Saturday, October 10, 2009

Firehouse: Still Rocking after all these years

What a difference a week makes! Today I woke up to snow and cold - feels more like December than October, that's for sure! Last Saturday was much more fall-like - because it was dark and rainy, I decided to skip the Cold Spring Oktoberfest last Saturday. Instead, I watched the Twins battle the Kansas City Royals in their push towards a playoff berth for a while, then head to St. Cloud for a matinee showing of the new Matt Damon movie, The Informant. After the movie, I then decided to head down to the Paramount Theatre for a performance by 90's rock band Firehouse.

I hadn't been to the Paramount for a concert in a few years, but I was able to get a $20 ticket at the door and snag an eighth row seat shortly after 7 p.m. The show started about a half-hour later. I had seen Firehouse perform at the old Del-Win Entertainment Center in St. Joe about 8 0r 9 years ago, and the lineup of singer/keyboardist C.J. Snare, guitarist Bill Leverty, and drummer Bill Foster remained the same from the last time I saw them. Together with new bassist Allen McKenzie, the band launched into their greatest hits for a 90-minute show.

Although I didn't know all the songs Firehouse played that night, it was good to hear the newer material as well as old favorites like "Don't Treat Me Bad" and "All She Wrote." The lighters and cellphone cameras came out in the crowd when it was time for their classic ballads "When I Look Into Your Eyes" and the wedding reception staple "Love of a Lifetime."

I also enjoyed getting to chat with the band members after the show as they signed a copy of their latest album , 2003's Prime Time, that I had just purchased. I had to compliment Foster on his powerful solo during the middle of the band's set. Although I hadn't originally planned on going to this show before, I'm glad I did - it was a great way to end a rainy Saturday night. For a band that started in 1990, Firehouse is still going strong after all these years.

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