Show Reviews
by Max Ink Staff Writers
Billy Idol - photo by Michael Sherer
Billy Idol
at Hammerstein Ballroom, NYC - 9/15/10
Show Review By Michael Sherer
Posted: Oct 2010
(3105) Page Views
When William Broad introduced the members of his band toward the end his great show, he referred to himself as “Billy fuckin’ Idol.” This reminded me, and I assume many of the approximate 2,500 fans present that this is one of the biggest music stars of the ‘80’s. I never saw him live then, but I was impressed with what I experienced now. Idol, 55, is probably less active on stage than he was in his 30’s, but his voice sounded about the same and he gave his all. So did everyone else in his band, which includes his original guitarist and co songwriter Steve Stevens (real last name is Schneider), rhythm guitarist Billy Morrison, bassist Stephen McGrath, drummer Jeremy Colson and keyboardist Derek Sherinian. Stevens, 51, is Idol’s side kick as well as the musical director, and has a strong following of his own. His trademark wild, black hair is still intact, albeit more tamed than its ‘80’s heyday. He played brilliantly and moved around quite a bit. For his solo, he incorporated some excerpts from Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, undoubtedly a big influence of his. When Idol introduced him at the end of the show as being from Far Rockaway, NYC, the crowd roared. This prompted Stevens to bow and give the peace sign.
The stage show is very cool and tasteful. It includes colorful and exciting lighting, an upper level plank type set up above the drums for Idol to stand and move on, and to do his signature fist pumping from. Three large drawings of Idol high above the stage appear intermittently in different sequences, and bright white lights that make up Idol’s face are particularly eye catching as they move in the darkness.
Most of Idol’s biggest hits were played, such as Rebel Yell, Dancing With Myself, Flesh For Fantasy, Eyes Without A Face and, of course, White Wedding. The Doors’ classic LA Woman was covered with much spirit and energy.
Idol is loosely in the punk rock category, although his music has always been very accessible and radio friendly. He was huge on MTV in the early and mid ‘80’s, the glory era for both him and the then new channel that was finding its way.
The band’s summer tour neared its finish when it rolled into NYC, the country’s biggest market and birthplace of the American punk scene when it broke at CBGB’s on The Bowery in the mid ‘70’s. This bloke from Middlesex, England couldn’t have been more welcomed in The Big Apple, where Idol lived during the ‘80’s. His fans at this 98 year old ballroom indeed had a ball as they made it amply clear to him that there’s no place like home.
Deborah Harry of Blondie - Live at Nokia Theater in New York City - photo by Michael Sherer
Blondie
Live at Nokia Theater in New York City - 8/31/2010
Show Review By Michael Sherer
Posted: Sep 2010
(6764) Page Views
Blondie made their hometown and enthusiastic crowd in the middle of Times Square proud. The band was in very good form, and front woman Deborah Harry sounded and looked great. The venue was very close to its full capacity at 2100. The stellar acoustics and spacious room was a big plus to the fun. This is a long way from their humble beginnings at the biker bar/dive CBGB’s on The Bowery in NYC during the mid to latter ‘70’s. This venue was formally the Astor Plaza movie theater until it became the Nokia Theater in ‘05. In early September of ‘10, it changed its name to the Best Buy Theater after the expiration of Nokia’s five year contract.
In addition to the audience being quite excited, so was Harry. Winding up their summer tour in their hometown was clearly a thrill for the band. Although Harry was actually raised in Hawthorne New Jersey by adoptive parents, she moved to NYC in the late ‘60’s. Co founder Chris Stein is from Brooklyn, as is original keyboardist Jimmy Destri. Original drummer and bassist Clem Burke and Gary Valentine, respectively, both hail from Bayonne, New Jersey. Harry made it clear that it was very special for them to be back where it all started for them. Since June, they had been far from home on their summer tour, covering the UK and Ireland.
Michael Schenker soloing at Scatz, August 4, 2010 - photo by Brian Ebner
Michael Schenker Group
Scatz in Middleton - August 4, 2010
Show Review By Sal Serio
Posted: Aug 2010
(3153) Page Views
Those of you following former Scorpions and UFO guitarist Michael Schenker no doubt remember the days of his notorious no-shows in the 1990s. Well, several hundred faithful Wisconsin fans came and SAW the master of the Flying V show up and tear through a tight set at Scatz in Middleton on August 4th. While MSG’s vocalist was plagued with P.A. problems, Schenker and veteran rock drummer Carmine Appice were in fine form, treating the assembled metal maniacs to a slew of UFO tunes at the sets’ end: Lights Out, Rock Bottom, and Doctor Doctor! It was a night not to have missed.
David Draiman being weiled out on stage at Madison's Music As A Weapon Tour - photo by Sarah Paske
Music As A Weapon 2009
Alliant Energy Center in Madison featuring Disturbed
Show Review By Sarah Paske
Posted: Jun 2009
(5256) Page Views
On the final leg of their fourth Music as a Weapon tour, Disturbed once again rocked Madison, WI at the Alliant Energy Center on May 10, 2009. This lifestyle festival style event surprised even the veteran concert goers. Gates opened at 2:00 pm for a special free outside collaboration of music, tattoo, and sports. Local artists Serienna and The Lords of Discipline hit the Ernie Ball Stage with touring acts Spineshank, Bury Your Dead, and Crooked X.
“The diversity in the lineup with bands such as Bury Your Dead mixed in with Lacuna Coil and Killswitch Engage really added a lot of flavor to the tour,” Disturbed bassist John Moyer said.
Lemme of Motörhead - photo by Mark Marek
Motörhead
Live at the Orpheum Theater, Madison, WI - September 10, 2008
Show Review By Jeff Muendel
Posted: Sep 2008
(3759) Page Views
Motörhead has been speeding through life since since 1975. That brings lead singer and bandleader Lemmy Kilmister in at over 60 years old. As part of the the 2008 Volcom Tour, which also includes Valient Thorr (great energy – hairy, sweaty, stinky, and fun) and Year Long Disaster (I liked them, too), the band played Madison Wisconsin on September 10th. The Misfits bailed out of the tour (boo!), so the primary focus was on Motörhead.
Alice Cooper at the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee, WI - August 5th, 2008 - photo by Kristin Kizer
Alice Cooper
at the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee, WI - August 5th, 2008
Show Review By Jeff Muendel
Posted: Aug 2008
(11729) Page Views
Jeff went to Milwaukee to catch Alice Cooper at the Riverside in Milwaukee. Catch his review of the show, venue and catch a picture of Alice Cooper being hung from a gallows pole taken by Kristin Kizer.
Neurosonic performs acoustic set. -photo by Sarah Paske - photo by Sarah Paske
Neurosonic
Live at the Majestic Theater in Madison - February 14, 2008
Show Review By Sarah Paske
Posted: Feb 2008
(5676) Page Views
Neurosonic opened for Puddle Of Mudd recently at the Majestic Theater in Madison and acoustic the day before at Best Buy. Sarah Paske caught the event on film and blogged this review.
The Honorary Title concert review by Bear Frazer
The Honorary Title
Live at Anaheim HOB - January 10, 2008
Show Review By Bear Frazer
Posted: Jan 2008
(3422) Page Views
Bear caught the Honorary Title in Anaheim, California at the House Of Blues. A piece of editorial that almost hit the cutting room floor, this exclusive review is available only at Maximumink.com!
Fair To Midland w/ Resident Hero at the High Noon Saloon, Madison, WI: 12/13/07
Fair To Midland
Live at the High Noon Saloon in Madison - December 12, 2007
Show Review By Adam Wrathkey
Posted: Dec 2007
(3592) Page Views
Live at the High Noon Saloon in Madison, WI along with an interview of the band.
Chimaira holding the Slipknot issue of Maximum Ink - photo by Phil Hunt
Chimaira
Photos by Phil Hunt
Show Review By Phil Hunt
Posted: May 2004
(4109) Page Views
Chimaira is out on the spring Jagermeister 2004 tour in support of their Roadrunner records release ” The Impossibility Of Reason.” The word, Chimaira, pronounced “kim-ear-uh,” is derived from a monster in ancient Greek mythology. Comprised of three parts - the head of a lion, the body of a goat and the tail of a dragon, the Chimaera breathed fire and fear into the hearts of man. Chimaira ‘s music, with it’s multi-layered attack of pure aggression, scathing melody and lyrical content that touches on the darkest side of human emotion will assault and infect anything with which it comes in contact.
Chimaira, the band started the carnage once the lights went out and never looked back. Vocalist Mark Hunter let loose with a blistering brand of fevered energy and rocked the crowd with selections from the band’s three releases “This Present Darkness”, ” Pass Out Of Existence” and ” The Impossibility Of Reason.”
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