Rock Show Critique

Concert Review
Steel Panther
Buckcherry
Kurt Deimer
Sunday May 18, 2025
West Herr Riviera Theatre
North Tonawanda, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

Sunday night a unique tour called the Northern Exposure tour made its way into the friendly confines of the Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda. The tour received its name due to the heavy concentration of Canadian dates throughout the 25 date run. It was only fitting that this show marked the final night of the tour as Steel Panther, Buckcherry and Kurt Deimer let it all hang it. These are not the normal type of acts that the Riviera hosts regularly and after this show one is unsure if they will go this extreme in the future. Continue reading →

Concert Review
Lita Ford
Nelson
Saturday May 10, 2025
West Herr Riviera Theatre
North Tonawanda, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

Both of the artists on the bill Saturday evening out at the West Herr Riviera Theatre had not played the area in quite some time. It had been some 9 years that Lita Ford had last hit town. This occasion was highlighted by being her first headlining show since 2009 out at the old Lockport Concert Series which is now defunct. Ford and her extremely capable band put on quite a compelling 75-minute set that showed she still has the desire and ambition to continue playing live shows for as long as she wants. Continue reading →

Concert Review
Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening
Tuesday May 6, 2025
Landmark Theatre
Syracuse, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of one of the greatest albums in the history of music. Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti was released on February 24, 1975. To celebrate, Jason Bonham has decided to perform the album in it’s entirety to commemorate the occasion. Bonham has stated in the past how this album is his favorite of all the Zeppelin albums so it came as no surprise that he decided to tackle this task. That was exactly what he and his band did. Continue reading →

Music News
Sven Gali

Recorded live with Dave Wanless (vocals), Andy Frank (guitar), Shawn Minden (bass), Sean Williamson (guitar), and Dan Fila (drums), the album captures Sven Gali doing what they do best: delivering heavy music with zero compromise and total conviction. Continue reading →

Concert Review
L.A. Guns
Wednesday April 23, 2025
West Herr Riviera Theatre
North Tonawanda, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

Looking back in July of 2004 at the now defunct Club Infinity, L.A. Guns played a show to a mere thirty-one people. I know this because I walked around the venue and counted the attendees. The band had played many other shows throughout the years where the attendance was not quite what one expect from the “Kings of the Sunset Strip”. The band returned with original guitarist Tracii Guns in tow last year as they were special guest to KK’s Priest. That show saw LA Guns at their best as they were clearly enjoying playing to a packed house. This time around they are touring in support of their brand spanking new release Leopard Skin. Continue reading →

Concert Review
Spin Doctors
Friday April 18, 2025
Bear’s Den
Seneca Niagara Casino
Niagara Falls, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

It had been nine years since the Spin Doctors last played the area. They made their heralded return to the same stage they last played in 2016 at the Bear’s Den last night. The band can still put on a performance to rival any bands from their era. The musicianship in this band is so damn good. While “Two Princes” may seem almost like a novelty song to some and is the band’s most known song, it is far from the type of band they are. Continue reading →