Wailing in West Virginia - The Wailers 7-28-13

Nothing like Reggae in Wild and Wonderful West Virginia. Last night's concert was a free one... which is always a good thing! Nevertheless, I was still super excited to see one of the biggest Reggae acts ever! So the night goes like this.... Front row, concert, set list, guitar pick, free soda and won $30.50 at the slots. Who can argue with that?

Here's the set list:

Although to my dismay, they didn't do Could You Be Loved. That's probably my favorite Bob Marley song. They sounded really good. The one original member, the bassist was all the way in the back. Despite only having one original member, they were a talented group of musicians. The drummer had so much energy and you could tell that he was loving what he was doing. The guitarist did a little bit Jamaican shredding too! I loved the singer. He really brought life to the songs.. plus he was easy on the eyes. I would definitely go see them again if they came my way. All in all, it was a really good time! The band members were super nice too. They came out and were greeting people and handing out set lists and autographing whatever you put in front of them. I was Jammin' all night long and even this morning when I got out of bed. :o)

Jah mon!

A History of the Eagles Live 7-23-13

Another classic band that I can add to my list of awesomeness. Yes... I actually have a list of all of the bands I've seen. The concert last night started out exciting when I promptly flicked a mentos at the guy in front of me when I couldn't get it out of the wrapper. You would've thought I tried to give him a wedgie or something... Talk about a death stare! Whatever dude! Plus the annoying wannabe idiots behind me that wanted to have a whole conversation about life during the concert. SHUT UP!! Do people really not get that some people actually enjoy listening to the band at a concert? I didn't pay to hear you talk. Ok, rants aside.

The way that the Eagles came out on stage was cool, I'll give them that. They came out one by one and the first song was just Don Henley and Glenn Fry. They did a whole "history of their music" thing which I appreciated.... however I was about to fall asleep. It was a very slow beginning. Their harmonies sounded great. Don Henley's voice was a little cracky but I think it was because of his douchey goatee. He should get rid of it immediately just in case. It was his birthday though so I supposed I'll give the guy a break. They did the first set and brought out their original bassist which was cool. Here's the set list:

Set 1:

1. Saturday Night     (Don Henley and Glenn Frey only)
2. Train Leaves Here This Morning    (Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Bernie Leadon)
3. Peaceful Easy Feeling (Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Bernie Leadon and Timothy B. Schmidt)
4. Witchy Woman   (Full band)
5. Doolin-Dalton
6. Tequila Sunrise
7. Doolin'-Dalton/Desperado (Reprise)
8. Already Gone
9. The Best of My Love
10. Lyin' Eyes
11. One of These Nights
12. Take It to the Limit

Set 2:

 

13. Wasted Time (Reprise)

14. Pretty Maids All in a Row

15. I Can't Tell You Why

16. New Kid in Town

17. Love Will Keep Us Alive

18. Heartache Tonight

19. Those Shoes

20. In the City (Joe Walsh song)

21. Life's Been Good (Joe Walsh song)

22. The Long Run

23. Funk #49 (James Gang cover)

24. Life in the Fast Lane

 

Encore:

25. Hotel California

 

Encore 2:

26. Take It Easy

27. Rocky Mountain Way (Joe Walsh song)

29. Desperado

 

 

So you can see, they put on quite a show as far as the set list goes. Maybe if I was an Eagles super fan, I might have appreciated all of the beginning acoustic songs but I preferred the second half of the set where Joe Walsh plugged in and showed off what a guitar god he really is. Hotel California live was pretty freaking sweet and I loved Those Shoes. Now I can say that I've seen the Eagles and don't get me wrong, I had a blast and they sounded great but I don't think I'll be seeing them again any time soon.

Lynyrd Skynyrd & Bad Company 7-14-13 The XL Tour

3 concerts in 3 days.... maybe I'm crazy...yes, I probably am...but damn what a good time! Jiffy Lube Live.... I hate you but you keep coming up with awesome shows so I have to keep coming. I couldn't miss this one. It was the 40th anniversary of both bands. We bought lawn seats and found a deal on the way in the gate where you could upgrade to actual seats for $10 a ticket... right on! That was one of Jiffy Lube's few redeeming qualities. This was quite the people watching event. Rat tails, mullets, ladies in clothes that probably fit them 20 years ago, men without shirts that really should've rethought that option. I love people watching! After shelling out mega bucks for a hot dog, fries and a drink and of course 2 t-shirts, we found our seats and got ready for a  kick ass rock show.

Bad Company: This was my 3rd Bad Company concert. I was so excited to see them again because they always put on an awesome show. Last night was no exception. Paul Rodgers sounded excellent although he looked a little Chuck Norris-y. Not that there's anything wrong with that ::insert Chuck Norris joke here:: Here's their set list:

1. Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy
2. Burnin' Sky
3. Run With the Pack
4. Feel Like Makin' Love
5. Gone, Gone, Gone
6. Electricland
7. Ready for Love
8. Honey Child
9. Movin' On
10. Shooting Star 
11. Can't Get Enough

Encore:   Bad Company

 

My only complaint was that they should've played longer. They sounded so tight and the audience was loving them. I wanted to hear "Silver Blue and Gold" but nobody asked me when they made their set list. I can't wait to see them again!

 

 

Lynyrd Skynyrd: This was my first time seeing Lynyrd Skynyrd. I wasn't expecting anything great because they were just the bonus to seeing Bad Company but I was very impressed. Plus I was super excited to find out that their drummer used to drum for Damn Yankees! I'm a huge Styx/Tommy Shaw fan so I was geeking out! No crazy stage show or anything for Lynyrd Skynyrd, just raw rock and roll. Who can argue with that? I know that most people argue that they band only has one original member in it but when 99% of your band dies in a plane crash, someone has to keep the music going. These guys were a good fit and seemed to have good chemistry.

 The set list:

1. What's Your Name
2. Call Me the Breeze
3. I Ain't the One
4. Down South Jukin'
5. That Smell
6. You Got That Right
7. Saturday Night Special
8. I Know a Little
9. Simple Man
10. Mississippi Kid
11. Gimme Three Steps
12. Sweet Home Alabama

 

Encore:   Free Bird

 

No "Tuesday's Gone" or "Gimmie Back My Bullets"?? Again, I was not consulted... But they put on a great show which produced many Hell Yeah! moments and a few audience sing a longs that gave me chills. Plus I got to yell FREE BIRD!! at a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert where it was actually appropriate! They frown on that at high school band concerts.

 

Royal Teeth 7-13-13

Last night I got to see a really cool up and coming band called Royal Teeth. I heard about them on XM radio's Alt Nation and I really liked their sound. When I found out that they were going to be less than 30 minutes from my house, I jumped on the chance to see them live. I took my sister because she is a bit of a hipster like me.

The venue was in downtown Frederick along the creek. It was super small and the crowd wasn't very big yet. They had a benefit with other bands all day. They had food trucks with BBQ or BBQ or more BBQ or oysters.... umm... ok. We sat on some steps and had a great view.

Royal Teeth played a pretty short set but it was an awesome one. They had lots of drums, a tambourine and a ukulele. They had a ton of energy and their songs are super catchy. Their most well- known song is called "Wild". They might not be everyone's thing but they are my thing and I can see them going big places! I was super impressed with the guy in the band that played synth with his right hand and drummed with his left hand and sand.... talk about talent. I can's even drum with two hands and talk at the same time. Mad respect!

The cool thing about seeing bands like this just starting out is that you can meet them, get autographs and actually talk to them and they are EXCITED that you want to buy their cd or their shirts. Some bands get so big and they forget that they had to start small and were excited to sell their merch and give autographs at one point. I'd go see this band again in a heartbeat but the next time they come around here, they will probably be playing much bigger venues!

 

Sir Paul Across The Pond 7-12-13

Paul McCartney.....former Beatle, member of Wings, teen idol and now the latest notch on my concert pole.

I got tickets for my mom to go see Paul McCartney for mother's day... best daughter ever, I know. She's not the excitable type and neither is my Dad... makes me wonder who my real parents are... only kidding.. She was pretty excited for this concert though and I was beyond excited. We rode the metro to the Nationals stadium in Washington DC and despite the threat of rain we lucked out and it didn't rain after the concert started.

Here's the set list:

Eight Days a Week
Junior's Farm
All My Loving
Listen to What the Man Said
Let Me Roll It
Paperback Writer
My Valentine
Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five
The Long and Winding Road
Maybe I'm Amazed
Hope of Deliverance
Another Day
And I Love Her
Here Today
Your Mother Should Know
Lady Madonna
All Together Now
Mrs. Vandebilt
Eleanor Rigby
Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!
Something
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Band on the Run
Hi, Hi, Hi
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Let It Be
Live and Let Die
Hey Jude

Encore:

Day Tripper
Lovely Rita
Get Back

Encore 2:

Yesterday
Helter Skelter
Golden Slumbers
Carry That Weight
The End

 Not bad for a 71 year old! That's 38 songs and 2 encores!!! Granted, most of the Beatles songs are fairly short but wow!! He exceeded all expectations. One of my favorite moments of the night was when he did "Hey Jude" and a whole stadium full of people sang along... goosebumps!!! It was a bittersweet concert too though. He did a tribute to John Lennon, George Harrison and Linda McCartney. It's sad to think that he has lost so many friends in his lifetime. They were heartfelt and genuine tributes and they made me wish that I could've seen the Beatles in their prime.

One of my other favorite moments was when they played "Live and Let Die". It was all flash and I love flash. Fire, lights and fireworks and a kick ass song! Paul's voice was giving out a little bit on the high notes but I think it was maybe from strain and not because he has lost any ability. All in all, I think this was the concert to beat. Best one I've seen hands down. Paul played acoustic guitar and piano and even a ukulele and it was him, the instrument and the audience. It was a beautiful thing!