ASIA.....Reunion Tour

Show Date 9-7-2010

I had to really hustle to obtain a photo pass for this performance. It took several weeks of communication with Asia's PR people. Just a couple of days prior to the show, I received my photo pass confirmation. I wasn't too sure what to expect. It was all of the original members. Did they still have the chops? Well, they did! Asia's performance was one of the best show's I'd seen in 2010. They were actually a close second to Rush.

I was very surprised to find out that I was the only photographer that was allowed to cover the show. It was really cool having the freedom to roam the venue and explore all the different shooting possibilities. Was really nice, not having any restrictions for a change.

I have been a fan of Steve Howe since the late 70’s when he was with Yes. I've never had a chance to see him perform live though, over all these years for some reason. I guess the timing was never right until now. I’ve also been a fan of Carl Palmer ever since his days with Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

The first half of the show was songs off their latest album Omega. Even though I wasn't familiar with the songs, they were well arranged and sounded like classic Asia. The second half of the show was dedicated to all of their hit songs from the 80's. The crowd rose to their feet and stayed that way for the remainder of the show. The song that caught my attention the most, “Day’s Like These”. I was not expecting to hear it performed and I was pleasantly surprised when I did. The band totally got into the grove and had everybody dancing, including the security personnel.

Asia rocked Portland this night. For those of you who thought about going and didn't, you missed out on a great performance! I hope when the members of Asia re-form, they remember how well Portland, OR welcomed them.

Asia - Aladdin Theater - Portland, Oregon

Cinderella.....Headline Tour

Show Date 9-4-2010

I was fully expecting Cinderella to be the opening band this evening. It has been several years since the band had produced any new music and just as long for any live performances. So I was really surprised that they were headlining over Queensryche….WTF????

During the 80’s, I was listening to a totally different style of music, Progressive Rock. So I wasn’t really all that familiar with what Cinderella had to offer other then what I heard on MTV and the radio. I was willing to give them a fair shake though, especially after hearing on “That Metal Show” the band was actually really good and nothing like the bubble gum, rock songs (my own definition of that type of music) that was being played on the radio.

This was an outdoor show and September can be a goofy month for weather here in the NW. This year, the evenings were running on the cooler side of things.

Cinderella hit the stage strong and hard but, it was very obvious that there was a different sound engineer working the board. The sound wasn’t crisp and level as it was for Queensryche. In addition to the PA sound, Tom Keifer was experiencing some major technical difficulties with his guitar setup and stage mike. You could see the frustration in his face and he had his tech scrambling to fix the issue.

Even with the issue’s taking place, the band continued rocking it out hard. Fred Coury is a monster on the drum kit and I could actually feel the thump of his kick drum in my chest, as I was snapping my pix, WOW!

Jeff LaBar played to my camera nicely through the second song. His playing was very impressive. Unfortunately the PA sound hasn’t improved and Keifer’s rig was still giving him major grief.

By the time they started the third song, I have to honestly say, I wanted to finish up capturing my shot’s and make a bee line out of the venue.  The sound hadn’t improved at all, Keifer wasn’t looking none too happy up on stage and it was showing in the photos and, my overall impression of the performance was not good.

We all have days where things are just not hooking up. It happens sometimes. I’m sure on a different day in a different venue things were better. On this night sadly, it just wasn’t happening.

There is some amazing talent in this band. Hopefully in the future we really get to hear what they can offer.

Cinderella - Oregon Sate Fair - Salem, Oregon

Queensryche.....Rocks Oregon

Show Date 9-4-2010

This was my seventh time seeing Queensryche over the years. I've never been disappointed by any of their performance's and this show was no exception. From a photog's point of view I was excited. The show was being performed outdoors, and knew many of the images I was about to capture were going to be nice and sharp. A big thank you to Jeff Albright for providing the ticket's, photo pass and after show passes. Jeff is a great guy and has treated me very well over the last several years.

When I arrived at the amphitheater, Queensryche was just hitting the stage. Good thing I prepped my camera earlier in the day. I wasn't expecting them to be the opening act, that took me by surprise just a bit.

The band looked fresh and ready to rock, which they did. The sound engineer had a great mix and the PA level was perfect. Parker Lundgren, who is filling Chris Degarmo's shoes with the band, looked so much more comfortable up on stage then he had, the two previous times that I had seen the band.

The set was short, with a few tunes off of their latest album American Soldier and several others from the various other albums they have produced over the years. Highlight of the set, Jet City Woman. Its always cool to see the crowd get totally into a song, like they do with Jet City.

Queensryche - Oregon Sate Fair - Salem, OR