by Bruce Alexander
This was a very special triple hitter concert as The Jason Bonham Experience opened for Heart, and then ended the show with Heart doing Led Zeppelin songs with Jason Bonham on drums.
Opener Jason Bonham, taking after his late father John, put together one amazing band of musicians with a singer that sounded very much like Robert Plant. He had the pipes as well as the moves. Next, Heart, featuring the Wilson sisters, plunged right into their classic rocker, “Barracuda.” They followed it with “Heartless.” Ann then sang their 1980’s ballad, “What About Love”. It was the next song, “Magic Man”, that really had the crowd going as it brought back memories of the ‘70’s hard rock heyday. It’s quite fantastic that Nancy still rips that guitar and Ann still sings those high notes. They really turned the energy level up on ” Kick It Out.” The band also played “Even It Up,” which is just what they do as two of the most amazing women leading their strong band. Ann’s voice also shined during their beautiful ballad “These Dreams,” which was a hit for them.
by Sal Serio
“Did you miss us?” ROAAAAAAARRRRRRRR! This was how Nonpoint cannonballed their way into a 50 minute sweaty, impassioned, high-octane hard rock set of musical solidarity May 21st in Madison. The only thing wrong with that report is the “50 minute” part… I mean, really? Nonpoint has a fervored fanatical following here in the Mad City… and they got billed as an OPENING ACT? To a trendy, kitschy, flavor-of-the-moment act? Utterly ridiculous, but let’s dwell on the positives.
by Sal Serio
When you’re on a roll, it’s best not to upset the balance. Lately, I have been picking the BEST rock shows to attend, and this streak has been consistently smokin’ HOT! Without question, one of my most anticipated shows of this Spring was the fist-pumpin’ power-chord double-bill of Australia’s mighty Airbourne, and the Chicago area’s main contenders, Convoy. Not only were my expectations fully met, but far, far, exceeded! The pure spirit of sweat, volume, and energy, had this show rocketing the stratosphere from the opening notes.
The atmosphere inside Madison’s Frequency rock emporium was surely one of anticipation when the doors opened at 8:00. Since the bands were still sound checking, basically the club’s bar area went from empty to cram-packed instantaneously, as we all grabbed drinks and waited to get in to the band area. This was definitely a “black t-shirt concert event” with many fired-up head-bangers donning their Airbourne apparel from past aural assaults.
by Mario R. Martin
The third installment in the Crystal Castles legacy was released in late 2012, just in time to become the soundtrack for the demise of music, as we know it.
by Michael Sherer
The nicely-renovated Highline Ballroom, with its couches and tables on the sides and inviting atmosphere, was an ideal venue for these Icons of Funk. From start to finish, the audience was enveloped with the deeply resonating, bad-ass bass grooves of Bill Dickens. It was this that struck me first, especially as it shook the house much like the old elevated trains that used to inhabit the area would have while they ripped past.
While some casual listeners of music aren’t aware of just how literally fundamentally imperative the bass is, and completely so in black orientated music, this listener couldn’t be more cognizant. Dickens knows it so well that he was armed with a white, gold pegged, SEVEN stringed extended bass. (Probably custom made) This provided ranges above and below what a standard four string allows. Bottom line? (Pun intended) MF’s like Dickens unleash seemingly rather simple bass lines that are the most responsible element of the sound that makes people move and dance. In reality, cats like Dickens, and the number one influence on them all, the late, great and sometimes uncredited James Jamerson of the Motown house band, make it seem easy to play like this, but it isn’t. If one doesn’t have the right feel and funk within, one just can’t do it right.
- Partners -
Search Live Show Reviews on Maximum Ink
