Concert Review
FireHouse
Janet Gardner
Saturday March 30, 2024
West Herr Riviera Theatre
North Tonawanda, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
For the past twenty years the lineup for FireHouse has remain unchanged. Original members, guitarist Bill Leverty, drummer Michael Foster and vocalist C.J. Snare were joined by bassist Allen McKenzie in 2004 and the band has remained intact, until the tail end of 2023. Snare had to have some surgery which led to the addition of touring vocalist Nate Peck stepping in while he recovers. After all this is a business and the band had touring obligations they needed to fulfill.
You will always get six of one and a half a dozen of another when fans opinions come into play regarding a replacement member from their favorite band. While Snare was missed due to fact that he is one of the standout lead singers from his era, Peck did an impeccable job trying to fill his shoes and help the band deliver a solid show. Peck was a contestant on American Idol season 21. With Snare unable to perform this guy did an admirable job and is definitely one of the best fill-in singers of this genre to come along in years.
You would think the band would play it safe with the set list with a different singer but they crammed in fourteen songs during their 80-minute set. Of course they did the hits but to see rare plays such as opener “Rock You Tonight” from Hold Your Fire and “Love Is A Dangerous Thing” from Firehouse 3 was a treat. Other highlights included such stalwarts as “Overnight Sensation”, “Oughta Be A Law” and the show closer “Don’t Treat Me Bad” for which the crowd was on its feet and gave the biggest ovation for.
I had to dig deep into the memory bank to find out when the last time these guys played here. Considering they used to play here more frequently is an understatement. Twice in an eleven year span is way too long. Hopefully once Snare is back the band will book a return appearance sooner rather than later. Judging by the crowd’s reaction they crave the band’s music and we really cannot go another large chunk of years without having these guys play here again.
Opening the show with a bouncy acoustic set were the husband/wife duo of Janet Gardner and Justin James. Gardner of course is known for being the original singer for the all-female band Vixen. The 45-minute set featured the Vixen hits “Rev It Up”, “Cryin” and “Edge Of A Broken Heart” with the latter two reaching the Top-30 on the singles charts.
FireHouse
Gardner/James
Check out our ranking of the FireHouse albums at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31hzCfVXbvM
Set List
Rock You Tonight
All She Wrote
Shake & Tumble
Oughta Be a Law
When I Look Into Your Eyes
Lover’s Lane
Home Is Where the Heart Is
Don’t Walk Away
Leverty Guitar Solo
Overnight Sensation
Rock on the Radio
Love Is a Dangerous Thing
Love of a Lifetime
Reach for the Sky
Don’t Treat Me Bad
