A throwback extravaganza showcased as a "Hair Metal Holiday" was only halfway appropriately named, even though it delivered on all things '80s. Headlined by original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley and supported by Dokken, Enuff Znuff, L.A. Guns and the Graham Bonnet Band last Friday night on two stages inside The Rock Box, four local artists had their moment to shine as well.
Although the evening began inauspiciously for the first group on the bill, things smoothed over for Eden Burning, Sidewinder, and Jason Kane & The Jive after Wall Of Soul had kicked off the festivities.
If a tree falls in the woods and no one's around to hear it, does it make a sound?
That classic riddle befell Wall Of Soul when the band's 6:30 p.m. set time was jump-started prior to patrons being allowed into the venue. Wall Of Soul, with frontwoman Chrissy Bliss belting out her signature bluesy vocals, completed opening tune "New Day" as ticketholders that had been scheduled to be let in at 6 p.m. remained outside. The band began second tune "Got Me Wrong" before the soundman told them "stop" because doors still hadn't opened.
As Wall Of Soul's members awkwardly bided their time, the eventual admission of fans was accompanied by the same soundman declaring, "OK, doors have opened, and the next band goes on in 15 minutes, so we need to get going." A dumbfounded Fred Michalczak on the drums muttered, "Are you fucking kidding me" before Wall Of Soul admirably banged out three more songs to conclude its shortened 25-minute set.
Eden Burning received a long-deserved time slot serving as the local headliners on the larger Vibes Event Center stage, preceding L.A. Guns as well as the Graham Bonnet Band on The Rock Box platform. Singer/guitarist Phil Salazar, guitarist Matt Steele, bassist Shane Breon and drummer Doug Merritt rocked out to several originals plus an apropos cover of Motley Crue's "Starry Eyes" after several years of playing the club scene to crowds that, well, didn't have a VIP section. And neither did The Rock Box or the Vibes. That is until Friday night's setup saw the "regular" fans a good 15-20 feet from the stage inside the Vibes in favor of those who shelled out a few extra bucks.
Sidewinder, fronted by Byfist vocalist Raul Garcia, brought an edgier style of rock to the program. Guitarist David Valdez shredded impressively throughout the group's 25-minute set to "My Country," "Can't Take My Dreams," "Dreamers" and "Ready to Rock," backed by bassist Rey Ybarra and drummer Paul Pederson.
The trio of Jason Kane & The Jive, which opened at The Rock Box for Sebastian Bach on Nov. 10, this time used its Zeppelin-ish style of blues, rock and jammin' metal to kick off the Vibes portion of the mini-festival. Click below to see them in action on "Pussyfootin'."
With the local metal scene thriving throughout 2017, the Hair Metal Holiday's contingent received a much-needed jolt for themselves and fans, delivering the goods in what arguably could go down as the city's most meaningful local-band showing of the year. A showing that not even the Grinch could spoil.
Stay tuned for coverage of the five national acts on the Hair Metal Holiday bill.
Paul Pederson rocks the drum kit during last Friday night's "Hair Metal Holiday" at The Rock Box.
Jason Kane shreds on the Vibes Event Center stage.
Shane Breon lays down the low end for the local headliners.
Vocalist Chrissy Bliss, drummer Fred Michalczak and guitarist Mark Lara (far right) kicked off the night before the doors to the venue even opened.
David Valdez shreds on The Rock Box stage.
Nick Jive rocks the bass.
Frontman Phil Salazar commands the crowd's attention on the Vibes Event Center stage.
David Cisneros (bass) and rhythm guitarist Allan Linkous do their thing.
Raul Garcia speaks to the crowd.
Kane pours his soul into fronting his bluesy boogie trio.
Doug Merritt handles the skins.
Lara plays a lick of lead.
Valdez rocks another solo.
Click the video box above to watch Kane perform "Pussyfootin'."
Salazar does a cover of Motley Crue's "Starry Eyes."
Linkous and Bliss perform "Got Me Wrong."
Pederson bangs the skins.
A.G. handles the drums for The Jive.
Matt Steele rocks the guitar duties.
Cisneros and his bandmates recovered nicely after being forced to restart their second song just as fans were being allowed into the venue 30 minutes after scheduled.
Rey Ybarra on bass (left) and Valdez join forces to rock.
Kane plays another track from the group's latest album.
Salazar and his group set the stage on the Vibes for L.A. Guns, Dokken and headliner Ace Frehley.
Bliss belts out vocals to one of five of the band's songs performed.
Garcia also is the singer of Byfist.
Nick Jive does his thing on the bass.
Steele lays down some riffs.
Linkous, Michalczak on drums and vocalist Bliss rock The Rock Box's stage.
Pederson jams on "My Country."
Kane and his trio also opened for Sebastian Bach on Nov. 10 at The Rock Box.
Michalczak and Bliss get the night started off right.
Kane rocks the house.
After many instances of playing to small crowds at dive bars, Salazar and his band received top billing among the local artists on the "Hair Metal Holiday."
Michalczak wasn't too happy when his band had to restart its second song on the command of the soundman, but he was pleased to rock when he finally had the chance.
Ybarra slaps da bass.
A.G.'s kit was set up on the farthest right of the stage from the audience's point of view.
Steele plays a solo.
Kane performs.
The rhythm section rocks the Vibes.
Bliss brings the noise with her signature stellar vocals.
Ybarra on bass and Pederson on drums.
A.G. pounds the skins.
Salazar shines on "Starry Eyes."
Cisneros, Linkous, Bliss and Lara set the tone with the help of Michalczak on drums.
Steele provides some backup vocals.
Michalczak, Bliss and Lara have also opened for the likes of Lita Ford at Fitzgerald's.
Garcia shows he's "Ready to Rock."
Merritt looks right at home on the Vibes stage.
Cisneros (left) and Linkous
Salazar and Steele
Ybarra on bass
A.G. jams for The Jive.
Salazar performs on the Vibes stage.
Cisneros and Linkous are at it again.
Valdez jams.
Salazar (left), Breon (center) and Steele show the crowd what their band is all about.
The set was cut short a couple of songs due to time.
Salazar performs another track.
Salazar and his group were the most '80s-sounding local artist on the "Hair Metal Holiday" lineup.
Merritt is smooth on the drums.
Bliss and Lara rock out.
Salazar fronts the local headliners.
The group performs during its 35-minute plus set.
Ybarra lays down the low end.
Salazar shines in black and white.
Breon (left) and Salazar close out their set.