All the tables were removed and only a few spare stools propped against the wall remained for the standing room only show Thursday July 2nd as the original voice of Skid Row brought 18 and Live to Dayton. It could’ve been the biggest pit in the venue’s history (they did open with Slave to the Grind). Instead (for security-thankfully) only a few surfers attempted flight and frolic and the floor housed a large sell-out crowd of screaming, yelling, fist banging, horn raising, mother truckers ready to re-live the late 80’s, 90’s heyday and hear some solo Bach. WTUE’s Norm Lilly MC’ed the evening. It was a sold out arena atmosphere magnified by Bach’s energetic adrenaline soaked delivery.
The screaming front man, Broadway performer, reality TV star didn’t disappoint, proving age hasn’t affected him yet, delivering the goods. Ironically his former band played the same venue fairly recently which could raise the question, who performed the songs better, the band that played them or the man who sang them. Judging by the crowd’s response, the man whose voice could be considered an instrument itself won loudly. Since it doesn’t appear that the two camps will ever reconcile for a reunion show or tour, no matter how much money is offered, we can be entertained by two factions playing Skid Row.
Dayton’s new Secret Circle Society started things off. From the remnants of Jadis, Clockwork Soul, Reverse 96 and a former member of Super Kreep with current members of B.O.D. come’s the new alliance. Vocalist/screamer Mystie and rhythm guitar/vocalist Dawn Rose with drummer Randy Trent (The Gary Lee Jeffries Band), lead guitar Tony “Skeeter” Tincher, Joe Meadows on bass and Stephie Meadows on the Congo’s made up the membership. Sporting her trademark chains and handcuffs, let’s just hope Mystie isn’t pledge master.
Opening with the trippy, punk flavored rock of “Right Now,” they made a surprising trip to the popular pop of the eighties and the Cutting Crew on “I Just Died in Your Arms Tonight,” must’ve been something they said. The psychedelic 60’s came out loud and dazed with the taste of sweet pills to distill the “Sweet Pain.” With Mystie’s roar being the first thing you heard/felt the morning after. They played a “Wicked Game” with Chris Isaak to make us feel a certain way. Next one was for the beautiful people who think they’re so “Special.” We got a double styled/vocal dose of “Sweet Dreams” with Dawn getting Eurythmic and Mystie screaming for Manson, finishing with Nothing to You.
Young bucks from Middletown Wicked Fixx have been in the scene for around three years, getting back together after a short break to refocus their energy and direction. Their passionate about what they do, play and aspire to be.
“We’re Wicked Fixx and we play rock n roll.” Vocalist, guitarist Ty Holliday said pulling a Lemmy. Bass and vocals were provided by Boomerang with Rodney Scott on the kit. With the smiling banners of Sebastian Bach hanging above they cranked out a collection of originals and covers. Starting with “Thirty Eight” though playing Pearl Jams “Alive” with Holliday wearing a Cinderella shirt could be called to question they played with diversity so it could be overlooked.
“Animals” (original/non-Pearl Jam) cranked out with a swanky, fluid blues 70’s buzz. Speaking of the 70’s they pulled some vintage Kiss on “Deuce.” It wasn’t quite Alice’s take, but they came to play the “Black Rooster.” They gave Scott the spotlight as he summoned the spirit of Bonham and the great beast on “Moby Dick,” finishing with an untitled original.
The lights went out as the thunderous crash of “Slave to the Grind” started. Bach hit the stage like a leather clad warrior, head thrashing, spinning the mic like a warp speed lasso as every other cellphone was raised and recording. He could still bring out the banshee cry at will. They ‘gave’ em hell’ early with “Hell inside my Head” and slid in some sinful “Temptation.”
“They pulled us aside and said we sold this MF’er out on a Thursday night. Thank you! That’s how we role in Dayton!” Bach announced.
One of his most ‘memorable memories’ of Dayton was playing with Pantera in ’92. You had to be old to remember that.
They played more of the ‘Grind’ with “The Threat.” This was the first song, on the first side of the first record, time to freak out, for the “Big Guns.” The lights went out, spotlights turned blue as the opening chords to “18 & Life” started. “Get your cell phones out, get your lighters out, get your cameras out. Let’s light this f—-r up at Oddbody’s!”
“Thank you, Dayton OH for 28 f’n years of rock n roll! It’s getting hot up here and if you ain’t sweaten, you ain’t rockin.”
“Somebody told me that here in Dayton; you have a lot of people with friends and family in the United States military, army, navy, air force Dayton Ohio! I wanna thank everyone for serving because if you weren’t, then we wouldn’t be rocking and rolling in the United States. This one’s for everyone here tonight and everyone that fights for our right to rock & roll. Everyone’s an “American Metalhead!”
“Going back to that Skid Row, Pantera tour, this song was Dimebag’s favorite Skid Row song.” For Dime, they played “In a Darkened Room.” It was a sauna like atmosphere but they turned up the heat on the vaseline gypsies and silicone souls, some more with some “Monkey Business.” Bach felt a little wheezy and demanded a double heavy dose of more cow-bell then jammed on some “Tom Sawyer.”
The acoustic guitar was the second coolest instrument next to the cow-bell, Bach explained as the heat was getting to him.
“How many people cranked this one in the backseat of your car? How many people made love to this song?” He grinned with a sweat-dripping smile. “How many of you just f—-d?” “I Remember You.”
“Two more songs and I can get drunk with you guys.” He’s lived life with drinking and without drinking. He preferred with drinking. Next song was a happy little ditty about everyone that screwed him over, “All my friends are Dead.”
They finished with the song the people came for, tapping the arm tattoo to the drumbeat. The show climaxed with fists in the air for the “Youth Gone Wild.”
Images by Mike Ritchie
Some dialogue taken from footage shot by Sam Holliday
Jayne Stewart
You rock loved u then love u now
paula abney
Bach rocked our asses off!!! Thanks to Oddbody’s for hosting this wonderfully awesome voice.