Ted Nugent.....The Motor City Madman!

Show Date 8-23-2010

What is there to say about Mr. Nugent other then WOW! The man has more energy then most 20 year olds. This was my fourth time to see Uncle Ted, one of those time's was with the Damn Yankee's back in '91 in Eugene, Oregon.

Ted and his band hit the stage rocking to a heavy, riff filled guitar version of the Star Spangled Banner. This definitely set the agenda for the rest of the evening, MADNESS! There was a couple of songs played from his latest release but, Uncle Ted focused more on many of the old favorites from his extensive catalog like Free For All, Fred Bear, Strangle Hold and Great White Buffalo, which was the show closer. This by far was the best show I had seen him perform, which was very welcomed!

Ted Nugent - Roseland Theater - Portland, Oregon





Michael Schenker Group.....Attack Of The Mad Axeman

Show Date: 8-12-2010

I'm not a big fan of Dante's, the lighting isn't all that great for photo's and sometimes they tend to overdrive the PA. So, when I heard Michael Schenker was going to be performing there, I was a little disappointed. None the less, I contacted my friend Doug Doppler, who put me in touch with Wayne Findley (Michael's Guitar/keyboard player) and Wayne set me up with a photo pass for the show.

 

Dante's is a smaller venue in Portland and I was shocked to see when I arrived the line waiting to get inside. It stretched down the block and at one point, around the corner. With no photo pit in this venue, getting a pic was going to be next to impossible because of the crowd. As luck would have it though, I was able to over come my dilemma. There is two cat walks in the venue. So I spoke with the very beautiful and nice bartender, explained who I was and why I was there, and she gave me the green light to shoot from one of the cat walks. TOTALLY COOL!!!!

Michael and his band opened the show with Into the Arena. One of my most favorite instrumentals of the Hard Rock genre. The band continued on though the list of MSG tunes mainly focusing on the time frame when Gary Barden recorded with him (since he was singing on this tour). Highlight of the evening was getting to see the legendary Carmine Appice beat his drum's into submission. 

 

Because of the venue, this was not the best I had seen the band perform. Too many people for such a small venue, too small of stage and the PA, way too loud and overdriven. Hopefully the next time the band passes through Portland, there will be a better venue available.

 

Michael Schenker Group - Dante's - Portland, Oregon



Rush.....Take Off You Hoser

Show Date 8-7-2010

This was a highly anticipated photo shoot. It had taken five years for me to finally obtain a photo pass for one of Rush's show's. I was almost overwhelmed with excitement when I received the confirmation. In fact, I actually jumped up from my desk and started dancing after reading the email. A big thanks is owed to the Anthem Entertainment Group. If it wasn't for them, it would have never of happened!

I've seen the band perform ten times in the NW. So I knew what to expect from the stage production and sound. This tour was special though, they were performing the entire Moving Pictures album live. in order for the first time ever. Now how cool is that, VERY!

My son Kyle made the trek with me north to Auburn. That in itself was a great adventure. Highlight, plugging a leak in the windshield with bubble gum. Which is still there!

Rush hit the stage hard, opening up with Spirit of Radio, into Time Stands Still then, Presto. The band also gave us a couple of samples off of their latest studio album that is a work in progress. If those songs were a true example of what we should expect, the next Rush album is going to kick ass!

Even though I am a bit biased when it comes to Rush (Been a fan since 1977). This was the best concert I've seen in 2010. You know the old saying you get what you pay for...well, with this latest tour, you got the full meal deal!

Rush - White River Amphitheater - Auburn, Washington

Scorpions.....Rockin Oregon Like a Hurricane

Show Date: 8/6/2010