Rock Show Critique

The Top-25
Remembering Tom Petty
By: Joseph Suto
with James Baase
December 2017

Tom Petty Remembered

In October we lost an icon, we lost Tom Petty. It seems so strange and I find it hard to write those words. Petty had just finished his 2017 tour on September 25 and one week later he was gone. Continue reading →

Concert Review
Simple Plan
15th Anniversary Tour of Debut Album
Rapids Theatre
Niagara Falls, NY
Friday December 8, 2017
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

Simple Plan played a rare headlining show in Niagara Falls recently. The band has played the Warped tour numerous times over the years but to see the band headline was a treat. Hailing from Montreal, Quebec, Simple Plan played the final night of their 15th Anniversary Tour of their debut album No Pads, No Helmets…Just Balls. The band commemorated the occasion by playing the album in its entirety. Continue reading →

Concert Review
Quiet Riot
The Riviera Theatre
North Tonawanda, NY
Saturday December 16, 2017
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

Quiet Riot are back and with new singer James Durbin now on board the band is out to celebrate their history and start another new chapter. It hadn’t been easy since the death of original vocalist Kevin DuBrow in 2007. Drummer and leader Frankie Banali at first was going to retire the name and sail into the sunset. After the urging of DuBrow’s mother and family, Banali finally resurrected the band in 2010. After going through five vocalists the band was able to land Durbin who finished fourth on the tenth season of American Idol. Durbin seems to be a good fit as he is trying to add his own style to the classic songs from the band’s catalog. Continue reading →

Concert Review
Gowan
Scotiabank Convention Centre
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Thursday December 7, 2017
Photos:Joseph Suto

Lawrence Gowan recently rounded up his troops for a small string of sold-out shows in his native Canada. The tour culminated with a sold out affair at the Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls Thursday evening. The show was his first solo show in Niagara since 2012. Joining him were his brother Larry Gowan on bass, guitarist Bob McAlpine, keyboardist Ryan Bovaird, background vocals Sate and his fellow Styx mate Todd Sucherman on drums. Continue reading →

Concert Review
Todd Rundgren
Rapids Theatre
Niagara Falls, NY
Monday November 20, 2017
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

The iconic Todd Rundgren returned to the area Monday evening as he played the Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls. It had been just six months since his prior visit in May. The show was just the 2nd date of his 2nd leg of the White Knights tour. Although the shows were different legs of the same tour there were many differences between them. In other words, anyone who decided to sit through the show again may have enjoyed it even more so this time around. If you missed both shows shame on you. Continue reading →