Posts Tagged ‘san antonio’
Riot V & Helstar Concert Review, San Antonio, TX, September 26, 2015
I will start out by saying that Riot V is pretty much one of the best live bands out there right now along with Satan. Last time I saw them was last year in Chicago at the Ragnarokkr Metal Apocalypse and was completely blown away. Prior to that I had only seen them one other time at Scout Bar in San Antonio which was Mark Reale’s last USA show before his death.
A couple of friends and I headed down to 210 Kapone’s last in the afternoon, get parked and head in. As always at a show like this one, we ran into a lot of friends from both San Antone and Austin and elsewhere.
There were 5 local openers for this show. FIVE. As seems to be pretty typical in San Antone and I imagine some or all of them paid to play. Helstar was also a later addition to the show. That’s 6 bands before Riot if you’re keeping track here. The schedule was set as follows and was a recipe for disaster:
DOORS 6PM
METALRISER 6:50 – 7:15
SA TERRITORIES 730 – 7:55
JESSIKILL. 8:10 – 8:40
SEANCE. 8:55- 9:25
LOS WICKED WAYS. 9:40 – 10:10
HELSTAR. 10:25 – 11:10
RIOT. 11:30 – END
The show ran late I’m told because Riot’s soundcheck started late. We didn’t get there until right before Jessikill was going on.
Helstar came on about 30 minutes later than their scheduled time and delivered a solid set as usual that I think was cut short, or at least during Run With the Pack their sound got cut and they finished it with just their stage sound. Rivera was spot on with his vocals and I always enjoy watching Larry play guitar. I’m not sure who the bassist is, but he’s good. Unfortunately, they seemed to be getting hit with poor sound as I couldn’t hear the drums that well at all through the PA.
Riot finally hits the stage a few minutes after midnight opening with the instrumental Narita and then Ride Hard Live Free from their latest album. Up next were two songs from Thundersteel and the crowd roared for Fight or Fall and Johnny’s Back, a personal favorite. The rest of the set was mixed up with songs from all eras of of the band but didn’t touch the last Tony Moore album which was really good. I guess they can’t play everything.
Former guitarist, Rick Ventura, who played in the band from 1979 to 1982 sat in for a handful of songs and it was really cool to see one of the almost originals on the stage. He rocked it alongside Mike Flyntz and Nick Lee and looked like he was having a good time. Don Van Stavern is from SA so he’s got an automatic contingent in the house when he plays shows. Frank Gilchriest laid down a powerhouse set of drum work as he always does. And finally, vocalist Todd Michael Hall. Dude looks 25, turned 46 last night and sings like a lark. Pretty much the best singer out there right now in my opinion. The only thing missing last night was Tammy’s backing vocals. She’s in another band with Flyntz and sometimes provides live backing vocals. Look up the Bloodstreets video from this year’s Keep It True festival. They’re perfect.
All in all it was a great show and I can’t wait to see them again…again. RIP Mark Reale. Riot V is keeping your spirit alive.
Because of shitty lighting, I couldn’t get a decent picture of Helstar.
Peter Cetera Concert Review, San Antonio, TX, September 17, 2015
I don’t believe in “guilty pleasures”, especially when it comes to music. You like what you like and that’s that. Screw what others may think. Since the 70s and partially because of my mom, I’ve always loved Chicago and still go see them live when I can. They still sound great but I’ve never seen them with Peter Cetera nor have I seen Cetera on his own. Fortunately that changed last night.
In as much as I like Chicago, I really like Peter’s early solo work, especially 1988’s One More Story album. So as is generally the case, I bought two tickets for the show. My lovely friend, Margarita, was available to attend and is also a Chicago/Cetera fan, so it made for an enjoyable evening. In my best Troy McClure voice, “You might remember her from such reviews as ‘Lionel Richie in Austin’ and ‘Journey in San Antonio.'” haha
I bought tickets a little late so I didn’t quite get where I wanted, but still got good seats on the front row in the balcony. By yesterday, the show was only 3/4 sold out based on the Ticketmaster map. No matter.
His band comes out first after the lights go down they go right into Restless Heart. His voice sounded a lot clearer than I expected. Some recent footage I had seen sounded a bit rough. He followed up with One Good Woman, a personal favorite, and Glory of Love which drew a loud applause at the beginning and end. He then asked everyone down front to put their phones away. “Use them during the encore all you want, but for now just enjoy watching the show.” Cheers, Pete!
He mixed the rest of the set up with a mix of Chicago and solo hits, doing a few duets with his back up singer and a few with his guitarist. He left during 2 covers songs, You’re No Good and Come Together, letting the band take care of businees while he took a break. He closed the main set with Hard Habit to Break, Dialogue I & II and Hard To Say I’m Sorry/Get Away, another personal favorite. I was so happy that they did the Get Away part at the end of the song. It just brings the whole thing together. Rarely is that part ever played on the radio edit of Hard To Say I’m Sorry. The band exited the stage and people started trailing out quickly. He had stated that there would be an encore, but whatever.
Before the encore started, he finally strapped on a bass and they went into I’m a Man by the Spencer David Group and has been a Chicago set staple for years. It transitioned into Feelin Stronger Everyday and closed with 25 or 6 to 4. I sort of wish that his touring bassist would not have been playing along, but you could discern Peter’s tone between the two. He’s such a good bassist and I would liked to have seen him play more last night. It was pretty clear that they were tuned down to help him reach some higher notes, maybe as much as a full step, but he still sounded great. It was an energetic show and he was entertaining between songs. The only song I wish he would have played from his solo works is the slow roller You Never Listen To Me. So glad I got to get him off of my list of bands to see.
Yes & Toto Concert Review, San Antonio, TX, Ausgust 26, 2015
Last night was filled with a bunch of bad ass musicians playing great rock and progressive music. I could end the review right there, but we’ll keep going. I scored the VIP/meet and greet when it was first announced because I’ve always wanted to meet Chris Squire and Steve Howe. Unfortunately shortly after I got my ticket, Chris announced he wasn’t doing the tour due to health issues and subsequently died. Terrible.
Since they didn’t offer a refund and the pass was non transferable, I went through with the show.
Toto was the opener and while I respect them and love their hits, I’m not a huge fan. Having never seen them before, I was a bit excited to see them. Toto is a band, like Yes, who has seen some real loss. RIP Porcaro brothers. A big plus is having Steve Lukather in the band. I was tempted to buy their meet and great instead of Yes’ just to have Lukather sign my Alice Cooper From The Inside CD.
Toto’s set started promptly at 7:30 consisted of their biggest hits Hold the Line, Rosanna, Pamela and Africa. I was pretty much lost on the rest of their set, although they sounded amazing. I was impressed with Steve Porcaro’s vocals more than anything. His range is still amazing. Lukather’s vocals sounded good, too. His playing was solid. His solo at the end of Little Wing was pretty amazing.
One thing that was really cool was that they had the legendary Lenny Castro on percussion. What a treat!
The whole band sounded great and they had their original bassist back in the band as well. David Paich only sang Africa, and he was having some issues. I don’t think it’s an easy song for anyone to sing in general. They were good but I doubt I’d go out of my way to see them again unless they were part of another great bill like last night’s. The played a full 90 minute set and I was really hoping to hear 99 and Georgy Porgy, but oh well.
After a 30 minute changeover, Yes came on at exactly 9PM with a tribute video to Chris Squire with his signature Rickenbacker bass lit up in the middle of the stage.
They opened with Don’t Kill the Whale and followed up with Tempus Fugit from the Drama album, probably my favorite album by them. They went through America and Time and a Word, which I had never seen them do. It sounded great. Jon Davison does a great job on lead vocals. Billy Sherwood is handling bass duties and holds his own, but there’s only one Squire. The band is certainly older and a bit slower, but they sounded great. I love watching Steve Howe’s facial expressions and cues making sure that Alan White was ready for a break or whatever. Just like last time, it’s obvious that Alan has lost a few steps in his delivery, but he still played fine.
Seeing Steve play Owner of a Lonely Heart was quite weird. You could see that he didn’t care for it. They extend the end, though, and he gets to rock out with his own solo which was quite awesome. The whole show was except for the drunk girl next to me. We were on the front row. She and her boyfriend showed up with 2 songs left with Toto and she had a purse full of airport liquor bottles of vodka. Towards the end of Yes’ set, she was wasted and kept flipping off the band while they were playing complaining that they should be closer to her near the end of the stage. She looked over at me during the encore, Starship Trooper, and said, “Sorry. Am I bothering you?” I looked at her and her boyfriend, shook my head and just said, “You’re an idiot.” After the band finally walked off stage she turned to me again and said, “You should add me on Facebook.” I just said, “Not interested.”
They stumbled out and we went side stage for the meet and greet. I was shocked that they had about 70 people. Tour manager rambled off some procedural stuff and a few rules about how you can shake hands with anybody except Steve Howe. “No hand shakes, fist bumps, hugs, pats on the back etc.” I asked of we were at least allowed to look him in the eye and he and the crowd laughed.
They were cycling everyone through the line twice. First time for your picture with the band and the second to get stuff signed, 2 items only. As I got in front of them for the photo, Geoff Downes says, “Cool jacket, but I don’t know any of those bands except for Judas Priest.” Jon Davison stated that he loves their metalhead fans.
I was near the end of the line and when we got to the signing part, I was going to have them signed the poster given to us as part of the VIP swag and have Howe, Downes and White sign my Drama CD. All of the guys were very laid back and signed the poster. Everyone got to spend a few moments at the table. When I got to the 3 that were on Drama, I mentioned to Steve and Geoff that I had seen their Asia reunion show a few years back and that I had the CD cover with me. Steve said, “That was a fun tour. Where’s the cover?” I mentioned the 2 item limit and he smiled and just said, “I’m running this show right now, let me have it.” haha. Sweet! I finally got in my truck at 12:15AM for the 75 mile drive home.
I liked how the show was set up with two bands both playing full 90 minute sets. If Yes comes around again, I’ll go for sure.
Steve Martin & Martin Short Review, San Antonio, TX, July 10, 2015
While I like comedy movies, especially older comedies, I’ve never been very fond of watching comedians do standup minus a few exceptions like Eddie Murphy, Mitch Hedberg and Steve Martin. He is my favorite comedian of all time and I love most of his movies. Growing up in the 70s, Steve was everywhere and who didn’t love King Tut?
When I saw that he had teamed up with Martin Short to do a small tour and that they were coming to San Antonio, I had to go. Total bucket list stuff.
Steve comes out after a montage of his and Short’s work on the screen and says, “Thank you for coming to watch me through your cellphones tonight.” Thankfully cellphone use was kept to a minimum. After talking and telling some jokes, Martin Short comes out and it was plain to see that those two are very close friends. They obviously had rehearsed their routine but much of it was ad lib. There were several times that they cracked each other up. Martin did his own set which included some sketch comedy and a musical and it was hilarious. He walked off stage as Steve was coming back on and said, “Top that, mother fucker!” haha.
Steve had his bluegrass band, Steep Canyon Rangers, with him and they played a set. It’s no secret that Steve’s an incredible banjo player and he proved that last night.
Steve and Martin then say that they brought a good friend with them and introduce David Letterman. There was a delay and we all thought they were just pulling a prank…then out walks Letterman. Totally trippy. The three of them are standing there talking and Dave whips out a top ten list about Donald Trump preempting it with, “Trump’s running for president and I quit the entertainment business. I’m the dumbest man on earth.” Or something to that effect. Dave stayed out and told some stories with them for a half hour or so.
It was a wonderful night and I’ve not laughed that hard in a long time. My sides are a little sore this morning.
Saxon, Armored Saint & Evil United Concert Review, San Antonio, TX, May, 23, 2015
Three things in San Antonio have stood the test of time: Saxon, Armored Saint and Jason McMaster. Let’s just face facts, Saxon’s biggest USA fanbase is in Texas with the majority in the San Antonio area. Last night proved that.
The weather was bad all day but I drove down and arrived at the venue pretty early to meet up Armored Saint/DC4/Odin guitarist, Jeff Duncan, who I hadn’t seen since the Odin reunion show in LA a few years back. We met when his band DC4 was in town for SxSW about 5 years ago. His brother, Shawn, and I have been friends for a few years prior and I helped them out when they were in town. Jeff and Jason met me at the back door of 210 Kapone’s and walked me in. While sound checking Armored Saint, I got to meet John Bush and the Sandoval brothers. I had previously met Joey Vera at the Arch/Matheos show a few years back.
The Saint guys went back to their hotel after signing The Book (thanks, Jeff!) to rest and clean up and Jason and I hung out while some of the local openers were playing on the second stage. The crowd was starting to build around 730 and lots of friends were showing up. Jason’s thrash band, Evil United was scheduled to go on at 8PM. Thanks to Jeff, Jason and Saint’s manager I got an all access pass that was good though the end of the Saint set.
Evil United hit the stage and opened with Dead Can See from their new album, Honored By Fire, followed up by three more from that album. They went back to their self-titled debut for Dawn of Armageddon. The 30ish minute set was capped by a brutal cover of Judas Priest’s Tyrant. The crowd was into the set from the first note to the last. Jason is highly regarded in San Antonio because of his work with Watchtower and Dangerous Toys. He’s consistently flown the metal flag in Texas for 30+ years. Evil United sounded great. Don Van Stavern’s bass was crushing through the mains. I especially like EU’s drummer. That dude is pretty much a badass. The band was tight and the set was too short, but such is life. Jason has a long history with Armored Saint dating back to the early 80s and had remained friends with them since then. It was great seeing them hang out together.
Armored Saint was using EU’s backline so there wasn’t much of a changeover between bands beyond changing cymbals out and switching guitar pedal boards. They hit the stage around 855 with the title track from their new album, Win Hands Down. I like this song a lot and have listened to it several times since the single was released. They totally got the crowd going with March of the Saint and Nervous Man. Bush’s vocals were spot on and Jeff’s backing vocals sounded great. The guitar tandem of Jeff and Phil Sandoval is pretty crushing. The whole band was extremely tight and their setlist spanned every album. Symbol of Salvation is my favorite album and their played Reign of Fire and Last Train Home. The increasingly growing crowd was totally into their 11 song set that closed with Mad House from March of the Saint. Of course Can U Deliver elicited the greatest response. I had never seen Saint before and last night’s show was great. Just what I needed! After their set I went back to Saint’s dressing room for a bit to hang with Jeff and Jason. I didn’t want to be all up in their business as it was pretty humid in there last night and those guys put on an intense set so I knew they were a bit worn out. Bobby Jarzombek was up there and was having a discussion with John Bush about whose Mexican food was better, LA or San Antonio. It was pretty humorous.
Saxon was up next and it’s well known around here that I am not a fan beyond 3 songs or so. I just could never get into Biff’s voice, their lyrics and their riffs. Believe me, I have owned several of their album to no avail. They hit the stage to a seemingly capacity crowd opening with Motorcycle Man. They ran through what most would consider their most popular songs. I watched one song and went back to the room where the second stage was to sit for a while as it was vacant and I sit down. Ran into other friends out there and listened to the remainder of the show from a distance. I heard Dallas 1PM, Princess of the Night and the closers Strong Arm of the Law and Denim and Leather, and that was plenty for me. I was just bored and couldn’t wait for the show to end so that my friends and I could grab a late meal and hang out for a while at one of their houses. Saxon, however, did sound tight and the crowd was completely into it from beginning to end. That will likely be my first and last Saxon show.
The Metal Files 
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