Live Bands Of 2014
This was my most active year ever for live music, as I likely saw a minimum of 2 shows per month, which took me all over the state of Illinois. Not only did I venture from one corner of our state to another, I also traveled to St. Louis on two ocassions and both trips were my first time to each venue- the Scotttrade Center and later the Peabody Opera House. Many were new artists I wasn't previously familiar with, but a good portion were returning favorites.
An honorable mention goes to my friend Brent Stortzum, whom I saw perform 8 times, both acoustic and plugged in with his band. He never failed to entertain, performing originals as well as covering just about every song requested by his fans. One time he even opened for himself, which is no easy feat! Props to you, Brent!
10. John Corabi (Goodfellas's in Pekin, May 2014)
John Corabi, formerly of Motley Crue and Union, perfomed an acoustic set of tunes covering his own work as well as tunes that inspired him. It resembled that of a VH1 Storytellers peformance, as he would share background information on just about every song he was set to perform. One of the highlights was his cover of Aerosmith's "Seasons of Wither". I later saw him perform in Lincoln, IL and he even acknowledged my request to perform a Union song, as I shouted out the album's title, and he remarked, "that's the only copy sold in Illinois." Too bad I didn't actually purchase it; only because it happened to be out of print.
9. Damon Johnson (Fieldhouse in Peoria, August 2014)
Very similar to that of Corabi's performance, though Damon Johnson played a wider assortment, ranging from Alice Cooper and Thin Lizzy to his own solo albums and a selection from Brother Cane. It was a very intimate performance to not much more than fifty people, just Damon's vocals and a guitar. Yet again, I shouted out a song request, which I think is a bad habit I've picked up from Brent Stortzum gigs. But after seeing so many arena shows where there's a disconnect between performer and audience, I really appreciate the intimacy of these smaller acoustic shows. It feels as if he's playing just to you and it's easy to get lost in the moment. Also similar to Corabi, Damon Johnson hung around to greet fans for almost as long as the length of time that he was on stage.
8. Jimmy Eat World (Castle Theatre in Bloomington, October 2014)
This tour for Jimmy Eat World was to celebrate the anniversay of their album Futures, as it had been released a decade prior in 2004. Not only did they perform that album in its entirety, they returned for a second set of assorted songs, and even an encore. The moment I wanted to hear most was the inclusion of songs recorded during the Futures sessions that were later released on the Stay On My Side Tonight EP- "Over", "Closer", and "Disintegration." My personal highlight was meeting Jimmy Eat World after their show. Now I've met bands before, whether it was a paid meet and greet or one through the station, but this made me feel like a kid again as I waited "patiently" along the sidewalk near their bus on the chance that they may sign autographs. The band not only did that, but there was also the chance to take a photo and tell them how much their songs have meant to me.
7. The Great Affairs (Hat Tricks in Pekin, August 2014)
I'd heard the name "Denny Smith" a few times and even the band name "Bombshell Crush", though I never knew the two were linked. Denny is a Central Illinois native and returned to the area to perform with his band, The Great Affairs, for a supporting slot before Trixter on this particular evening. I'd seen Denny perform acoustic with another guitarist from The Great Affairs as a duo, then later the full band acoustic, so I had waited to finally see them together plugged in. I couldn't have planned it better, since it actually built anticipation for the moment they hit the stage. The band sounded great acoustic, but they seemed more at home in this "rock n' roll" enviroment, and closed with an energetic rendition of AC/DC's "Let There Be Rock." They'd promised to include a KISS cover in their set, but the bait and switch made the moment even better.
6. Danger Danger (Hat Tricks in Pekin, November 2014)
I'd heard the name Danger Danger a few years back when one friend talked them up as one of his favorites. Going from never hearing them before to being touted as someone's favorite just led me to believe they were clinging tightly to a nostalgic memory. Now they're promoted as a headliner for a rock n' roll fest in Pekin, so I figured it was a good time as any to finally take a look (or listen.) Well not even 5 minutes into their set, I was eating my words. These guys are legit rock stars- at least that's how they carried themselves on stage. Not in the sense they're stars that must have only "green M&M's", but they have charisma, especially with their lead singer Ted Poley. He even left the stage to shake hands, slap fives, and even pose for a "selfie", all while still singing the same song. He didn't miss a beat.
5. Alice Cooper (iWireless Center in Moline, November 2014)
Alice Cooper seems to be an act that is called upon to support heavy metal bands, such as Iron Maiden and Motley Crue, though I've also seen one performance as a headliner. Whether it's at the top or bottom of the bill, you're always guaranteed a show. To go along with the music are decapitations, a giant Franksenstein, the famous boa constictor, and even a dozen giant inflated beach balls. On this night Alice and co. sounded as tight and as clear as ever, and showed up the headliner with a non-stop, 40 minute performance. Yet again was another impromptu meet-and-greet to add to the excitement, when I spotted Cooper's guitarist Ryan Roxie at the merchandise table, and he signed my ticket and shook my hand.
4. Dream Theater (Chicago Theatre in Chicago, April 2014)
I was finally able to see my favorite band this year after missing out in 2008, though this time was actually a better tour to see them on. Even though they are without their original drummer Mike Portnoy (who left the band in 2010), this time there was no opening act. It was just Dream Theater on stage for nearly 3 hours of music, only taking a brief 15 minute intermission between sets. The first set included new music from their recent self-titled album, while the second set celebrated an anniversary of their 1994 album Awake, with the second half of that album being peformed. They also revisited their 1999 album, Scenes From A Memory, with a handful of songs being included in their second set. A highlight of that show was singer James LaBrie telling people to put away their phones, and then the guy in front of me still spent a majority of the night on his phone. What a doofus.
3. Alter Bridge (House Of Blues in Chicago, April 2014)
Many of my treks to Chicago are just myself flying solo, and I'd unfortunately become acclimated to all the extra expenses that entails. I'm glad I've finally found a great group of guys I can enjoy rock shows with, but on this night, I actually met a few females who were fun company. Before the show I enjoyed the "VIP treatment", which included autographs and listening to the soundcheck, and then I ventured to the bar for a drink and a bite to eat. I met two females at the bar who also came solo, so they let me sneak onto the floor with them and enjoy the show close up; my ticket was actually for the balcony. As for the show itself, Alter Bridge delivered a killer set which seemed to run beyond the typical "11 PM curfew." Maybe House of Blues follows a different set of rules, but I'm glad for whatever the reason was, since they played a near two-hour set that included songs from each of their four studio albums. The opening act, Man the Mighty from Chicago, was a great band too, which I later learned has ties to Alter Bridge's Mark Tremonti.
2. Bryan Adams (Coronado in Rockford, March 2014)
I've felt like rock 'n roll is my drug and this show is a perfect example of that. I was having a rough couple of months in the spring working a job I didn't like, while also suffering rock 'n roll concert withdrawal (I'd only been to one show in the four months before this show), so I bought a ticket the day of this show and headed out on the highway. I even had a job interview that afternoon, which pushed back my departure time, so I ended up arriving at the venue moments before the box office closed. Bryan had already hit the stage so a lady escorted me across the venue, down the aisle, and right to my fourth row set. I felt like a king!! Bryan was already a song or two into his set, but it didn't matter, since I was in for an even bigger treat- this tour was just Bryan acoustic and the ocassional accompaniment of a piano player. It was stripped down- in a similar fashion to the MTV Unplugged CD I'd been spinning for months before this show. Bryan also shared a few stories between songs, and even signed a shirt for a lady who had been holding it up for much of the performance.
Billy Joel is a class act, much like Bryan Adams. He not only shared anecdotes but also poked fun at himself and seemed to really be enjoying himself on stage in front of thousands of fans. I mentioned earlier there can be a disconnect between performer and fans when it comes to large audiences like this in an arena, yet that wasn't the case with Billy Joel's performance. During his closing selections of songs, nearly everyone was on their feet, many even dancing along. In moments like that it feels like you're on sacred ground, with Billy Joel leading the congregation. I also liked that his set seemed heavy on songs from Glass Houses, since that's my favorite of Billy's albums.
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