What is the earliest memory most of us have when it comes to music. I would assume that it is our parents playing their favorite songs while driving us to daycare, maybe blasting the radio while cleaning the house, or watching music videos on MTV when that was still a thing. These were always special moments for me when riding with my dad in his car or playing around the house with my mom in control of the radio. It introduced me to some of my earliest favorite bands that would now be considered “Classic Rock” with the likes of AC/DC, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Steppenwolf, and many more. A few bands that always stood out above the rest were Def Leppard and Journey, as these two bands have always held a special place in mine and so many people’s hearts. So, when a triple co-headlining tour with Def Leppard, Journey, and the incredible Steve Miller Band was announced, I had to be at this show no matter where it took place. After three hours in bumper to bumper traffic, I would find myself in San Diego at Petco Park ready to experience a line up of bands from my childhood.

Kicking off this triple co-headlining extravaganza was Steve Miller Band. To be honest, I have always known the name and I was certain I knew his music, but I probably couldn’t have named more than two songs from him. Launching into his opening track “Swingtown,” it unlocked a memory of this song that I didn’t know I had. Steve Miller started singing and I, along with the rest of the stadium, created a huge sing along with him. I had no idea where these lyrics were coming from in my mind, but I knew it was music my mom would have had to have played for me growing up. He played song after song, and I found myself singing along with each and every one of them. The man is in his 80’s and still rocking and grooving with heart, soul, and passion, and the crowd was feeding it right back to him. A special moment was when he went into his song “Rock’n Me,” and within a matter of seconds into the opening riff all the moms in the crowd absolutely lost it. The crowd was filled with women up and dancing while their husbands stayed seated. Many girls’ night out groups could be found dancing with each other and being transported back to their younger days. This trend continued through all of his songs which included “Serenade,” “The Stake,” “Living in the U.S.A.,” “Fly Like an Eagle,” “Abracadabra,” “Jungle Love,” “Take the Money and Run,” “The Joker,” and ending with “Jet Airliner.” When Steve Miller Band finished, I cheered, but all I could really do was thank him for writing music that helped bring fun and joy to my childhood.

The second of our triple co-headliners was Journey. Considered one of the greatest karaoke bands ever. Vocalist Arnel Pineda has cemented himself as Journey’s premiere singer with his nearly two decade tenure with the band. However, he could have just stood on stage and smiled at the crowd while never singing a single note, as the entirety of Petco Park turned the place into karaoke night at our local dive bar as we were all the lead singers of Journey this night. Even with Arnel being amplified by the speakers, his voice was no match for the love and passion that all the fans were singing with. Lead guitarist Neal Schon was nothing but smiles throughout their whole performance, coming to the edge of the catwalk frequently to be closer to the screaming fans. After 50 years of playing Journey tunes, he still hits every solo and note with a love and passion that is felt and seen by the crowd. Knowing this man has written some of the best arena rock guitar anthems of the past half century, the fans were nonstop dancing in their seats to every chord played. Keyboardist Jonathan Cain, bassist Todd Jensen, and drummer Dean Castranova were all jamming at the stop of the catwalk, but their love for the music could be felt by their playing. Castranova specifically handled vocal duty on one of my personal favorites “Lights.” A song about the bay area and San Francisco specifically, but I always hold that song close to me as it takes me back to any fireworks night at the Oakland Athletics coliseum with my grandpa growing up. Journey kept this drive and passion up for songs like “Only the Young,” “Be Good to Yourself,” “Stone in Love,” “Ask the Lonely,” “Escape,” “Who’s Crying Now,” “Faithfully,” “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’,” “Open Arms,” “Line of Fire,” “Dead or Alive,” “Wheel in the Sky,” “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart),” “Don’t Stop Believin’,” and ending with “Any Way You Want It.” This was the greatest night of live band karaoke any of us could have ever asked for.

Our final triple co-headliner was Def Leppard. When I first discovered Glam Metal, Leppard was always a standout band in the genre for me. I was even fortunate to see them a few times at Irvine Meadows where they filmed the music video for “Two Steps Behind” (though that video was filmed decades before I ever saw them live there). But it had been years since these cherished live shows, and I was ready to take in every moment I could. Opening with “Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop),” vocalist Joe Elliot still sounds amazing on the mic after all these years. Bassist Rick Savage was probably the biggest showman of the band, frequently walking to the edge of the catwalk and making eye contact with every person he could. I, myself, was momentarily star struck when Rick and I got caught eyes, that I forgot I was taking photos and was transported back to being a little kid staring up at one of his musical icons. Guitarist Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell are the backbone of the band with their guitar melodies and riffs. The band always keeps the instrumental track “Switch 625” in the setlist in memory of former guitarist Steve Clark who passed away in 1991. Clark himself was responsible for so many of the iconic guitar lines that helped cement the legacy that Def Leppard has become known for. Drummer Rick Allen is buried behind his specially modified drum kit but stands up any chance he gets to greet the crowd. Even with only one arm, he is able to be the rock that keeps the band in time and the songs rhythmically flowing. Throughout the set, the band would walk up and down the catwalks playing it up to the crowd. But we got a few songs where the whole band moved to the front thrust of the catwalk to perform “Two Steps Behind,” “This Guitar,” “Bringin’ On the Heartbreak,” “Rock of Ages,” and “Photograph.” This moment turned Petco Park into a small club setting where we had a more intimate moment with the band. Def Leppard blew the invisible roof off the stadium with other classics like “Rocket,” “Foolin’” “Armageddon It,” “Animal,” “Love Bites,” “Just Like ’73,” “Billy’s Got a Gun,” “Too Late for Love,” “Die Hard the Hunter,” “Hysteria,” and ending with the crowd pleasing “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” This was easily the best show I’ve seen from the band.

From moms having a girl’s night out, to dads reliving their bar crawl days rocking out to music, to couples dancing in the crowd to their wedding music, to parents handing down this music to their kids, Petco Park was packed with fans of all ages there to enjoy some of the best rock has ever had to offer. What is the saying, “You can’t beat the classics.” Def Leppard, Journey, and Steve Miller Band put on a show that holds up a very strong argument for that statement. There aren’t many tours like this where fans of any age can show up and know every song that is played and sing along with the bands. This music is the music of mine, and so many other younger kids in the crowds, childhood. And it will always hold a special place in my heart for the memories it has given me with my family. 

Both Lamb of God and Mastodon helped usher in a new era of heavy metal dubbed ‘The New Wave of American Heavy Metal.' Lamb of God, with their combination of death metal and thrash, created a new ruthless force in the music world. With Mastodon, they took progressive, sludge, stoner, and alternative metal to new strange heights that gave a voice to the essential elements of the world. When the heavy metal world needed new heroes, these two groups stepped up to carry the banner. On August 31, 2004, Lamb of God and Mastodon released their quintessential albums that turned them into household names, Ashes of the Wake and Leviathan, respectively. 20 years later since they were released, they are still admired as one of the two greatest metal records of the 21st Century. To celebrate this achievement, they embarked on an epic American tour fashioned as the Ashes of Leviathan tour, which included a stop at the world-famous Kia Forum in Inglewood. Coming along for the fun was thrash metal legend Kerry King & his new solo group, and English hardcore bashers Malevolence. Time for all four groups to rise from the ashes to bring L.A. a new awakening.

First up was Malevolence. The bashers of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England looked to give their American counterparts a taste of what British headbanging is all about. Frontman Alex Taylor was a roaring machine whose screams had the potential to blast through brick walls. While Taylor handled the belting, Konan Hall provided the more harmonious singing at the same time as he riffed the hellish licks. I tell you what, I was impressed with the lead guitar work of Josh Baines, who used combined elements of groove, metalcore, and hardcore metal to give the solos knockout punches that would rattle the ancestors of the L.A. crowd. Malevolence’s crowd was not very big as fans were still coming and there were some issues with the sound, but they soldiered on through. Giving it all they got, the five-piece outfit entertained with songs like “Malicious Intent,” “Life Sentence,” “Still Waters Run Deep,” “Self Supremacy,” “Higher Place,” “Keep Your Distance,” and “On Broken Glass.” The few loyal metalheads in attendance provided Malevolence with a respectful mosh pit.  One band down, three to go.

Ascending to the stage next is a man who puts the “thrash” in thrash metal shredding, Kerry King of Slayer. It has been years since we saw King and Slayer when they went on their farewell tour, but now he emerges once more with his solo band. Ever since From Hell I Rise hit the streets earlier this year, the gates of Hell opened inside the Forum. Performing with Kerry were the same musicians that performed on his album: frontman Mark Osegueda of Death Angel, lead guitarist Phil Demmel of Machine Head, bassist Kyle Sanders of Hellyeah, and King’s Slayer brother, Paul Bostaph on drums. All five of these all-star metal musicians created a band that was the stuff of nightmares. As Osegueda belted his ferocious voice, the tornado of terror got even bigger. Both King and Demmel are the hellacious duo of guitarists, slaying the entire L.A. crowd with wick solos and forked-tongue licks. From “Diablo” to “Where I Reign,” “Trophies of the Tyrant,” “Residue,” “Toxic,” “Idle Hands,” and “Shrapnel,” it was a sight to see. The crowd went even more crazy when they went into Slayer’s “Raining Blood” and “Black Magic.” Finishing off their night with the self-titled track, King demonstrated he was still a king in the thrash world.

Changing gears to something more progressive and sludger, black curtains with the Mastodon dropped down and the group from the ATL took over the driver’s seat with “Blood and Thunder.” Bassist and co-lead vocalist Troy Sanders, geared with his signature Jaguar Fender bass, delivered the harsh growls and melodic singing that really sets him apart from other metal artists. Lead guitarist Brent Hinds not only shared lead vocal duties with Troy, but he also shredded the absolute shit out his weapon, emulating the banjo fingering technique that has made him swift. Rhythm player Bill Kelliher destroyed the main riffs on his Les Pauls, while drummer Brann Dailor went into his technical prowess to achieve that perfect progressive/stoner/sludge beat. With each song from Leviathan being played, the jumbo screen behind them projected cool images that transported us to the ocean, braving the crashing seas as the metal faithful was in battle mode in the pits. From “I Am Ahab” to “Seabeast,” “Island,” “Iron Tusk,” “Megalodon,” “Naked Burn,” “Aqua Dementia,” “Hearts Alive,” and the instrumental “Joseph Merrick,” hearing the entire Leviathan album live was so special. Following that, Mastodon treated the crowd to three more songs that included “More Than I Could Chew” from Hushed and Grim, “Circle of Cysquatch” from Blood Mountain, and “Streambreather” from Emperor of Sand. During those songs, Dailor jumped into the lead vocal seats and nailed it. He is like the Phil Collins of heavy metal. It was a great set, and Mastodon promised to return soon with their next album. I cannot wait for that.

Following Leviathan, the L.A. metalheads were in for a crash course that was Lamb of God’s Ashes of the Wake.  As soon as their black curtain dropped, they kicked things into high gear with the supreme “Laid to Rest.” Randy Blythe is the ever-menacing frontman whose dynamic stage presence and blistering screams make him one of the premier leaders in modern metal. Lead guitarist Mark Morton laid down his groove metal/death metal chops, intimidating yet melodic. He is still one of the top dogs in the lead guitarist department. Rhythm man Willie Adler outputted his unique odd rhythms that goes along nicely with Morton’s solos. Also, it is Willie’s shredding capabilities with his pinky that make him that more special on stage. Bassist John Campbell is looking like Old Man River with his bushy beard, but he is still a fast player whose exactitude on his signature Jacksons make him more lethal. Rounding out Lamb of God is my boy, drummer Art Cruz whose speed and solid blast-beats brought new life to the group after the sudden departure of Chris Adler. Just like Mastodon, Lamb of God used the screens behind them and showed intense shots/images. Rabit and I were air guitaring the entire Ashes of the Wake with intensity. From “Hourglass” to “Now You’ve Got Something to Die For,” “The Faded Line,” “Omerta,” “Blood of the Scribe,” “One Gun,” “Break You,” “What I’ve Become,” the self-titled track, and “Remorse Is for the Dead,” Lamb of God conveyed brutality to a new level. Once the album ran its course, the band was not done as they went into two songs from Sacrament, which included “Walk With Me in Hell” (which was dedicated to Cruz for being the L.A. native) and “Redneck,” where I saw the cyclone of chaos reach the level of F5 status. No words, just a beautiful sight.

The Ashes of Leviathan tour was a huge success at the Kia Forum (ugh! I hate calling it that). To watch these titans of heavy metal play their iconic albums in their entirety is something to always cherish. Mastodon teleported us to the gnarly realm of water, while Lamb of God gave the crowd a severe case of whiplash the next day. Kerry King has entered the newest chapter of his storybook thrash metal career, and Malevolence spread hardcore malice to Inglewood. Rabit and I went home feeling euphoric, wondering how can this tour top this year? That is one of the best things about heavy metal, you never know. To Lamb of God, Mastodon, Kerry King, and Malevolence, I salute you. Horns up!!!

Photos by Matt 'Rabit' Martinez

It was a night of two of the best albums that the 90’s had to offer. It was also a night of some of the best live music that 2024 has to offer.  In what is being billed as the Jubilee Tour, co-headliners +LIVE+ and Stone Temple Pilots took over the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, CA, on August 18^th for a 30^th anniversary celebration of two multi-million selling albums, +LIVE+’s Throwing Copper, and Stone Temple Pilots Purple.  The concert was just the second night of the tour, but these are veteran bands and there wasn’t any rust to be found in either performance. As co-headliners, each band did a complete set with +LIVE+ taking the first slot for this show.

Founding member and lead vocalist Ed Kowalczyk, along with lead guitarist Zak Loy, bassist Chris Heerlein, and drummer Johnny Radelat took the stage and delivered everything the audience hoped for and more. While there were plenty of puns to be heard, “Wow. LIVE is great live!” the best humor comes from a place of truth. The band was great. Passionate vocals from Kowalcyzk, (ably backed by Loy and Heerlein), and great guitar work by Loy brought all of +LIVE+’s hits to life.

While this is the 30^th anniversary of Throwing Copper and a majority of the set list came from the album, the band also included hits like “The Dolphin's Cry" from The Distance to Here. But it wasn’t just a retrospective for the Kowalczyk. The band played their new song, “Lady Bhang (She Got Me Rollin’)”, which on the album features Stone Temple Pilots Dean DeLeo joining on guitar. (DeLeo did not join +LIVE+ on stage for this performance.)

Then it was time for the theater to turn purple. STP was there to mark the 30^th anniversary of their sophomore album, Purple, by playing it in its entirety. The opposite of +LIVE+, where the lead singer is the only original member, Stone Temple Pilots features founding members Dean DeLeo on guitar, brother Robert DeLeo on bass, and Eric Kretz on drums. Over the years, Purple has made many lists as being a defining album of the 90’s as well as top rock album in general.

The band played the songs as tracked on the album, leading off with “Meatplow.” A few treats were thrown in along the way. Steve Ferrone of Average White Band and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers sat in on drums on “Interstate Love Song.” Later after finishing off Purple with “Kitchenware & Candybars”, Kenneth Pattengale of The Milk Carton Kids joined on guitar for “Plush.” The evening came to a rousing end with the epic closer, “Sex Type Thing” leaving the entire audience worn out and energized at the same time.

Dean DeLeo was spot on sonically the entire night with crunchy riffs and soaring solos. Robert DeLeo and Eric Kretz were the combination engine that drove the music to places passionate and powerful, but yet incredibly mesmerizing like the acoustic “Pretty Penny.”

Here’s the moment to talk about STP lead singer, Jeff Gutt. The guy can sing. The guy can perform. It’s a tough job to take over for one of the most iconic frontmen of all time, (two actually). But Gutt totally rises to the challenge. One thing to remember, he’s now been in the band for seven years. But since this was a celebration of Purple, the band didn’t play any of their material recorded with Gutt. But check out the two albums recorded with him. They are worth a listen.

The opening act was Our Lady Peace. They hail from Canada and are another band that got started in the 90’s. The current lineup of Raine Maida on lead vocals, Duncan Coutts on bass, Steve Mazur on guitar, and Jason Pierce on drums showed they were a great choice to start the evening. (Special note: Our Lady Peace only opened the first two shows of the tour. The remainder of the dates will feature Soul Asylum.)

Uncured's latest single, "Manifesto," hits the nu-metalcore scene like a lightning bolt, packing a mighty punch of raw energy and untamed emotion. These guys have always been masters at melding heavy metal's brute force with catchy melodies, and with this track, they're pushing the envelope even further. From the moment it kicks off, "Manifesto" grabs your attention with gritty, in-your-face riffs, intricate rhythms, and fierce, unyielding vocals that demand to be heard.

True to Uncured's form, "Manifesto" doesn't shy away from tackling heavy topics. The lyrics courageously delve into urgent social issues like gun violence, child and domestic abuse, and sex trafficking, crafting a narrative that's as much a battle cry as it is a mirror reflecting our society's darker corners. Rex Cox digs in a bit further:

“’Manifesto’ casts a wide net, talking about gun violence, child and domestic abuse, sex trafficking, and so many other horrible things in our world.  It’s Uncured’s ‘manifesto’ that identifies the persistent atrocities that lurk beneath the surface of politics, media, and everyday life.  Some may find our choice of words in the song offensive if they approach it at a superficial level.  Dig just a bit deeper and you will see that we are calling out the people and institutions that abuse their power to take advantage of the weakest among us.”

Rex Cox's vocal delivery is nothing short of explosive, riding high on brother Zak Cox's mind-blowing guitar effects and relentless riffs. Add in the rock-solid percussion from Zachary King and Betto Andrade's powerful basslines, and you've got a sonic experience that layers intensity upon intensity. And just when you think you've got it all figured out, the track throws a curveball with a self-reflective, five-part a cappella harmony, showcasing the band's incredible range and versatility.

"Manifesto" stands a cut above Uncured's previous releases with its slick production and audacious musical arrangements. This track takes their sound to daring new heights, offering a fresh twist that sets them apart in the nu-metalcore arena. Their commitment to creating music that both challenges and inspires is crystal clear in "Manifesto" and their other recent hit, "Mask of Sanity," marking these songs as pivotal milestones in their burgeoning career.

Looking forward to the future, Uncured's upcoming album Warpath, slated for early 2025, promises to expand on the groundwork laid by "Manifesto" and "Mask of Sanity". Fans are buzzing with excitement over initial chatter on tracks like "Crucify" and "Bleed Me Dry," which are already stirring up anticipation. The band hints at an even more dynamic and thought-provoking journey, so mark those calendars and check out their website for the most recent Uncured updates. Rex, Zak, "King Z", & Betto are ready to take you on an exhilarating ride as they continue to push the boundaries of nu-metalcore with Warpath. Don't miss out on being part of this thrilling evolution!

For well over a year, I’ve heard the buzz about a punk band out of Australia and their reputation for delivering memorable live shows. Amyl and the Sniffers finally came through town last week and I can now resoundingly confirm –the quartet out of Melbourne are the real deal.  The band is led by 28-year-old vocalist Amy Taylor, one of the most entrancing live performers I’ve seen in quite some time.  A rising star has been born.  Bassist Gus Romer, drummer Bryce Wilson, and guitarist Declan Martens blend gritty 70’s punk (Iggy and the Stooges comes to mind), hints of Chuck Berry rockabilly licks, and some funky bass lines that provide the powerful musical foundation for Amy’s singing and entertaining stage antics. 

With San Diego’s newest live music venue, The Sound (Del Mar Fairgrounds), needing all of its 1,900 capacity to absorb the huge crowd, Amy and the band took the stage with the brisk and loud, “Balaclava Lover Boogie”.  The mostly 20 and 30-something crowd danced, screamed lyrics with Amy, and bodies of enthusiastic crowd surfers flew over the stage barrier into the arms of awaiting security personnel.  It was great to see a punk show attracting a large percentage of female fans, obviously buoyed by the growing popularity of the female fronted band.

The 75-minute set never let off the gas.  It was a non-stop loud up-tempo crazy punk show dominated by Amy’s captivating performance; she jumps, she headbangs, she laughs, she jumps some more, she furiously flings blond hair, she continuously breaks into contorted freaky dance moves, she playfully interacts with the crowd and sings with such energy and passion she holds the audience in the palm of her hand.  It’s hard to take your eyes of her, she is so much fun to watch! 

My current favorite track is the recently released single, “U Should Not Be Doing That”.  It’s mellow by this band’s standards; an indie rock vibe combining a perfect dance tempo, subdued guitar chords and a fantastic funky bass riff with Amy’s crafty rap style singing.  It’s an addicting song sure to get stuck in your head. Be sure to check out the video, it’s Amy in her raw performance glory.  Other favorite tunes include “Guided by Angels” (another great video) and the catchy and humorous “Security”:

Security, will you let me in your pub?

I’m not looking for trouble, I’m looking for love

I’m not looking for harm, I’m looking for love

Will you let me in your hard heart?  Let me in your pub

The biggest takeaway was the genuine refreshing fun the band exuded.  Amyl and the Sniffers deliver punk attitude and angst, but they also offer layers of humor, sarcasm, and positivity.  With Amy running all over the stage singing and smiling ear to ear, you can’t help but be enthralled and charmed by her.  The future of rock is in good hands with young bands like Amyl and the Sniffers rising up to carry the torch for punk and heavy music. 

Be well and keep rockin’  - Greg Vitalich

Picture this. Your favorite band announces their next tour. You’re beyond excited to see them. You go to check the tour dates, and your town isn’t listed. Now your excitement has been replaced with sadness and despair. But then you notice, the band is playing only one state over, and it’s only a six hour drive to get there. So, you and a couple friends pack the car, and hit the road. This was my exact experience when Halestorm announced their latest tour with co-headliner I Prevail. Halestorm has been a unicorn in my life, as whenever they happen to be in town, something always comes up and I must miss the show. I wasn’t gonna let them not coming to California stop me this time, as it’d been too long since I last saw them. My friends OJ, Bri, and myself hit the road to take on Arizona’s 111 degree weather for a bill that also featured Hollywood Undead and Fit for a King. This tour was too good of a lineup to have a six hour drive stop me from enjoying some of my favorite music.

Opening this stacked tour was Texas metalcore fan favorites Fit for a King. What I love about this band is the energy they all carry on stage. Vocalist Ryan Kirby has a vicious roar that carries a bite that will rip your head off. Bassist Ryan “Tuck” O’Leary is a bouncing jackrabbit on stage who spends more time flying through the air than standing on the ground. The man finds any surface he can to launch himself off of while still managing to pluck away on his instrument. Guitarist Daniel Gailey blends melodic rhythms with piercing guitar licks, and joins O’Leary in the skies throughout the show. Drummer Trey Celaya is bombastic behind the kit as he unleashes flurry after flurry of double-kick patterns. Fit for a King made their time count with a setlist of bangers that included “Keeping Secrets,” “Breaking the Mirror,” “Falling Through the Sky,” “End (The Other Side),” “Reaper,” “Technium,” “When Everything Means Nothing,” and ending with “God of Fire.”  The crowd was amped up, and ready to let loose for the rest of the night.

Even though I was in Arizona, the next band was taking me home. Hollywood Undead brought their beach party vibes to the Arizona desert. Kicking off their set with “California Dreaming” as I was transported home singing along with the band. Not just me, but the whole crowd could have sung this show themselves. The Arizona Financial Theatre was turned into a karaoke lounge, and the only tracks being played were Hollywood Undead. The boys of the band which features co-vocalists Jorel “J-Dog” Decker, Dylan “Funny Man” Alvarez, George “Johnny 3 Tears” Ragan, Jordan “Charlie Scene” Terrell, and Danny Murillo planted plastic LED palm trees around the stage and had a cardboard sign next to the DJ table that read Hotel Kalifornia. The band created a fun frat boy party house vibe where the only two rules were to drink and have fun. Hollywood Undead even made a special moment for a very young fan who they brought on stage to help introduce the song “Another Way Out.” Charlie Scene even tried to get her to scream “Mother Fucker” into the mic, but she adorably didn’t do it. This party was kept rolling through all of their songs like “CHAOS,” “Riot,” “Everywhere I Go,” “Renegade,” “Comin’ in Hot,” “Ruin My Life,” “Hear Me Now,” “Sweet Caroline,” “Bullet,” and playing “Undead” for the last call song. Though Hollywood Undead’s party was ending, the fans were ready to keep raging for the rest of the night.

As this was a co-headliner, it was a gamble on who might be coming out next as the bands had been switching off closing spots all tour. That’s when the giant LCD screens on stage lit up with the I Prevail logo, and we were ready to rock with them. Before the band could even hit the stage, the fans crowd surfed a wheelchair bound fan up and over the barricade. Security caught him safely and the fan was cheered like a true star. I Prevail then hit the stage with “There’s Fear in Letting Go.” Drummer Gabe Helguera sat atop the LCD screens with his kit and built up the anticipation banging away on his kit before unclean vocalist Eric Vanlerberghe came in with his growls. Vanlerberghe’s deeper vocals helps to build the power and strength behind I Prevails songs. But when clean vocalist Brian Burkheiser comes in with his melodic vocals, it releases all the pent-up energy that has been built up. It is a roller coaster ride listening to the ebb and flow that is created by Vanlerberghe and Burkheiser’s vocal trade off. Lead guitarist Steve Menoian and rhythm guitarist Dylan Bowman help to bring the heaviness to I Prevail’s sound with their mix of drive, distortion, and crunchy guitar licks. Burkheiser even took a moment to talk to the crowd about mental health and to not be too proud to just go and see a therapist for help before going into the song “Breaking Down.” Vanlerberghe also mentioned that as most of the tour had been in seated venues, he was happy that this place had room for a mosh pit, and would constantly call for the pit to spin faster throughout the set which featured “Body Bag,” “Self-Destruction,” “Bad Things,” “Blank Space,” “Deep End,” “Visceral,” “FWYTYK,” “Judgement Day,” “Choke,” “Hurricane,” “Bow Down,” and ending on the rage filled “Gasoline.” I Prevail brought their same headlining energy to the penultimate spot on this show, and the crowd was still ready for more.

As much as I am a fan of I Prevail, I was over the moon to be getting to send this show home with Halestorm being our closer tonight. As the band sauntered on stage, the crowd cheered for our headliners. But it wasn’t till vocalist and rhythm guitarist Lzzy Hale screamed the opening line from their first song “I Miss the Misery” that the crowd became unglued. The song had barely begun, and the fans were already in a state of pure ecstasy from the drug known as Lzzy Hale. Though Lzzy is the frontwoman, and often spotlighted as the main member of the band, when on stage Halestorm is a four piece rock band. Her brother and drummer Arejay Hale was behind the kit donning vibrant green hair and a white & black pinstripe suit, looking like Beetlejuice. Arejay could barely be contained back there as he was non stop throwing in stick tricks and exaggerated arm movements, bringing just as much of a show to the crowd as Lzzy. Lead guitarist Joe Hottinger is often seen linking up with Lzzy to trade off guitar riffs, and even spotlighted plenty with the solo’s he throws into the songs. Bassist Josh Smith is grooving on his axe, as he helps to enhance Arejay’s drumline.

Something you don’t get to see very often anymore with more modern bands is a drum solo. But Arejay took the time to show off his chops. Even pulling out oversized drumsticks that had to be at least three feet tall each. This drum solo culminated in the entire band walking out with a drum each and going into a marching band style drum performance that took the whole crowd by surprise. Halestorm and I Prevail recently released a new song they wrote together, as Eric Vanlerberghe was welcomed back on stage to help perform “can u see me in the dark?” Vanlerberghe & Lzzy’s vocals paired like oreo’s and milk to the ears. Other songs played included “Love Bites (So Do I),” “I Get Off,” “Freak Like Me,” “I Am the Fire,” “Familiar Taste of Poison,” “Takes MY Life,” “Back From the Dead,” “Mz. Hyde,” and allowing everyone to enter and worship the church of Halestorm by ending with the song “The Steeple.” As the band set down their instruments and came to the foot of the stage for a bow, no one was ready for this night to be over. This night was more than most of us could had hoped for, and though we had to face the reality of the real world again. We had a few short hours to forget about every trivial thing and just let love take over us.

I drove to Arizona with two friends who had heard of the bands playing this night but were not too familiar. They just said ‘screw it, let’s go” as they thought a trip to Arizona would be fun regardless of the bands playing. Though we listened to the bands on the drive there, and they had enjoyed the music, it was the live performances that truly won them over and instantly made them fans of all four bands. To those of us that are frequently going to concerts, we understand the power of a live performance, but we can’t always express it in words to others. Getting to see my friends OJ & Bri gush over the show and how amazing these artists are, helped remind me in real time just how powerful live music is. Even if your favorite band may not be playing your city, it can always be worth it to just jump in the car and hit the road to see them somewhere else. 

Godfather of Shock Rock, Alice Cooper made a stop at The Orange County Fair at The Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa on Friday night August 16 with no opening act and delivered a 2-hour nostalgic yet modern Rock n Roll show to a capacity crowd. Many fans in attendance had the iconic Alice Cooper black eye makeup on with fans ranging in all ages and ready to rock.

The show started promptly at 8:15pm with Cooper busting through a large newspaper ad with the band playing the intro to “Lock Me Up” then the awesome track “Welcome to the Show” from 2023’s album Road to kick off this epic event. Now the stage may look a bit more crowded than most bands and that is due to the THREE guitar attack of Ryan Roxie, Tommy Henriksen and Nita Strauss. These three are all top-notch guitar players in their own right, but you can’t help not taking your eye off Strauss as she is such a flashy player with a bit of a Steve Vai vibe but collectively this guitar trio puts on quite a show.

Cooper in his top hat and sword just looks and sounds fabulous . . . at seventy-six years young he sounds better than ever and looks healthy and hearty. He prowls back and forth across the stage always twirling something – a sword, a cane, a crutch, Cooper is without a doubt the original master showman. The rhythm section has long time band members Chuck Garric on bass and Glen Sobel on drums, both totally in sync and providing the boom throughout.

Alice Cooper delivers the ultimate Rock n Roll show in every respect with his huge back catalogue of hits as well as recent music well worthy of playing live. You get the drum solo, the guitar solos – all the classic elements of a 70’s live extravaganza. But as great of musicians as there are in this band, the live spectacle revolves around the theatrics, you get the snake around Cooper’s neck during “Snakebite”, the Giant Frankenstein stalking the band during “Feed My Frankenstein”, the life-size doll during “Cold Ethyl”, Cooper’s daughter Calico dancing during “Go to Hell” and then the ultimate spectacle where Cooper gets beheaded via the Guillotine and then his head carried around the stage. The band is obviously having fun and there is a lot of smiles and member interactions onstage – a total thrill to witness.

The night ended with band introductions and a one-two punch of “Elected” that had Alice high on a balcony and the stage was sprayed with red-white and blue confetti and then the iconic anthem and Cooper’s most identified song “School’s Out” that included a couple verses from Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall”, then a band bow in unison to end the night . . . and what a night it was . . . old school Rock n Roll with a twist of horror.

Over 50 years into his career Alice Cooper remains a fan favorite for both his ageless rock n roll as well as his astonishing stage show. A touring machine, Alice Cooper joins Rob Zombie for the 2024 “Freaks on Parade” tour on August 24 for a month-long journey with Zombie, Ministry and Filter.

Alice Cooper Setlist

Lock Me Up (First verse and Chorus only) | Welcome to the Show | No More Mr. Nice Guy | I'm Eighteen | Under My Wheels | Bed of Nails | Billion Dollar Babies | Snakebite | Be My Lover | Lost in America | Hey Stoopid | Drum Solo | Welcome to My Nightmare (Half) | Cold Ethyl | Go to Hell | Poison | Feed My Frankenstein | Guitar Solo (Ryan Roxie, Nita Strauss, and Tommy Henriksen) | Black Widow Jam | Ballad of Dwight Fry | Killer (Band Only) | I Love the Dead (Band Only) | Elected | School's Out

As I walked into the venue, I could feel a strange mixture of curiosity and excitement. I had heard plenty of buzz about King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard—Australia's prolific, genre-defying band—but this was my first time seeing them live. Little did I know, I was about to be transported into a world as eclectic and unpredictable as the band’s name itself.

The atmosphere in the room was electric, buzzing with the anticipation of die-hard fans, many sported wide grins that hinted at the musical adventure ahead. It didn’t take long to understand why the band has such a devoted following; as soon as the first notes of "Field of Vision" which was a live debut for the band, reverberated through the speakers, the crowd erupted in a collective roar of approval, and the journey began.

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have a reputation for pushing musical boundaries, and they lived up to that hype from the get-go. Their sound is a kaleidoscopic mix of genres—psychedelic rock, heavy metal, surf rock, blues, and even jazz, all seamlessly blended into something wholly unique. It was as if the band was throwing the entire history of rock into a blender and serving up a potent, intoxicating cocktail.

Watching them perform live, I was struck by their sheer versatility. With six members on stage, the band shifted effortlessly from one musical style to another, sometimes within the same song. One moment they were diving into the heavy, riff-driven "Organ Farmer," and the next, they were slowing things down with the dreamy, folk-infused "Nuclear Fusion" It was a rollercoaster of sound, and I was all in for the ride.

The band’s fans, many of whom appeared to be seasoned concert-goers, added another layer to the experience. They knew every word, every riff, and every twist in the band’s sprawling setlist. The energy they brought was contagious; it felt like being part of a community where everyone was connected by a shared love for the bizarre and the beautiful. As a first-timer, I found myself swept up in their enthusiasm, my initial curiosity quickly turning into full-blown admiration. I didn’t walk into this show thinking I was going to see crowd surfing either.

But it wasn’t just the music that captivated me. The visual aspect of the show was equally impressive. The stage was a riot of colors, with swirling lights and trippy projections that perfectly complemented the band’s otherworldly sound. It was a feast for the senses, blurring the lines between sight and sound in a way that felt almost hallucinogenic.

By the time King Gizz launched into their final track, the balmy “K.G.L.W.” the crowd was in a state of ecstatic euphoria, and I found myself chanting along with them, completely lost in the moment. As the band took their final bow and the lights came up, I realized that I had just experienced something extraordinary.

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are not just a band—they’re an event, an explosion of creativity that defies categorization. And for someone seeing them for the first time, it was nothing short of exhilarating.

If you were among the crowd lucky enough to catch Sophie Powers last Friday at the Moroccan Lounge, then you know exactly why it sold out. Headlining the first stop of her Glitch Tour here in LA  supported by Ava Morse and Zoe Ko, Sophie electrified the crowd with her typically jaw-dropping style and spellbinding vocals, with many already asking for an encore from minute one. It’s the kind of night that no article can do justice.

Accompanied by an anticipatory drum roll, Ava Morse stepped onto the stage to thunderous applause and kicked the night off with such songs as “Favorite Sin,” “Pure Violence,” “Toothache,” “I Should’ve Known…”, “Fake ID,” and “Godspeed.” Sporting a stellar fit with a particularly eye-catching leopard print top, Ava did a masterful job engaging with the crowd, her charismatic confidence coming through with each smile, each point of her finger, and each flip of her hair. This is no surprise considering her acting background.

Her songs have a fun and sensual energy to them that makes them easy to dance to and beautiful to listen to, with the standouts of the night being “Toothache” and “Pure Violence.” While “Toothache” expectedly got the audience’s blood pumping, “Pure Violence” shined through Ava’s ability to infuse such heavy lyrics with a toe-tapping rhythm and a sense of relatability. Like her entrance, Ava left the stage accompanied by thunderous applause as she thanked the fans, while her guitarist signed a Polaroid and flung multiple guitar picks towards the audience, and her drummer flung one of his drum sticks into the crowd as well.

Following Ava was Zoe Ko, who stepped out onto the stage sporting her signature fit featuring her iconic spiked bra and white cut out crop top, similar to her fit from her show with Between You and Me. In addition, she wore a New York style animal print jacket which makes me wonder if she and Ava coordinated this as a little treat for the fans. With a set list that included “Dirt,” “Touch Therapy,” “Eat,” “Lovesick in Public,” “Baby Teeth,” “Hollaback Girl” and some brand new songs, Zoe oozed confidence with each track. It’s the kind of sassy “don’t play with me” confidence only a true New York girl can summon, accentuated perfectly at certain moments by how the light would hit her.  Standout tracks included “Dirt, “Touch Therapy,” “Lovesick In Public,” her cover of “Hollaback Girl” and her newest track believed to be titled “Drop the Man.” “Hollaback Girl” and “Drop the Man” in particular complemented each other beautifully, with both tracks being the kind of songs any woman with a shitty partner needs to hear.  Considering “Hollaback Girl” inspired “Drop the Man,” it makes complete sense.

Zoe’s fearlessness to engage in riskier material   was on full display with “Touch Therapy,” a frank and witty ode to more intimate forms of therapy that plenty of people in their 20s will understand. She also tapped into more relatable territory with “Lovesick In Public,” but “Dirt” was by far Zoe’s most rousing song, and she knew it just from the way she moved around the stage like nothing on this Earth could bring her down. There’s no doubt her songs and her onstage persona have inspired more girls to believe in themselves, and her upcoming collaboration/remix with Sophie Powers will surely be one to look out for.

Speaking of Sophie, it’d be an understatement to say the audience was excited for her to come out after Ava and Zoe nearly brought the house down themselves. First, an offstage announcer simply said “Pick your character.” Then each member of the band was introduced as a playable character, with Sophie coming out last, dressed in a cropped, brightly colored short sleeve schoolgirl uniform inspired heavily by anime. Known for designing her own clothes and intriguing audiences with thoughts of what her next fit will be, Sophie certainly delivered in this department. Launching into a performance of “Clearview,” technical difficulties plagued Sophie as her microphone refused to work, but she pressed on like a champ, supported by her guitarist absolutely killing it and the crowd vibing along and singing to the lyrics. The rest of her set included (drumroll please)…

“Nosebleed,” “Bathroom Floor,” “U Love It,” “Obsessed,” “Wildest Dreams,” “Just a Boy,” “Overflow,” “Woah,” “Goals,” “Lonely Army,” “Heart Shaped Box,” “Breakup On The Weekend,” “Life Goes On,” “Head Empty, No Thoughts;” “Awesome,” “Better on Mute,” and for the encore “Blueprint” and “Greed.”

Wielding an indomitable stage presence and a deft ability to rile up an audience the same way a metal band can, it’d be an understatement to say Sophie Powers delivered on this performance. She brought beach balls out, jumped into the crowd and ordered them to create a circle pit, mesmerized them with her and her dancers’ choreography, and entertained them with her own brand of humor, including making fun of her microphone and pulling up an audience member to the stage after covering a Taylor Swift song who didn’t like Taylor Swift but enjoyed being on stage.

Oh and of course the songs themselves were amazing, with particular standouts being “Break Up on the Weekend,” “Lonely Army,” and an unreleased song called “Goals.” “Break Up” moved the audience to take their phone lights out and wave them in the air, “Lonely Army” delivered a potent reminder to check on the people you care about, and “Goals” will be an absolute hit when it comes out based on the crowd’s reactions. Just to drive home the point of how perfect this set was, a fan asked only a couple songs in for an encore, which prompted much supportive laughter. If that doesn’t convince you how big of a success this was, and if it doesn’t convince you to check out Sophie Powers at least once in person if you love live concerts, then nothing will.

Afterwards, Sophie took the time to meet with each and every one of her fans in front of her car, myself included. She didn’t have to do it, but the fact she did speaks volumes. This show was all about celebrating confident women and embracing who you are, so I can’t wait to catch these artists again soon.

Against The Sun’s headlining show at House Of Blues with HVNTED, Alibis, Fused by Defiance, and Carry The Day was a night for the moshers. If you wanted to go to a show where things get wild, this would be the lineup you’d want to see. Every lead singer that night got into the crowd’s faces, and the audience moshed like there was no tomorrow. The lineup was also filled with bands that are good friends with each other, with multiple being from the LA Rock Collective.

HVNTED started the night. I’ve seen HVNTED multiple times, and they get better every time. Their setlist that night included “Fiend,” “Shapeshifter,” “Flush,” “Katelyn Dilaine,” "Playing Fiction," "Sinning on Sunday," and “Toro.” They did a mixture of their own songs and covers but still put all their energy into each song. One of my favorite moments was when their lead singer Will pointed his mic at the crowd. You could tell the audience was having a good time, moving along to each song. I also appreciate how clear Will’s vocals always sound whenever he performs. You can tell Abe is the extrovert in the group from how he poses when he sees a camera while on stage. “Katelyn Dilaine” is one of those songs with lyrics that will stick in your head, especially the line “I'm sick of pretending.” The lyrics themselves are relatable, but the way Will sings them adds power to the song. The way the band members interact on stage is always fun to watch. They all work really well together, and their bond with each other is refreshing to see. The instrumentals and vocals have a good balance; neither overpowers the other but works together instead. HVNTED used to always wrap up their sets with “What’s New Scooby Doo,” and I have my fingers crossed they bring it back. The band easily looks like they could be cast in Scooby Doo as well.

Following HVNTED was Alibis. Their lead singer, Rainy Terrell, came out in an eye-catching outfit. She wore a red dress with a red veil, somewhat similar to an outfit Lydia from Beetlejuice wore. Alibis' setlist that night consisted of songs such as “Sellout,” “Mother,” “Unworthy,” "Damn Love,” "You Outta Know," and “Darkside.” One of the things that impressed me about Alibis was how well they handled things when sound issues occurred. Rainy kept the audience entertained while the sound issues were being fixed. Her vocals are haunting but in a beautiful way—they'd send a shiver down anyone's spine. The instrumental parts went hard as well. Rainy's movements reminded me of actresses performing in Broadway musicals. At times, the guitarists would do cool poses as well. At one point, Rainy went up to the barricade and sang right in front of the crowd. Overall, I loved that they added an elegant, theatrical feel to their performance.

Fused By Defiance brought a heavier sound to the night and also multiple circle pits. Their setlist consisted of songs such as “Insanity,” “Hollywood,” “Scene Kids,” “Cancel Culture,” and a surprise cover of “Let The Bodies Hit The Floor.” They had multiple surprise guests come up on stage and perform with them, as well as plenty of head-banging moments. Lead singer Taji even jumped into the audience and helped bring more chaos to the moshing. She had the whole audience singing along and moshing—definitely an artist who knows how to take charge of a room. One of the highest energy bands I’ve seen. If you have any tiredness in you, catching them live will knock it all out of you. There are plenty of hair-flipping moments as well, so they’re the perfect band to photograph. The moment that really sold me was when they decided to do “Let The Bodies Hit The Floor” and had a singer from another band come up. I’m still not sure if it was somewhat planned or a complete spur-of-the-moment choice, but either way, it was epic. Joining her on stage was the lead singer of Where It Lies. She was also rocking one of the iconic Against The Sun flannel shirts with the red and black pattern.

The last band before Against The Sun was Carry The Day. I’ve photographed Carry The Day in the past, but they have definitely improved a lot since then. The band felt more confident. They started the set by having their backs toward the crowd before turning around. When they performed “Picture Perfect,” I really resonated with it. It’s a song that essentially expresses how picture-perfect people are really just uninteresting and not actually genuine. I feel like everyone has either felt like they had to be that person or were around people like that at some point in their lives. The lyrics from it, "Sometimes the ones that you're around will be the ones that put you down," hit hard. They also had the whole room get down on the ground and then jump up. People in the front were headbanging, and around that time, the lead singer ran out into the audience. Some of the best band moments were when the lead singer interacted with the drummer and when two of the guitarists were playing each other’s guitars. At one point, Jack from HVNTED stopped the lead singer of Carry The Day from falling while he was singing by the barricade.

Now, finally, it was time for the band everyone had been waiting for to step up to the plate. A good number of people were even rocking Against The Sun shirts that night. Against The Sun hit the ground running by opening up their set with their new song “BMM,” a heavy song that I’m sure many fans of metal would appreciate. Other songs included on their setlist that night were “The Enemy,” “Back To Ruin,” "Empty Space," “Resentment,” “Video Games,” “JAD,” "Undone,” “Falling Apart,” and “Ashes.” One of the things Against The Sun often says is that they’re either the heaviest band on the bill or the complete opposite. One of the things I love about Against The Sun is that they can go from really heavy, high-energy songs to softer songs like "Undone" that may or may not make you cry. Brad’s clear vocals and Alex’s screams especially fit well together during their live performances. The energy was off the charts during “The Enemy,” which is honestly one of my favorite Against The Sun songs. Alex was shredding guitar hard enough that I’m surprised his fingers didn’t fall off. You also have to appreciate Brad for how fast he can move around the stage while playing guitar. Every time I see this band, I swear they have more energy, and their fanbase just keeps growing. They’ve come a long way since Brad sang a cover of “Since You’ve Been Gone” in junior high. There were also wholesome moments during the set, such as Connor smiling while playing drums and the Brad and Brad moments (yes, there are two Brads in this band).

 Both Alex and lead singer Brad at different moments got right in front of the crowd, and the audience loved it. The lyrics from “Ashes” felt ten times harder when Brad sang them right at the audience. I also really appreciate how all of their original songs have some kind of message attached to them and paint a vivid picture, such as “Jad” on the tragedies of gun violence and “The Enemy” on, well... listen to the lyrics if you want to find out. During their cover of Lana Del Rey’s song “Video Games,” the whole audience was waving their hands in the air. It takes talent to make a Lana Del Rey song heavy, and they pulled it off. In fact, I like their cover more than the original song, but that’s just my opinion. At the end of their set, Brad jumped into the air, and Connor jumped out of his seat. Connor also has one Against The Sun song he sings called “Happy,” and I think it would be pretty cool if Connor did another song because “Happy” is one of those songs that will emotionally get you.

If you missed this show, you missed a night of history, and I’m sorry for your loss, but don’t worry—there will be more. This show was just the beginning of something bigger, and I’m excited to see how the future of these bands shakes out. It also is one of those communities where even bands that weren’t performing that night came out to show their support.