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.
The band took the stage and promptly opened with “Big Fat Funky Booty” a track that dates back to the beginning for the band. “Nice Talking To Me” from the album of the same name and “Off My Line” from the band’s debut followed. The latter featured guitarist Eric Schenkman on vocals. If there is one thing you can say about a live Spin Doctors show is that it is moving. The rhythm section of bassist Jack Daley and drummer Aaron Comess is one you must experience in a live setting. Comess is one of those rare breeds in that he can make any drum kit sound stunning. I wasn’t sure if it was his own kit or the standard kit bands use for fly in dates but he had those drums dialed in. Daley of course is the new kid on the block as he joined initially as a tour member but recently was anointed as a full band member.
Another great aspect of this show is the band just released their new album Face Full Of Cake last week. The band was not shy about it as they played six new songs from the release. Most bands who have been around for so long generally may mix in a new song or two. However, these guys are players and really seemed to enjoy delivering songs such as “The Buddha On the Lawn” and “Boom Box”. There were a few occasions during the show that vocalist Chris Barron helped push the new album. For anyone who enjoyed the songs they played some of the songs they didn’t play may be even better. Hopefully this album will ignite a return to the band’s album sales glory days.
What Spin Doctors show would be complete without their two biggest songs? Both songs reached the top 20 with “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” peaking at #17 and “Two Princes”, climbing as high as #7 on the Billboard singles charts. The album where those two come from 1991’s Pocket Full Of Kryptonite, has now been certified five times platinum.
I do not think anyone had on their scorecard for the Spin Doctors to release a new album much less one with the potential that Face Full Of Cake brings. It is rare in the music business for a band who has been around for over thirty years to make a strong comeback. The band is positioned nicely now to at least potentially try. With their solid live show, solid new album and the fact these guys are doing this for the love of music they may have a chance.
Set List
Big Fat Funky Booty
Nice Talking to Me
Off My Line
More Than She Knows
Jimmy Olsen’s Blues
The Buddha on the Lawn
Rock and Roll Heaven
What Time Is It?
Lady Kerosene
Heart Of The Highway
Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong
Boom Box
How Could You Want Him (When You Know You Could Have Me?)
Double Parked
‘Bout a Train
Still a Gorilla
Two Princes
Encore
Yo Mama’s a Pajama
