OVERKILL May 10, 2019 NYC - Concert Review with HD Video and Photos

On Friday May 10, 2019, Overkill played the hometown area stop on the tour for their new album, The Wings of War, at the PlayStation Theater in New York City.

The main room was hot and sweaty as Overkill took the stage at about 9:20 opening with "Last Man Standing", one of three songs off their new release they would play this night.

"Electric Rattlesnake" off their fantastic and immediate classic 2012 album, "The Electric Age" followed whipping the crowd into a frenzy.

The crowd remained hyped up; singing, slamming, crowd surfing and moshing - along all night.

What are probably their two biggest commercial hits were next with "Hello From the Gutter" and "Elimination."

With this being their 19th full length album release, you're never going to hear everything you want anymore at an Overkill show, but the band mixed it up well, touching on 10 of their full length releases.  Next up was the only one they would do off their second (and my favorite) album of theirs, "Taking Over," with a killer version of "Deny The Cross".  This was followed up by another brand new one, "Head of A Pin".  Below are the two videos I shot of these two songs.

The title track to 1999's "Necroshine" came next and was followed with a double shot off of "W.F.O." with "Under One" and "Bastard Nation."

"Mean, Green, Killing Machine", a modern call to arms for the band was then followed by two absolute classics from the 1st full length album "Feel The Fire" to close out the set - the title track and "Rotten To The Core."

After a quick break, the band encored with a massive "Ironbound" followed by their classic cover of "Fuck You" which bookended the last new song of the night "Welcome to the Garden State."

Like all their hometown area shows, this was a fantastic night of thrash and metal that had the crowd exiting back into Times Square feeling tired, happy and looking forward to the next time the boys returned.

It also had many tourists horrified at the invading horde of thousands of metal heads with one yelling out "We Don't Care What You Say!" and "Fuck You!" being roared back into the night.  It will probably be a memory that will last longer than their picture they just took with a dude in a smelly old Elmo or Spider-man costume down the street.

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Click any photos to enlarge them to full screen.  Also follow on twitter @MostPeopleBlank   Then, of course, as always - Rock on and Enjoy - Paul

SPINAL TAP 35th Anniversary Reunion 4/27/19 NYC Full Q&A and Concert

On April 27, 2019 there was a 35th Anniversary screening of "This Is Spinal Tap" at the Beacon Theatre in NYC as part of the Tribeca Film Festival.  The movie was billed as including a post screening discussion with Rob Reiner, Christopher Guest (Nigel Tufnel), Michael McKean (David St. Hubbins) and Harry Shearer (Derek Smalls) plus a musical performance.  Having never seen Spinal Tap live, I had to take advantage of this possible last chance.

A few minutes after 8pm, Rob Reiner was introduced and came out to welcome the crowd as well as McKean and Guest who were sitting in the audience.  He spoke for a couple of minutes letting the crowd know his favorite line from the film was "There's a fine line between stupid and clever" before introducing the flick.

The audience cheered during the concert scenes as if they were there in the crowd, but the loudest response of the night was when Nigel let us know his amp goes up to eleven!

When the movie ended, Rob Reiner came back out and introduced the three main cast members.  They each took a seat for a 20 minute talk which was half discussion and half audience Q&A.

I wasn't sure how cool security would be with filming and I wanted to make sure to get a video of at least one song (which ended up not being an issue - I filmed the whole concert portion - video link is below), so I decided to just audio record this segment keeping my phone out of site.

I missed about the first 2 minutes where the guys start by saying how young they look on screen which leads to how others in the movie have aged and specifically Paul Schaffer which leads to a story about the character he was based on.  

Here's a few time stamps if you care to listen to the audio at the link below:

• 00:00 starts in the middle of the story about Lou "Kick My Ass" Dennis
• 00:30 talking about early screening notes and making of the film
• 06:00 Real rock stars who auditioned (John Densmore of the Doors, Paul Stanley of Kiss, etc)
• Is it common knowledge that Paul Stanley auditioned for a role in Spinal Tap?  I've never heard this before.
• Audience questions start at the seven and a half minute mark:
• 07:30 "Was it based on Iron Maiden?" No, but they bring up the influences of Uriah Heep, Van Halen, Saxon and Black Sabbath
• 11:00 "Why was the cucumber wrapped in tin foil?"
• 12:30 "Where did they learn their British Accents?"
• 13:30 "What is the deal with the herpes sores subplot that was cut from the film?" with mention of Cherie Currie of the Runaways who played lead singer of The Dose in the cut segment.
• 15:00 "What are you favorite cut scenes from the film?"
• 17:00 Christopher Guest asks for one final question which turns to mayhem and they say thank you and go get their instruments.  That set is described below and yes, that is audio AND video

Here's the Discussion/Q&A audio:

The musical portion opened up with a "Celtic Blues" which led right into "Hell Hole".  Sure it would have been more awesome if it was electric, but I'll take unplugged Tap over no Tap any day.

"(Listen To The) Flower People" complete with excellent shushing was next.  This was followed with "Rainy Day Sun" introduced as the B-side to that excellent A-side.

The Nigel Tufnel penned "Clam Caravan" was next as it was explained the original title was "Calm Caravan" but there was a typo on the album and the song contains no clam references.

The first song Nigel and David ever wrote together, "All The Way Home," had the audience clapping along.

Before following up with "Big Bottom" the band explained how in the past they would invite all touring bassists in the area to join them on stage and they were most impressed with Robert Trujillo of Metallica and his bass playing stance which Harry Shearer demonstrated.  But for tonight they would just let Shearer's bass do the talking instrumental wise with a finger snapping jazzy sing along of the classic.  NOTE:  My camera stopped during this song and about 30 seconds of it is missing in the middle.

A stage hand brought out an extra microphone stand as the boys told the story of the last time they played the Beacon Theatre as Spinal Tap where they decided as a joke to perform as a folk band as the opening act for the Tap metal to follow, it didn't go over well with much of that audience.

They then introduced special guest Elvis Costello who shared that he made his Carnegie Hall debut along with Spinal Tap back in 2000. The quartet performed "Gimme Some Money" together.

The night ended with a performance of "Sex Farm."  Quite the blast and here's the video so you can all check it out:

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Click any photos to enlarge them to full screen.  Also follow on twitter @MostPeopleBlank   Then, of course, as always - Rock on and Enjoy - Paul

ERIC CLAPTON New York City - October 7, 2018 Concert Review with videos

I had always kind of felt I missed the boat on seeing Eric Clapton in concert. Sure he comes to NYC just about every year for a pair of shows at Madison Square Garden, but when I've look at the setlists I see too many blues covers and too few of his hits.  I dig Slowhand, but not a disciple who worships everything he does.

But when tickets went on sale for his pair of shows this year, I decided it was time to see the guitar legend some call God and picked up tickets for the second show on Sunday, October 7, 2018.

Our seats were in the very last row of section 226 but we had a nice clear shot of the stage and caught the very end of Jimmie Vaughan's set as we took our seats.  I was amazed how much of the audience were already seated.  Vaughan, and Gary Clark Jr. who would come on after him, both played to an almost fully seated enthusiastic sold out crowd.  

Clapton came out a little after nine and played a 14 song set lasting over 90 minutes.

The set started with a trio of blues covers starting with J.J. Cale's "Somebody's Knocking" followed by "Key to the Highway", then Willie Dixon's "I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man."  

The immediate thing I noticed and was pleased with was how great Clapton's voice sounded - solid and strong.  The blues set was fine and each song followed a pattern of a few verses, then a piano break, then an organ break and then guitar before closing out the song. Clapton's top notch band includes guitarist Doyle Bramhall II and I have to say I was surprised how many of the leads he played throughout the night, but Clapton was always given a spot to shine during every tune.

The crowd response was strong during this opening trio but the first huge cheers of the night came during the next song, his hit cover of the Wailers' "I Shot The Sheriff."  Here's the video I shot of it below.

Next up Clapton took a seat and treated everyone to an acoustic set starting with "Driftin' Blues", probably the biggest "beer run" moment of the night.  Clapton then started up his cover of "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" which at first had the crowd cheering loudly and clapping along as it appeared many thought this was his acoustic cover of "Layla" as the intro sounded similar, the clap-a-long stopped as the lyrics kicked in.

"Layla" would actually be next and when the crowd realized that's what it actually was this time, the clapping and then singing along was back getting one of the biggest responses of the night.  I've never been a huge fan of this unplugged reworking, but it was nice to hear a song I knew.  "Tears in Heaven" was next and he delivered a solid version that folks loved, just not one of my personal favorites.

At this point the show was more than half over and it was enjoyable; a subdued toe tapper and honestly more or less what I expected.

The acoustic instruments were then put away and the show finally kicked into that higher gear I was hoping for but didn't really expect when the band kicked into the one Cream cover of the night with "White Room."  Here's my video below.

"Wonderful Tonight" followed and it sounded great.  I was actually surprised by the crowd reaction in that it was fine, but for such a big radio hit, not has loud as I would have thought.

The crowd response I was expecting came next as soon as Clapton kicked into the opening riff of "Crossroads."  It was a great rendition with Clapton tearing it up.  The band then stuck with the Robert Johnson catalog with a long cover of "Little Queen of Spades" giving every band member a space to shine.

The main set ended with an amazing powerful rockin' version of "Cocaine" which had most of the crowd on their feet.

Clapton and band came back joined by openers Jimmie Vaughan and Gary Clark Jr. for an encore of Joe Cocker's "High Time We Went", giving Paul Carrack the lead vocal duties.

Overall I would say this show exceeded my expectations.  A few of the performances, especially "Cocaine," I feel were as good as I could ever have hoped to have seen.  Clapton looked great, sounded great and at times showed he could still rip out a solo like few others.

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PAUL SIMON Queens NY 9/22/18 FINAL SHOW review with videos

This past Saturday, September 22, after riding the 7 train from Grand Central for 30 minutes packed in like sardines we arrived at the stop for Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens at about 4:00pm.  There was an hour to go before the gates would open for Paul Simon's final concert.

 

We walked about a mile to just past the famous Unisphere built for the 1964 World's Fair to the security gates and then a short wait until 5:00 on the dot when the tickets were scanned.



Lots of folks sprinted to the general admission standing room only area in front of the stage, while those of us with blankets (not allowed in front of the soundboard unless you bought VIP) found a spot on the lawn.  We were early enough to get a great spot centerfield against the fencing separating the two areas.  Close enough to actually watch the performers on stage, but this was aided by a giant video screen behind the musicians and two large video screens to the each side.



Over the next hour, the majority of the park behind us filled with blankets  and the standing section filled to capacity.  The show was expected to start at 7:00 (it would actually begin at 7:20 and end at 10:00pm) and this last hour before showtime seemed as if the flood gates opened with people filling any available square foot of grass between all the blankets.  An announcement was also made asking those with blankets to condense them as much as possible to make room for these later arriving fans.  

At 7:20, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz came out to introduce Paul Simon (video below).

The lights dimmed a few minutes later and he opened the show with "America", one of five Simon and Garfunkel songs to be played that night.  (video below)

He followed this with his own "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover".  He had the entire crowd in the palm of his hand right out of the gate and they would stay there for the whole night.  He then addressed the crowd and played a game of catch with the audience while humorously calling out the ongoing planes taking off and landing at nearby LaGuardia airport throughout the night.  (video below)

Of the 26 songs that would be played, about 2/3 were well known classics while 8 or so were ones that while not everyone in the crowd knew them, and many were hearing for the first time, they worked well within the set.  Simon and his amazing band sounded fantastic.

The set continued with "The Boy In The Bubble", "Dazzling Blue", "That Was Your Mother", "Rewrite", "Mother and Child Reunion" and then everyone dancing to "Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard." (video below)  Simon brought out Edie Brickell for the whistle solo in the middle of the song (she nailed it!) and afterward he mentioned how much fun it was to sing about "Rosie - the Queen of Corona" actually in Corona Park.  This was one of the major highlights in a set filled with them.

The classical musicians of yMusic joined Simon for the next three songs starting with "Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War", then "Can't Run But" and Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water."  The first half of this classic had a bit of a jazzy arrangement until the full band kicked in mid way through having a very powerful effect and bringing the closing of the song to the next level.  Prior to playing it, Simon talked about how for this final tour he was taking back ownership of this song that he previously had given away.  He thanked Aretha Franklin afterward for her version, but Art Garfunkel was never mentioned at all throughout the night, just semi referenced here.  (Though he would show up in a couple of pictures in a video montage during the final encore section of the show).

"Wristband", "Spirit Voices", "The Obvious Child", "Questions For the Angels" and "The Cool, Cool River" were next before ending the main set with the dance the night away one two punch of "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" and "You Can Call Me Al".

The first encore set opened with "Late In The Evening" which I wish I filmed as it was another of the highlights of the set in my opinion.  This was followed by "Still Crazy After All These Years" and ended with a joyous "Graceland" which also featured the full band bows and ovations as the second encore set would end on a more personal and somber, but fitting note. (see Graceland video below)

The final five song encore set contained three Simon and Garfunkel classics starting with the namesake of this show "Homeward Bound"(The giant "Welcome Home" banner which hung on the stadium just to the right of the stage was a nice touch).  The last full on dance along number of the night was next with "Kodachrome" and then an almost slightly countrified arrangement of "The Boxer" with the full crowd helping out on the "Lie-La-Lie" section. A great "American Tune" followed somewhat ending the show (before the final song) with the same theme with which it began.

And then it was just Paul on the stage alone with his acoustic guitar for a moving version of "The Sound of Silence."  When it ended, there was no long speech, everything had already been said.  Just heartfelt waves to the audience and his final words of "It means more than you could know." video below

If this truly is Paul Simon's final performance, he could not have gone out on a higher note.

If you're not yet part of our Facebook group, please click the Like button below.  You'll always be kept up to date on future posts, have the ability to comment and share all content, and get access to our contests and giveaways! 

Click any photos to enlarge them to full screen.  Also follow on twitter @MostPeopleBlank  and subscribe to our YouTube channel if you liked any of the videos.  Then, of course, as always - Rock on and Enjoy - Paul

Cheetah Chrome's Dead Boys at Bowery Electric NYC September 17, 2017

Cheetah Chrome's Dead Boys (featuring Johnny Blitz) celebrated the 40th Anniversary of "Young, Loud and Snotty" by performing it in its entirety on September 17, 2017 at Bowery Electric in NYC.

The show was sold out and packed.  Vocalist Jake Hout ventured out into, unto and above the crowd throughout the show.  Jason Kottwitz and Ricky Rat round out the band who just killed it (bad pun not intended) through the whole set.

If you missed out back in September, not to worry as they are coming back to the Bowery Electric at the end of January 2018.  The first of those shows is already sold out and evidently the second show is close, so check out the video below of the set opening video I filmed of "Sonic Reducer" and it should be all the convincing you need to go pick up one of those remaining tickets.

If you dug this review and you're not yet part of our Facebook group, please click the Like button below.  You'll always be kept up to date on future posts, have the ability to comment and share all content, and get access to our contests and giveaways! 

Click any photos to enlarge them to full screen.  Also follow on twitter @MostPeopleBlank   Then, of course, as always - Rock on and Enjoy - Paul

Here's some related articles you might want to check out:

• Cheetah with the Dead Elvi at Chiller Theatre convention
• Cheetah with the LAMF band at Bowery Electric