Well, the third season of Twins baseball at Target Field has come and gone, and it's been a second consecutive disappointing season. It was nice to see a resurgence in the offense by Joe Mauer, Trevor Plouffe, a healthy Justin Morneau and new acquisitions Josh Willingham and Ryan Doumit, but again the main concern for this team is their starting pitching.
Last year's "ace" starter Carl Pavano went 2-5 with a 6.00 ERA in 11 starts this year, and never really looked healthy all year. With starter Scott Baker shelved all year with an injury and Francisco Liriano traded to the division rival White Sox during the season, the team tried many different starting pitchers this year, with mixed results. The one mainstay for next year's rotation appears to be Scott Diamond, who posted a 12-9 record with a 3.54 ERA in 27 starts. The rest of the rotation has are question marks, with Pavano and Baker not likely to be re-signed during the offseason and unproven starters Liam Hendriks (1-8, 5.59 ERA in 16 starts), Samuel Deduno (6-5, 4.44 ERA in 15 starts), P.J. Walters (2-5, 5.69 ERA in 12 starts) and Cole DeVries (5-5, 4.11 ERA in 17 games, 16 starts) all remain candidates at this point.
Another question mark for the Twins next year is their middle infield, particularly second base and shortstop. After the failed Tsuyoshi Nishioka experiment, the Twins plugged utility infielders Alexi Casilla (.244 avg, 1HR, 30 RBI and 21 SB in 106 games) and Jamey Carroll (.268, 1HR, and a career-best 40 RBI in 138 games) in at second base for most of the year. After shifting Trevor Plouffe from shortstop to third base following the disappointing play of now former Twin Danny Valencia, the Twins handed the everyday shortstop role to rookie Brian Dozier (.234 avg, 6 HR, 33 RBI and 15 errors in 84 games) before abruptly demoting him to Triple-A Rochester in favor of former Baltimore Orioles farmhand Pedro Florimon Jr. (.219 avg, 1 HR, 10 RBI and 7 errors in 43 games) late in the season.
The recent dismissal of coaches Jerry White, Steve Liddle,Rick Stelmasek and head trainer Rick McWane are somewhat of a shakeup. I'm comfortable with the reassignment of coaches Scott Ullger and Joe Vavra, especially since I never was a big fan of Vavra's approach to being a hitting coach. Now that Terry Ryan has removed the "interim" from his general manager title, I'd like to see him get down to business into making a team that can make a good playoff push. For this team to go from the first team in the majors to clinch a playoff spot in 2010 to being the worst in the American League each of the last two seasons is simply unacceptable for us diehard Twins fans. I'm hoping for a better performance next year, although I'm sure I'll go to at least a few more games at Target Field next year, simply because it's one of the best ballparks in the majors right now.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Stone Temple Pilots: Party Like it's 1992
When my brother Chris was growing up in the 90's, he got me interested in the alternative rock bands of the time. One such band was Stone Temple Pilots. He played their debut album Core and the followup Purple hundreds of times, so much so that the songs were ingrained in my head for a long time. A couple of weekends ago at a family get-together, I mentioned that I was attending STP's show at the Myth in Maplewood, and Chris and his girlfriend Katie mentioned they'd like to join me. Katie lives not far from the venue, and had never been there to a show, so it seemed like a perfect show for the three of us to attend.
I got off work early yesterday afternoon, and navigated my way around the typical Minnesota summer road construction to the correct detour exit. I found a Half Price Book store on White Bear Avenue and perused selections for a while before making my way to the local Best Buy and Barnes & Noble at the Maplewood Mall before meeting Chris & Katie at the local Chili's restaurant for supper.
We don't have a Chili's in St. Cloud, so I trusted the "regulars" Chris and Katie when it came to menu selections, as we sat at the bar and enjoyed good food and conversation. We arrived at the Myth about an hour before the show was scheduled to begin. I had to laugh when Chris and Katie, who are younger than me didn't get carded, but I got asked to see my ID immediately after they walked up to the security guard.
This was my third show at the Myth, and as the three of us decided to where to watch the music from, we noticed that there was room on the second floor, in an area I'd never seen open to the public before. We made our way up the stairs, and continued our chat before the opening act Crash Kings took the stage. They were an interesting trio, with frontman Tony Beliveau on vocals, piano, keyboards and synthesizer; his brother Mike Beliveau on bass guitar, and Tom Roslak on drums. This was the first rock band I'd seen live that didn't have at least one electric (or acoustic) guitar song during their set, but I thought they did a good job of keeping the crowd involved as they ran through their 45-minute set, including their hit single "Mountain Man."
My brother had seen STP's frontman Scott Weiland perform a couple of times in another band, Velvet Revolver a few years back, and he was telling me they played a few Stone Temple Pilots songs during those shows, just before STP hit the stage with a lesser-known song from their debut album Core. Weiland, brother guitarists Robert and Dean DeLeo and drummer Eric Kretz were touring in celebration of their debut album's 20th anniversary, and Weiland commented early on in their set that they've been a band for so long that they can pretty much predict one another's antics on stage.
During the middle of the set, Weiland started a rambling tale of how the band first played in Minneapolis opening for the long-forgotten band Run Westy Run. The group then started a snippet of Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side," before launching into the rock radio hit "Interstate Love Song," followed by their mega-smash "Plush."
The band closed their 15-song set with the peppy song "Tripping On a Hole in a Paper Heart," followed up by an quick pair of songs "Unglued" and "Sex Type Thing" as their encore, just as the clock struck eleven. While Chris, Katie and I agreed that it wasn't a perfect set, it was a good way to start off a weekend. I later learned as we made our way to our cars just how many people had filled the Myth, as I saw quite a few concertgoers heading to their cars parked at the nearby Maplewood Mall's parking lot. When we originally got to the show, we were kind of expecting a younger audience, but realizing the band had been around for 20 years, I guess a bunch of them were there to party like it was 1992 all over again.
I made my way home last night around the detours, realizing that I'd seen 19 national acts play live so far this year. I'm not sure if I'll get to any more concerts this year, but if not, I'd have to say that finally getting to hear Stone Temple Pilots play live would be a perfect exclamation point on a great year of concerts in 2012.
I got off work early yesterday afternoon, and navigated my way around the typical Minnesota summer road construction to the correct detour exit. I found a Half Price Book store on White Bear Avenue and perused selections for a while before making my way to the local Best Buy and Barnes & Noble at the Maplewood Mall before meeting Chris & Katie at the local Chili's restaurant for supper.
We don't have a Chili's in St. Cloud, so I trusted the "regulars" Chris and Katie when it came to menu selections, as we sat at the bar and enjoyed good food and conversation. We arrived at the Myth about an hour before the show was scheduled to begin. I had to laugh when Chris and Katie, who are younger than me didn't get carded, but I got asked to see my ID immediately after they walked up to the security guard.
This was my third show at the Myth, and as the three of us decided to where to watch the music from, we noticed that there was room on the second floor, in an area I'd never seen open to the public before. We made our way up the stairs, and continued our chat before the opening act Crash Kings took the stage. They were an interesting trio, with frontman Tony Beliveau on vocals, piano, keyboards and synthesizer; his brother Mike Beliveau on bass guitar, and Tom Roslak on drums. This was the first rock band I'd seen live that didn't have at least one electric (or acoustic) guitar song during their set, but I thought they did a good job of keeping the crowd involved as they ran through their 45-minute set, including their hit single "Mountain Man."
My brother had seen STP's frontman Scott Weiland perform a couple of times in another band, Velvet Revolver a few years back, and he was telling me they played a few Stone Temple Pilots songs during those shows, just before STP hit the stage with a lesser-known song from their debut album Core. Weiland, brother guitarists Robert and Dean DeLeo and drummer Eric Kretz were touring in celebration of their debut album's 20th anniversary, and Weiland commented early on in their set that they've been a band for so long that they can pretty much predict one another's antics on stage.
The band closed their 15-song set with the peppy song "Tripping On a Hole in a Paper Heart," followed up by an quick pair of songs "Unglued" and "Sex Type Thing" as their encore, just as the clock struck eleven. While Chris, Katie and I agreed that it wasn't a perfect set, it was a good way to start off a weekend. I later learned as we made our way to our cars just how many people had filled the Myth, as I saw quite a few concertgoers heading to their cars parked at the nearby Maplewood Mall's parking lot. When we originally got to the show, we were kind of expecting a younger audience, but realizing the band had been around for 20 years, I guess a bunch of them were there to party like it was 1992 all over again.
I made my way home last night around the detours, realizing that I'd seen 19 national acts play live so far this year. I'm not sure if I'll get to any more concerts this year, but if not, I'd have to say that finally getting to hear Stone Temple Pilots play live would be a perfect exclamation point on a great year of concerts in 2012.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Buckcherry: All Lit Up Again
Buckcherry is one of those bands whose songs you hear all the time played over a concert venue's speakers during set changes, but until last night, it was a modern rock band that I'd never got to hear live in concert. When I heard they were playing at the casino in Walker, I decided to attend - it was a good excuse to drive up to northern Minnesota on a beautiful Friday afternoon, anyway.
I headed up north right after work that afternoon, basking in nature's beauty during most of the drive. The show didn't start until 8 pm, and there were no opening acts, so I had plenty of time to catch a bite to eat and enjoy the slower, laid-back pace a bit before the show. The concert was held in a large tent outside the casino, with reserved seats in front and the general admission area consisting of basically standing room behind the seats near the sound board.
Promptly at 8 p.m. Buckcherry hit the stage. Although frontman Josh Todd and guitarist Keith Nelson are the original members still in the band following their early 2000s breakup, I thought the band did a good job of keeping the crowd entertained throughout. It's been said that Todd is now sober, but it didn't stop him from singing about the temptations of days past in songs like "Rescue Me," "Lit Up," and the regular set closer "Crazy Bitch." They stretched over a dozen songs into just under 90 minutes onstage, with Todd taking time out to explain to the crowd some of the inspiration behind writing the songs "Lit Up" (inspired by one of his first jobs) and "Crazy Bitch" (think of a young Madonna as her career started to take off).
Normally, the casino offers a free slot play coupon, but after a long day, I decided to bypass this option, deciding instead to grab a late supper and catch the Vikings highlights on the tube at the hotel after the show. It was my first show at Northern Lights in 2 years, and I have to say, they definitely do a good job of keeping rock fans happy!
I headed up north right after work that afternoon, basking in nature's beauty during most of the drive. The show didn't start until 8 pm, and there were no opening acts, so I had plenty of time to catch a bite to eat and enjoy the slower, laid-back pace a bit before the show. The concert was held in a large tent outside the casino, with reserved seats in front and the general admission area consisting of basically standing room behind the seats near the sound board.
Promptly at 8 p.m. Buckcherry hit the stage. Although frontman Josh Todd and guitarist Keith Nelson are the original members still in the band following their early 2000s breakup, I thought the band did a good job of keeping the crowd entertained throughout. It's been said that Todd is now sober, but it didn't stop him from singing about the temptations of days past in songs like "Rescue Me," "Lit Up," and the regular set closer "Crazy Bitch." They stretched over a dozen songs into just under 90 minutes onstage, with Todd taking time out to explain to the crowd some of the inspiration behind writing the songs "Lit Up" (inspired by one of his first jobs) and "Crazy Bitch" (think of a young Madonna as her career started to take off).
Normally, the casino offers a free slot play coupon, but after a long day, I decided to bypass this option, deciding instead to grab a late supper and catch the Vikings highlights on the tube at the hotel after the show. It was my first show at Northern Lights in 2 years, and I have to say, they definitely do a good job of keeping rock fans happy!
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Halfway Jam 2012
Last year I attended the 3-day Halfway Jam outdoor classic rock festival in Royalton, MN for the first time, and had a blast! This year I decided to return again after finding out that Queensryche was one of the headliners. I'd enjoyed Queensryche's show at the casino in Walker 3 years earlier so I thought it'd be another fun time. After I'd bought my tickets, however, I learned that their lead singer Geoff Tate was suddenly out of the band in the middle of their 30th anniversary tour. Despite rumors and uncertainty, however, the band pledged to be at Halfway Jam. I wondered how this would affect the overall concert experience.
I got to the first day after a busy day at work just as the first national act, Bang Tango, hit the main stage. Despite a sudden downpour during the set, the band played an impressive set. The same was true of the following act Trixter. They played an energetic set winding down with their hit "Give it To Me Good."
As darkness began to set in, most of the festival attendees swarmed the side stage to catch local favorites Blimp play some classic Led Zeppelin covers. Stacy Bauer channeled her inner Robert Plant perfectly, and the crowd was riled up enough for the evening's headliner, southern rockers Jackyl to hit the stage.
I remember my brother playing Jackyl's debut CD constantly as a youth, and a lot of those hit songs like "When Will It Rain" came back to me instantly when the band played on stage. Despite a recent wrist injury, frontman Jesse James Dupree performed admirably, closing with the hit "Lumberjack," in which Dupree successfully sawed a stool in half with a Stihl chainsaw, one of the rare rock songs where a chainsaw doubles as a musical instrument. Immediately afterwards, Dupree fired off a blank round into the air from a shotgun that happened to be tied to his mike stand. I got to chat with the band afterwards and admit to Dupree that I didn't realize his mike stand was loaded!
The second day, after helping out at the library book sale during the annual Cold Spring summer festival, I returned to Halfway Jam to catch the southern tunes of Blackfoot. The southern rock theme continued with the next act, the distinctive Molly Hatchet. I was impressed by their music, and got to compliment the lead singer after their set.
It was fitting that a local Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band was on the side stage before and after Friday's headliner 38 Special took the stage, because one of their singer/guitarists is Donnie Van Zant, brother of Skynyrd's late member Ronnie Van Zant. 38 Special started rocking into the night and continued the fun for over an hour. In addition to their own hits like "Second Chance" and "Hold on Loosely," the band also covered the Skynyrd classic "Rebel to Rebel," a fitting tribute to Donnie's brother.
The next day I arose, a bit groggily, in time to help out my library book sale on the final, but very successful day. Before I knew it, it was time to catch Enuff Z'Nuff sing "Fly High Michelle" and other hits from their catalog at Halfway Jam on a bright sunny Saturday.
I enjoyed hearing Lynch Mob axeman George Lynch's killer guitar riffs during the next set. His expert playing him reminded me of the skilled playing of Eddie Van Halen that I had witnessed live a couple of months earlier. I wasn't too fond of the next band, Stryper, because of the religious aspect of their band, but they played some great covers of songs like Black Sabbath's "Heaven and Hell" and Judas Priest's "Living After Midnight." They were the only main stage opening act to have an encore, their single "To Hell With the Devil."
As I made my way to the front of the general admission area, I happened to have a long, detailed conversation with a Queensryche 'superfan' who was also disappointed by Tate's departure from the band. She filled me in on some inside information, including the reason why original guitarist Chris DeGarmo left the band years earlier.
After the Jammin' Idol winner performed (she did well, my only complaint was that she sang a pop song during a rock festival), Queensryche with new singer Todd La Torre hit the stage. I was impressed with his vocal range, he really could hit the high notes. I enjoyed watching the band play classics like "Walk In The Shadows," "Take Hold of the Flame," "Warning," and "Jet City Woman," but during certain songs I couldn't help thinking "Where's Geoff?" I later learned that this was the band's first-ever public performance with Todd La Torre behind the mike for Queensryche, so I was witness to a bit of rock & roll history in the making.
As I drove around a few showers on the way home that night, I reflected on another successful Halfway Jam. While I wasn't a big fan of most of the main stage acts, I still had fun nonetheless. I got to hear new music, talk to some friends, fans and a few of the band members, so that alone was worth the ticket price. If the experience is as enjoyable next year, I'll probably be back again. Third time's the charm, right?
I got to the first day after a busy day at work just as the first national act, Bang Tango, hit the main stage. Despite a sudden downpour during the set, the band played an impressive set. The same was true of the following act Trixter. They played an energetic set winding down with their hit "Give it To Me Good."
As darkness began to set in, most of the festival attendees swarmed the side stage to catch local favorites Blimp play some classic Led Zeppelin covers. Stacy Bauer channeled her inner Robert Plant perfectly, and the crowd was riled up enough for the evening's headliner, southern rockers Jackyl to hit the stage.
I remember my brother playing Jackyl's debut CD constantly as a youth, and a lot of those hit songs like "When Will It Rain" came back to me instantly when the band played on stage. Despite a recent wrist injury, frontman Jesse James Dupree performed admirably, closing with the hit "Lumberjack," in which Dupree successfully sawed a stool in half with a Stihl chainsaw, one of the rare rock songs where a chainsaw doubles as a musical instrument. Immediately afterwards, Dupree fired off a blank round into the air from a shotgun that happened to be tied to his mike stand. I got to chat with the band afterwards and admit to Dupree that I didn't realize his mike stand was loaded!
The second day, after helping out at the library book sale during the annual Cold Spring summer festival, I returned to Halfway Jam to catch the southern tunes of Blackfoot. The southern rock theme continued with the next act, the distinctive Molly Hatchet. I was impressed by their music, and got to compliment the lead singer after their set.
It was fitting that a local Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band was on the side stage before and after Friday's headliner 38 Special took the stage, because one of their singer/guitarists is Donnie Van Zant, brother of Skynyrd's late member Ronnie Van Zant. 38 Special started rocking into the night and continued the fun for over an hour. In addition to their own hits like "Second Chance" and "Hold on Loosely," the band also covered the Skynyrd classic "Rebel to Rebel," a fitting tribute to Donnie's brother.
The next day I arose, a bit groggily, in time to help out my library book sale on the final, but very successful day. Before I knew it, it was time to catch Enuff Z'Nuff sing "Fly High Michelle" and other hits from their catalog at Halfway Jam on a bright sunny Saturday.
I enjoyed hearing Lynch Mob axeman George Lynch's killer guitar riffs during the next set. His expert playing him reminded me of the skilled playing of Eddie Van Halen that I had witnessed live a couple of months earlier. I wasn't too fond of the next band, Stryper, because of the religious aspect of their band, but they played some great covers of songs like Black Sabbath's "Heaven and Hell" and Judas Priest's "Living After Midnight." They were the only main stage opening act to have an encore, their single "To Hell With the Devil."
As I made my way to the front of the general admission area, I happened to have a long, detailed conversation with a Queensryche 'superfan' who was also disappointed by Tate's departure from the band. She filled me in on some inside information, including the reason why original guitarist Chris DeGarmo left the band years earlier.
After the Jammin' Idol winner performed (she did well, my only complaint was that she sang a pop song during a rock festival), Queensryche with new singer Todd La Torre hit the stage. I was impressed with his vocal range, he really could hit the high notes. I enjoyed watching the band play classics like "Walk In The Shadows," "Take Hold of the Flame," "Warning," and "Jet City Woman," but during certain songs I couldn't help thinking "Where's Geoff?" I later learned that this was the band's first-ever public performance with Todd La Torre behind the mike for Queensryche, so I was witness to a bit of rock & roll history in the making.
As I drove around a few showers on the way home that night, I reflected on another successful Halfway Jam. While I wasn't a big fan of most of the main stage acts, I still had fun nonetheless. I got to hear new music, talk to some friends, fans and a few of the band members, so that alone was worth the ticket price. If the experience is as enjoyable next year, I'll probably be back again. Third time's the charm, right?
Friday, July 27, 2012
Soul Asylum at the Paramount
When I was in college, it was hard not to turn on MTV and see a Soul Asylum video being played. I got to see the band three times in St. Cloud about a decade after their heyday. With the 2005 death of their bass guitarist Karl Mueller from throat cancer, the band's appearances have been limited, so when I heard they were returning to St. Cloud to play at the Paramount Theatre last Saturday, I decided to attend to see how much had changed.
The band had just released their new CD, Delayed Reaction, that week, the band's first disc in six years. The show started with the first song from the new disc, "Gravity," an uptempo pop-rock song that got the crowd's attention. It was good to see frontman Dave Pirner and guitarist Dan Murphy back in action, alongside new drummer Michael Bland, Winston Roy filling in for ex-Replacements bassists Tommy Stinson, and Thomas Barbarella on keyboards. Even Mueller was there in spirit, as the drum head facing the crowd was a picture of him covered in mayonnaise, paint and other gooey substances from the cover of the band's 1989 EP Clam Dip and Other Delights.
The band had just played two shows in Minneapolis the previous two nights, one on Thursday at the 7th Street Entry and one on Friday at First Avenue's main room. Pirner admitted to the crowd that he was in a much better mood at the Paramount, and even shrugged off forgetting some of the lyrics to their single "Misery."
The band played about ten songs, took a twenty-minute intermission (one of the band's first intermissions in its history, according to Pirner), then returned for another ten songs. The house lights barely went down before the group returned to the stage for five encore songs, all festive and faithful covers of songs by other artists, including a fiesty rendition of Steve Miller's "Space Cowboy."
Althought the band didn't play too many of their classic hits, it was good to hear some of the newer songs interspersed with the familiar tracks "Black Gold," "Somebody to Shove," "Stand Up and Be Strong" and "Runaway Train."
I wasn't familiar with any of the new music, so I made a point to pick up the new disc after the show. As I familiarized myself with the ten power pop songs on Delayed Reaction, I remembered how everyone at the show was enjoying the performance, and hoped that the band would make another return to the historic theater.
The band had just released their new CD, Delayed Reaction, that week, the band's first disc in six years. The show started with the first song from the new disc, "Gravity," an uptempo pop-rock song that got the crowd's attention. It was good to see frontman Dave Pirner and guitarist Dan Murphy back in action, alongside new drummer Michael Bland, Winston Roy filling in for ex-Replacements bassists Tommy Stinson, and Thomas Barbarella on keyboards. Even Mueller was there in spirit, as the drum head facing the crowd was a picture of him covered in mayonnaise, paint and other gooey substances from the cover of the band's 1989 EP Clam Dip and Other Delights.
The band had just played two shows in Minneapolis the previous two nights, one on Thursday at the 7th Street Entry and one on Friday at First Avenue's main room. Pirner admitted to the crowd that he was in a much better mood at the Paramount, and even shrugged off forgetting some of the lyrics to their single "Misery."
The band played about ten songs, took a twenty-minute intermission (one of the band's first intermissions in its history, according to Pirner), then returned for another ten songs. The house lights barely went down before the group returned to the stage for five encore songs, all festive and faithful covers of songs by other artists, including a fiesty rendition of Steve Miller's "Space Cowboy."
Althought the band didn't play too many of their classic hits, it was good to hear some of the newer songs interspersed with the familiar tracks "Black Gold," "Somebody to Shove," "Stand Up and Be Strong" and "Runaway Train."
I wasn't familiar with any of the new music, so I made a point to pick up the new disc after the show. As I familiarized myself with the ten power pop songs on Delayed Reaction, I remembered how everyone at the show was enjoying the performance, and hoped that the band would make another return to the historic theater.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Partied With the Rock Stars
I have to admit that July has been a great month for me so far. I was humbled by the kind acts and treats from my coworkers the week before my birthday, I got to enjoy a few days last weekend enjoying the beautiful scenery of northwestern Minnesota, and endured the heat, humidity and lousy Minnesota Twins pitching with my brother at Target Field on my birthday last Sunday.
When I was searching online for fun things to do during my birthday month, I saw that one of my favorite bands, Sevendust, was playing at the legendary First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis a few days after my birthday. Remembering all the great times I'd had at their shows six times before, I immediately bought a ticket. I was suddenly a bit giddy with anticipation, looking forward more to this show than to my milestone birthday!
I arrived in downtown Minneapolis on Thursday and found a spot in a parking ramp near Target Field, so close that I could see the seventh inning stretch festivities on the Target Field displays from my car. As I walked downtown, I strolled by First Avenue just in time to hear a great track called "World is Dead" from Sevendust guitarist Clint Lowery and drummer Morgan Rose's new side project Call Me No One being rehearsed. I knew right then and there that I was in for a great night!
I arrived early enough to grab a sandwich and bottle of water and enjoy them outside of Target Field just as the Twins gave the game away to the Orioles. Before the disappointed crowd could exit en masse, I decided to head down to Nicollet Mall and lose myself in a good book or two before heading to the show.
A few hours later, I arrived back at First Avenue just as the first few dedicated fans began lining up outside. While I considered myself a Sevendust "veteran" going to my seventh Sevendust show, I met a few more loyal fans outside the arena, including one who was going to his 36th Sevendust concert that night.
Before too long, the doors opened and I met up with my new acquaintances after buying a VIP pass so I could attend the meet and greet and the after show a few blocks down the road at the Pourhouse. I had never heard of the opening acts Black Oxygen and 3 Pill Morning, but was looking forward to hearing new music. I chatted with some more Sevendust fans as we took our spots front row center before the show.
Shortly before 6:30 p.m. the first opening act Black Oxygen took the stage. Their look and sound reminded me of "nu-metal bands" like Puddle of Mudd and Hoobastank, but I liked some of their originals and made a mental note to find out more about them in the near future.
The second opening act, 3 Pill Morning, then followed, and included a few songs from their newly released second album Black Tie Love Affair. The Minnesota natives did a good job of getting the crowd warmed up for the headliner Sevendust.
After another set change, Sevendust amped up the crowd with the song "Inside" from their seventh studio album "Chapter VII: Hope and Sorrow." It was great to hear the band perform with great energy, especially on classic tracks like "Black," "Denial," and "Splinter." It was also nice to hear songs like "Waffle" that I hadn't heard in a while in their sets. One of my favorite Sevendust songs is the ballad "Angel's Son," and I said a silent prayer to my late Uncle Felix as Lowery began the familiar opening chords on electric guitar.
It was a fast 14-song set, packed with hits from all of their studio albums, closing with the popular encore song "Face to Face." As the house lights went up and my new-found friends and I had time to decompress, we took time to savor the great music we'd just heard before heading to the after show party just a few blocks over.
About an hour after Sevendust finished their set, the gang joined the VIP concert-goers on the second level of the Pourhouse. I was standing by the door chatting with new friends as the band entered, so I got to shake hands and congratulate each of them on another outstanding show. I also got to chat with each band member individually, express my interest in their side projects Call Me No One and Projected (by guitarist John Connolly and bassist Vince "Vinny" Hornsby) and even get a few photo ops with Clint, John and frontman Lajon Witherspoon before deciding to call it a night.
The band is playing a few shows, including today at Rockfest in Cadott, WI, and then will be taking a break before getting back together to start recording their ninth studio album. I still don't understand why Sevendust isn't as popular as similar metal bands like Disturbed and Godsmack - they make great music, their concerts are memorable and affordable, and they treat their fans like royalty. All the more reasons for me to catch them at their next show in town!
Sevendust set list:
1. Inside
2. Denial
3. Bitch
4. Black
5. Waffle
6. Driven
7. Splinter
8. Praise
9. Angel's Son
10. Suffocate
11. Forever
12. Pieces
13. The End is Coming
14. Face to Face
When I was searching online for fun things to do during my birthday month, I saw that one of my favorite bands, Sevendust, was playing at the legendary First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis a few days after my birthday. Remembering all the great times I'd had at their shows six times before, I immediately bought a ticket. I was suddenly a bit giddy with anticipation, looking forward more to this show than to my milestone birthday!
I arrived in downtown Minneapolis on Thursday and found a spot in a parking ramp near Target Field, so close that I could see the seventh inning stretch festivities on the Target Field displays from my car. As I walked downtown, I strolled by First Avenue just in time to hear a great track called "World is Dead" from Sevendust guitarist Clint Lowery and drummer Morgan Rose's new side project Call Me No One being rehearsed. I knew right then and there that I was in for a great night!
I arrived early enough to grab a sandwich and bottle of water and enjoy them outside of Target Field just as the Twins gave the game away to the Orioles. Before the disappointed crowd could exit en masse, I decided to head down to Nicollet Mall and lose myself in a good book or two before heading to the show.
A few hours later, I arrived back at First Avenue just as the first few dedicated fans began lining up outside. While I considered myself a Sevendust "veteran" going to my seventh Sevendust show, I met a few more loyal fans outside the arena, including one who was going to his 36th Sevendust concert that night.
Before too long, the doors opened and I met up with my new acquaintances after buying a VIP pass so I could attend the meet and greet and the after show a few blocks down the road at the Pourhouse. I had never heard of the opening acts Black Oxygen and 3 Pill Morning, but was looking forward to hearing new music. I chatted with some more Sevendust fans as we took our spots front row center before the show.
Shortly before 6:30 p.m. the first opening act Black Oxygen took the stage. Their look and sound reminded me of "nu-metal bands" like Puddle of Mudd and Hoobastank, but I liked some of their originals and made a mental note to find out more about them in the near future.
The second opening act, 3 Pill Morning, then followed, and included a few songs from their newly released second album Black Tie Love Affair. The Minnesota natives did a good job of getting the crowd warmed up for the headliner Sevendust.
After another set change, Sevendust amped up the crowd with the song "Inside" from their seventh studio album "Chapter VII: Hope and Sorrow." It was great to hear the band perform with great energy, especially on classic tracks like "Black," "Denial," and "Splinter." It was also nice to hear songs like "Waffle" that I hadn't heard in a while in their sets. One of my favorite Sevendust songs is the ballad "Angel's Son," and I said a silent prayer to my late Uncle Felix as Lowery began the familiar opening chords on electric guitar.
It was a fast 14-song set, packed with hits from all of their studio albums, closing with the popular encore song "Face to Face." As the house lights went up and my new-found friends and I had time to decompress, we took time to savor the great music we'd just heard before heading to the after show party just a few blocks over.
About an hour after Sevendust finished their set, the gang joined the VIP concert-goers on the second level of the Pourhouse. I was standing by the door chatting with new friends as the band entered, so I got to shake hands and congratulate each of them on another outstanding show. I also got to chat with each band member individually, express my interest in their side projects Call Me No One and Projected (by guitarist John Connolly and bassist Vince "Vinny" Hornsby) and even get a few photo ops with Clint, John and frontman Lajon Witherspoon before deciding to call it a night.
Sevendust set list:
1. Inside
2. Denial
3. Bitch
4. Black
5. Waffle
6. Driven
7. Splinter
8. Praise
9. Angel's Son
10. Suffocate
11. Forever
12. Pieces
13. The End is Coming
14. Face to Face
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Rock Concert Review: Van Halen at the Xcel Energy Center 5/19/12
Driving home from work one day last week, I was flipping around the radio dial when one of the classic rock deejays announced that Van Halen had cancelled or postponed over 30 shows on their tour. I panicked briefly, until the deejay said that the cancelled/postponed dates wouldn't take effect until July. I breathed a sigh of relief then, realizing that my concert at the Xcel Energy Center was still on!
I listened to a lot of the classic Van Halen hits in high school and college when I first started listening to rock n' roll, and as I've followed the band through the years, I realized that they are the epitome of the rock and roll soap opera. A friend of mine saw the band in Fargo about 8 years ago with Sammy Hagar on vocals, and while I do like some of the music the band made with Sammy, I still consider those albums the "Van Hagar" era of the band. I was thrilled to hear that "Diamond" David Lee Roth was back at the mike with Van Halen, and snapped up a concert ticket months ago.
I decided to head to St. Paul on Saturday afternoon, navigating my way around light-rail construction on University Avenue on my way to visit relatives. I saw my Aunt Maryann and cousin Libby briefly in March before rushing to a work event, so I made time for an extended visit with them before the show last weekend. It was the first good conversation I'd had with them since Maryann's husband, my dear Uncle Felix's funeral in January. It was great to share some great memories of a truly remarkable human being!
Shortly after 6 p.m., I made my way to a parking ramp by the Xcel Energy Center just as the doors began to open. I rode a quiet elevator up to the club level, picked out a concert T-shirt and put my feet up enjoying my dinner before the show was scheduled to begin. The opening act, pop/funk/R&B group Kool and the Gang began shortly before 7:30 p.m. The band's lineup has changed a lot since their heyday in the Eighties, as only two of the eleven performers onstage were still in the band from their original lineup. The group closed their set with their biggest hit, 1980's "Celebration" after an hour of inspired music.
As more people filtered in to the arena, the house lights went down again and Van Halen hit the ground running with their hit single "Unchained." I'd heard rumors that the show cancellations and postponements were due to infighting in the band, but I sure didn't see any animosity onstage, as David Lee Roth and guitarist Eddie Van Halen were grinning often throughout the show.
I was impressed by how well Eddie's son Wolfgang Van Halen filled original bassist Michael Anthony's shoes during the show. (Don't worry, Michael Anthony fans - Mike still has a gig playing bass in Sammy Hagar's band Chickenfoot.) Wolfgang roamed around the stage, deftly avoiding Roth's shimmying and signature jumping leg kicks, playing bass like a seasoned veteran.
One concertgoer I talked to during the show expressed distaste for the fact that Roth skipped some lyrics, talked over lyrics that were usually sung, and even improvised other lyrics. I noticed that, but I told her that was just what Roth always does. I was just happy to see him playing with the band in a highly energetic performance.
Towards the end of the set, Eddie Van Halen showed me why he and Slash are the two most impressive and proficient rock guitarists I've ever seen play live in person. Eddie played a thrilling solo incorporating elements of the instrumental songs "Eruption" and "Intruder" as the crowd stood mesmerized by his guitar playing. At one point Eddie even sat on the steps leading to Alex's drum riser deftly holding his axe with his left hand while tapping out notes in rock n' roll Morse code with his right hand.
After thrilling the crowd with hits like "Hot For Teacher," Beautiful Girls," "Ice Cream Man" started by Roth on acoustic guitar, "Panama" and "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love," the house lights went down for just mere momens before the band closed out two hours of music with their 1984 hit "Jump." As the stage became filled with confetti blown around it, I thought to myself, "wow! Now THAT was a great show!!"
I left the arena amongst a throng of happy people, the cool winds blowing me toward the parking ramp on my way home. I cranked up KQRS, thrilled that they were playing a block of Van Halen songs that I'd just heard live just minutes ago! I made it home through the thunder and rain in the early hours of Sunday morning with what I'd call a "Van Halen hangover!" If these guys resume their cancelled/postponed dates with the same enthusiasm and energy that I'd witnessed Saturday night, I'd definitely see them again if the tour came back to Minnesota again!
Van Halen set list
1. Unchained
2. Running With The Devil
3. She's The Woman
4. Romeo Delight
5. Tattoo
6. Everybody Wants Some
7. Somebody Get Me A Doctor
8. China Town
9. Hear About It Later
10. (Oh) Pretty Woman
11. Alex Van Halen drum solo
12. You Really Got Me
13. The Trouble With Never
14. And the Cradle Will Rock
15. Dance The Night Away
16. I'll Wait
17. Hot For Teacher
18. Woman In Love
19. Beautiful Girls
20. Ice Cream Man
21. Panama
22. Eddie Van Halen solo - including portions of the instrumentals "Eruption" and "Intruder"
23. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
24. Jump (Encore)
I listened to a lot of the classic Van Halen hits in high school and college when I first started listening to rock n' roll, and as I've followed the band through the years, I realized that they are the epitome of the rock and roll soap opera. A friend of mine saw the band in Fargo about 8 years ago with Sammy Hagar on vocals, and while I do like some of the music the band made with Sammy, I still consider those albums the "Van Hagar" era of the band. I was thrilled to hear that "Diamond" David Lee Roth was back at the mike with Van Halen, and snapped up a concert ticket months ago.
I decided to head to St. Paul on Saturday afternoon, navigating my way around light-rail construction on University Avenue on my way to visit relatives. I saw my Aunt Maryann and cousin Libby briefly in March before rushing to a work event, so I made time for an extended visit with them before the show last weekend. It was the first good conversation I'd had with them since Maryann's husband, my dear Uncle Felix's funeral in January. It was great to share some great memories of a truly remarkable human being!
Shortly after 6 p.m., I made my way to a parking ramp by the Xcel Energy Center just as the doors began to open. I rode a quiet elevator up to the club level, picked out a concert T-shirt and put my feet up enjoying my dinner before the show was scheduled to begin. The opening act, pop/funk/R&B group Kool and the Gang began shortly before 7:30 p.m. The band's lineup has changed a lot since their heyday in the Eighties, as only two of the eleven performers onstage were still in the band from their original lineup. The group closed their set with their biggest hit, 1980's "Celebration" after an hour of inspired music.
As more people filtered in to the arena, the house lights went down again and Van Halen hit the ground running with their hit single "Unchained." I'd heard rumors that the show cancellations and postponements were due to infighting in the band, but I sure didn't see any animosity onstage, as David Lee Roth and guitarist Eddie Van Halen were grinning often throughout the show.
I was impressed by how well Eddie's son Wolfgang Van Halen filled original bassist Michael Anthony's shoes during the show. (Don't worry, Michael Anthony fans - Mike still has a gig playing bass in Sammy Hagar's band Chickenfoot.) Wolfgang roamed around the stage, deftly avoiding Roth's shimmying and signature jumping leg kicks, playing bass like a seasoned veteran.
One concertgoer I talked to during the show expressed distaste for the fact that Roth skipped some lyrics, talked over lyrics that were usually sung, and even improvised other lyrics. I noticed that, but I told her that was just what Roth always does. I was just happy to see him playing with the band in a highly energetic performance.
Towards the end of the set, Eddie Van Halen showed me why he and Slash are the two most impressive and proficient rock guitarists I've ever seen play live in person. Eddie played a thrilling solo incorporating elements of the instrumental songs "Eruption" and "Intruder" as the crowd stood mesmerized by his guitar playing. At one point Eddie even sat on the steps leading to Alex's drum riser deftly holding his axe with his left hand while tapping out notes in rock n' roll Morse code with his right hand.
After thrilling the crowd with hits like "Hot For Teacher," Beautiful Girls," "Ice Cream Man" started by Roth on acoustic guitar, "Panama" and "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love," the house lights went down for just mere momens before the band closed out two hours of music with their 1984 hit "Jump." As the stage became filled with confetti blown around it, I thought to myself, "wow! Now THAT was a great show!!"
I left the arena amongst a throng of happy people, the cool winds blowing me toward the parking ramp on my way home. I cranked up KQRS, thrilled that they were playing a block of Van Halen songs that I'd just heard live just minutes ago! I made it home through the thunder and rain in the early hours of Sunday morning with what I'd call a "Van Halen hangover!" If these guys resume their cancelled/postponed dates with the same enthusiasm and energy that I'd witnessed Saturday night, I'd definitely see them again if the tour came back to Minnesota again!
Van Halen set list
1. Unchained
2. Running With The Devil
3. She's The Woman
4. Romeo Delight
5. Tattoo
6. Everybody Wants Some
7. Somebody Get Me A Doctor
8. China Town
9. Hear About It Later
10. (Oh) Pretty Woman
11. Alex Van Halen drum solo
12. You Really Got Me
13. The Trouble With Never
14. And the Cradle Will Rock
15. Dance The Night Away
16. I'll Wait
17. Hot For Teacher
18. Woman In Love
19. Beautiful Girls
20. Ice Cream Man
21. Panama
22. Eddie Van Halen solo - including portions of the instrumentals "Eruption" and "Intruder"
23. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
24. Jump (Encore)
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