Page 37 - ISSUE 14

ROCKNATION ISSUE 14 PAGE 37
crowd and sings along with them. I love
this guy and their eighty minute set was
pure gold. Ending the night was legendary
Y & T with Dave Meniketti doing their star
studded ninety minute everyone waiting for
“Summertime Girls”. Just a great night with
overflowing crowd support.
May 2 Day 3
Bombay Black, 7TH Heaven,
Crown Of Thorns, Ted Poley
Band,Trixter, Winger
Well the final day is upon us. We got there
a bit late after a long night the day before.
7th Heaven was up who were really amaz-
ing. Keith Semple vocalist for the band
blew me away what stage presence, as
with Poley Semple joined the crowd on the
floor to sing with fans. Richie Hofherr rip
some tasty solos and when the band did a
TRIXTER his lead vocals. Recently 7th Heaven won
college of cover tunes Nick Cox also added
a competition to open for Bon Jovi so it
shows that these guys are no second
class. I loved their set and Semple had the
crowd in his hands. I’ve been a fan of Jean
DANGER DANGER Beauvoir since his work with The Plas-
matics and Paul Stanley but meeting the
man in person is a delight. On stage you
can see the Stanley moves and Crown of
Thorns is a powerhouse. Beauvoir looked
as he enjoyed every secnd on stage and
the response was overwhelming. I
heard fans in the crowd saying Crown
of Thorns is the reason why they
came and I’m sure they went home
with a huge smile. Voice Of Rock
Radio really what can you say when
you have all those famous artists
on stage at once but fantastic. Jim
Peterik, Jimi Jamison, Kevin Chalfant,
WINGER and Wally Palmar (The Romantics)
Derek St. Holmes (Ted Nugent Band),
and hour of total kick ass songs.
Jamison ran right after the Voice of
Rock Radio so you mget a total of 2
hours of bliss. I mean when Eye Of
The Tiger started all I heard was rum-
bling and not one person was sitting
MELODIC ROCK FEST II Than Words Can Say”. I was amazing they come to put on a show and ing site to see. Andrew you did brother!!!!
singing along. This was it and amaz-
a little surprised Alias played only a thirty
they did. They played a fifty minute set of
Elgin, Illinois minute set when two of the three earlier pure energy BUT!!!! you make the call. I Next up Ted Poley what else is there to
bands played longer sets. Ending the day
know the first day acoustic set they were
say about Mr.Poley. Poley is a personal
Rock sites in the world putting was the debut performance of Mecca with playing and singing live day two WELL???? friend along with the rest of the band Vic
founding member and lead vocalist Joe
What can you say about Terry Brock
Rivera, Doug Odell, Eddie Campbell, and
on a show in The U.S is quite an Vana (Jim Peterik / World Stage). I’m not (Valentine/Giant) killer vocals. This guy Ed Faust. I was talking with Ted and I think
undertaking. The site is based in familiar with their songs but many in the does not miss a beat a true professional he told me he was doing twenty plus songs
Australia yet for the second time crowd were singing along and they got a and hooking up with Valentine for the fest for the Danger Danger and Ted Poley Band
Andrew McNeice owner of Melodic great response. I had a chance to talk with amazing. All I can say memorable set. To and not playing any of the same songs.
Rock.com out did himself bringing Vana after their set a he mentioned they be honest again this is the band that made Now that’s an undertaking plus having Rob
in bands that only few can dream of are working on a new record for Frontiers me go to the show the most, the debut U.S Marcello near the end of the set as a guest
with band like Eden’s Curse debut so look out for that. As day one came to performance of Eden’s Curse. I talked with along with another buddy Erc Ragno on
a close one thing I have to mention is that
in American, Mecca’s first gig and the venue The Roadhouse in Elgin is one Michael Eden at length before their set and Keys. What more can you ask. You Ask I
he was highly pissed that their keyboard
asked Ted about his set and he said he will
the new sensation Rock Sugar. hell of a venue. It was amazing to see fans, player Alessandro Del Vecchio was turned be doing songs that he never did live. He
artists and staff join as one to make a away at customs and denied entry into the wanted to deliver and the man did. Plus
April 30 Day 1 VIP Acoustic Night family unit. US apparently visa problems. Eden told me how can we go back to my room with to the
Goodbye Thrill, Rock Sugar, May 1 Day 2 - Farcry, Talon, Rock no matter what we will put on a killer set, left of us was Doug’s room, to the right was
Rob Lamothe, Alias, Mecca Sugar, Eden’s Curse, Pride Of it might not be as melodic as we want with Vic’s and to the far right was Ted. Damn
Opening night was a special VIP acoustic Lions Danger Danger, Y&T a heavier sound but we are here to kick stardom heaven that’s some cool shit there.
performance starting off with Goodbye Actually this is the opening night for many ass and they sure did. Since this was their Next up another friend and mega talented
Thrill fronted by Brazilian born Marc Fer- and the house was paced for the opening debut performance in the US and I never band Trixter. Seems more and more people
reira. Their forty minute set was the perfect band Farcry. You have to figure the band saw them live they were by far one of the want Trixter, Rocklahoma, Melodic Rock
tone to start the ball rolling. Ferreira was went on at 12:30pm and the crowd would best band of this event. Eden’s vocals are Fest these boys are like the energizer
accompanied by good friend Gus Mon- be small to start the show, well you’re astounding and you looking for a new gui- bunny going and going and going. They
santo on bass which was an added bonus. mistaken (PACED). If I had to name a band tar god look not further Thorsten Koehne haven’t missed a step from the early days.
Next up was Rock Sugar a band I was I was not familiar with that blew my ass whole shit can this guy shred. Check these I feel Steve Brown does not get enough
excited about after seeing their video for way it would have to be Farcry. What an guys out EDEN’S CURSE. After their set credit I know the songs are catchy and
“Don’t Stop The Sandman” (http://www. outstanding vocalist in Marc Giovi another I decided to hang in the green room for a AOR friendly but does he shred.or what?
youtube.com/watch?v=Mr4HffbAUTk). New Jersey boy and guitarist Pete Fry little and this guy comes in all dressed to These guys are the complete package,live
Fronted by New Jersey born Jesse Harnell these guys were amazing and the range kill wearing rockers clothes and a huge they are amazing and put on a killer set
who you might know for his voice overs in on Giovi WOW. Their forty minutes set was pirate hat. It’s the legend Jim Peterik plus it was Birthday boys Gus’ day... Thank
the Animanics and many other series and powerful and fans enjoyed every second. (Survivor) of Pride Of Lions. This guy is the Mr. Mathers my writer opened his mouth
movies plus the voice of Americas Fun- I had a chat with Marc after their set who true meaning of classic rocker. No ego, no after their set back at the hotel and it cost
nies Home Videos. Rock Sugar is a cover invited us out to see his shows in Las attitude just a class act that enjoys being me drinks for the Birthday boy. A pizza turn
band that takes two well known songs and Vegas as he performs at many showrooms. for friends and fans. Pride of Lions took into $60.00 tab... we had fun. Got check
combines them into one and live they play This is band to keep an eye out for. Talon the stage next As I hear before how come out Trixter’s live show phenomenal.
the rock star role quite well. Great set. was up next with special guest on key- the nameToby Hitchcock isn’t a household Ending the night Winger, I never knew
Next up was Rob Lamothe (River Dogs) boards Eric Ragno. Talon took some time name. Pride of Lions is the full package just Winger was so heavy. I seen them back
who was accompanied by son Zander on out from recording their next CD for this an unbelievable band. Eighty minutes of in the day and they seemed more AOR
Drums and bassist Doug Odell (Ted Poley/ show. Front man David Friday reminds me pure delight pulling out all the fan favorites. friendly but man have they changed. These
Crunch). To be honest for me the set was of a young Don Dokken with their set being If you ever have a chance to see these guys along with Reb Beach and Rob Mor-
a little laid back but Lamothe vocals are very melodic with some heavier hitter. Their guys it’s a must!If you think back to the genstein are heavy hitters. The thunder hit
outstanding. After seeing the first couple fifty minutes set had the crowd rocking with eighties and a band that many Anthems Elgin when Winger entered the house. Np
bands this was an exciting night and next many cheers. Now one of the bands I was were named twice, things like Bang Bang, better way to end one kick ass fest with
up was the late eighties super group Alias. really pumped for Rock Sugar put on a Naughty Naughty all you know it has to be Winger and a ninety minute set...All your
The image might have changed but the phenomenal set which I loved but the word Danger Danger with Ted Poley. Poley is an favorite and more with an event that will be
vocals of Freddie Curci are still amazing as from some was it live or memorex. Regard- icon that delivers the goods. He is about history making all put together by Andrew
they brought the house down with “More less the stage presences of the band is the last surviving front man that pours his McNeice.
soul into his performance that goes in the