Joe Lynn Turner with Steve Brown of Trixter - Blackthorn 51, Elmhurst, NY February 28,2016 - Photos, Videos and Review

I always try to catch Joe Lynn Turner when he comes to the area.  It's been a few years since I last saw him at Dingbatz in NJ.  

He was ending February with three shows in the area, but I was still down in Florida from the Monsters of Rock Cruise on Friday and Saturday was a hellish travel day (and if I went to a show that night it would have been Black Sabbath at Madison Square Garden, but when your plane has to turn around mid-flight to return to the airport and a flight which should take less than three hours has you on the plane for seven and you just partied for a week on a boat...well you tend to go hit the hay when you land).  So that left Sunday night in Queens.  



Sure I had to get up early the next day and Joe wouldn't be coming on until at least 11, but I couldn't miss it.



We arrived at Blackthorn 51 and the last of about six or seven opening bands(!), Pussywolf, was on stage.  I dug 'em.  A heavy as all hell all-gal monster stoner riff-a-rama trio.  Hope to catch them again some time.



After a bit of a break, Joe came out on stage and opened with Rainbow's "Death Alley Driver".  For this short run his killer band featured special guest guitarist Steve Brown of Trixter who definitely seemed to be having a blast playing these classic tunes.



The set was pretty similar to what I've seen him perform in the past...almost all Rainbow with a couple of Deep Purple covers.  The surprise of the set was his inclusion of one of the songs he recorded with Yngwie Malmsteen.  A great version of "Rising Force" where Steve really showed off his shredding chops.  Here's the video:

And here's "Stone Cold"

And one of my favorites, "Can't Happen Here"

The only disappointing aspect of the show was the turnout.  I'd say there were only about 70 attendees by the time Joe came on and that just sucks.  It's why he constantly tours Europe where he plays to packed houses and rarely comes to the US.  I guess I should feel lucky though, when he does come to the US, he always seems to play the NY/NJ area.  I did hear the night before on Long Island was packed though.



I was lucky enough to score a setlist (and drumstick) and here it is below.  I almost got one of Steve's picks but the woman directly in front of me literally headbutted me out of the way.  I think it was an accident...  



On this night they just played the standard 13 song set.  The night before they took requests after this set and evidently played some of the "Alts" listed.  



Bummer that we got the short set, but what we got was killer.



Enjoy the videos and the photos and next time he tours, go see Joe Lynn Turner.  Amazing voice performing classic songs.



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Faster Pussycat - Blackthorn 51, Elmhurst NY - August 11, 2014 Concert Review and Photos

Didn't expect to be heading to this one since I started the day in another country...

Woke up about eight hours north in Montreal after spending the weekend at the Heavy Montreal festival (don't worry...review and plenty of pics coming soon) and knew some of my pals were probably heading down to Blackthorn 51 in Elmhurst to see the always killer Faster Pussycat. Well traffic was light and the border crossing was quick and non-invasive so I found myself in a position to hop a ride and forego sleep for most of another night...

Arrived and hung outside as my friends were waiting for some other friends.  Heard a band doing a pretty killer version of The Stooges' Search and Destroy and I Wanna Be Your Dog.  Wish we had gone in to check them out as the band was called Sexxx Dolls and we met Satyr of the band later between sets and he was entertaining as all hell, regaling us with tales of Stiv Bators who he used to be neighbors with in better days...we look forward to your next gig Satyr...

We did go in for the next band on the bill, The Bowery Boys, who put on a rockin set highlighted by some appearances from some of the Faster Pussycat fellas...bassist Danny Nordahl (along with guitarist Ace Von Johnson on backing vocals) joined them to take lead vocals on a cover of Johnny Thunders "Chinese Rocks" and  back later in their set for a Ramones cover.

AfterBurn was up next with a set of hard rockin tunes including of all things a Bob Seger cover.  I was enjoying numerous PBR's throughout which goes well with the all american Detroit rock of a Seger cover.

So before we talk about Faster Pussycat's set, let's talk about Blackthorn 51 as this was my first time being there.  I dug it.  Low stage up front right inside the door, bar along one wall.  Could hold I'd guess 200 people.  Nice outdoor area in the back.  I hope to be back for more shows.

But we're here to talk about Taime Downe, Xristian Simon, Chad Stewart, Danny and Ace - Faster Pussycat.

The boys hit the stage just after midnight and as always just kicked ass straight through for just over an hour with a set that included a new song and a cover we had not heard them do before.  Here's a bunch of pics and the set list:

Where There's A Whip There's A Way

Cathouse

Slip of the Tongue

Number 1 With a Bullet

Sex Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll

House of Pain

then a new tune called from what I can tell "Pretty Ugly" which is pretty damn good

Don't Change That Song

Bathroom Wall

Danny took over lead vocals for the next two songs starting with a cover of the Ramones'
Pet Sematary which none of us (who combined may have seen Faster Pussycat well over fifty times at this point) have ever heard them do before

then a cover of The Supersuckers' (another always killer band) Pretty Fucked Up 

Taime came back on lead vocals for another cover that is a mainstay in their set, Betty Blowtorch's Shut Up and Fuck

Babylon

And that was it...a full blown hour of rock.  We ended up hanging out for about another hour during which we got to meet and chat with most of the band (all except Taime who retired to the bus).  It was also cool to meet Ricky Byrd, of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts among others, who was there and even got a guitar pic from him after chatting and taking a few photos.

It was a helluva fun night and I look forward to seeing the boys again soon...in about 6 weeks at the 80's in the Park festival down in Florida where most of the crew I went with this night will be joining me as well.

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