CONCERT REVIEWS
  1977 1978 1979 1980
1981 1982 1983 1984

1985

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

HOME
HISTORY
HARD ROCK CAFE PINS
GUITAR PICKS
MEET N GREETS
MEMORABILIA
OBITUARIES
PLACES THAT ROCK
T-SHIRTS
VENUES
#148
Date January 10, 2003
City Indianapolis, IN
Venue Murat Center
Headline YELLOWJACKETS
Support Euge Groove
Ticket $32.00

Euge Groove is easily one of this generation's smooth jazz sax heroes. He's been nominated for Grammy's on both of his first two releases and he continues to impress me with his melodic and pop approach to jazz. As Yellowjackets saxophonist Bill Mintzer commented to the audience however, EG is a different brand of jazz than his Yellowjackets, who were exceptional if not a bit stiff on stage.

Meet & Greet: Euge Groove

YELLOWJACKETS
EUGE GROOVE


#149
Date February 02, 2003
City Indianapolis, IN
Venue Clowes Hall
Headline CHIEFTAINS
Support Allison Moorer
Ticket $26.00

Clowes Hall at Butler University is an acoustically superior venue to be sure. The legendary Chieftains made the afternoon concert very worthwhile, with plenty of celtic tradition, dance and song. Guest vocalist Allison Moorer performed along with the Chieftains.

THE CHIEFTAINS
ALLISON MOORER


#150
Date February 13, 2003
City Indianapolis, IN
Venue Murat Theatre
Headline PRETENDERS
Support All Mighty Senators
Ticket $30.00

Chrissie Hynde and her Pretenders were on target with a firm delivery of career spanning hits, including highlights from their latest album, Loose Screw, an obvious tongue in cheek reference to Hynde herself. The new album is quite good and her selection of songs from it were appropriate for the 30 or 40 something audience.

The All Mighty Senators are not on the verge of breaking as the newest rock sensation, but they were an interesting bunch from Baltimore. Fronted by a singer who seemed to take a few pages from Prince's book, AMS showed influences from pop and funk backgrounds.

Meet & Greet: All MIghty Senators

PRETENDERS
ALL MIGHTY SENATORS


         
#151        
Date April 26, 2003        
City Indianapolis, IN        
Venue Ramada Inn South      
Special Guest BRUCE KULICK
Ticket $25.00        

This was a new venue for the Kiss Expo Indy and the format was a little bit different, but the guest was the same Bruce Kulick, this time supporting his newest solo release, Transformer. Bruce of course handled the traditional Q&A, no doubt answering many of the same questions each year, asked by different fans, What was it like working with Gene? Why didn't they ask him to replace Ace in make-up? Would he have done it if they asked? etc. The guitar clinic was very good, as Kulick offered a number of live samples from his new studio release.

Meet & Greet: Bruce Kulick

 

#152        
Date May 19, 2003        
City New York, NY        
Venue Battery Park      
Headline SAMMY HAGAR and The Wabos
Ticket FREE        

Using rented equipment and without the benefit of time for a proper soundcheck, the sound had to be mixed and balanced on the fly. This was a benefit show for NYC Firefighters. Only 20 months after 9/11, Mayor Bloomberg wanted to close some of the fire stations in Lower Manhattan - which seemed absolutely ludicrous given the sensitivity to terrorism and the pride New Yorkers had in their heroes. It was pretty awesome of Sammy to fly out there and help the FD round up some needed support to show the Mayor that budget cuts needed to come from elsewhere. Sammy and Mona were kind enough to sign autographs for me and the weather was outstanding! As you can see from the handful of photos I took, this was a very friendly affair, no real security and you could just walk right up to Sammy and chat. By the way, this show was unbelievably LOUD! SETLIST: Little White Lie, Right Now, I Can't Drive 55, Mas Tequila, Heavy Metal

Meet & Greet: Sammy Hagar and Mona Gladner

SAMMY HAGAR

 

#153
Date July 13, 2003
City Indianapolis, IN
Venue House Cafe
Headline

ASIA

Support Lec Zorn Project
Ticket $30.00

This was a unique event where Asia offered their services to be scheduled by fans across America for $3,000 plus expenses. The venue was The House, located just outside Glendale Mall. Including the lucky fan who brought his favorite band to town, only about 20 people were in attendance making for an intimate show. The concert presentation was acoustic and simple, featuring only John Payne and Geoff Downes. Both gentlemen stayed after the show to talk one on one with the small audience and sign autographs. Lec Zorn was deplorable. It was embarrassing to watch.

NOTE: Incidentally, Lec Zorn read this review and contacted me to reconsider my review. He mentioned the fact that this was the first time they worked with that singer, etc, etc, which to me sounds like excuses, excuses. But the bottom line is this - these guys were not ready for a small Sunday afternoon coffeehouse show, much less prime time. I don't get paid to write these reviews and I generally don't get free tickets. I paid for this show just like everybody else. I attended the show with two friends and we all independently had the same reaction: A.) an embarrassingly small show for Downes and Payne to play - although very cool to have been a part of something so intimate B.) LZP was so bad that they were humiliating for the viewer to sit through. So, I stand by my review 100% - If I had to cringe in the seat I paid for, Lec can be uncomfortable with the review that I provide at no charge.

Meet & Greet: Geoff Downs and John Payne

ASIA
LEC ZORN


#154
Date July 13, 2003
City Noblesville, IN
Venue Verizon Wireless
Headline BOSTON
Support N/A
Ticket $10.00

After leaving the small but intimate Asia concert, we hustled our way up to Verzon Wireless Music Center in Noblesville to catch 70's iconic rockers, Boston. The crowd was obviously much larger, easily 13,000 or more. Tom Scholz and company provided a lengthy setlist, derived from their many hits and a fair portion of the new album, Corporate America. No opening act, just Boston.

BOSTON


 
#155
Date July 16, 2003
City Indianapolis, IN
Venue Murat Theatre
Headline SAMMY HAGAR and The Wabos
Support N/A
Ticket $39.50

The only thing wrong with this concert was the sound level was very loud and distorted. SETLIST:

SAMMY HAGAR SETLIST:
One Way To Rock
Shaka Doobie (The Limit)
Three Lock Box
Everybody Must Get Stoned (Bob Dylan cover)
Top of the World
Rock Candy
Let Sally Drive
Bad Motor Scooter
Mona bass solo / Sammy jams
Bad Motor Scooter
Hallelujah
Right Now
Deeper Kind of Love
Finish What Ya Started
Little White Lies, Dreams
I Can't Drive 55
Mas Tequila

Encore:
Why Can't This Be Love
Heavy Metal

SAMMY HAGAR


#156
Date August 23, 2003
City Indianapolis, IN
Venue Massachusetts Ave
Headline JOHN HIATT
Support Johnny A
Ticket $10.00

Excellent weather for this outdoor event brought a sizable crowd. The make shift venue was actually a stage at the end of a street lined with old brick warehouse buildings. This created a lot of echo for the sound, which was actually easier to hear from outside the festival. Food and beverage tents were almost impossible to reach, due to the arrangement of crowds and lines. The event was something of a homecoming for Indianapolis native John Hiatt, who played an all acoustic set. Had this concert been held at a club or theater, the sound would probably have been great, but the situation as it was turned out to be a debacle for audience and performers alike.

JOHN HIATT
JOHNNY A


#157
Date August 29, 2003
City Indianapolis, IN
Venue Murat Centre Parking Lot
Headline KANSAS
Support N/A
Ticket FREE

Any band with as many years history and success as Kansas has it's share of personnel changes. At the height of their career, co-front men Kerry Livgren and Steve Walsh took turns leaving and returning to active duty. This no doubt contributed to the long decline. Dixie Dregs guitarist Steve Morse was recruited for at least one tour of duty with the band and there have been many other changes as well. Health issues have also taken their toll on the band from middle America. The line up for this show included long time fan favorite, Steve Walsh. Although Walsh's voice is not up to the task of rreaching notes he once recorded, he gave an impressive effort. Livgren was absent, although violinist Robby Steinhart and guitarist Rich Williams were in prime form.

KANSAS


#158        
Date September 6, 2003        
City Muncie, IN        
Venue Downtown Muncie      
Performers FOREIGNER, Bachmann Turner Overdrive, Atlanta Rhythm Section
Ticket $15.00        

A concert featuring any group of bands performing in small midwestern towns is usually an omen for a sub-par performance. Such was the case here for at least two thirds of this event. Beginning with Atlanta Rhythm Section, a band I have long waited to see live, one might anticipate an hour set to include the five or seven most popular songs in the repetoire. Instead, the band focused on their most recent released, one that I later found out was a couple years old. Of course no one had heard it and could therefore not relate to the songs. They did play Champagne Jam and a few other known classics.

Bachman Turner Overdrive, or BTO as they are currently billed without Randy Bachman sounded great. Easily the oldest codgers to be on stage that night, they had more energy and more flash than the other two. Wisely, their set concentrated on the hits they are widely known for, as well as a stunning cover of House of the Rising Sun.

Foreigner was technically only Lou Gramm as far as anyone could tell. Oddly enough, Mick Jones and his other mates tour under the same Foreigner banner without Lou Gramm. I thought something seemed a little strange when this date was not noted on Foreigner's official web page under tour dates. I sat pretty far back from the stage, it appeared as though Gramm had packed on a little weight and grown a beard. We managed to get closer and I discovered that I was only half correct. He had gained weight, but no beard, just double chins. Instead of Hot Blooded, he should have been singing Hot Blubber. Behind Gramm, the non-Foreigner support band appeared to be younger than their leader by several years. This was not a particularly good performance.

FOREIGNER featuring LOU GRAMM
BACHMANN TURNER OVERDRIVE
ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION

 

#159
Date Sept 15, 2003
City Indianapolis, IN
Venue Funny Bones
Headline SAMMY HAGAR
Support N/A
Ticket FREE

Local radio station WFBQ was promoting a 25th Anniversary Concert with Lynyrd Skynyrd, 38 Special and Jackyl. When one of the members of LS was placed on medical leave, the southern rockers had to cancel. Sammy Hagar was recruited to fill the top bill and the timing coincided with the release of his new DVD, The Long Road To Cabo. Arrangements were made at a northside comedy club to host a preview party with Hagar and his band the Waboritas in attendance. The DVD was great, but Hagar and band were delayed at the airport and could not make the party. They did arrive at the very end, said a few words to the fans and swiftly left out the back exit.


#160        
Date Sept 19, 2003        
City Noblesville, IN        
Venue VeriVzon Wireless      
Headline SAMMY HAGAR and The Wabos
Support 38 Special, Jackyl
Ticket $45.00        

This concert was initially intended to be a southern rock hoedown featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd in the headline slot. Sammy Hagar agreed to fill in when the southern rockers had to cancel. We missed Jackyl, much to my dismay. 38 Special sounded as though they were trying hard to rekindle what spark they may have had back in the 1980's. Sammy Hagar stole the show (as expected). SETLIST: One Way To Rock, Rainy Day Women (Everybody Must Get Stoned), Three Lock Box, Best of Both Worlds, Top of the World, I'll Fall in Love Again, Shaka Doobie (The Limit), Rock Candy, Hallelujah, Right Now, Deeper Kind of Love, Little White Lie, Eagles Fly, Dreams, I Can't Drive 55, Mas Tequila [Encore]: Heavy Metal

SAMMY HAGAR
38 SPECIAL
JACKYL

 

#161
Date October 22, 2003
City Indianapolis, IN
Venue Murat Theatre
Headline JACKSON BROWNE
Support N/A
Ticket $37.50

The only time I had previously seen JB live was at Farm Aid IV in 1990, so I was really looking forward to this acoustic appearance in such a great venue. Although far beyond Browne's control, venue policies and the audience combined to detract from the quality of the concert. The Murat Center bar remained open during the show and beverages were permitted inside the theater. This encouraged the many boomer aged drinkers to habitually come and go for more beverages during the show. The traffic back and forth was so obvious in fact that Jackson Brown at one point asked the ushers to keep the theater doors closed. This wasn't the only thing going wrong for the concert. Browne, who had worked on the much publicized final album from the late Warren Zevon, attempted to pay tribute to his friend by covering a different Zevon song each night of the tour. Unfortunately, there really wasn't much rehearsal put into preparing to do the song live and the tribute was plagued with mistakes on both the music and lyrics. Other than these issues, the concert was quite good, featuring numerous songs from throughout Browne's long career

 

JACKSON BROWNE