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 Queensryche and Lita Ford Rock Music City By Michael Fischer, Writer, Cartoonist Thursday, November 19, 2009 @ 10:38 AM
Who can forget the first time you cracked open the plastic on Queensryches four song EP in 1982?
I remember setting the record needle on Queen of the Reich gazing at the black album cover with
Queensryches witch like gold and purple trimmed logo nice and big across the front of the record.
It was hypnotizing to look at the black and white band photo on the back of the album of these
young rocker kids. The debut EP was pure gold and the birth of one of pure rocks most silent
electric heros. In my opinion, Queensryche are one of the most underated rock bands of all time.
In their prime during the Operation Mindcrime era in the early 1990’s, no one could touch them.
It’s a personable experience to see a big arena band like Queensryche play a small club. Soon as
I heard they were playing the Cannery Ballroom it was a no brainer to go see them rip it up.
Revisiting Queensryche tonight on Veterans Day was appropriate because the band is touring in
support of their new record release entitled American Soldier. It is one of their heaviest
intellectual studio recordings since their work on Mindcrime. As writers and artist reflecting
on the times, Queensryche are definitely in the now. Yet they still maintain their signature
sound that put them on the Progressive Metal Map. Queensryche have endured many phases and still
remain true to the music.
Queensryche began the show at 8:30 pm and performed three album acts. 1986 classic Rage for
Order, their new record American Soldier and ending with Empire. They played non stop until
almost 11:00 pm with no intermisison.
Set List 11.11.09
Tonight's show was one of the most unusual formats I’ve seen a band pull off in a while. I am
used to seeing a couple bands play the typical opening and headliner sets. I was under the
impression Lita Ford was going to open as the support act with her own band. Instead she made
a brief three song appearance with Queensryche backing her half way through their set. It really
picked the crowd back up after the new material drew everyone into a purple haze. Queensryche
has never been a lets rock in your face style of act. They let Geoff carry the performance and
the band just concentrates on playing instead of playing to the crowd. Lita Ford shoved a huge
iron in the crowd and got everyone all riled back up. Queensryche is high energy, but not a high
energy Hollywood Rock Show. Their unique brand of pure rock is dynamic and creeps up on you from
all angles. Geoff Tate joining Lita on Close my eyes Forever singing Ozzy's part was really cool.
Lita ripped a nice guitar harmony solo with Michael Wilton. Lita came out and really stirred the
crowd up before Queensryche finished them off with several tunes off Empire to close out the show.
Queensryche was one of the first heavy metal bands to attract a large female crowd which makes
it great to go to one of their concerts. Chicks all go goo goo over Geoff Tate. My ex girlfriend
was such a huge Geoff Tate fanatic, the day of their show in 1986, she totaled her car on the
way to the concert, and still managed to get to the show bruised and in a neck brace singing
along to every song challenging Metallica fans. Now that's a dedicated fan!
There were several comical things during the show. Like the 300 pound marine who was actually
Geoff's bodyguard coming out to salute the crowd to start the American Soldier portion of the
set. Nuns have been replaced with the US Army this tour. Most hilarious thing ever is next seeing
that huge guy back up singing with Geoff on Sliver the first song. It’s was almost like Queens RAP
than Queensryche. I thought “Damn, Geoff Tate has his own posse now like Snoop Dogg!” That
surprise almost tossed the crowd into a rubix cube trying to figure out “Who is that big guy
on stage?” Since Queensryche doesn't aggressively play directly to the crowd, their material
themes just add to the show visuals. Although the band has always had a mysterious quiet image.
Queensryche’s music is the true character always. They demand all your soul, heart and attention
as a listener.
Like most of us as we get older and wiser with time. Queensryche has grown far from their days
of the polished glam metal set. They are more lose and in the moment now live soaking up
their time to perform for you. They are no longer just a heavy metal act unless they formated themselves
that way. Queensryche delivered such an incredible performance with their Operation Mindcrime
tour. You can rest assure they are going to keep the video screens and stage actors to add some
theater element to the show. I like the format they performed tonight considering I’ve seen all
their other tours. The new guitarist on the white Les Paul did a really good job tonight. The Rage
for Order set was really good and it gives you goose bumps hearing songs like I will Remember
live. I wore the shit out of that cassette tape back in the glory days. Geoff did break out a
Saxaphone and electronic horn a couple times during the show tonight. Obviously singing is not
enough. He’s no Miles Davis, but at least he hit the notes in key and he didn’t play a tambourine.
I would have left. I’m more of a fan of the heavy dueling guitar Queensryche, but if Geoff wants
to play Earth, Wind and Fire. Eddie Jackson and Michael Wilton will have to get their 1982 afro
hair doos back.
I have to mention Geoff Tate brought his young daughter out on stage tonight to duet a song with him
on the new record. Being most of us are fathers with kids at home and going to concerts with mom
and dad. It was touching and pretty heavy in meaning considering the song was about war hero’s.
Great father and daughter moment. Who knows, she could be the new Heavy Metal Hannah Montana?
Geoff's voice sounded excellent. You can tell he’s a little parched from the road when he talks
to the crowd. He nailed all of the old material and only cheated where professional. They had a
new keyboard player and they did do some vocal sampling. It makes the songs sound like the
record live. But it would be really cool if Queensryche all sang harmonies live like Kings X or
Uriah Heep. Tate pulls off his lead vocals, so as long as he’s not lip sinking, I still respect
the bands performance.
The show really smoked! Great sound. Guitars were loud and thick, and you could feel the subs
and kick drums right in your chest. Light show was nothing special, just some colored large par
cans in front and back. It’s a club show, so they didn’t really spend anything on effects and
visuals other than the video screen. Queensryche sounded really good. They got louder and became
better as the show went on until they really milked it at the end with Empire.
The fact they didn't play any hits off Mindcrime to keep the crowd in stitches reveals a lot
about the character of this band. You can say what you want about Queensryche, but it’s like
Geoff Tate said on stage when he thanked and toasted the fans with a glass of red wine.
He said “I’m doing this for the music and to keep the spirit of the music alive.” Queensryche
has been touring the world since the 1980’s and has played well over 80 different countries,
they couldn’t do that without their loyal fans and followers.
It’s a rare treat anytime you have a chance to see bands of this caliber play in a small venue.
There is nothing more kick ass than seeing Queensryche play Screaming in Digital in a club. And
on Veterans Day the very same night the goober Country Music Awards are right down the street at
the Sommet Center. Taylor and Garth should have come by for a lesson in kicking ass.
Queensryche's American Soldier Tour is 5 star and well worth the $26.50 ticket!
 Send your live reviews to submissions@knac.com
goin-blind - 11/28/2009 6:15:03 PM
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