KK's Priest/LA Guns/Burning Witches St. Charles 3/15

[Anthrax442]

Went to the Arcada last night to see the show, hadn't been out there since last year when King's X came through. Ended up buying tickets last minute, and actually had to go the secondary market because it was completely sold out. Don't remember seeing that happening since WASP a few years ago, but obviously I don't check all the shows.

Due to that, I spent a bit more than I probably would have on the ticket, but all in all, I think it was worth it. A few notes:

Everyone played LIVE. The only backing tracks I heard were a few samples during KK Priest's set.

Burning Witches - I thought they were fantastic. One of the best initial openers I've ever seen. They clearly have chops and seem like a real band and not something thrown together by a record company like Cobra Spell. The singer Laura clearly had a steady diet of Dee Snider stage moves from back in the day, and she actually snuck into the balcony to watch a few minutes of KK Priest's set. I'm not sure how skilled their previous (current?) lead guitarist is, but if Courtney Cox ends up taking over permanently, I think that's a great choice because, holy shit, girl can PLAY. I ended up buying a signed copy of their latest album after the show so they could make some extra money, and their bassist was working the merch booth with another guy.

L.A. Guns - Somehow, of all the bands from the era I've seen, I had never seen L.A. Guns, so was able to cross them off the list. They were decent, but I've got to be honest, seemed like an odd fit putting them between two more "metal" acts. Phil was having throat problems all night (remember, I mentioned everyone was playing live, and you could tell), but the crazy thing is, he still sounded like Phil in places. Reminded me of when I saw Cinderella years ago and Tom was having problems. They ended up cutting one of the newer tracks, and almost cut Jayne, but Tracii coaxed him into playing it saying that the audience could sing, and to their credit, they pulled it off and Phil seemed genuinely touched. They closed out playing with Peter Dankleson, a local guy who was born without a left ear canal, so he has an implant on that side of his head so he can hear, so that was fun to see.

KK's Priest - Pretty much what I expected. I've always been a fan of the Ripper era, so it was good to see him get to sing some of those songs again with some legitimacy, as a few of them I now more associate with him than Halford. KK showed that he can definitely still play, at least for 75 minutes, and the rest of the band is solid. I know they're trying to push the last two albums, but I think I would have probably only done 4 of the new songs, rather than 6. Brothers of the Road can definitely go. Unfortunately, this was one of those situations where having an older fanbase is a liability, because there would be times when Ripper was wanting the audience to sing along at parts, and the audience just wasn't having it, even though it was sold out, so that was a disappointing, as you could see he was getting frustrated. Still sounded fantastic though, and every bit as good as he did 20-25 years ago.

Ron Onesti - Well, Ron was Ron. No one makes me cringe harder. He did mention two things though that I thought was interesting. One, he was hyping Steven Pearcy playing later in the year, and mentioned that this was Pearcy's last run? Don't think I've seen that published anywhere, so not sure if it's BS or breaking news, or if I just hadn't heard it. The other, which isn't as interesting as much as it is funny, is he said that anyone that had a ticket to get in to the show that night could get into the Art of Anarchy show next weekend. So, I looked it up, and seems like, sure enough, they'd only sold maybe like 100 tickets for that show. So, I think that would apply for that thread of artists that had been popular and were back down to playing clubs, Bumblefoot and Jeff Scott Soto are definitely down from playing in GNR and Journey, respectively.

[LAglamrocker]

Review should have been 1 sentence only
I saw Ace Von Johnson live last night

[Anthrax442]

Review should have been 1 sentence only
I saw Ace Von Johnson live last night

Ace did hold it down. Seemed to be fond of his bubble gum.

[LAglamrocker]

Ace Von Johnson is rockstar of the band#juicyfruitgum
^ one sentence

[Stinky McFister]

Cool. Thanks for the review. I doubt I would go to the show with that setlist. I like the Ripper era but haven't liked any of KK's Priest stuff (sounds ameteurish).

But great to hear how the show went down. Thanks.

[HueyRamone]

This is awesome KK is selling out everywhere. He is doing everything right. People who like KK want fucking Priest. He got Priests old singer, a KK/Faulkner clone on 2nd guitar, and made a couple albums of Painkiller-style songs. He's been spending a lot of money on videos and staging, and it seems to be paying off, and I couldnt be happier for him.

I think the KKs Priest stuff is decent, but the songs dont have the melodic, catchy choruses they would need to be top tier. I think 8 Judas songs and 6 KK's songs is a fine mix. It is the new band, after all, and that's a damn sight more Judas songs than Halford did in his solo shows. I hope to see it!

Contrast with Mick Mars who thinks that Motley fans want to hear some bullshit Alter bridge or whatever the fuck that's supposed to be.

[LAglamrocker]

Ace Von Johnson would be good choice to carry on KK’s Priest name when another guitar player is needed after KK passing
^1 sentence or run on sentence #notsureificare

I can guarantee Rammstein tribute will be playing Bellflower the night KK comes to town

[HueyRamone]

Listened to the entire Baltimore show while I worked out today. Great!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiAIwP2GIy8

Crazy how many full KK's shows are already on youtube. You wont catch me bitching about too many cell phones in the crowd, as long as theyre filming in good quality and sound.

[Blumpkin King]

Great Review. See Gerry Gittleson, that's how it's done.

[Ziggy Sawdust]

Looked awesome.

[Metal Judge]

Watching that YouTube link posted above and noticed that Ripper Owen’s has ZERO stage presence whatsoever! Wow! He is boring!!

[Anthrax442]

Watching that YouTube link posted above and noticed that Ripper Owen’s has ZERO stage presence whatsoever! Wow! He is boring!!

Eh, he moves around substantially better than a certain other singer for Judas Priest.

[Metal Judge]

Watching that YouTube link posted above and noticed that Ripper Owen’s has ZERO stage presence whatsoever! Wow! He is boring!!

Eh, he moves around substantially better than a certain other singer for Judas Priest.

Yeah I get that but he is just really boring to watch.

[LAglamrocker]

This “tour “ needed
Iron Maiden’s Dolly Parton boobs on guitar
AVJ in LAGuns
Rockstar- Rioper
To “sell” tickets

“Sellouts” in tiny places can’t even get gas money for Westcoast

[Bob Sacamano]

Beyond the Realms of Death live in St. Charles.

https://youtu.be/V8aZpf84TD8?si=6oPcaoOPKIAC1Zwk

[HueyRamone]

This “tour “ needed
Iron Maiden’s Dolly Parton boobs on guitar
AVJ in LAGuns
Rockstar- Rioper
To “sell” tickets

“Sellouts” in tiny places can’t even get gas money for Westcoast

They played a big place in Baltimore.

Only 500/1500 tix sold, but it is bigger...

[LAglamrocker]

KK isn’t even the biggest name on the tour
Seems kind of diva-ish for KK

That witch girl band should play in wet tshirts
Have AVJ and Phil play 80 minutes set after
Could fill 1500 no problem every night

Tour doesn’t need Judas Priest songs or NU Priest songs
Band doesn’t need KK F.R.I.E.N.D.S on tour ..thats the mistake
KK Diva

[Zabooka]

Full show from March 13 in Buffalo from all 3 bands.
Great audio and video quality;

KK's Priest: https://youtu.be/GMwLd9pCok8
L.A. Guns: https://youtu.be/hrUeoq9DoW0
Burning Witches: https://youtu.be/iNZiczyi7NI

[HueyRamone]

Full show from March 13 in Buffalo.
Good quality.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/GMwLd9pCok8

Good one! Every day seems to bring a new full show of them on Youtube!

[Sleek]

Beyond the Realms of Death live in St. Charles.

https://youtu.be/V8aZpf84TD8?si=6oPcaoOPKIAC1Zwk

Ripper's high range is great, but his low range sounds like he is doing a cartoon voice.

[DonJuanDeMarco]

L.A. Guns: https://youtu.be/hrUeoq9DoW0

Wow, L.A. Motorhead!!! Was Phil's mic even on?