The book will explore the history of tribute bands focusing on their exploding popularity in the past 15 years. It will consist of band interviews, high-quality concert photos and more!

Please click here and email me via the contact form towards the bottom of the page.

The band, backed by a concert set that looked like the inside of a ammunitions bunker, started the show with two slower cover songs from Crucifix and John Lennon. The show included six more cover songs from their third effort eMOTIVe, ten songs from their first two CD’s and one new song featuring Billy Howerdel (founder and lead guitarist) on vocals. The set as a whole seemed to be more surrealistic sounding from other tours and most of the songs had different arrangements, which I really enjoy. There does not seem much of a point to going to a concert where the band plays the music exactly like the recorded version. At that point, you are paying for the light show and other gimmicks like pyrotechnics.

Maynard was featured in the next to last song that is a Joni Mitchell cover titled Fiddle and the Drum. Most of us stood there in amazement listening to the power and conviction from his voice that came through during this song accompanied only by a piano. As usual, he stood on a platform which no direct light on him. I could barely make out that he was wearing a camouflage shirt, pants and boots.

For some unknown reason the band prohibited any pictures being taken including cell phones. Not sure why since cell phones would never take good pictures in the subdued lighting that they used. I almost was kicked out of the show just for taking a picture of the opening band. Really guys?

Set List

1. Annihilation (Crucifix cover)
2. Imagine (John Lennon cover)
3. Weak and Powerless
4. The Hollow
5. What’s Going On (Marvin Gaye cover)
6. People Are People (Depeche Mode cover)
7. The Outsider
8. Rose
9. (What’s So Funny ’bout) Peace, Love and Understanding? (Brinsley Schwarz cover)
10. When the Levee Breaks (Led Zeppelin cover)
11. The Noose
12. 3 Libras (All Main Courses Mix)
13. The Package
14. Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie (Black Flag cover)
15. Magdalena
16. Passive
17. Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums
18. Fiddle and the Drum (Joni Mitchell cover)
19. By and Down [new song]

http://www.jammagazineonline.com/cr201107-styx-yes.aspx

Hows that for a twist?

For more info and video of the incident, click on the links below:

Rolling Stone post: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/cheap-trick-manager-i-cant-believe-were-alive-20110718

Collapsed Bluesfest stage under scrutiny: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2011/07/19/ottawa-bluesfest-investigation-stage.html

Robin Zander (singer for Cheap Trick) assesses damage to Ottawa Bluesfest stage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCwNKox0uXE

Cheap Trick wants bands and fans to be protected: http://www.cheaptrick.com/cheap-trick-wants-bands-crews-and-fans-protected

The band played note by note the most popular Iron Maiden songs from the 80’s and it felt like we were back there again. I am not going out on a limb to say that this band is more energetic and into the music then the original band. It was so fun to watch when a seven foot tall Eddie monster came out on stage. Their visual show included CO2 blasts, synchronized video that included a drum and guitar cam and more.

They have played in many countries including Venezuela in front of 40,000 fans. They are a band not to miss the next time they are in town.

Shot with 32 cameras entirely in HD in December of 2009, AC/DC Live At River Plate marks AC/DC’s triumphant return to Buenos Aires where nearly 200,000 fans, and 3 sold-out shows, welcomed the band back after a 13 year absence from Argentina. This stunning live footage of AC/DC underscores what Argentina’s Pagina 12 newspaper reported by saying “no one is on the same level when it comes to pure and clear Rock ‘n Roll.”

Additionally the DVD contains a bonus feature titled “The Fan, The Roadie, The Guitar Tech & The Meat,” features interviews with AC/DC, their crew and fans among the excitement of the creation of the concerts and the city of Buenos Aires.

Click here to purchase your copy today!

Many of the bands below don’t even have most of their original members left. Grand Funk Railroad is missing their lead singer/ song writer Mark Farner, only the original drummer and bass player. Journey has a very high energy Philippine singer that they found on YouTube. Sure, he sings almost like Steve Perry, but when I saw them a number of years ago I couldn’t stop laughing when he hit the stage. I swear lead guitarist Neal Schon at one point was laughing at him too or maybe he was laughing that we actually paid to see them!

• BB King at Humphreys Concerts By the Bay = $93
• Doobie Brothers at the Del Mar Fairgrounds = $145
• Grand Funk Railroad at the Del Mar Fairgrounds = $106
• Jethro Tull at the Greek Theater = $99
• Journey, Foreigner & Night Ranger at Cricket Wireless Amphitheater = $216 – $751
• Michael McDonald (formally in the Doobie Brothers) at Humphreys Concerts By the Bay = $83
• REO Speedwagon at the Del Mar Fairgrounds = $106
• Rush at Cricket Wireless Amphitheater = $120- $865
• Steely Dan at the Greek Theater = $145
• The Moody Blues at Humphreys Concerts By the Bay = $99
• U2 at Anaheim Stadium = $250
• Weird Al Yankovic at the Del Mar Fairgrounds = $106
• Yes and Styx at the Greek Theater = $116
• Yes at Humphreys Concerts By the Bay = $83

Foreigner does not have any original members except for the guitarist? Really? How can they be called Foreigner without Lou Gramm? I guess the Doobie Brothers and Michael McDonald can’t mend their differences since they tour separately. The only bands with all original members are Rush and U2. And still they want this kind of money? Some bands like Grand Funk Railroad, Foreigner and REO Speedwagon should really be called tribute bands since most original members are gone.

I believe the venues like the Greek Theater and Cricket Wireless Amphitheater are at fault too for gouging consumers. What is the deal with tickets up to $865 per seat? For that price I better get the best meal of my life and they better include a nude stripper giving me lap dances the entire time! The recession is NOT OVER! I don’t know how anybody can afford these prices.

Most of these prices do not include parking that can be $20+. Also don’t forget the high price of beer that can be up to $12 for a small cup and concert shirts (etc.) that can range from $40 on up. If you pay for these shows I’d like to know if it was worth it. I’ll just wait for the DVD’s. I’ll just stick to the smaller, more intimate venues around San Diego like the Belly Up and the House of Blues where I can see great bands for a lot cheaper.

For me, it’s pretty boring to listen to a cover band play the songs pretty much the same as the original. The heaviness they add to many of the not-so-heavy songs is very refreshing. One hint guys, never ever play Brown Eyed Girl after Enter Sandman from Metallica! Not a good match. Their rendition of Hot for Teach from Van Halen was one of the best I’ve heard!

6ONE9 is Casey Mink – Lead Vocals and Lead Guitar, Greg Rupp – Bass Guitar and Lead Vocals, Jef Poremba – Lead Guitar and Vocals,
Jorge Palacios – Drums and Vocals. Check them out by going to http://www.facebook.com/619rocks.