Saturday, February 3rd, the west coast day walkers returned to The Blue Note in Harrison, Ohio, this time playing the indoor stage vs. last summer’s open air experience. Hollywood and vampiric as ever, they treated the crowd to a mammoth show with the showmanship and bravado they created during the Sunset heyday across the country and world.
Still touring relentlessly they rip and teared through a historical, time spinning, traveling and current set of tunes. From last years Black Diamonds to the classics that made them households names by way of MTV, cassettes and vinyl. The guns are the eternal electric gypsies of their generation. Does blood keep them going? What they drink behind closed doors is anyone’s guess.
Local lads, 1330 started things up with a set of covers and a few originals thrown in to show off. Going against the evenings glam grain several set choices consisted of post glam grunge tunes, alongside thrash forefathers, classic rock and NWOBHM veterans.
Depending on your view of glams grinding halt into grunge, playing Soundgarden, Alice in Chains and Temple of the Dog was cool but ballsy. Though it was nice to see and hear them not spare variety for what you might expect.
The heavy musical fuel began with Metallica giving gasoline and fire to all that desired. Megadeth remained “Almost Honest.” They gave a sweet, loud Thunder Kiss of Zombie while one of the heaviest Seattle bands of the era asked “Would” you?
Going down the classic rock, WTUE road, Bad Company “Rocked Steady” into some early Eddie influenced Maiden, unleashing the “Wrathchild.”
Alice stayed chained in the rain soaked “Sea of Sorrow” while Priest and the Metal God offered precious jewels and age on the metalized “Diamonds and Rust.”
The Cult brought a wrath of fire, while the time machine spun back decades to Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song.” They honored Lemmy in Spades coming as close to a potential mosh pit the venue had seen.
Soundgarden “Outshined” feeling well-traveled and the Temple delivered a “Hunger Strike.”
LA Guns took the stage sporting the look and ambience that made them Hollywood legend and a hard rock glam force that never stopped. With Phil Lewis looking luxuriously Lestat, dressed for the blood-soaked masquerade or last rites at the grave. Even with some young blood on the strings, they’re Hollywood Vampires forever drinking from the fountain of ‘80s youth.
Pirates and the high sea pillaged the pivotal opening song firing the first “Cannonball.” It sounded like One-Eyed Willy got his way, WAY before the Goondocks needed him, or maybe it was Red Beards finest hour on the water. Gears revved on “Electric Gypsy” proving not even time can stop or slow down their musical engines.
The Original Point Break soared “Over the Edge” with dead presidents, pre-Speed Reeves and post Double Deuce. Swayze.
“You Betray” dazzled Diamonds for all to see enticing everyone to the nights first classic “Sex Action,” painted black by The Stones. The late ’80s poked up, saying a spandex, sprayed hello with “One More Reason.” Cell phones were encouraged on the modern day power ballad “Diamonds.” Hearts were kick-started by high velocity and 100% pure adrenaline “Speed.”
Every good thing feels, “Like A Drug” and like the Guns, they’ve never stopped. Things got hot, rude Cocked & Loaded with Lewis and crew telling all the ladies, “I wanna be your Man.”
From euphoric emotional, romantic mountaintop highs to below gutter lows, the next tune was dedicated to some of the band ex’s, bad memories and mistakes, giving the past a hard boot-licked kiss goodbye.
“Never Enough” went Aussie at the end ringing “Hells Bells” school boy style. “Crystal Eyes” brought out cell phones introducing the sad end of Jayne. Razor sharp riffs and gun smoke fired through the speakers with the ole “Rip and Tear.”
They never seem to stop recording and touring, while the ’80s/90s drift further into history, they’re still a show stealing staple of the era. Showing the younger generation what the decade of excess was and why those that lived it will never forget it. They’re a mandatory return watch act for anyone that loves rock n’ roll and great musicianship.
Listening to Tracii’s guitar sear, scream, hum and sing is worth admission itself. They’re a band that’s gotten better as time goes on, no matter what father time says.
Check them out next month with KK’s Priest and Burning Witches. A unique and diverse lineup with a real life road duel between spellcasting witches, veteran vampires and unholy priests.
Images/Words- Mike Ritchie
