The countdown to #500 continued with show #496 and again, we blew some minds. Our industry Co-Host was Hunnypot intern alumni and current head of sync for Believe, Heather Boyd.
The night was chock-full of musical treasures, opening is Jessica Carter Altman, musician, songwriter, artist, and daughter of Linda Carter, (the all-time greatest Wonder Woman). Airbender One shares some tracks from her debut album #Antidote". Busting out some Power Pop was 19-year-old and Guinness World Record Holder for Most National Anthems sung in their host countries in one year (an astounding record of 76) Capri and St. Louis hip-hop icon Zeus Rebel Waters returned for his Hunnypot Live residency finale. Zeus brought fellow St. Louis rap stars BSG TLO, Juss fuZe, Wilo D, Duke Boi, and Mike Jays to the stage.
Another fantastic night, listen to the full show using the links provided. #WhereMusicLoversGoToPlay
Heather Boyd is Head of Sync, North America at Believe, the world's biggest fully-independent label and artist services company, distributor, and publisher headquartered in Paris. As the first US hire at Believe, Heather pioneered the expansion of their US footprint. She pitches music for film, TV, advertising, trailers, and video games from Believe’s growing roster of international artists, including The Blaze, Novo Amor, Milky Chance, YONAKA, Jadu Heart, and more.
Raised in Potomac, Maryland, Jessica Carter Altman was surrounded by a strong and supportive family. Her mother, the legendary Lynda Carter, helped build a steadfast sense of self in the singer and her father, Robert A. Altman instilled a love for law and philanthropy. Wrapped in an insatiable well of creativity and public service, Jessica followed along in her father’s footsteps, starting a law career after graduating from the University of Michigan Law School. Her desire to help others and be a voice for those who are often silenced propelled Jessica into a successful and impactful imprint at Gibson Dunn — only to realize in 2020 that she felt like her actions spoke louder through the words she’d lace together in song.
Understanding Jessica’s childhood passion for music is another key to understanding just why, despite her profound respect for the legal profession, she had to shift gears and pursue her career full-time. She has fond childhood memories of listening to everything from popular bands of the 90’s to Nina Simone, Etta James, The Rolling Stones, Mary Chapin-Carpenter and Trisha Yearwood and pulls from an eclectic catalog of musical influences including Billie Holliday, Amy Winehouse, and Boygenius to name a few.
Jessica’s music exposes some of the deepest and most difficult human emotions but does so wrapped in warmth, allowing the listener to approach these feelings head-on and embrace them alongside her. The singer evokes the feeling of having a private conversation with her audience, bridging the gap between artistry and humanity that resonates with the many layers of living that exist.
Airbender One is a multi-media artist specializing in music and immersive art. Having received her name as a trained neon bender and musician, she creates sonic landscapes to feature her unique, songwriting. With a calling to proliferate transcendent, raw, connective themes that showcase a journey of overcoming universal challenges,
Airbender One takes listeners on a journey with her debut album Antidote - a self-produced 13-track experiential album.
Capri an 19-year-old, Canadian Guinness World Record-holding singer now based in LA with over 1.1 million followers across her social platforms. Her songs have amassed millions of streams from Spotify to TikTok and YouTube and the music video for her song “Not Your Toy" has gone viral.
Capri's most recent release, "Wonder" hit Top 40 on the charts and the music video has over half a million views after the first week. Be here to see Capri on an intimate stage before she hits the stadiums, you'll be able to tell your friends you saw her play Hunnypot first.
Zeus Rebel Waters is an American hip-hop artist/songwriter, entrepreneur, single-dad, community leader, and philanthropist. The St. Louis native brings a distinct sound and style to hip hop known simply as Gumbo - a gritty blend of all genres mixed with melodic cadence and eclectic rhymes.
The indie rapper brings raw energy to the stage and unleashes it to all his fellow "Rebels" making his live show an experience of high-intensity and positive vibes.
From humble beginnings to Hoo Bangin’ Records, Waters has become a major player throughout the bi-state region. Now, the deity rapper is setting his sights on the global market. With business ventures in fashion, film, and community development, Zeus’ imprint goes far beyond bars and tracks. Make no mistake, Zeus Rebel Waters is here!
FACEBOOK TWITTER SPOTIFY INSTRAGRAM
Juss a kid tryna do something better for my son that what I had as a kid. I own a tattoo/Vape shop. Looking for my chance to become something of myself.
Best Ex is releasing her music video for "The End" on October 6th, in combination with the release of her album With A Smile. Best Ex says that the song "The End" is built out of frustration for the state of the world.
Some information about Best Ex, who also goes by Mariel Loveland, is that living in the shadow of NYC in Northern New Jersey, she got her start battling it out in the rough and tumble suburban scene with her nostalgia-tinged punk outfit Candy Hearts in 2010. Within two short years, she went from playing basements across the East Coast to sharing the stage with pop punk heavyweights like Man Overboard, New Found Glory and Weezer. After a final stint on Vans Warped Tour in 2015, she adopted the moniker Best Ex, trading energetic guitars for fuzzed-out synths, dreamy acoustics and a melodic sweet tooth that rivaled Carly Rae Jepson's or Sky Ferreira's.
Hunnypot is proud to be THE DARTS official sync representative. Check out the music video to their song "Spy Girl". It's a hard rock banger from a cool all-female band. The music video shows a combination of clips from their live shows with funky and fun edits.
Ask us about licensing!
Saint Motel was a highlight of my Concert Photography career. It is always a question as to how much the band will live up to their recordings, and this group had the rare case of exceeding expectations. The group had a sound that flowed so smoothly and with the combination of their beautiful sound and their astonishing stage presence, this was a night to remember. Openers Echosmith began the night and set the bar to a new height for The Observatory OC venue, and the fact that Saint Motel was able to match this was a feat of its own.
Echosmith, well known for their folk twang pop hits including “Cool Kids” and “Bright” were a delight to see live. They were able to rile the crown for the headliner all the while finding newfound fans. The group played their hits along with never before songs, i.e. their new songs “Perfect Life”. The group had a great stage presence that allowed for audience participation and a visually appealing show. When it came time for the end of Echosmith’s set, the crowd was just the perfect amount of riled.
Saint Motel came to stage in formal attire which went splendidly with the golden red carpet vibes of the set design. The group began by announcing how the audience would be participating in the show. The group made it so there were a total of 4 “fan picks” which would be voted on using a QR code. This added an element of intimacy to the set. The group had the fancy elements and the whole shebang their Academy Award Tour.
The group played all of their hits including “Cold Cold Man”, “Sweet Talk”, “For Elise”, etc. It was a show to remember with lighting that gave a heavenly glow to the performers, audience participation, including one fan pick being revealed by a lucky audience member, and high quality performances all around. This show was an all time personal favorite of mine, and gave me a new appreciation for the talent of Saint Motel.
The recent Freaks on Parade Tour featuring Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, and Ministry stopped in San Francisco on September 22nd, 2023, delivering a thrilling spectacle at the Toyota Pavilion. This electrifying tour brought together shock rock icon Rob Zombie and horror legend Alice Cooper, adding the industrial metal power of Ministry to create an unforgettable night of mayhem that won’t soon be forgotten. Let’s dig in.
Kicking off the evening for me was Ministry. This band, led by enigma Al Jourgensen, never fails to produce the evilest of industrial stompings. I last saw Ministry in 2019 on Slayer’s final tour, and they were even better this time around. The dueling lead guitars, held down by Monte Pittman and Cesar Soto, were gloriously loud and satisfying. Crystal clear yet sinister keyboards from John Bechdel and rhythm section compromised of Ray Mayorga on drums and Paul D ’Amour on bass held down the low end masterfully. Ministry never seems to disappoint (although I am glad I missed the chain link fence stage prop from the past tour). Favorites from the set included "Thieves", Stigmata", and one of their latest, "Goddam White Trash". Overall, Uncle Al and Ministry fully delivered the goods and then some. I am so looking forward to their new album, Hopiumforthemasses, to be released early 2024.
Next up was legendary shock rocker Alice Cooper and his amazing theatrical ensemble. Alice has been entertaining not only Gen X’rs but Baby Boomers as well for decades. I have to tip my top hat to the entity that is Alice Cooper, a fictional name, yet a real person who always speaks of himself in third person. I recall looking at my parents album, Billion Dollar Babies, knowing this was a freak parade I wanted to belong to. Alice’s band is legitimately one of the best in the business featuring the golden kissed Nita Strauss on guitar, engineer and producer Tommy Henrickson on Guitar, Chuck Garric on Bass, Glen Sobel on drums, along with a third killer guitar player named Ryan Roxie. It would be a shame not to mention all of the wonderful theatrics by Alice’s stunning bride, Sheryl Cooper. She is phenomenal. The amazing 16-song setlist was filled with classic songs from all of our childhood and were rolled out with perfection and exciting stage antics. Some of these included "I'm Eighteen", "Poison", and of course "School's Out". It’s always a party with Alice and the gang, and at 75 years young, his set (In my opinion) the performance of the night. This band leaves you wanting more with a stage show and showmanship second to none.
Now on to the main attraction, Grammy winner and Horror rock Icon Rob Zombie. Headlining the Freaks on Parade Tour, Rob keeps it real and simple with his band of 4 including himself, Piggy D on bass, Ginger Fish on drums and new (well not really new) Riggs on Guitar. Zombie gave us an amazing 14-song set list for the evening, spanning his illustrious career nearing 40 years. Some of my favorites from the night included “Superbeast", "House of 1000 Corpses", and the encore "Dragula". Saving some of the best for last, Zombie tossed in some White Zombie for us die-hard fans. Led screens and crazy pyro rounded out the stage production where giant sized aliens and evil monsters graced the stage. Rob Zombie makes all of us freaks that sat at the weirdo table together in school unite. It has never meant so much to be called a freak, thanks to bands like Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, and Ministry.
The collaboration of Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, and Ministry offered fans of all ages a unique experience. Each artist brought their distinct style to the stage, creating a blend of shock rock, heavy metal, and industrial music. It was a celebration of the darker side of rock and roll, filled with theatrical performances and powerful music. This concert stood out from other shows due to the unique combination of artists and their shared love for horror aesthetics. This one is sure to be remembered as a highlight of the 2023 concert season, and I will be patiently awaiting the next Freaks on Parade Tour to fly my freak flag high and proud.
If you were in college around 2016-2017 like I was, then I’m certain you know the band Surf Curse. When "Freaks" came out, I felt like I was hearing it everywhere, and that’s largely because it was blaring from my dorm speakers almost constantly. Since then, however, I haven’t listened to ‘em much, if at all really, aside from when I throw Spotify on shuffle – but when I saw that they were not only touring with Greta Van Fleet right now, but also doing a small show in Medford, MA, I had to check it out.
Their performance was exactly what I had hoped a Surf Curse show would be. No real frills to it, just a small stage they could barely all fit on that wasn’t a foot and a half off the ground in a venue that is a far cry from the TD Garden the night before, but they played their set like it was. They played with such raw emotion and energy throughout their whole set, that I couldn’t help but be bouncing along with the crowd as well.
Starting with "All is Lost" and hitting tracks from every album along the way, "Freaks" included of course, Nick and Jacob never wavered for a second. Each song felt like a story of nostalgia and intense, bittersweet emotion that lies at the heart of their sound – especially Jacobs snappy, atmospheric riffs.
In all, Surf Curse’s show at Deep Cuts in Medford, MA was everything I had envisioned and more. From the drinks being served in clear plastic cups, to the pinball machines clinking around in the back corner, it felt like a hometown show with a local band. It felt like Surf Curse. If you haven’t had the opportunity to catch them live yet, don’t hesitate. Even if you only know a song like Freaks for example – I promise you, after the show you’ll be right on board with everyone you just danced with.
I have been waiting for the group behind the I Can’t Handle Change album for quite some time. Roar has found a unique aspect to highlight in every song they have. Ranging from barbershop quartets to psychedelic rock, they are a group unlike any other. They have such a unique charm to each of their tracks.
Opening for Roar was the group Harmless, best known by their hit song “Swing Lynn” which captures a nostalgic and melancholic raw emotion. This group has some incredible surprises in terms of tracks. They have such a range of vibes, but also a singer who can vary from the deepest bass to the highest highs. They rocked the house and brought the energy up for headliner Roar as they took the stage.
Roar had a pure exposed aspect to most of their music live. It felt as if you were in the studio with the group themselves. The band had many surprises in store including a mad libs between songs in which the group would take suggestions from the audience. This show felt incredibly personal not only for the group, but for the audience as well. It was an absolute thrill to get to hear some of my favorite tracks come to life at The Constellation Room, tracks including “Christmas Kids”, “Heart For Brains” and of course the titular “I Can’t Handle Change”. This group not only knows how to rock, but also when to bring things down. As they found a way to transition between their many different aesthetics in a smooth manner. My only wish is that the group had more incredible tunage to bring to us.
I, along with many fans, will be patiently awaiting Roar’s next album.
On a blistering night in Toronto, the echo of metal and the resonance of rock reverberated through the air, as Echo Beach played host to a gathering of metalheads in a fervent celebration of the genre. This was no ordinary night; it was the eve of September 18, 2023, a night when the stars aligned to bring forth the Babyklok Tour - a spectacle of musical prowess headlined by the formidable Dethklok and the sensational Babymetal. To set the stage ablaze, none other than Jason Richardson, a guitar virtuoso renowned for his work in Born of Osiris and All That Remains, took command. With masterful strokes, he conjured a sonic tempest that seemed to defy the laws of music. His solo performance was a tantalizing glimpse of the auditory feast that awaited the eager audience. I would have loved him to have an accompanying band. I get it, I am old, and the idea of programed playback music at a live performance makes me feel like I am at a really expensive karaoke bar. Satriani, Yngwie, Steve Vai and Nita Strauss all are guitar virtuosos who take center stage for instrumental sets, but you get the full band experience on stage. Jason’s guitar playing was extraordinary, and it deserves a solid band to go with it.
Then, in an eruption of fervor, the iconic trio of Su-Metal, Moametal, and Momometal, collectively known as Babymetal, descended upon the stage. Bedecked in matching garb, they opened with a surge of energy, unleashing "BABYMETAL DEATH" and setting the venue ablaze. The fusion of J-pop and metal was nothing short of electrifying, as they traversed their discography, leaving no soul untouched. Hits like "PA PA YA!!," "BxMxC," and the Tom Morello-backed anthem "METALI!!" echoed through the venue, each note infused with an infectious vibrancy that resonated with the fervent audience. The ethereal dance moves, synchronized to perfection, added a visual dimension that elevated the performance to transcendence. The backing band looking VERY similar to vintage Ghost “Popestar” era Nameless Ghouls.
As the night wore on, it was clear that this wasn't just a concert; it was an odyssey into the heart of musical ingenuity. Each act brought forth a distinct flavor, a unique essence that painted the evening with vivid strokes of sonic brilliance. And then came the crescendo, the moment that all had been waiting for – the emergence of Dethklok, a band born not just of musical prowess, but of animated imagination.
Dethklok didn't just take the stage; they inhabited it. The colossal screen, a visual marvel, dominated the backdrop, bearing witness to the iconic artwork of Metalocalypse. It was more than a mere canvas; it was a living, breathing entity, pulsating in perfect harmony with every thundering riff. The band, cloaked in shadows, emerged from the very depths of their animated universe, as if the screen itself had come to life. It was a revelation, a testament to the enduring influence of Metalocalypse, a series that birthed not just a band, but an entire sonic universe.
The interplay between music and animation was nothing short of extraordinary. Dethklok orchestrated a multi-sensory experience that transcended conventional notions of a live show. Each riff, each growl resonated in perfect synchrony with the pulsating visuals, creating an immersive sonic landscape that defied easy categorization. The experience was akin to stepping into the heart of Metalocalypse itself, a world where music and art converged into a singular, electrifying entity.
In the end, Dethklok proved that music could be more than a mere auditory experience. It could be a visual journey, an animated odyssey that invited the audience to step into a realm where sound and imagery danced in perfect harmony. It was a night that celebrated the boundless possibilities of creative expression, a night where the fictional and the tangible coalesced into something truly extraordinary. As the final notes echoed through the venue, it was clear that the legacy of Dethklok would continue to resonate, reminding us all that sometimes, the most powerful experiences are the ones that defy easy explanation.
I first heard Buju Banton back in June of 1996 while in Jamaica on my honeymoon. There was a bartender at the resort we were at, Wendell, that was playing Buju’s recently release ‘Til Shiloh album, every day, all day long, no matter which bar he was working. I kept heading to his bar because I was LOVING what I was hearing. To this day ‘Til Shiloh is still one of my favorite albums and after Bob Marley, Buju is my favorite music artist. He’s has been doing this for 30 plus years and is stronger than ever. While each of his previous 11 albums have different sounds and styles, there is a lot of similarities, but he really made a change with this latest album. One thing that has never changed is his poetic ability, his amazing lyrics and story-telling. He is such a strong song-writer and in this day and age when new music coming out of Jamaica is being criticized for being insulting, misogynistic and superficial, Buju does the complete opposite with great lyrics, great producing and such a beautiful feel throughout the album. This is a mellow blend of reggae, dancehall fused with a little R&B and a little bit of hip-hop. You get a light, Tranquil, pensive mood but at times powerful beats, with live instruments like electric and acoustic guitar, sax, mixed with programmed synth sounds and beats, great vocal samples with Buju’s amazing lyrics taking total control every step of the way. Talking about the album, Buju shared: “Another milestone, Another stage. I embrace it all. I’ve accepted the change. Here is something special. From my experience and musical journey. An ode to those who acknowledge the struggles and challenges that surmount. And others who will, your eyes are not deceiving you nor are your ears, you were born for greatness. I embrace you with love melodies and music.”
Born For Greatness starts with a track produced by Stephen Marley, and you can instantly tell Ragga worked on this song,” Ageless Time.” Perfect song to start off this journey and one of my favorites, the background vocal sample throughout is perfect, with a beautiful acoustic guitar with the beat. “Let’s remember how things used to be.” Track two, “Life Choices,” is a little more upbeat song on this album with the synthed beats and rhythm, I really like the way Buju changes up his flow and tempo in this song. In life we have so many choices, and you need to think of yourself at times. We flow into the title track, “Born For Greatness,” the most upbeat song on the album with a brisk beat and flow. Buju was truly born for greatness, as he states:
“I don't follow your rules, I guess I'm lawless
Still making big moves regardless
It's above your pay grade, so let it go
We coming in thousands and tenfolds
I don't follow your rules, I guess I'm lawless
Still making big moves regardless
It's above your pay grade, so let it go
coming in thousands and tenfolds”
This may be my favorite track on the album, the most “buju-esque” song on the album, I think most Buju fans will agree. We go to the previously release “Coconut Water (Sip),” a song about watching his friends while sipping coconut water, finding out which ones are true friends or fake friends. The strings and keyboards blend so well with Buju’s verses and hypnotic flow. Track five is “Yard And Outta Road,” I love the hard beat and the flow from Buju, slow for the chorus and his typical banton throughout the verses. Another simple song with the synth, beat and strings, a song about everyone having to deal with their own struggles. This one really reaches a lot of people. It is hard to say which are my favorites, because the more I listen to this album, the more I think they are all my favorites. Track six is yet another fantastic song, “Body Touching Body” featuring Victoria Monét and produced by Haitian Michael Brún. A love song with a bit of a more up-tempo beat. Buju’s flow is so tight and then Victoria comes in with the chorus and sounds so sweet. A beautiful beat in this song that makes you want to dance with the one you love, and a nice subtle guitar throughout makes for a fantastic sound.
The Latin-infused “Turn Up Tonight” is up next, this starts a group love songs on the album. I really love the guitar rhythm and the sax flow in this song. As with many Buju songs, he speaks about personal circumstances, and you can feel the emotion in this track, “Girl, the way you do your ting, you make whole head hurt me.” Track eight is another love song, “Sweeter,” a love song about making up after the fight, “After the fight, Love shall be sweeter tonight.” This is the “love making” song from the album for Buju fans. The hook by Buju is alluring and flows in so nicely. We move onto another one of my favorites, “Feel A Way” featuring Stephen “Ragga” Marley. I LOVE when they do a song together, they work so well together, Buju’s raspy flow and lyrics combined with Stephens high pitched sweet flow, wow! Great beat and producing in this joint. Another love song, “‘Cause I can’t wait to get up with you, Girl, you bring such good energy.” “Plains” is next up, another song for the ladies. While musically this is a fairly simple song, what Buju does with his lyrics and flow make this hit. Whether it is his singing or “rapping,” he changes his tempo and his pitch, up and down, fast and slow. It makes this song wonderful.
Track eleven is “Nuff Love For You,” sticking with the love songs. A nice, sweet hook you can’t help singing along to this song. This is a more traditional reggae song and a nice spot in the album for it, with some more great sax play. As we move to “Walked Out,” Buju gives us a harder beat as he is telling us about the lost love he still yearns for to this day. I love the strings and sax in this and Buju’s singing is on point, again feeling the hurt and emotion. Track thirteen is "We Find A Way", a slow rhythm where we can really hear Buju’s range in his singing voice. It is more of an anthem, produced by DJ Khalid, a very positive song about perseverance, using elements of Whitney Houston’s “My Love Is Your Love.” We flow into “My Microphone,” I so love the bass line and chill feel of this song. A nice old school R&B groove to this one, I want to hit the dancefloor with my girl! The bass, the bass, the bass and the guitar hitting us here and there with nice string work. Another favorite.
“Excuse me lovely lady, may I have this dance? Could not resist temptation so I took my chance. Across the room my eyes met yours, could not avert the glance. I search the world and there is none, London, Rome and France”
Next is the previously release song with Snoop Dogg, “High Life.” Not just a song about marijuana, but how it is no longer about smoking the sacred herb, but how it is now a business. I really like the beat and rhythm of this song, and Buju hits us with a really nice flow, how he changes his cadence and tempo. I actually do not care for Snoop’s first verse on the song, he tries too hard to be Jamaican (Snoop Lion), but his flow on his second verse is just Snoop being Snoop and it works so much better. It is a song that would stand on its own without Snoop, but that second flow from him adds a nice piece to the song. Track sixteen is “Trial By Fire,” and is not one of my favorites on this album. It’s upbeat and a little too pop for me, but the message is what makes this a good song. An uplifting song about Buju taking the lead to “unify this land of mine.” He’s a warrior placed here to protect the people. While this may not be one of my favorites, the music composition is very solid, nice drum line and guitar. We finish the album off with “Let My People Go,” a gospel-like song with great horns throughout about releasing the people from bondage, the chaos in the world and the tribal war created for money. This is the perfect song to finish the album with, while most are love songs, he gives us two positive songs to finish this journey.
Born For Greatness lets fans of Jamaican reggae and dancehall know that veterans like Buju can be shining examples to bring the music back to a respectable time and feel and message. This is a fantastic album, one of the best released the last few years. The lyrics, story-telling, change of tempo and pitch, song-writing is so good, this is a must listen for any reggae fan and any music fan. Is this Buju’s best album, that is a hard one, he has so many great albums, but it is no doubt the album of the year so far.
One Love- Todd
The Dead Daisies are what you’d call a collective project – high-caliber musicians rotate in and out of the band, held together by the one constant, Australian billionaire and founder David Lowy. A solid rhythm guitarist, Lowy started (and bankrolled) the band in 2012. Despite a lack of steady band member cohesiveness, The Dead Daisies have consistently produced high quality albums and earned a reputation as a phenomenal band of all-stars that are a must see live.
I first saw The Dead Daisies two years ago with the legendary Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Black Country Communion) leading an amazing show singing lead and playing bass guitar. It’s not an exact comparison, but watching these guys prompted my band tagline, “The Harlem Globetrotters of Rock n’ Roll”. Each player had an incredible resume of accomplishments and watching them kick ass on stage was incredible. Hughes had replaced singer John Corabi (Motley Crue, The Scream) in 2019 and had an extremely productive run with the Daisies. However, Hughes left the band amicably earlier this year to focus on his solo career and launch a tour celebrating 50 years of Deep Purple’s album Burn. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss! Former Daisy John Corabi recently rejoined the group now with a current lineup consisting of fantastic lead guitarist Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio), monster drummer Brian Tichy (Lynch Mob, Billy Idol, Foreigner) and David Lowy on guitar. Bassist Michael Devin (Whitesnake) was recently added for bass guitar duties left vacant by Hughes.
With the revamped lineup, The Dead Daisies took off on a short U.S. tour in August to promote their upcoming “Best of” album, which included a concert stop at Ramona Mainstage last week. I was certainly ready to see Corabi at the helm and watch Tichy on drums for the first time, so I was hoping for another tasty rock n’ roll treat.
A few bars into the opener, their 2018 hit “Resurrected” (originally sung by Corabi during his first go-round) , it was immediately clear Corabi had recharged the band with his charisma, entertaining banter, and his outstanding diverse vocal abilities. Aldrich was on fire as usual, putting on a master clinic of fantastic guitar licks and solos. Tichy is a great drummer, intense, hard hitting, always fun to watch. Lowy can be somewhat low-key on stage, letting his select all-stars shine in the spotlight. But even he seemed to have an extra pep in his step realizing he had once again successfully constructed another round of musician musical chairs into a fresh and fantastic new Daisies lineup. Newcomer Devin fit right in, allowing the showmen Corabi and Aldrich to do their thing, but picking his spots selectively to come out front and interact with the guys. Devin proved to be an incredible backing vocalist, harmonizing with Corabi throughout the night.
To fit his vocal range, the setlist was understandably heavy on previous Corabi Daisies material: as mentioned, the great opener “Resurrected”, “With You and I”, “Rise Up”, “Make Some Noise” and fan favorite “Long Way to Go”, all just kicking ass. To his credit, Corabi also took on two songs from the Hughes era, “Unspoken” and “Bustle and Flow”, adding his more bluesy gravely style but staying true to the songs. Corabi commanded the stage all night, bantering with the crowd, making it feel like we were all at his house at a backyard BBQ with an audience full of his friends. With a band of three Whitesnake alumni, the final tune was very appropriate – the classic “Slide It In”. Oh yeah! It was a perfect end to another incredible rock show. If you want to see world class rock players in a classic old school 70’s/80’s rock style, make sure and catch The Dead Daisies when you can, you won’t be disappointed.
Rock on and be well!
Greg Vitalich
