Tom Keifer Still Dishing Out Solid Performances On Solid Ground

Concert Review
Sonic Slam Tour 2022
Tom Keifer
LA Guns
Enuff Z’nuff
Wednesday June 29, 2022
Goodyear Theater
Akron, OH
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

The Sonic Slam tour which has been going strong all month, landed at the historic Goodyear Theater in Akron, OH this past Wednesday. Tom Keifer and his band headlined the affair with an arousing 90-minute set that featured many Cinderella staples. The tour also marked Keifer’s first live performances since early 2020.

Kicking things off with “Touching the Divine”, the opening cut from his latest album Rise was a fine way to get the show started. A blistering “Night Songs” followed up by the sing-along beauty of “Coming Home” made for a perfect way to begin the evening.

One very noticeable thing was how good Keifer sounded. The two year plus break has served Keifer’s voice well as I would have to say this was the best I have heard him going back to the start of the 2000’s. “Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)” sounded great with its acoustic opening before kicking in full throttle. It generally takes a good month before a band is fully dialed in on a tour and I was lucky to be able to see them peak at the right time.

The big difference between Keifer and his fellow genre singers of the 80’s is that he actually plays solo material and does not rest his laurels entirely on the Cinderella catalog. Although Keifer was responsible for writing 95% of the Cinderella catalog it was songs such as “Rise” and “Solid Ground” which solidified the set list. A crowd pleasing “Shelter Me” brought the main set to a close. The band returned for an encore of the classic “Gypsy Road” before Keifer and his band said goodnight.

Where Keifer goes from here is anyone’s guess. Hopefully another Keifer Band album followed up by another solid tour package like this is in the cards. Keifer appears to be taking good care of himself as evident by his strong voice and young looks. I would like to know what fountain of youth he has been drinking from.

Tom Keifer Band Set List
Touching The Divine
Night Songs
Coming Home
It’s Not Enough
Somebody Save Me
Rise
Nobody’s Fool
Solid Ground
Fallin’ Apart At The Seams
The Last Mile
Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)
Shake Me
Shelter Me

Encore
Gypsy Road

LA Guns

LA Guns were up next on the bill. The band is led by guitarist Tracii Guns and vocalist Phil Lewis. Backing them up are guitarist Ace Von Johnson, bassist Johnny Martin and drummer Shawn Duncan. The only letdown of the night was that the band only performed 8 songs. Given their placement on the bill I would have thought they would be able to play at least 10 songs.

The band went right into “Cannonball” the opening track from their latest release Checkered Past. “Speed” a fast rocker also from the new album was featured during the band’s all too brief 45 minute set.

Highlights in the short set included Tracii Guns playing the bow during “Over The Edge”, “Never Enough” and the band’s customary closer “Rip And Tear”. The best way to see LA Guns is when they perform a headlining set so do not miss them if they come near you.

LA Guns Set List
Cannonball
Electric Gypsy
Over The Edge
Sex Action
Speed
The Ballad of Jayne
Never Enough
Rip and Tear

Enuff Z’nuff

Opening the show was Enuff Z’nuff who is led by bassist Chip Z’nuff. This marked the first time I saw the band with Chip on vocals and I must say I was pleasantly surprised on how authentic the band sounded. He is still celebrating McCartney’s 80th birthday as they pulled out the solo song “Jet” which sounded fantastic. Other highlights included the classic “Baby Loves You” and of course the one-two punch of “Fly High Michelle” and “New Thing” which left the crowd begging for more. This marked the band’s lone appearance on the tour as they were summoned to fill in for Faster Pussycat who were unable to play this show.