Camp Freddy Night #3 at The Roxy

CAMP FREDDY - Friday, 12/17/10

@ The Roxy, Hollywood CA

Another awesome night at The Roxy with Camp Freddy. In all honesty, it didn't feel quite as tight as last weeks show, but still kicked serious ass. Familiar faces from last Friday, such as Juliette Lewis, Franky Perez, and of course, Mark McGrath helped to kick the evening off in rock n roll style.

The special guests of this 3rd show rocked my socks off. Cypress Hill's, Sen Dog and B-Real hit the stage and got the crowd jumping with "Rock Superstar". Sebastian Bach and all his glorious hair joined the stage for "Paradise City". And that boy can sing! For those of you too young to remember the name or just weren't into 80s "hair bands", he was the front man for a band called Skid Row. So, yes, I remember him well.  Sebastian came out a little later and belted out VH's "Ain't Talking Bout Love".  (Love these youtube videos cuz whoever was shooting this was standing right behind me, Gabrielle, Kathryn and Nicole - capturing our point of view of the night!)

But the end of the night was all about Billy Idol! And I about lost it when he hit the stage. The man is pure rock and roll and I could not think of a better way to end the final night of Camp Freddy. I was lucky enough to see Billy perform in August at The Palms in Las Vegas. And again when he took the stage for a few songs at Bridge School Benefit in Mountain View, CA back in September. But this? Well, to be as close to the stage as we were for this hodge podge of musical delicacies was almost more than I could bear. I can guarantee that we will be back for more when Camp Freddy returns in 2011!!

Camp Freddy Night #2 at The Roxy

CAMP FREDDY - Friday, 12/10/10

@ The Roxy, Hollywood CA

I've got no words to describe what an amazing night this was! December is proving to be a spectacular month without a doubt! The evening consisted of the following greatness:

CAMP FREDDY is: 

• Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction)
• Matt Sorum (Guns N Roses)
• Donovan Leitch (Nancy Boy)
• Billy Morrison (Billy Idol)
• Chris Chaney (Panic Channel)

12/10/10 SPECIAL GUESTS

• Billy Duffy (The Cult)
• Steve Stevens (Billy Idol)
• Jonny Lang
• Juliette Lewis
• Corey Taylor (Slipknot)
• Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray)
• Skinhead Rob Aston (The Transplants)
• Franky Perez (Scars on Broadway)
• Slim Jim Phantom (Stray Cats)
• Steve Jones (Sex Pistols)
• Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)
• Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac)

Are there any paranoids in the audience tonight?

Roger Waters - The Wall Live 2010
When: Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Venue: San Jose HP Pavilion
Genre: Delicious Progressive/Classic Rock


UPDATE: For an amazing recount of the evening, check out my friend, Paul's blog: isorski's musings

When this concert was first announced many months back, I knew that I would be attending at least one show. The question was where. And who would want to go with me. I considered going solo to one of the LA Staples Center shows, but when I found out that there were shows in Oakland and San Jose, I felt that it would only be proper for me to see the show there. Near where I grew up. Close to where this music first changed my life. As for who would go with me. I decided a ticket would make a great birthday/Christmas gift for my Bay Area partner in crime, Miss Kitty!!


I first heard The Wall back in or around 1980-81. Junior High. Much in thanks to having older siblings, because Pink Floyd really wasn't a band I would have discovered on my own at that age. I probably saw the movie a few years later after it was released in '82, but didn't become really enamored with it until I was in high school. More like obsessed - as I do with most good things in life. I would watch The Wall most every weekend, at least once. But usually more. Such was my routine, especially Junior and Senior years. As with most young, angst ridden teens during that time, the lyrics spoke to me. Even more so when viewed while under the influence of a little of this, a little of that. Today, even at 42, the lyrics still speak to me (sans any influence). But now I'm old enough to understand that through all adversity, it is a choice on how we persevere.



Words really cannot describe how amazing this show was. I know, I know...I say that every show I attend is "amazing" - but it is the one adjective that adequately describes the experience. I know my ability to review this show, or any other show for that matter, will lack justice in depicting just how amazing it was...so I am not going to even bother.  But I do have a few photos (sadly taken with my HTC Evo because I didn't think I could bring my new Canon SX120 into the venue).


Oh, and if I can pull off finding relatively affordable tickets for the Mon or Tue show at the Pond in Anaheim, there is no doubt that I will be there.

Set List - First Half
In the Flesh 1, Thin Ice, Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 1, Happiest Days of Our Lives, Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2, Mother, Goodbye Blue Sky, Empty Spaces, What Shall We Do Now?, Young Lust, One of My Turns, Don't Leave me Now, Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 3, Last Few Bricks, Goodbye Cruel World


Set List - Second Half

Hey You, Is There Anybody Out There?, Nobody Home, Vera, Bring the Boys Back Home, Comfortably Numb, Show Must Go On, In the Flesh 2, Run Like Hell, Waiting for the Worms, Stop, Trial, Outside the Wall


If you have 10 minutes to spare, check out this video of Roger Waters as he explains how The Wall came to be 30+ years ago. And what it means today. Powerful. Relevant. And completely valid.

Faith No More Night #2

When: Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Where: Hollywood Palladium

Accompanied By: Kelly & Elizabeth

Set List:

The girls:

The boy:

Faith No More Night #1

When:  Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Where: Hollywood Palladium

Accompanied By: Ashley

Weezer - Memories Tour 2010

Weezer
When: Friday, November 26, 2010
Venue: Gibson Amphitheater, Universal Studios
Genre: Alternative Rock


Yup, another band that I wouldn't automatically say I'm a huge fan of...however, knew just about every damn song performed at this show. Actually, I had the opportunity to see them from the pit back in 2009 when I won Weenie Roast y Fiesta tickets via KROQ and absolutely LOVED them! But a fan? I guess...but not the point where I own any CDs or have them on my iPod. Not yet, anyways. Remember, I'm a victim of radio - which in essence means I hear a Weezer song at least a few times a day.


Friday night was a blast! The show itself was phenomenal - broken into two sets. What was super cool was during the intermission when a short slide show reflecting back on the early humble beginnings of this band. And I have to say, tenacity and determination certainly paid off. I can only imagine how difficult it would have been to put in that much hard work over the years with no guarantees of success. Yet, here they are. And what was really awesome to see were the number of parents with their kids. One of the few bands that aren't pop infested that adults have to endure to keep their child happy. Looking at what the younger generation considers to be music these days makes me thrilled to be childless by choice.  Although, if I had a kid - well.... let's not even go there.


For a more thorough review, here is a look at what the OC Weekly had to say: Weezer at Gibson Amphitheater

The evening was perfect not based on the show alone - but because I was able to spend time with friends! My virtual online family that stem primarily from the Foo Fighters Post Board, but have become some much more. Thanks to Cosmo, Cassandra, Gabrielle, Maria and Sarah for making this more than just another show.


To keep with the essence of the show, here is Memories by Weezer:

unfinished random thought....

It was only days or maybe months
A place in time when we talked so much
now reduced to nothing at all
An occasional comment on my Facebook wall.
No more calls or random texts
No more wondering who will message who next
All that's left is emptiness
and a little bit of sadness.
mixed in with potential bouts of madness.
wondering what I did wrong.

~as always, unfinished thoughts lurking inside my head

Addendum: Thank you to the ones that wanted to remind me that I am never far from their thoughts. And that means so much to me. And while I won't say who...should it be read, they would know. And chances are, I won't hear from them. Simply reinforcing the sense of loss that comes with having something so awesome for a brief moment in time that when it completely shifts and changes there is a void. And such is life. 


So, in keeping with my love of Foo, on to the video portion of the show:

Lookin' back to find my way never seemed so hard
Yesterday's been laid to rest, changing of the guard
I would never change a thing, even if I could
All the songs we used to sing, everything was good

A little bit of resolve is what I need now
Pin me down, show me how
A little bit of resolve is what I need now
Pin me down, show me how

One more year that you're not here has gone and passed you by
What happened to you, what happened to you?
One more tear that you won't hear, has gone and passed you by
What happened to you, what happened to you?