Nothing but a Good Time, Poison Concert Review (June 2011)

The crew getting the stage ready for Poison's performance

The Molson Canadian Amphitheatre in Toronto was barely half full as the opening band of the evening, The New York Dolls played their set.  This was too bad because they were deinitely worth listening too as well.  As soon as they were done, the crew hit the stage and began preparing for Poison’s show and the seats all began to fill quickly.  The first thing displayed was a huge curtain behind the stage with a large Poison logo on it.  As soon as it was unveiled the waiting crowd gave a large ovation.  There was a catwalk behind Rikki Rocket’s drum set with two large silver 25's on either side commemorating the anniversary of the band.  Along the front of the catwalk other various Poison images were also displayed. 

Once all was ready the crew left the stage and we waited.  The background music was turned up and it was obvious we were moments away.  Guns n’ Roses Welcome to the Jungle and ACDC’s Highway to Hell were the two songs played as the anticipation grew.  When the music stopped someone walked on the stage with their face covered in some sort of bandana or ski mask.  With a can of spray paint he then wrote “Toronto” on one base drum and “Canada eh” on the other.  He pulled down his mask revealing that it was none other than Poison drummer Rikki Rocket.  A large ovation from the now capacity crowd and everyone rose to their feet.  Guitarist CC Deville and bassist Bobby Dall then emerged and for those familiar with Poison’s music the first few chords of The Valley of Lost Souls from the Flesh and Blood album were played.  Only the first few though as they quickly switched to Look What The Cat Dragged In, the title track from their debut release, with still no vocalist Bret Michaels on stage.   Moments into the song there was the first explosion and display of fireworks of the night and Bret appeared emerging up through the centre of the catwalk being slowly elevated and proclaiming in rock and roll fashion “Torontooooo”!

Throughout the evening there were plenty of fire works and explosions as the band energetically played through most of their hits in a set that lasted for about an hour.  And energetic they were!  All of them moved around the stage similar to what they may have done in their twenties and they definitely won the crowd over.  Bret addressed the crowd several times throughout the performance. He appeared humble as he thanked everyone for allowing them to spend 25 years playing their music together.  He also acknowledged his recent health problems and stated he recognized his is lucky to be alive and doing what he loves to do. 

It was a very fun show.  Poison were one of the ultimate party bands back in the day and that atmosphere was recreated for their time on stage as everyone often sang along and danced to the music.  It was a great atmosphere all round, the band appeared to he having a blast and we were right there with them.  That’s what it’s all about.

As their time on stage drew to close we were treated to three more of their signture songs.  Third from last was their biggest hit and one of the best sing along moments of the night, Every Rose has its Thorne.  The first half of the song was just Bret, his acoustic guitar and the crowd.  After the first chorus there were more explosions, fireworks and the rest of the band joined in.  Talk Dirty to Me and Nothing But a Good Time closed out the night.  The band left the stage to a huge ovation.  They sounded great and had fantastic stage presence.  What a night!!  And Motley Crue were yet to even take to the stage.  Stay tuned for my full recollection of that phase of the night.

Poison Setlist

Look What the Cat Dragged In, I Want Action, Ride the Wind, Your Mama Don’t Dance, (CC Deville guitar solo), Fallen Angel, Unskinny Bop, (Rikki Rocket drum solo), Every Rose has its Thorne, Talk Dirty to Me, Nothing but a Good Time.

Happy Canada Day!!

Sipping an early morning coffee on July 1st, Canada Day.  I flew home yesterday evening after spending most of the week in Toronto, Ontario.  I have much to write about including the rock and roll circus that was the New York Dolls, Poison and Motley Crue.  If you like the rock and roll spectacle type of show (which I do!), then this was that to the max.  I am going to write about each band’s performance separately and hope to do so in the next few days.

For now it’s off for some cool beverages and bbqing to celebrate this country’s birthday.  In honour of Canada here is a list of some of my own personal favourite Canadian acts:

Rush (prog rockers have been together over 30 years, currently on tour and I still haven’t seen them)

The Guess Who (one of the first Canadian bands to strike it big outside of the country)

Blue Rodeo (bit of rock, country and folk blended together, this band is a household name in Canada)

Great Big Sea (folk/rock band makes infectious music, great vocal harmonies and one put off one of the most energetic live performances I have ever seen)

Neil Young (Canadian legend needs know introduction)

Our Lady Peace (formed in the early nineties this band has been putting out strong releases ever since)

The Tragically Hip (One of my all time favourites, read more thoughts about them clicking here on the (Original) Rock Brigade Blog)

Happy Canada Day!!

It's almost show time!

Well folks I am off for a brief vacation touching down in Canada’s largest city, Toronto. During my brief stay I will be taking in a major league baseball game watching my favourite Toronto Blue Jays take on the Pittsburgh Pirates.  And although I always welcome any opportunity to attend and enjoy a major league sporting event, more importantly I will also be taking in the New York Dolls, Poison and Motley Crue.

On an earlier post back on the (Original) Rock Brigade Blog I talked about the element of surprise being gone from concert events.  I find it hard not to snoop around Youtube or online concert reviews and as a result you can really get a feel for the whole show before you even get there.  It’s no trouble to find a setlist, what songs are turned into acoustic numbers, opening and close out tunes and any other surprises the event may have in store.

This time around I have purposely resisted all temptation to snoop.  And it’s been tough.  The boys from Motley Crue and Brett Michaels from Poison hit their Twitter accounts heavily with reviews, photos and other tidbits of information.  I want to experience this concert like I did in days before the Internet.  I want to be as surprised as I can be when I attend this show.

Assuming my plans go as planned I’ll be back after my trip to share the experiences with you all.  Until then – enjoy yourselves, summer is here!!

Some things to look forward to...

Over the past two years life has been crazy for me.  So crazy that I got away from doing this (blogging) and other simple pleasures that I normally enjoy.  My whole life I considered myself someone who was “in the know” on all things rock.  I followed religiously and passionately.  Then I got away from it all, not because I wanted to, just because circumstances forced me to.  Point being, things have now levelled off for me and I am again reading, listening, taking note of the rock world and enjoying resurrecting this blog once again.  So….if you (former reader) are reading again or are a new reader and have anything to recommend that I may have missed the last couple of years please let me know.  Having said that…here are couple things I am looking forward to and will be discussing in more detail right here soon.

If you read my first incarnation of this blog, which I now refer to as The (Original) Rock Brigade Blog, you will know of my affection for Def Leppard.  During my formable years ‘the Leps’reigned supreme and they have certainly worked their way back into the mainstream. They have performed with Tim Mcgraw and Taylor Swift.  They have also appeared on Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, Ellen, Dancing With the Stars and even made an appearance on The Celebrity Apprentice.  There are now about to release Mirrorball, a live album including three new tracks.  They have been asked many times about a live album and now finally it comes to light for the first time in their 30 plus years as a band.  It contains most of their hits and I am looking forwarding to hearing how it will all sound.  I am hoping with summer fast approaching that it will be a fun one to pop on when spending those warm evenings on the deck.  Included with this is a DVD containing concert and backstage footage.

I had the opportunity to see Def Leppard perform live twice, and was disappointed neither time.  I planned on touching down in Toronto some time this summer and noticed that Def Leppard were stopping there on their summer tour with supporting act Heart.  However, I opted out and decided to travel there when Motley Crue, Poison and The New York Dolls roll in on their summer tour.  

Back in the day (during my formable years) I also listened to Motley Crue and Poison religiously and continue to follow the careers of both.  I hesitate to mention that I even have tickets.  Plans, sometimes, someway, find a way to fall apart.  However, I have vowed not to become a pessimist and have my tickets for the big show.  This should be rock spectacle times 10.  It is being billed as Motley Crue’s 30th anniversary tour and Poison’s 25th.  Nikki Sixx keeps hyping the tour on his Twitter feed and he is making it sound like it is going to be a dandy.  Motley Crue actually had an online poll open for a while allowing fans to vote on their setlist.  I am hoping for a lot of the hits and standards with a few obscure ones thrown in since this is my first ever Crue show.  I do think it is a very cool idea to allow fans to have some direct input on the songs they will play.  Assuming everything works out and I am in Toronto for the show on June 28th  (optimistic optimistic) I will post detailed concert thoughts right here!

Stayed tuned!!