If you’re looking for a new record, something both heavy and melodic, grab copies of “Deep Red Shadows” and “Sad Day on Planet Earth.” You won’t be disappointed!

Anybody that knows me knows my affinity for the 80’s heavy metal band Quiet Riot. I’ve attended many of their concerts and I’ve interviewed their drummer, the great Frankie Banali. I also interviewed their singer, the late, great Kevin Dubrow. I’ll never forget the day that Kevin introduced me and my late cousin Rocco to Frankie, calling us rock and roll encyclopedias. R.I.P. Kevin.

Frankie Banali is in the process of constructing a “full-length/behind-the-scenes/warts-and-all” documentary about Quiet Riot. And he needs our support.

Frankie “has already invested money into the project, and to make the documentary reach its full potential, he is having an online fundraiser that ends September 2nd. Fans are being called upon to help back the project, and lend a hand in its completion.”

For more details about how you can help, or to follow the progress of Frankie’s noble undertaking, stop by http://kck.st/9TXAiA.

Keep rockin’ and BANG YOUR HEAD!!

I wish I was writing about Led Zeppelin re-forming to do a Summer tour of the United States, but I’m not.

Yet I’m really excited about all of the news about Jason Bonham’s plans for 2010. Jason, the son of the late great Led Zep drummer John Bonham, will be hitting the road in North America with the “Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience” tour. According to Jason, “what I will be doing is 30 shows in memory of my father, as its 30 years since he left this world this September 25th, 2010.”

Best of luck with that Jason. I’ve always admired the reverance you played with in Foreigner when they played Led Zep songs like “Whole Lotta Love” and “Misty Mountain Hop.” For those of us that never saw the original Led Zeppelin lineup in concert, or those that didn’t attend the 2007 reunion show in London’s O2 Arena, Jason’s tour might be the next best thing. See you when you roll into New Jersey, Jason. Hit ‘em hard!

That’s not all Jason has planned for 2010. The debut album of the next rock supergroup, Black Country Communion, is in the can and ready to drop soon. Joining Jason in the rhythm section is the “voice of rock,” Glenn Hughes. Both Jason and Glenn hail from the “black country,” an industrial region of England. Lead guitarist Joe Bonamassa and keyboard player Derek Sherinian round out the lineup.

“Supergroup” is a term used too often by music journalists worldwide. I’ll refrain and won’t pass judgement until I hear the music of the next “super” group.

Keep rockin’