Rhino Bucket - Rockstar Sports Bar, 10/26/07
If you’re into old school, down and dirty, Bon Scott-era AC/DC style hard rock - then this was the show for you! It’s no secret that Van Nuys, California, rockers, Rhino Bucket wear their influences on their sleeves.
George Dolivo (vocals/guitar) and Reeve Downes (bass) formed the band in 1987. In 1995 the band went on an extended hiatus before reforming in 2001. The current lineup also features newest member, Kix guitarist Brian “Damage” Forsythe and the return of former member, ex-AC/DC drummer Simon Wright (currently on loan from Dio). Getting to see a world class drummer like Wright in such an intimate setting made this fun show all the more special. Highlights included “One Night Stand,” “Monkey Boy Highway” and “Ride the Rhino.” (Andy Laudano)

Phantom X/Judas Rising/Michael Harris/Ancestor -O’Riley’s, 10/06/07
Soundman to the stars, Louie Shoop, got his own birthday party off on a rocking note with an awesome set from his band, Ancestor. Featuring mostly originals, the band stood out with their crisp, crunchy, guitar-driven sound. Shoop proved himself to be just as much a wizard with an axe as he is with a mixing board!
There’s only one word to describe Michael Harris’ set - transcendent. For this guy to out-do himself is really saying something, but he was on another plane altogether on this night. Songs like “Words Collide” and the magnificent closer, “Julius Seizure,” wowed the crowd with musical magnitude. Easily one of MFH’s best performances ever.
Up next was Judas Rising, who have taken great leaps and bounds in the last few months. On the wings of new vocalist Brian Dixon’s soaring voice, the group brought out rare Priest classics like “The Ripper,” “Diamonds And Rust” and arguably THE metal song of all time, “Victim Of Changes.” In a scene wrought with half-assed tribute bands, Judas Rising is proving to be a cut above the rest.
Leave it to power metal masters Phantom X to put a fitting capper on a night of horns-up metal. Biggest surprise came from vocalist Kevin Goocher’s 10-year-old daughter, Devon, who belted out a roof-blowing version of Iron Maiden’s “Wasted Years,” along with Pops and the band. She had the look, the sound and all the attitude that goes with it! What a treat. Oh yeah, and the band was pretty damn good, too! (Kevin White)

Night Ranger - The Glass Cactus, 10/27/07
One of the biggest bands of the 80’s, Night Ranger headlined 93.3 The Bone’s Skeleton Ball. The Glass Cactus was filled with drunken people in Halloween costumes, and they were ready to rock! Original members, Jack Blades (bass/vocals), Brad Gillis (guitar) and Kelly Keagy (drums/vocals) were joined by the band’s newest addition, guitarist Reb Beach (Winger/Whitesnake). Gillis was a madman onstage, while fellow guitar hero Beach fit in perfectly.
Blades was full of charisma and Keagy impressed everyone with his vocals on “Sentimental Street.” Blades paid tribute to his time in supergroup, Damn Yankees, with an awesome acoustic version of “High Enough” with Keagy singing Tommy Shaw’s parts. Other highlights included “When You Close Your Eyes,” “Rumours In the Air,” “Four In the Morning,” “Sister Christian,” “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” and “(You Can Still) Rock In America.” Another killer performance from a classic band. (Andy Laudano)

Datarock - Palladium – 10/12/07
Datarock astonished a surprisingly small audience when they opened for Perry Ferrell’s Satellite Party. Hailing from Bergen, Norway, Datarock went against the grain with their throw back to synth pop/new wave music from the early 80’s. The band is a collective of new wave, synth-rock b-boys with Fredrik (vocals/guitar), Ket-ill (backing vocals/bass), Jonas (drums) and K-Mo (synth/sax/tambourine).
The Devo/Talking Heads/Happy Mondays’ sound hypnotized the crowd, which was jumping along to this band that most that had never heard of. Highlights were “FaFaFa,” “Computer Camp Love,” “See What I Care” and “I Used To Dance With My Daddy” - not to mention a tear -jerking cover of Bill Medley’s “Time of My Life.”
With tons of videos on YouTube, their own label (Young Aspiring Professionals) and over 400 shows in 28 countries under their belts, Datarock looks to become a huge indie act. (Rick McKinzie)

Edguy/Miles Beyond - The I-Rock, Detroit, Michigan, 10/8/07
I could have picked any U.S. date to see my favorite German power metal band, Edguy, but chose the Detroit show for one main reason - opening act Miles Beyond! With stellar vocals, catchy songs, killer dual guitar leads and harmonies, solid rhythm section - Miles Beyond sounds just like a young Iron Maiden! Easily the best-unsigned band in the U.S. Check out www.milesbeyond.net
On this last night of Edguy’s North American Rocket Ride tour, vocalist Tobias “Tobi” Sammet was in rare form, whether he was belting out a song, interacting with the audience or teasing poor drummer Felix Bohnke mercilessly. Jens Ludwig (guitar), Dirk Sauer (guitar) and Tobias “Eggi” Exxel (bass) also appeared to be having a blast onstage. Highlights included “Catch of the Century,” “Tears of a Mandrake,” “Lavatory Love Machine,” “Vain Glory Opera,” “F*cking With Fire” and the killer ballad, “Save Me.” A fun show totally worth the trip! (Andy Laudano)

Lowside - O’Riley’s, 10/19/07
A local favorite for many years, Lowside rocked the large crowd with originals like “Change My Mind,” “Allow Me” and “Better.” Putting on a show full of energy - despite the fact that their lead singer was suffering from bronchitis - the guys proved they’re professional and a class act. Lowside features Ron Taylor (vocals), Darrin DeLatte (guitar) - both formerly of Lillian Axe - Keith Long (bass) and Michael “Ferg” Ferguson (drums). The members are creative, unique and love what they’re doing - which shows in their live performance. For an evening of good old rock and roll, check out Lowside. (Kim Polen)

Emerson, YES and Zep?
Many know by now that Led Zeppelin will be playing a one-time reunion concert at London’s new O2 venue on Dec. 10. It’s in memory of the late Ahmet Ertegun, who was one of the co-founders of Atlantic Records.
One of the opening acts will include Keith Emerson on keyboards, Chris Squire on bass, Rick Wakeman on keyboards. Bad Company drummer Simon Kirke is also included in the line up (per Rick Wakeman’s website), but YES drummer Alan White was contacted by Chris Squire by phone and, according to the YES website, he’s almost certain to play drums as well.
There’s an interesting void here. Who, if anyone will play guitar? With Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman both playing keyboards, it seems it’d almost be impossible for a guitarist to get a note in edgewise. (WiL Wesch)

Van Halen - Bobcats Arena, Charlotte NC, 9/27/07
What a truly momentous occasion to finally witness a David Lee Roth-fronted Van Halen performance after 23 years. On opening night in Charlotte NC, this was not just some ordinary reunion tour concert; this was a musically well-polished event of historic proportions.
In a little over two hours, Van Halen unleashed a monster, 26-song set list that included not only well-known hits like ‘You Really Got Me,” “Jump,” “Jamie’s Cryin’” and “Panama,” but also vintage underground classics like “I’m The One,” “Romeo Delight,” “Atomic Punk,” “Little Dreamer,” “So This Is Love” and the show stopper, “Everybody Wants Some.” The band was surprisingly tight and, for the first time in a live setting, they committed to performing the songs to sound almost identical to original recordings done many years before.
Not only was David Lee Roth phenomenal in delivering the lead vocal parts perfectly, but Eddie’s guitar playing sounded better than ever. His 17-year old son, Wolfgang Van Halen, did a superb job of providing distinct bass lines as well as harmoniously executing the legendary background vocals that Michael Anthony made famous. (Joe Montells)

Drowning Pool - Palladium Ballroom, 9/07/07
This night, Drowning Pool wowed crowds with one of their best shows yet. On their This is For the Soldiers Tour, they’re challenging other rock bands to support the troops.
Lead vocalist, Ryan McCombs, keeps the same metal style but adds subtle differences to make the sound new, refreshed and his own. Favorites included “Sinner,” “Step Up,” “Bodies,” “Tearing Away” and the new sensation, “Soldiers.” The band had loads of crowd participation, and energy flowing from the stage the entire show. Drowning Pool showed everyone they still have what it takes to put on a great rock show! (Renee Caldwell)