September 28th, 2015 Tesla, Styx and Def Leppard In Salt Lake, Utah at USANA Amphitheatre (Part 1) (Finished September 30, 2015)

Hello,

This is Part 1 of my review of the Tesla/Styx and Def Leppard concert at USANA Ampitheatre on September 29th, 2015. The second part will be devoted to the Def Leppard portion of the concert. That will be coming soon hopefully.

Tesla is a band that has been around for 28 years. Currently their lineup is Frank Hannon, Brian Wheat, both of which are multi-instrumentalists and have been with the band since 1981. Jeff Keith is the lead singer, the man with very distinctive vocals, who has been with the band since 1984. Another multi-instrumentalist is Troy Luccketta, he also has been with the band since 1984. Last but not least is Dave Rude, who has been with the band since 2006. (Thanks to Wikipedia)

On a near perfect evening in lovely Salt Lake Tesla roared on to the stage first and reeled off 8 songs. They started off the show with:

"Rock Me To The Top":

"Ez Come Ez Go":

"Hang Tough":

"Heaven's Trail (No Way Out"):

"Signs":

"Love Song":

"Little Suzi":

"Modern Day Cowboy":

Tesla was very good live, they kicked some butt. Although they are playing all their greatest hits, they feel a bit more fresh than does Styx. Tesla wasn't as big as the other two bands on this tour, their songs weren't ever played as much, thus they are a bit more fresh. But Tesla has at least 6 or 7 solid songs. I was a bit disappointed they didn't play "Edison's Medicine (Man Out Of Time)" as I think that's one of their catchiest songs. But that's a minor complaint as I liked all the songs they played. 

Styx has been together forever- or at least it seems that way- and they are currently touring with:

• James "J.Y." Young – guitar, backing and lead vocals, additional keyboards(1972-1984, 1989-1992, 1995-present)
• Tommy Shaw – guitar, lead and backing vocals, mandolin, autoharp (1975-1984, 1995-present)
• Todd Sucherman – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1995–present)
• Lawrence Gowan – lead and backing vocals, keyboards, additional guitar (1999–present)
• Ricky Phillips – bass, backing vocals, additional guitar (2003–present)

For better or for worse, Tommy Shaw seems to be the man pulling the strings. Styx still sounds good live, both the singing and the musicianship are first rate. But when your most recently played song is from 1981, it's hard to sound fresh. Styx needs to go back into the studio and produce several new songs. (One of my biggest disappointments with Def Leppard's set is that they have new music and they didn't play any of those songs- they should have at least played the lead single "Let's Go".)

After a reasonable break Styx took the stage, they played a total of 9 of their own songs. They also let Lawrence Gowan have a brief time in the spotlight for the 3 covers.  After "Come Sail Away", they left the stage, awaiting the encore. After 8 songs looking for an encore is incredibly lame. 

"Grand Illusion": (Dennis DeYoung, 1977)

"Too Much Time On My Hands": (Tommy Shaw, 1981)

"Fooling Yourself": (Tommy Shaw, 1977)

"Miss America": (James Young, 1977)

"Lady" (Dennis DeYoung, 1973)

"Blue Collar Man": (Tommy Shaw, 1978)

"Rocket Man"/ "Bohemian Rhapsody"/ "Sittin' On The Dock":

"Come Sail Away": (Dennis DeYoung, 1977)

"Rockin' The Paradise" (Dennis DeYoung/ Tommy Shaw, 1981)

"Renegade": (Tommy Shaw, 1978)

With websites like setlist.fm around, there aren't many surprises any more with what a band's setlist is. There are two options, just keep the same setlist show after show or mix it up. All 3 bands that played tonight went with playing the same setlist as their previous concert and Styx was the closest to their previous setlist. 

While watching Styx last night, I wondered why they acted like they hadn't made "Kilroy Was Here" or almost as equally criminal they didn't acknowledge "Cyclorama". Obviously this band had been plagued with personality issues and dare I say ego issues. That being the case, they still played 4 of the songs that Dennis DeYoung had a hand writing in. So they aren't ignoring DeYoung's part in their history, but for some reason they clearly are ignoring "Kilroy Was Here". Since Styx is on the oldies circuit, is 1983's "Kilroy Was Here" too new? I mean it's only 32 years old.

Although Styx have 15 studio albums, they only played songs from 4 of those CD. Besides those two previously mentioned CDs, no love was given too "Equinox", "Crystal Ball" or "Cornerstore"- all of which feature some of Styx's more enduring songs. All 9 original Styx songs were played nearly perfectly- almost too well. Technically proficient, but all almost by the numbers and rote. It seemed like they picked what songs to play based on trying to making everyone happy. 

I get that they only had a set number of minutes/ songs. But instead of playing extended versions of their songs, couldn't they have played MORE of their songs. I urge Styx to broaden their setlist, even when they're not the headliner. Even the greatest song ever written eventually will grow old. I know this idea is crazy, but maybe play completely different songs for their next concert. Who wants to be predictable anyway.

Doesn't Styx get sick of playing the same songs every night, why only acknowledge one-fifth of their legacy? Since they ignored that part of their legacy, I'm going to post several of their great songs that they DIDN'T play last night.

The next 3 songs are from 1975's "Equinox", "Light Up":

"Lorelei":

"Suite Madame Blue":

This song is from 1976's "Crystal Ball":

"Crystal Ball":

This song is from 1979's "Cornerstone":

"Babe":

These 4 great songs are from 1983's "Kilroy Was Here":

"Mr. Roboto":

"Don't Let It End":

"Heavy Metal Poisoning":

"Double Life":

These 4 songs are from 2003's "Cyclorama":

One of my all-time favorite Styx songs "Together":

"Waiting For Our Time":

"More Love For The Money":

"One With Everything":

Then three great songs from the excellent "Paradise Theater":

"The Best of Times":



"Lonely People":

"Snowblind":

Both Tesla and Styx still put on a great show, I would just urge to mix in some fresher material. Maybe play a couple of covers. One of my all-time favorite concerts is their "Kilroy Was Here" tour. I would suggest both Styx and Tesla head back into the studio and write some new music. Neither band will ever be on the cover of Rolling Stone, but they can at least both be more relevant. I know there's a lot of money to be made in the oldies circuit, but didn't you guys start your bands for reasons besides money.

Keep on rocking.

themusicaddict

Songs on themusicaddict's Radar, Part 6 (September 28th, 2015)

Hello,

This is part 6 of the songs on my radar. Tonight I'll be going and seeing Def Leppard/Styx and Tesla live in concert at the USANA Amphitheatre (which is a terrible place to see a concert for so many reasons). But Def Leppard puts on a great show and the company will be amazing, so I still expect a great night. I will hopefully publishing my review tomorrow.

1) Sugarcult's "Dead Living":

These lyrics are so applicable to where I am in my life now:

"I can't take it

It's just a paycheck

Making arrangements to burn it to the ground

I can't fake it

When nothing's sacred

Making arrangements to burn it to the ground."

2) Def Leppard's new song "Let's Go". Believe it or not they have a new CD coming out on October 30th. Def Leppard spent a lot of time coming up with the name of their new CD, it will be known as "Def Leppard". I would say the hard work was worth it. I know Def Leppard's setlist will be mostly oldies, but throwing this song in the setlist would be amazing.

3) Flux Pavillion's "We Are Creators":

Three songs from Tesla's excellent 2004 CD "Into The Now"- it seems Tesla won't be singing any songs from this CD tonight.

4) "Into The Now":

5) "What A Shame":

6) "Heaven Nine Eleven":

 And I really hope Tesla plays this song tonight: 7) "Edison's Medicine (Man Out Of Time)":

8) From the "Hamilton" Broadway Show "My Shot":

9) Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain" (from "The Dance" live CD):

This is an inspired version of the classic Tears For Fears classic. 10) Disturbed's "Shout":

This song played on my iPod the other day and I realize I don't have enough of her music on my blog. She after all is the Queen of Soul. So what better than to play the #1 song when I was born. 

11) Aretha Franklin's "Respect":

"She don't remember the Queen of Soul". 12) Steely Dan's "Hey Nineteen":

A band I've seen twice, but only as a supporting act. I would love to see them as a headliner. Still confused why they opened for Fall Out Boy. 13) Paramore's "Misery Business":

The "Star Wars" section of this blog.

This band was named after Mos Eisley, the city that Obi Wan-Kenobi said of "Mos Eisley Spaceport. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious."

 14) Thankfully the band Eisley is much sweeter, this is a threefer of this band that just doesn't get enough love "Telescope Eyes":

15) "Marvelous Things":

16) "Plenty of Paper":

Watching "Star Wars" with my son the other day. The rebels were closing in on the original Death Star and they were each stating their call signs. Luke Skywalker was Red Five, which made me think of the band Red Five. I listened to about half of their "Anthology 1993-1999" on Rdio last night. They have a lot of good songs, another song that I'm not sure why they didn't break out bigger. Anyway this is one of their best songs, it plays a lot on my iPod. 14) "Your Creation":

"Rebel Heart" is Madonna's latest CD. It's not as good as her 80's CDs, but it still has plenty of great songs on it (and also some real clunkers):

17)  "Joan of Arc":

18) "Heartbreak City": (Explicit language unfortunately)

19) "Rebel Heart":

And so Styx won't feel left out: 20) "Foolin' Yourself" (Angry Young Man):

themusicaddict

Bands That Rock That Didn't Hit The Heights They Should Have, But It's Not Too Late! Part 4b: Shinedown Encore (Finished September 26th, 2015)

Hello,

Shinedown has so many great songs, and Brent Smith is such a great singer, that it didn't seem right to just post one blog for them.

"Asking For It":

"Outcast":

"It All Adds Up":

"Oblivion":

"Left Out":

"Burning Bright":

"Heroes":

"Lady So Devine":

"Atmosphere":

"Devour":

"Cry For Help":

"What A Shame":

"Breaking Inside" (featuring Lizzy Hale of Halestorm):

"Call Me":

"Unity":

"I'm Not Alright":

"Nowhere Kids":

"Miracle":

"Through The Ghost":

My fifth and final for now Bands That Rock That Didn't Hit The Heights They Should Have, But It's Not Too Late! will be for 10 Years. Coming soon, it will be!

themusicaddict

Bands That Rock That Didn't Hit The Heights They Should Have, But It's Not Too Late! Part 4: Shinedown (Finished September 23rd, 2015)

Hello,

Shinedown is quickly becoming one of my favorite bands. I listened to their brand new CD, "Threat To Survival", tonight for the first time. It's 11 great songs, one right after another. Also I just recently listened to their double live CD "Somewhere In The Atmosphere". That's a great CD as well. I love Brent Smith's voice, the man can sing!

"Adrenaline":

"Bully":

"Enemies":

"Amaryllis":

"45":

"Save Me":

"Sound of Madness":

"Cyanide Sweet Tooth Suicide":

"Cut The Cord":

"State Of My Head":

In This Moment's "Sexual Hallucination" (featuring Brent Smith):

"Second Chance" (Live):



"Second Chance" (Video):

"I Dare You":

"If You Only Knew":

"Crow & The Butterfly":

"Fly From The Inside":

"With A Little Help (From My Friends)" (featuring Will Hoge):

"Simple Man":



"Dangerous":



"Thick As Thieves":



"Black Cadillac":

themusicaddict

themusicaddict's Review of David Benioff's "City of Thieves" (Small Spoilers)

Hello,

David Benioff's "City of Thieves" is a book about the folly of war and how you can meet some of the most influential people in your life in some of the most unusual circumstances. I love the book cover of Kolya and Lev trekking across Russia in the search for a dozen eggs. This book is set in the winter of 1944, near the end of the siege of Leningrad, formerly Saint Petersburg. Leningrad is near the end of that nearly 900 day siege.

The three main characters: Lev is the protagonist and narrator of this book. We see him grow into a man over a few short days time. When we first meet him he's a scared boy, wanting to be more. His mother and sister left at the start of the book to be with relatives. Lev's father was a famous poet who spoke out against the Russian government, he was taken by the NKVD- a law enforcement agency. Lev's father was never seen again.

Kolya is a deserter, who becomes Lev's best friend in those few short days. Kolya is working on the great Russian novel, "The Courtyard Hound", and testing it out on Lev. Kolya attributes the book to a fictional author so that he can save face if Lev doesn't like it. Kolya is one of those people that others just naturally love, he uses that to his advantage. We are never sure what he's about though, although ultimately like Lev he becomes a hero by the end of the book.

Vika is the female sniper that Kolya and Lev run into when they stumble on to a house of kept women, Russian women that are being kept for the pleasures of the occupying German army. She's one of a group of partisans that are fighting back against the German occupation. Lev is smitten by her and does what he can to impress her.

Lev and Kolya first meet at the notorious prison, the Crosses, when they are both there because of crimes. Lev is a "looter" and Kolya is a deserter. Instead of being shot for their various crimes, they are taken to meet a Russian colonel, Grechko. Grechko will give them their freedom if they can get him a dozen eggs for his daughter's upcoming wedding. Grechko's wife believes if they don't have a cake for the wedding then that's bad luck.

As mentioned previously Leningrad is in a world of hurt, hundreds of people have already died. Food is scarce and the Germans are also bombing Leningrad. People are desperate resorting to cannibalism to survive, one old man keeps a chicken coop on an apartment building that he protects with his shotgun. The horses have been killed for food. Bakers are cooking almost anything that won't kill people. So this seemingly simple, innocuous request really isn't so simple after all.

The book follows Lev and Kolya as they do what they can to get these dozen eggs. Although they are an unlikely duo, we quickly begin to cheer for them. Kolya can talk his way into and out of almost anything except for a bullet. Once Lev figures out that "The Courtyard Hound" is a book that Koyla is writing, he lets us know. The story of "Hound" is as good as "City of Thieves", sadly "Hound" is as ill fated as it's author.

On the scale of 1 to 5, I give this book a 4.5. My only quibble, and it's a small quibble, is the ending is just too tidy and neat. The book shows all the ugliness and warts of war, any ending wasn't out of the realm of possibility. As this is a story that Lev relates to his author grandson we know that Lev will survive. Although I loved the ending, it just doesn't feel real enough.

Lev's dispatch of an experienced, older, fully fed German military isn't really believable. Either is how easy the three got away after just killing that German officer. Although pointing out the folly of war, Lev got the dozen eggs back to Grechko. Grechko already had 3 dozen eggs from other people. Obviously he had just sent Lev and Kolya out, not really expecting they would accomplish their mission. Lev gets the best kind of ration card for his efforts, but I'm sure he realizes how expendable to Grechko.

I definitely suggest you read this book, I've been haunted by it ever since I finished it last night. My mind keeps on returning to Kolya, his "Hound" and the too tidy ending.

themusicaddict

Songs On themusicaddict's Radar 5: September 18th, 2015 (Finished September 19th, 2015)

Hello,

A lot of great bands have released music lately, don't be surprised if the following bands show up on future blogs. Those bands include Shinedown, Iron Maiden, Prince (oh yeah he doesn't allow his music on Youtube), David Gilmour and Chris Cornell. Janet Jackson's "Unbreakable" is due October 2nd and the Broadway soundtrack to "Hamilton" will be released on October 16th. I'm excited to check out all the new music.

One thing I'm really loving is the Shinedown double live CD "Somewhere In The Stratosphere". They are a great band and I have no idea why they aren't a lot bigger. That's exactly why I'll be writing about them in my continuing blog series about bands that didn't hit the heights but should have.

The lovely Miss Rachel Platten has done it again, here's another great song by her, "Stand By You". It's paired with "Fight Song":

Big & Rich's "Six Foot Town":

The Black Crowes "Hard To Handle":

A threeplay by In This Moment:

"Sex Metal Barbie":

"Big Bad Wolf" (Explicit):

"Black Widow" (Live):

A couple from Duran Duran's new CD "Paper Gods"

"Pressure Off":

"Last Night In The City":

A couple from the Carly Rae Jepsen CD "E-mo-tion":

"E-mo-tion" (Live):

A catchy as hell song, but I feel sorry for the poor Time Magazine intern that had to count how many times the word "really" is in "I Really Like You": (See answer below):

Tom Hanks!

The In This Moment and Carly Rae Jepsen live performances were a bit uninspired, Bon Jovi and Rihanna show how it should be done on "Living On A Prayer":

Heart's "Straight On":

The Scorpions are celebrating their 50 year anniversary this year. Two from the Scorpions new CD "Return To Forever":

"We Built This House":

"Rock N' Roll Band" (Live):

"Rock N' Roll Band":

"The Force Awakens" is only 3 months away! The "Star Wars" Theme:

"The Imperial March" (aka Darth Vader's Theme):



"Imperial Attack":

I'll be seeing this band in concert in just over a week, Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar On Me":

Pebbles "Mercedes Boy":

Ace Young's "So Addicted":

Answer from above: the lovely Miss Jepsen sings "really" 67 times in "I Really Like You".

themusicaddict

Bands That Rock That Didn't Hit The Heights They Should Have, But It's Not Too Late! Part 3: Sugarcult

Hello,

If you think to yourself that themusicaddict has written about Sugarcult before, it's because I have. I love me some Sugarcult and would like to see them reunite and bring their rocking music to all of us.

As always much of the biographical information in this blog is mostly stolen appropriated from Wikipedia. According to Wikipedia, Sugarcult has been on "hiatus" since 2009. Is six years really a hiatus? The "current" members of Sugarcult are Tim Pagnotta, Arin Older, Marko DeSantis and Kenny Livingston.

Sugarcult has released 5 studio albums and 1 live album, their final studio album was their best CD "Lights Out". I would love to get my hands on their live CD, "Rewind: 2001-2008". I'm dying to hear how they sound live and also hear their version of "I Melt With You".

Since their hiatus started, they have performed together a few times. But no new material has been announced.

Thanks to Youtube, here's that cover of Modern English's "I Melt With You":

"Los Angeles" (Live):

"Pretty Girl (The Way)":

"Bouncing Off The Walls":

"She's The Blade":

"Lights Out & Dead Living":

"You're The One":

"Stuck In America":

"Hate Every Beautiful Day":

"How Does It Feel":

"What You Say":

"Riot":

"Count Your Bruises":

"Out Of Phase":

"Memory":



"Do It Alone":

themusicaddict