Faster Pussycat Invades Ripper Owens TAP HOUSE

Faster Pussycat performs to sold out Tap House
by Michael Strong AKA Jedi Rockstar

Akron, OH. For the sold out crowd at Ripper Owens' Tap House, the decision to go to Sunday night mass or to see Faster Pussycat was an easy one. The real sleeze kings of the Sunset Strip did not disappoint. The intro led fans to believe that the boys would lean heavily on their more industrial era, but once the band kicked into "Jack the Bastard" it was apparent that this was going to be a set of the vintage FP style. Sleezy, sexy and raunchy from the get, Taime, Danny, Xtrinain, Chad and Ace lit up the stage.
 
Playing a career spanning set, they hit just about every song a true fan came out to hear, including #1 With a Bullet, Cathouse, Poison Ivy, Babylon, Don't Change That Song,and Shut Up and F@#k! . The band was tight, with Taime sounding strong as ever, and the background vocals were pretty impressive. Highlights included Danny taking over lead vocal duties on a cover of a SuperSuckers song, replacing the second half of Bathroom Wall. A goose-bump inducing version of House of Pain, with an almost note for note solo by Ace, got the crowd in total sing along mode.

Covering a Zodiac Mindwarp song, Prime Mover was a nice treat, as well. After Babylon, the Band stuck around and partied with the crowd, a fitting end to a rock and roll party.

Opening the evening, from New Jersey, Cascandence won over a crowd that was clearly not there for them. This three-piece displays a knack for catchy songwriting and tight harmony. Playing a short set, they really brought the house down while the sun was still up. I have to say, Break Out is my personal favorite song of theirs, remembering it from their last show. Also, Let's Get Ready, The First Time and the whole set, actually was well worth coming early for.

So go and revisit the Faster Pussycat catalog, it holds up. And make sure you give a listen to Cascadence. These young bucks bring it.

Van Halen 1st Show of the World Tour 2012 review

Van Halen Louisville, KY Show Review
by: Michael Strong, Jedi Rockstar...

Cleveland, OH - What can I say? We drive 6 hours for the opening night of the VAN FUCKING HALEN world tour and I'm supposed to be objective? Whatever!!!

 I'd like to say that the whole set was one hit after another staring with "You Really Got Me" all the way to the encore of "Jump"with some deep cuts thrown in such as "Romeo Delight","Mean Streets", "Outta Love Again" and "Women in Love". The only lull seemed to be the crowd's ambivalence towards "Tattoo", which I thought sounded fantastic as did the other new tracks, "ChinaTown", "The Trouble With Never" and "She's the Woman" which meshed perfectly with all the classics. I can go on forever with the highlights, but I'll just say I lost my shit when Eddie hit the opening notes of "Unchained". Yes Van Halen played "Panama", "Hot For Teacher", "Dance the Night Away", "Pretty Woman", and every song you hear on the radio from the Diamond Dave era, but of course we wanted more. David was charismatic and his voice was strong. DLR even charmed when he forgot the lyrics to a verse of "I'll Wait" by having the crowd "follow me to the chorus". Wolfie seems to be right at home on stage with the big boys. Displaying alot of chemistry with his father and David Lee Roth. Although, he is no Michael Anthony, The Kid can play and sing. Eddie's playing is concise and frenetic all at once, he is right back at the top of his game. And the maestro, Alex could not have kicked any more ass if he had a third leg.

 One or two negitives, which could be because it was first night. During Alex's drum solo the track was so loud you could barely hear his masterwork. And I think they should have done a longer encore, maybe another classic, a new song, then "Jump" instead of just "Jump".

 It was so amazing, I didn't even mind DLR's headset!