INsite Austin: 2014

Thursday, December 4, 2014

INsiteHindsite: Slayer and Exodus at Austin City Limits 11/18/14

Metal Reigns In ATX - Slayer and Exodus w/ Suicidal Tendencies

Photo By Scott Moore / Limelight Imaging

By Margy Moore

Hard rock was on the menu at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater on November 18, 2014 when Slayer paid a visit to Austin as part of their fall tour with friends Exodus and Suicidal Tendencies. Mosh-pits and metal were the order of the night as the Grammy award winning heavy metal legends thrilled the sold out venue filled with enthusiastic fans.

Slayer had some lineup changes in 2013, including the passing of founding member Jeff Hanneman, and the firing of founding member, drummer Dave Lombaro. Slayer is now comprised of bassist/vocalist Tom Araya, guitarists Kerry King and Gary Holt, and drummer Paul Bostaph.

Photo By Scott Moore / Limelight Imaging

Slayer played a selection of both old and new numbers during their set, keeping the multi-age audience very happy. During their performance of “Angel Of Death” a new backdrop was revealed honoring Hanneman, who actually penned the song. The audience responded with a standing ovation and raised metal horns.

Opening on the night was Exodus with guitarists Gary Holt and Lee Altus, vocalist Steve Souza, bassist Jack Gibson, and drummer Tom Hunting. Souza successfully performed his job as a warm-up act by encouraging the audience to form a mosh pit.

Exodus was followed by another high-energy band, Suicidal Tendencies. Their lineup includes vocalist Mike Muir, guitarists Dean Pleasants and Nico Santora, bassist Michael Morgan, and drummer Thomas Pridgen. This hardcore group was successful in keeping up the moshing going until Slayer took the stage.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

INsite Hindsite: Austin City Limits Music Festival - Ziker Park - 10/10-12/14

2014 Austin City Limits Music Festival
October 10-12, 2014
Photographs by Scott Moore/ Limelight Imaging

ACL Fest - Weekend 2

Bleachers

Childish Gambino

A Fire Inside

Outkast

Tommy Stinson of The Replacements

Paul Westerberg of The Replacements

St. Vincent

Beck

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Chicago And REO Speedwagon Rock N Roll In The Cedar Park Center

Chicago And REO Speedwagon Rock N Roll In The Cedar Park Center

Photography by Scott Moore/ Limelight Imaging

By Margy Moore

What could be better than an evening listening to one of the greatest rock bands of all time playing the hits you grew up listening to? How about a second legendary band from the same era playing even more great hits during the same show. That was the case on August 27, 2014 as the one and only Chicago was joined on tour by the equally extraordinary REO Speedwagon for an evening of hit after glorious hit performed on the stage of the Cedar Park Center, just outside of Austin, Texas.

REO Speedwagon

REO Speedwagon was formed in 1967 in Champaign, Illinois by keyboardist Neal Doughty and has been fronted by vocalist Kevin Cronin since 1972. Over the years, the band has sold more than 40 million records and charted 13 Top 40 hits. Some of their greatest hits have included "Keep On Loving You," Can't Fight This Feeling," "Take It On The Run," and "Don't Let Him Go."

Photography by Scott Moore/ Limelight Imaging

While the band members have varied quite a bit over the years, the sound and songs are still pure REO Speedwagon and the decidedly baby-boomer-aged audience at the Cedar Park was happily transported back to their younger years as they sang along to a great assortment of songs. The band currently consists of lead vocalist/guitarist Kevin Cronin, keyboardist Neal Doughty, guitarist Dave Amato, bassist Bruce Hall, and drummer Bryan Hitt.

SETLIST:
Don't Let Him Go
Music Man
Take It On The Run
Keep Pushing
Can't Fight This Feeling
In Your Letter
That Ain't Love
Tough Guys
Whipping Boy
Time For Me To Fly
Back On The Road Again

Chicago

Chicago was formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois by Walter Parazaider, Terry Kath, Danny Seraphine, James Pankow, Lee Loughnane, and Robert Lamm as "The Big Thing." After signing to a label, the band’s name was changed to Chicago Transit Authority, which was later shortened to simply Chicago. Chicago is one of the most successful rock groups of all time and one of the world's best-selling groups, having sold more than 100 million records. During their storied career, Chicago has produced 5 number-one albums and 21 Top 10 singles including "Colour My World," "Saturday In The Park," "You're The Inspiration," "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?," and "25 or 6 to 4."

The list of members has changed some since their early days in Chicago, but the band still possesses an incredibly strong core of four original group members including keyboardist/vocalist Robert Lamm, trumpeter/vocalist Lee Loughnane, trombonist/vocalist James Pankow, and saxophonist Walter Parazaider. Also performing with Chicago are bassist/vocalist Jason Scheff, guitarist/vocalist Keith Howland, keyboardist Lou Pardini, drummer Tris Imboden, and percussionist Walfredo Reyes, Jr.

The appreciative audience at the Cedar Park Center was privileged to hear a great many of this legendary band's hits during this performance.

SETLIST:
Make Me Smile
So Much To Say, So Much To Give
Anxiety's Moment
Colour My World
West Virginia Fantasies
Question 67 and 68
Dialogue (Part I and II)
Now
You're The Inspiration
Beginnings
I'm A Man
Street Player
Just You 'n' Me
Hard To Say I'm Sorry/Get Away
Saturday In The Park
Feelin' Stronger Every Day

Combined Forces

Chicago and REO Speedwagon were label mates in the 1970s, but had never toured together before this summer. There was no evidence to this fact as the chemistry seemed just right when the bands joined forces for an extraordinary encore performance featuring music from both bands’ catalogs. This special finale thrilled the audience of classic rock music fans as the vocalists and musicians for these two fabled groups mixed their members and sounds on stage to create a magical experience.

ENCORE SETLIST:
REO's Ridin' The Storm
Chicago's Free
REO's Keep On Loving You
Chicago's Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
REO's Roll With The Changes
Chicago's 25 or 6 to 4

Thursday, July 31, 2014

The End of An Era: Mötley Crüe - The Final Tour

The End of An Era: Mötley Crüe, The Final Tour

Photo by Scott Moore/ Limelight Imaging

By Margy Moore

After 30 plus years together and over 80 million albums sold, the iconic rock and roll band Mötley Crüe announced their retirement. With drummer Tommy Lee explaining “Everything must come to an end” the band has begun their “All Bad Things Must Come To An End” Tour. The tour, which started on July 2 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, made its 10^th stop on the 70-date farewell tour at the Cedar Park Center, in Cedar Park, Texas, a suburb of Austin.

Opening the evening were the high-energy duo, The Raskins. Twin brothers, Logan and Roger Raskin, produce an interesting sound, a blend of rock, metal, and punk. Although most of the audience did not know there would be a third act performing until 15 minutes before show time, the band was well received by the audience and they probably earned some new fans.

Photo by Scott Moore/ Limelight Imaging

Touring with Mötley Crüe, and possibly the reason many fans chose to attend this show, was the legendary “Godfather of Shock Rock,” Alice Cooper. During his 50 minute set of 13 songs, the now 66 year old Cooper performed several of his greatest hits including “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” “Under My Wheels,” “Billion Dollar Babies,” and “The Ballad of Dwight Fry.” Alice was in great voice and the set was a great, full show complete with costume changes, props, pyro and choreographed numbers.

Photo by Scott Moore/ Limelight Imaging

During “Feed My Frankenstein,” Alice was “transformed” into a giant Frankenstein monster puppet. Not one to disappoint his fans, Cooper’s props also included a boa constrictor for “Welcome To My Nightmare”, a bloody crutch, and a guillotine. Alice closed out his set with an audience pleasing sing along to “School’s Out.” This set was pure Alice Cooper and the fans loved it.

While Alice Cooper was no mediocre opening act, Mötley Crüe was the true headliner of the evening, performing a two-hour set and thrilling the sold out crowd with fan favorites. Many fans had seen online that Tommy Lee’s trademark 360 degree drum solo routine had been extended to a roller coaster for most shows. Unfortunately, the Cedar Park Center couldn’t support the entire coaster, but fans were still thrilled with Tommy’s hanging-from-the-rafters solo.

Photo by Scott Moore/ Limelight Imaging

The voice of lead singer, 53 year old Vince Neil, was in good form this night, coming through and hitting those high notes. Guitarist Mick Mars added plenty of killer riffs to the night including those for “Dr. Feelgood.” Overall, fans were pleased with the group’s “do it our way” attitude show. After a rocky start at some of the earlier stops, the Cedar Park show seemed to go off without major problems. Fans were treated to performances of songs like “Live Wire,” “Too Fast For Love,” “Shout At The Devil,” and “Girls, Girls, Girls.”

Most of the show was filled with tons of lights, lasers, smoke and fire. Fireworks, flash bombs, and Nikki Sixx’s flamethrower bass helped to make this show one loud and electrifying event. For their encore, Mötley Crüe ended on a different note. The band exited the stage to reappear on a tiny, suspended stage in the center of the venue where they closed out the night with their 1985 ballad “Home Sweet Home.”

Boston’s Heaven On Earth Tour Touches Down In Central Texas

Boston’s Heaven On Earth Tour Touches Down In Central Texas

Photo By Scott Moore / Limelight Images

By Margy Moore

The Cedar Park Center, in the Austin suburb of Cedar Park, Texas, played host to some good old-time Rock and Roll on July 20 when Boston and their tour mates, Night Ranger, performed for an enthusiastic crowd of fans. Long-time fans of both bands had high hopes for an entertaining evening of music and they weren’t disappointed by these veteran acts.

Night Ranger was first on the stage. They quickly claimed the audience’s attention as guitarists Joel Hoekstra and Brad Gillis showcased their phenomenal guitar skills and front man, bassist Jack Blades lead vocals on “Touch of Madness.”

After that, drummer Kelly Keagy took over the lead on “Swing Me Away.” From that point on, the audience was as much a part of the band as the actual members, singing along for 50 minutes to many of Night Ranger’s mega hits. The audience’s participation fit well with the band’s high-energy performance, as Hoekstra, Gillis and Blades freely moved across the stage gratefully smiling at the crowd. Blades, one of the founding members of Damn Yankees, lead the band in covers of “High Enough” and “Coming of Age.” Other songs performed included “Four in the Morning,” “High Road,” “Eddie’s Comin’ Out Tonight,” “When You close Your Eyes,” and “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me.” After the rest of the band left the stage, drummer Kelly Keagy and keyboardist Eric Levy began a subdued intro to “Sister Christian.” The rest of the band rejoined them for a powerful finish and the closing number for the night, “(You Can Still) Rock In America.”

After Night Ranger got the audience pumped for some rock and roll, Boston took over the night. Boston is currently on tour in support of their long-awaited 6th studio album, “Live, Love and Hope,” which was released last year. This was the first album released since the 2007 death of the band’s lead singer Brad Delp.

While the band has numerous illustrious members since the release of their first album 38 years ago, Boston is still lead by founding member, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter and producer Tom Schulz. Boston’s new lead singer, Tommy DeCarlo, did a good job as the band performed hit after hit including “Rock and Roll Band,” “Smokin’,” “It’s Been Such A Long Time,” “Don’t Look Back,” “Amanda,” and “More than A Feeling.” Along with the classic Boston hits, the band also added “Life, Love and Hope” and “Last Day of School” from their latest album. During “Walk On,” American Idol Season 9 finalist Siobhan Magnus sang lead vocals. In all, the set consisted of twenty-two great tracks that satisfied Boston’s classic rock and roll fan base.

Joining Schulz and DeCarlo on tour are 28-year Boston member Gary Pihl on guitar and vocals, Kimberley Dahme on rhythm guitar and vocals, and Tracy Ferrie on bass and vocals. The drumming duties on tour are being split between veteran Boston drummers Jeff Neal and Curly Smith, with Neal handling the first leg of the tour and Smith the second.

Boston’s Heaven On Earth Tour will continue across the United States through September 5. While the opening acts have varied from .38 Special to Night Ranger to The Doobie Brothers and Cheap Trick, you can be sure you will be able to hear some great old Rock and Roll at any of Boston’s tour stops.

Setlist:

1. Rock and Roll Band

2. Smokin’

3. Feelin’ Satisfied

4. Last Day of School

5. Life, Love and Hope

6. Peace of Mind

7. It’s Been Such A Long Time

8. Cool The Engines

9. Surrender To Me

10. Don’t Look Back

11. Something About You

12. Amanda

13. The Launch

14. More Than A Feeling

15. Instrumental – Tom Schulz guitar solo

16. A New World

17. To Be A Man

18. Walk On – with Siobhan Magnus on lead vocals

19. Get Oran-ized

20. Walk On (Some More)

21. Foreplay/ Long Time

22. Encore: Party

Saturday, July 19, 2014

INsite Hindsite - Mötley Crüe and Alice Cooper 7/15/14

INsite Hindsite

Mötley Crüe and Alice Cooper

w/ The Raskins

Cedar Park Center

Cedar Park, Texas

July 15, 2014.

Photos by Scott Moore w/ Limelight Imaging

Alice Cooper - Photo by Scott Moore

Mötley Crüe - Photo by Scott Moore

The Raskins - Photo by Scott Moore

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

INsite Hindsite: The Banner Year Reunion Show w/ The Awful Lot, The Badnotes, Madmartigan and Burn Ban 6/20/14

After almost 5 long years away, The Banner Year took the stage at the Red Eyed Fly on Friday, June 20th. INsite was there to catch the show.

After almost 5 long years away, The Banner Year took the stage at the Red Eyed Fly on Friday, June 20th.

Photos by Sean Claes for INsite Magazine

The Banner Year - 12midnight
The Awful Lot - 11:00pm
The Badnotes - 10:00pm
Madmartigan - 9:00pm
Burn Ban - 8:00pm

Burn Ban

Madmartigan

The Bad Notes

The Awful Lot

The Banner Year

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

INsite Hindsite - 2014 Vans Warped Tour - San Antonio

The 2014 Warped Tour - San Antonio - June 14, 2014

INsite sent 2 photographers to Warped Tour and threw them in the pit for 8 hours.

This is what came back. Between the two, they caught 28 of the bands that made up this year's tour.

The bands we caught on camera include Survive This!, Stray From The Path, Issues, Chelsea Grin, Against The Archaic, The Devil Wears Prada, Air Dubai, Yellowcard, Ice Nine Kills, Echosmith, Motionless In White, Saves The Day, Terror, Crown The King, Beebs and Her Money Makers, Falling In Reverse, Cute is what we aim for, ATTILA, Beartooth, Lionize, Chunk! No Captain Chunk!, Every Time I Die, Less Than Jake, The World Alive, We The King, For Today, Icon For Hire and Breathe Carolina.

Photos by Sean Claes (SC) and Dave Prewitt (DP)