The Metal Files

The last time I saw Great White was in 1991 with Scorpions and Trixter (blech!).  They played a short set, but I remember them being enjoyable even thought they didn’t play anything from their first 2 albums.  A close high school friend had originally turned me on to Great White by loaning me their first EP in 1986 and I was hooked (pun intended).  By the time Twice Shy came out in in 1989, I was done with them.  Their cover of Ian Hunter’s Once Bitten, Twice Shy was the catalyst.  To this day, that song still makes me want to hurl.

About a month or so ago I caught word that Jack Russell’s Great White was going to be playing a smaller Austin venue so of course I bought a ticket.  Not to mention I wanted Jack’s signature in The Book.

Broken Teeth opened the show with their new bassist and played a revamped set which included a new song called “Devil On The Road”.  They also played a couple of songs live for the first time including “All Hail The Altar” and “Spitting Nails”.  The band was in fine form and this was the first show in about 6 months since the sudden passing of their now former bassist, Travis Weiss (RIP).  It was great to have them back!

Great White used Teeth’s backline and opened the show with Call It Rock and Roll.  I was pleasantly surprised to hear how good Jack’s voice was.  He’s been dealing with some health issues in recent years and he looked a little on the frail side…but he got on stage and did a great job.  Three songs in and they played On Your Knees from their first EP.  That was certainly the highlight song for me.  They also played Face the Day, Save Your Love and Rock Me, all songs that I do like a lot.  They also mixed in some later Great White songs like House of Broken Love, Mista Bone (ugh) and Desert Moon.  They of course closed with Once Bitten, Twice Shy.

The show was lightly attended, maybe 125 max but the band rocked it.  Most everyone cleared out immediately after the show.  I hung around for a bit to see if I could get Jack to sign the book.  He came out for a minutes, signed the book and my friend’s poster then high-tailed it to his bus/van.  The tour manager said he wasn’t feeling well.

It was a fun show and it brought out some folks that I hadn’t seen in a while.  It was a fine closing to a year of seeing a ton of concerts.

Happy New Year!

Jason McMaster
(photo by Dave TeeVee)

Jack Russell

Jack Russell