Camp Freddy is Dave Navarro, Billy Morrison, Matt Sorum, Donovan Leitch, Chris Chaney
When: Friday, December 9, 2011 Venue: The Roxy Accompanied by: Kelly, Trevor and Elizabeth Genre: Kick Ass Rock N Roll
Guests: Paul Stanley, Evan Stanley, Tommy Thayer, Fred Durst, Sebastian Bach, Billy Duffy, Stephen Pearcy, Warren DeMartini, George Lynch, Linda Perry, and Franky Perez
When: Friday, December 23, 2011 Venue: The Roxy Accompanied by: Kelly & Lisa Genre: Kick Ass Rock N Roll
Guests: Dominick Monaghan, Corey Taylor, Jason Bonham, Mark McGrath, Scott Ian, Glenn Hughes, Steve Stevens, Billy Gibbons, Franky Perez, and Lemmy Kilmister
Not too shabby for 66 years old, Lemmy!!
Bon Jovi was one of my favorite bands back in the 80s...so hearing this last night at Camp Freddy made me very happy.
When: Friday, December 16, 2011 Venue: Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles Accompanied by: Sarah Rogers Genre: Rock
Friday nights are sometimes a bit challenging to get really excited for a show. The end of a long work week and the the general hassle of Friday night traffic, etc can almost convince me to stay home. But sometimes, going through the trouble pays off. And this particular Friday evening was well worth any inconvenience that came our way.
Thanks to Sarah Rogers for making drive down from San Diego - who really hit the crap traffic between weird weather and pre-holiday insanity. She was kind enough to pick me up from my new Signal Hill home (and got to see the new paint and one piece of furniture that has arrived thus far). Fortunately by the time we headed to LA from my neighborhood traffic had died down a bit.
While the doors opened at 7pm, we made it there in time to catch most of the opening act. Craig Wedren was an excellent prelude to what was to come.
A little after 9pm, Cornell took to a stage that felt like we were all hanging out in his living room. Aside from the inconsiderate women that were seated behind us who felt it necessary to carry on conversation at full volume, the evening was beyond perfect. Cornell connected with the audience in an amazingly personal way. Sharing stories and a lot of humor. By the time the show ended, I was rejuvenated and so very happy that Sarah and I did not allow the brutal exhaustion of a long week hold us back from what we love the most.
I couldn't find a video from the Orpheum Theater show, but here is one from this past April. Chris Cornell performs one of my most favorite Led Zeppelin songs, Thank You...
For William Shakespeare, the apex of art was the convergence of comedy and tragedy. The same maxim holds true for Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell. During the Los Angeles stop of his "Songbook" Tour at the Orpheum Theatre, Cornell dispensed enough humor and darkness to make for a transcendent and timeless show. As he sauntered onto the stage, he asked the packed crowd, "Is this going to be rowdy at all?"
They responded with overwhelming applause and cheers as he began "Scar Upon the Sky". Strumming his acoustic guitar, Cornell's voice reverberated with a divine prowess flawlessly filling the theater and beyond. He transfixed as he hypnotically wove lyrics and chords together.
Before beginning "As Hope and Promise Fade", he explained, "Originally, this song was called 'Two Drink Minimum'. I changed the title later. I'm eventually going to change the title of all of my songs because as we age words mean different things".
Regardless of the title, the song touted a smoky jazz elegance that was utterly entrancing. "Can't Change Me" showcased Cornell's knack for an immortal hook, which was preface by his realization he has "German" in his forearms. His scream proved gargantuan during the crescendo of Audioslave's hurricane remembrance, "Wide Awake".
The singer songwriter deftly examined tragedy during the unreleased Songbook gem, "Cleaning My Gun". He declared, "It's about somebody who's sitting at home thinking it's time to do away with their life. Everyone goes through this once in a while, probably...It's that moment when somebody's sizing it up and wondering if it's worth it."
Cornell would be the one to talk them off the ledge as the tune evoked a myriad of emotions wrapped up inside of a strangely welcoming refrain. Notched between a heavenly chorus and somber verse, Cornell struck a brilliant balance between good and evil with nothing more than an acoustic guitar and that voice. His lyrical genius shone through Soundgarden classic "Fell on Black Days" as every word painted a pastiche of darkness. "Seasons" remained a standout. He delivered it with a sense of dark folk poetry that carried into the elegaic desert anthem "Burden In My Hand".
With his cover of Bruce Springsteen's "State Trooper," he picked up an electric guitar and built menacing live loops as he screamed The Boss's story of police pursuit on the Jersey Turnpike.
Before a gorgeous take on The Beatles's "Ticket to Ride", Cornell announced it as one of his favorite songs and that it "turns out it was one of my daughter's favorite songs. She had the immediate honest reaction only children have."
He still possesses that same fire and passion for music and that's why he's even more potent, powerful, and relevant than ever. "Black Hole Sun" bristled with a similar immortality as Cornell's voice highlighted this apocalyptic story beautifully.
Ultimately, Cornell is still one of the most important and incredible singers of all time. His voice bares an unmatched vibrancy and vitality that echoes through songbook and every show he plays. Shakespeare would be proud of Seattle's preeminent bard.
Face to Face When: Friday, October 21, 2011 & Saturday, October 22, 2011 Venue: Alex's Bar, Long Beach (10/21) and Verizon Wireless, Irvine (10/22) Accompanied by: Lara & Becky (10/21); Solo (10/22)
Came home Friday afternoon after a 5 day cruise to Mexico and BAM, Face to Face announces a gig just up the street from home at Alex's Bar. I couldn't miss this. And just my luck, neither could Lara & Becky!! It was just a damn good time, damn good band, damn good bar, and a shitload of truly dedicated fans. I had just as much fun watching the crowd as I did watching the band. And after all was said and done, still made it home before midnight. Not too shabby.
As for Saturday night, I made it to Irvine in time to hear Face to Face, but the trek up the hill was too much for my tired and sick ass, so I listened from afar and then headed home. I guess the fun from the last three weeks had finally caught up with me. That or I'm getting too old. Nah. It can't possibly be that.
Incubus When: Friday, October 7, 2011 and Saturday, October 15, 2011 Venue: Hollywood Bowl (10/7) and Verizon Wireless, Irvine (10/15) Accompanied by: Gabrielle Genre: Rock
Couldn't ask for a better partner in crime...I owe my love of Incubus to Gabrielle and will eternally be grateful. The Hollywood Bowl show was a bit exhausting - being on a Friday night, after a full work day and hopping on a bus from Lakewood. We arrived just in time before the band took the stage. An absolutely gorgeous night surrounded by thousands of fans. The following week in Irvine was pretty much the same, but a lot less road to travel to and from.
Having come in a bit late to this band, it seems that I've entered into the more mellow sounds of Incubus. And I like it plenty. However, reading reviews from long time fans, the newer sounds don't appear to hold the same appeal. Regardless, it has been a delicious journey traveling back through albums prior to 2009 only to discover that I like pretty much everything this band has done. And chances are I will like all they continue to do. I guess I'm easy that way.
10/7 Set list: Megalomaniac, Wish You Were Here, Adolescents, Anna Molly, Promises Promises, If Not Now When, Circles, Privilege, Vitamin, In the Company of Wolves, Defiance, Love Hurts, Are You In, A Kiss to Send Us Off, Dig, Drive, Switchblade, Nice to Know You, Pardon Me, Tomorrow's Food
10/15 Set list: Privilege, Wish You Were Here, Adolescents, Pardon Me, Promises Promises, Isadore, A Crow Left of the Murder, Talk Shows on Mute, A Certain Shade of Green, Stellar, In the Company of Wolves, Defiance, Love Hurts, Warning, Anna Molly, Dig, Drive, Switchblade, Magalomaniac, Nice to Know You, Tomorrow's Food
Foo Fighters When: Thursday, October 13, 2011 and Friday, October 14, 2011 Venue: The Forum, Los Angeles Accompanied by: Kelly & Elizabeth (10/13), Gabrielle, Jonah & Marissa (10/14) Genre: Rock
Not much to say. Two nights of Foo Fighters. Life is good. Good friends, good music, good shows. What else could I possibly ask for? I suppose more, but not this tour. I was spoiled with the handful of "secret shows" earlier this year, starting off with the Paladino's gig last December. So, not being able to catch the San Diego, Oakland, Bridge Benefit or Sacramento shows is something I had to accept right off the get go.
But then again there is always the elusive dare to dream Foo Vegas in 2012?? When that rolls around, trust, nothing will keep me away!!
10/13 Setlist: Bridge Burning, Rope, The Pretender, My Hero, Learn to Fly, White Limo, Arlandria, Breakout, Cold Day in the Sun, Stacked Actors, Walk, Monkey Wrench, Let it Die, These Days, Skin and Bones, This is a Call, In the Flesh (Floyd), All my Life, Long Road to Ruin, Best of You, Times Like These, Miss the Misery (w/ Fee Waybill), Dear Rosemary, Break Down (Petty cover), Everlong
10/14 Setlist: Bridge Burning, Rope, The Pretender, My Hero, Learn to Fly, White Limo, Arlandria, Breakout, Cold Day in the Sun, Stacked Actors, Walk, Monkey Wrench, I Should Have Known, These Days, This is a Call, In the Flesh (Floyd), All my Life, Long Road to Ruin, Best of You, Times Like These, Miss the Misery (w/ Fee Waybill), Dear Rosemary, Break Down (Petty cover), Everlong
Venue: Warner Brothers Studio, Stage 8, Los Angeles
Accompanied by: Briya, Megan and Sarah Genre: Rock
Getting a ticket to the Conan O'Brien show is a challenge in itself, but getting a ticket to the Conan O'Brien show when the Foo Fighters are performing seemed impossible. But with friends like the ones I have in my life, it turns out that nothing is impossible! So while I probably should have been home in bed recuperating from a silly sinus infection, I was instead out in Burbank waiting to see one of my most favorite bands. Those of you who know me would expect nothing less.
First off, I gotta say that the Conan O'Brien show is one well put together gig. I've only been to a handful of other tapings for various types of shows, so I wasn't sure what to expect. But the fact that this has been one of the hottest weeks of the year, I was a little worried. Turned out the waiting area was in a parking structure with a decent amount of bench seating...which meant no having to stand in the hot sun. That was a huge relief. Then a guy handed out popsicles to help keep us cool. Very nice. And best of all, rather than making everybody walk the 1/2 mile from the parking structure to the studio, they provided air conditioned buses to get us there in style. A+ all the way around!! Oh, and when we got to the studio, gatorade was made available to everyone. And when we left the studio, we were given a DVD of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Season 6.
If you watched Conan last night, 9/8, you got to see the boys do Walk. But also be sure to tune in Thursday, 9/15 to catch their performance of Dear Rosemary, with Bob Mould. A M A Z I N G!
But even once the show was over, it really wasn't over for those of us lucky enough to be a part of the studio audience! To help "warm up" for the upcoming tour, they broke into the majority of songs off Wasting Light and ended with 2 classics. A 9 song set that made everyone dance in their seats. Which, to be honest, was the hardest part about the whole day. We wanted to stand and rock out, but it was not the consensus, so we made do. Chances are the whole set will be online somewhere down the line because the cameras never stopped rolling. And I'm sure there a few people seated in the front that would like nothing more than to relive Dave shredding in their laps. Oh what a day!!
Setlist: Walk, Dear Rosemary (performed w/ Bob Mould), Bridge Burning, Rope, White Limo, Arlandria, These Days, All My Life and Everlong
When: Thursday, August 4, 2011 Venue: Pacific Amphitheater, Orange County Fairgrounds CA Accompanied by: Cosmo, Gabrielle and John Genre: Alt/Progressive Rock
Nothing quite says summer like giant sized corn dogs, a variety of fried foods (ranging from butter to Jello), over sized turkey legs and an evening spent with Weezer and good friends!!
Granted, we stayed away from the fried foods, but I did pick up a bag of delicious kettle corn to enjoy during the show. And what a show it was!! Weezer is one of those bands where you can't help but have a good time. Add to it, being outdoors on a warm summer night and all is right with the world.
Not a terribly long set list...but good for a Fair gig
When: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 Venue: Club Nokia, Los Angeles, CA Accompanied by:Gabrielle Genre: Alternative Rock
Club Nokia hosted the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ benefit concert for the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, a non-profit musical education organization founded by Flea and Keith Barry that teaches kids the fundamentals of music and provides instruments. And thanks to my amazing friend, Gabrielle, we were there to enjoy the show!!
This is one of those iconic bands that I have not followed closely. Always enjoy what I hear for radio play, but don't own a single album. I think Flea is an amazing musician, so when the opportunity came up for me to see RHCP, I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. The energy of the crowd was intense...and it didn't take long to figure out why. When the band took the stage, it was non stop insanity of a rock n roll kind. It's no wonder they have minimal body fat!!
Setlist: Monarchy of Roses, Can't Stop, Charlie, Ethiopia, Meet Me at the Corner, I like Dirt, The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie, Throw Away Your Television, Factory of Faith, Right on Time, Did I Let You Know, Californication, Look Around, Soul to Squeeze, By the Way
Encore: Drum Solo, Jam, Sir Psycho Sexy, They're Red Hot (cover), Give It Away
