Rock Show Critique

In Conversation
Joel Ekelöf
Soen

We sat down with Joel, the vocalist of Soen to discuss the band’s September 1st release Memorial. Memorial is a hard hitting affair which also features many other elements. The album ends with Vitals, an atmospheric mellow song that closes out the album beautifully.

In Conversation
Lance Lopez

We discuss the latest album from the blues guitarist Trouble Is Good! Sit back and relax!

Concert Review
Vinny Appice’s Sabbath Knights
The Backlot Entertainment Venue
(The former Braun’s)
Akron, NY
Thursday August 17, 2023
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

Vinny Appice of Black Sabbath and Dio fame brought his latest project Sabbath Knights to The Backlot Thursday evening. His band consists of Buffalo native vocalist Jim Crean who is enshrined in the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, guitarist Artie Dillon and bassist Jimmy Caputo. These guys did the unthinkable and pulled out a crowd pleasing set that featured songs from both Black Sabbath and Dio. Appice played with Ronnie James Dio in both bands as well as the band Heaven and Hell. Continue reading →

Concert Review
Rick Springfield
The Hooters
Paul Young
Tommy Tutone
Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre
Youngstown, OH
Friday August 4, 2023
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

The I Want My 80s Summer Tour kicked off at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre Friday evening. The tour headlined by Rick Springfield also featured The Hooters, Paul Young and Tommy Tutone. The tour marked the Hooters first U.S. tour in 30 years. The long line at the merch booth was proof enough at how much a tour like this means to the fans. It was a great venue to kick the tour off on a fantastic summer night. Youngstown certainly did a great job with this venue which opened in 2019, creating a fantastic concert atmosphere. Continue reading →

Concert Review
Tesla
Clearfield County Fair
Clearfield, PA
Wednesday August 2, 2023
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

Tesla has always been mislabeled. Formed smack dab in the middle of the 1980’s, the band was always lumped in with the so-called hair bands of the era. While their music roots seem to have come to age in the 70’s, the only resemblance to other bands from that era was their long hair and the fact they toured with many of the bands that they were unjustly associated with. They didn’t dress up in fancy costumes nor did they try to become a flavor of the month. The one thing that has always stood out about Tesla is their love of the guitar. Whether it be the fiery assault one hears on “Edison’s Medicine” or the softer acoustic side demonstrated on Top-10 smash “Love Song”. Continue reading →

Photo Gallery
Peter Noone
Grass Roots
Batavia Downs
Batavia, NY
Friday July 28, 2023
Photos: Joseph Suto

Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone played the Rockin’ at the Downs 2023 concert series this past Friday. Also on the bill were The Grass Roots. This show marked Noone’s second consecutive year playing there and The Grass Roots third. Continue reading →