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.