With so many local bands playing numerous different shows, it’s definitely hard to keep up with them all. Luckily, I was able to hit up two amazing shows in the fourth week of August. An ultimate rock duo, Poison and Cinderella were the first bands I encountered the night of August 23 at the House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach, SC. Joining up this summer for their 20th year Anniversary tour, these two bands sounded better than ever! To catch all you non-80’s kids up, Cinderella was a hard rock band from Pennsylvania that was discovered in a bar by another rock icon Jon Bon Jovi. Eventhough they have not released an album since 1999, Cinderella reglorified their original works once more to the enthused packed crowd. Unleashing the hits like “Nobody’s Fool”, “Don’t Know What You Got (Til It’s Gone)”, and “Gypsy Road” kept the house rocking. Only some soft aging, a little less big hair, and more time-ridden gruff in the voice are the distinctions that have evolved for the band and lead singer Tom Keifer as he belted out the tunes to “Night Moves”. No doubt these rocker guys still have the capability of pleasing a crowd with the honed deliverance of the chart-topping melodies they have perfected over the years.
Seeing the word “Poison”, I am sure I do not have to clue you in on this being one of the most renowned hair bands of the 80’s. As soon as the enormous backdrop over the stage fell exposing that infamous band name outlined in red, the crowd went crazy! It did not take long for Bret Michaels, C.C. DeVille, Rikki Rockett, and Bobby Dall to grace the stage. Bret, with his usual stylings of torn jeans and bandana topped by a cowboy hat, started the high-octane performance with “Look What the Cat Dragged In”. Knowing exactly what the audience demanded, they quickly fired out “I Want Action”, “Fallen Angel”, “Unskinny Bop”, and “Every Rose Has Its Thorn”. Bret and C.C. together onstage correlating their usual brandish behaviors was an undeniable surreal experience. You never would have thought that these two were once at odds. I believe the tradeoff came into play as C.C. was allowed to have control of the stage and mic for one song. A song that he likes to entertain with called “I Hate Every Bone In Your Body But Mine.” Soon Poison were all back on stage letting loose with “Talk Dirty to Me”. Had you been there yourself, you would have seen the heads banging, arms in the air, and song belted out by all. By “all” I mean, young and old. Of course, the term “old” not resounding too offensively. As soon as we stepped onto the brick courtyard leading to the building entrance, the generation gap doubled. Some hardcore-rocker men looking like they had just dusted off their leather pants in attempt to get back those fonder years of sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll were smoothly making their way into the scene. Once or twice I caught sight of those female groupies still sporting fashionably challenged, high-teased bangs made synonymous during that time. There were the usual 20-somethings ready to engage in the powerasmic classic rock and a few younger kids some parents had dragged along with them in order to pass down that tradition of rockology.
It is those individuals that keep the legend of rock-n-roll alive. It is those faces that stood out in the crowd to the point that Bret Michaels was compelled to speak a few words in between songs. Pointing to a few of them while stating out loud he recognized them from after-show signings, hanging out on the tour bus, or making the continuous tour trek with the band. Along with the rest of Poison, he expressed their gratitude for making the past 20 years of their thunderous road down rock-n-roll history memorable.
 

    Now as I had mentioned earlier, I went to two amazing shows that week. The second show being held at the Northwoods Tavern in Jacksonville, NC on August 25. I headed to that not-so-distant city to catch my guy friends Revelation Theory headlining the show. To my great surprise, I found Far From Nowhere playing the stage when I arrived that night. Far from Nowhere is a local rock band from New Bern, NC comprised of Shawn Mitchell, Sarah Sydow, Wick, and Brad Newman. This band rocks out with their amplified riffs and overdrive vocals. It is no wonder they have been selected to be in the running competition for the new TV show Star Tomorrow. Far From Nowhere received a call from NBC informing them of their selection. Unknown to the band, the lead singer’s mother had sent in their music video after the deadline. Even though the producer said it was not the criteria they required, NBC loved them. They were invited to L.A. to film an interview, performances and etc. As of right now, the band is in the middle of Round Two voting for the show competition. To drummer Sarah Sydow’s knowledge, this is the semi-finals. What the band asks from everyone is to visit StarTomorrow.com to cast your vote. If they win this round, Far From Nowhere will be in the Top 20. Please visit the website and help the band make it to the finals!! To get more information on the band’s progress, show dates, and the new 5 song EP they plan to release in the next month or two, go to www.myspace.com/farfromnowhere.
Taking the stage last was the New York-based band Revelation Theory. If you have ever had the chance to meet them, you will already know they are a few of the most down-to-earth and awesome guys that truly appreciate their dedicated fans from all over the U.S. After coming off tour with Buckcherry and taking a short break for a month, these guys are back on the road again. They stopped off in Jacksonville giving us the chance to rock out before heading west to catch up with Crossfade, Dropping Daylight and Mercy Fall. They pumped out fierce chords that carried the dynamic tunes over every newly-remodeled inch of Northwoods Tavern bringing several crowd bodies to start up a mosh pit. Revelation Theory powerfully effuses many of the songs from their current album titled “Truth is Currency” to a high degree of musical excellence. Check out their page at www.myspace.com/revelationtheory to find out more tour dates and info. They will be back in our area on September 28 at the Myrtle Beach House of Blues.
As always it was an exciting and crazy week of fulfilled rock-n-roll moments that can only be outdone within the coming weeks of more anticipated rock shows. Hopefully, I will run into many of you at the rock shows supporting our local friends!!!
 

OCTOBER 2006

SEPTEMBER 2006