It was the first day of the new year and 2022 started with a loud colorful bang bringing four bands to the Epic Live Event Center’s Cincinnati stage. Though rain spilled outside, fans of all ages came to witness Cincinnati’s best homegrown talent and glam era veterans Enuff Z’Nuff say goodbye to ’21 and greet ’22 ripping it a new one.
Long time bassist and current frontman Chip Z’Nuff played host and playful/grinning mad hatter to the evening’s fun and frolic, bringing the show to the crowd, into the crowd and using lucky concert goers as part of the interactive experience.
Melialheads and younger kids got a taste of their parents era music. The arena-filled ‘80s spilled from their instruments alongside current projects Hard Rock Nite along with some tunes in between.
Westside Rhythm Section started 2022 as the first live entertainment on stage with a set of classics. It was a unique if not somewhat odd bunch of everything from rock, blues and all manner in between.
Drums, guitar, bass, vocals and one mean harmonica made this band happen keeping everyone from the good ole’ boys to casual fans happy in seats and on their feet.
The Black Crowes got some opening love and jealousy. After a few tunes Howlin’ Wolf got some vintage attention as the harmonica came out to play on “Who’s Been Talkin’.A full moon might have been shining too.
The long-bearded gentlemen came forth with their “Cheap Sunglasses.”
While that “Big Legged Woman” sure knew how to fire up a mean piano. Stevie brought out the timeless groove of “Superstition.” Not to be upstaged by anyone Jake and Elwood stood tall in spirit dancing, singing and cruising in that “B-Movie Boxcar.”
The Crowes came back with another “Hard to Handle” punch. Lyrical smoke filled the room as the “Reefer Headed Woman” casually strolled through, The wizard got his due playing one of the most iconic and recognizable intros recorded. Voodoo’s good for everyone standing next to a mountain with a steady hand.
Things got heavier in a hurry with the Queen City Outlaws taking over. Vocalist Dean Alexander stood quivering, body shaking ready to lunge and pounce over the space, happily moving and contorting to the riffs and music. It was top hatted guitarist Marty Bates first call of back to back double duty for the evening. A true bearded gentleman ready to kill on guitar.
“Radio” opened with some operatic offerings with “Prey” stalking the evening like a rabid musical hunter. Bassist Matt Slaughter played it calm and cool, complementing Bates showmanship and Alexander’s energetic bravado. It wasn’t an arena or even Bogarts but to watch them, you wouldn’t know it.
While “Suicide Kings” and “Dope” addressed the harder, darker edges of life, a little high “Tension” was a good thing, getting the adrenaline pumping. The slow bass growl of “Chaos Under Pressure” slowly slithered out with guitars doing a slow paced stop and start dance.
Counting Stars returned to the Epic stage already putting in performances with ‘80s femme fatale Janet Gardner and crew last year. The band is both time warp to the hairspray blasted sunset era and a cool, hard, modern day rock sound with hints of something heavier. “Alcohol and Attitude” was consumed worldwide in droves the night before, but if they had partaken in any, occurring effects were hidden well blasting into a snarling set puffing up the road wild fumes of “DDS.” “Suicide Lane” coughed up vintage memories of deadly hotrod chases, spirited races and the sad losers walking home, if they were lucky..
Part two of Mr. Bates evening was underway as anything, good, bad or otherwise could happen on a “Saturday Night.” With hearts soaring or shattering. You could feel the symbolic arena spotlights dim and lighters/cellphone glow appear for “Dream in a Day.” While it wasn’t steel horses and cowboys, the sit down stool scenario with headbands and Aqua blasted hair could be imagined behind closed eyes.
“Tequila” the mother of all evil to some and memory eraser to others was sung with caution. Chasing the worm might be worse than the dragon. “Nothing Left” revved up the strings and speakers with engines ready to combust and smoke. A crazy biker tune in the spirit of Ministry and WASP, though Jesus didn’t build this ride but took a Wild Child to grip the handles.
Enuff Z’Nuff arrived ready to take everyone on the long, fantastic ride of the “Magical Mystery Tour.” A Hard Rock Nite was set in motion, what the Beatles started decades ago, Z’Nuff continued, with their own version of dapper attire and grooming. Guitars got crazy, loud and nutty on “Kiss the Clown,” and something a little more recent pounding, fast and dark like a “Metal Heart.” Though not the German Accept’d version or the corpse-painted cover from Oslo, it did the trick.
Z’Nuff yelled do you want to go to “Heaven or Hell”? Most records were accounted for with the band, of course, saving the best for last. Z’Nuff took full advantage of the intimate distance between audience and stage. Crossing over with guitar and mic, setting shop up front and center singing to the crowd, literary face to face giving new meaning to extreme close-up. One fan in particular got a free, impromptu bass lesson as Z’Nuff played him through the notes creating an instant Facebook/YouTube moment. . .
Later he also had some fun behind the back picking and playing on six-string. He definitely carried a presence as someone you wanted to see on stage performing wearing what you’d expect if you were a longtime fan though keeping things modern for 2022. Though you remembered where they came from.
It was proof you didn’t need an arena or larger venue to put on a memorable show. With kids and young adults in the crowd having face to face rockstar experiences, images recorded in their minds and stories to tell friends. Future seeds may have been planted.
Paul McCartney and Wings got more due respect on “Jet” while “Wheels,” got in the festive, carnival atmosphere. The classics began with the attitude and slow grind of “In the Groove,” Z’Nuff joked this tune pissed off the likes of Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe and other bands with a major power ballad out, breaking into “Fly High Michelle.” The song that put them on the multi-colored MTV map finished the evening and very fittingly, started a new year with a “New Thing.”
