July 25, 2005
Maddax, making their first appearance at Jaxx in a long time, pleased the crowd with a lengthy 50 minute set. Besides covering Motley Crue's Kickstart My Heart and Krokus' Screaming in The Night, they did a bunch of well played and catchy original material including Bag of Bones and No Shame.
Maddax includes former Jaxx Sound Guru, Chris Navarro on bass guitar. Don't miss Maddax in September opening for legendary rockers, Krokus.
Bucket are simply one of the best cover bands I
have ever heard. Ever. Ed York on vocals just loves being on stage
and his attitude is infectious. You can't help but have a good time
watching this bunch.
Songs covered included Keep Away (Godsmack), Bodies (Drowning Pool), What If (Creed) and a truly amazing War Pigs-Paranoid (Black Sabbath) medley that displayed their versatility to a tee. Very, very impressive.
Blackie Lawless takes time out before the show to do a Meet & Greet with the fans and sign memorabilia. It was a show of appreciation to Jay Nedry and all the loyal Jaxx fans and is something he very rarely does. He stated later during the show that W.A.S.P. would not be touring again for a couple of years while he worked on a new album. His quote - "What can I say, I'm sorry - I work real slow". He was in a good mood all night
Well, this show was a lot cooler (literally) than the Friday night heat wave performance which was stifling with an AC meltdown on a 90 degree day.
W.A.S.P. put on a show to remember and are a professional outfit from top to bottom. Blackie's voice is still strong and he has surrounded himself with 1st class musicians.
Blackie was unusually loquacious on this night and he told the story of how he had just signed with Capitol-EMI Records in the late 80's and had delivered the demos for "The Headless Children" album to them. He was told -"This does not sound like the W.A.S.P. we know! This does not sound like Warrant or Winger, we don't like it." Blackie replied that this was what he wanted and they should make the record. It was then implied by Capitol management that "we'll make it but, if this goes down - you go down!" "The Headless Children" went on to become the best selling W.A.S.P. album ever.
Blackie then told the story of making "The Crimson Idol" album and how he had spent a long night in the studio. So long, in fact, that when he got home, the sun was coming up. Instead of going to bed - "I sat down in my chair, watched the sunrise and poured myself a stiff drink. I then proceeded to write the lyrics to the song - The Idol. " This was followed by the song itself and perhaps the greatest guitar solo ever performed on the stage at Jaxx. Darrell Roberts (far right) gave an exhibition that will be remembered by all in attendance for a long time and was worth the price of admission all by itself. It was one of those momentous occasions in a metal show where time stood still. Breathtaking!
I think a few people came to the show hoping to see some of the blood & guts stuff W.A.S.P. were famous for at one time. But even though it was advertised, I guess Blackie wasn't in the mood. In a way, I'm glad, because the music itself was more than enough.
Stet Howland on drums has been with the band 15 years and is soon to be married.
W.A.S.P. can't come back soon enough for me and here's hoping it doesn't take
Blackie two years to do the new record. He turns 50 next year, but the guy
has still got it and shows no sign of losing it.
W.A.S.P. merchandise display on Friday. (July 22nd)
These were a few shot I snapped at the Friday (July 22nd) American Metal Blast show with W.A.S.P. headlining and Metal Church opening. The heat and lack of being properly hydrated forced me to an early exit.
Metal Church merchandise display.
The guys worked up quite a sweat as did the rest of the crowd.
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