Live - Strand Theater 3/12/2012, First Show - Dress Rehearsal Celebration!! Options

[OutToDry]

All pics and reviews here folks......It's a celebration ___________!!!!

[OutToDry]

Okay so here goes my, what seems to be long awaited (waiting) review. First off I want to say thank you to a few people. My wife (TaylorsLoveSlave) you made this possible first by taking off work and joining me on this journey and taking me on the road one more time to see my boys (a little early birthday present). Next, to The Thrill for being so gracious by inviting me to join in an experience that I will never forget, also I can not forget my brother in this +LIVE+ madness Zman. Z and my self have been friends for some time and I genuinely can not say enough nice things about Zman and his girl, two nicer people can't be found. Of course this thank you list can not be complete without saying thank you to all who performed Monday night aside from our boys, Adam Taylor and The Raindogs, Dana Alexandra, and of course Kevin Martin/Sean "Memphis" Hennesy.

Adam is always a great guy to talk to this is only our 2nd time hanging out and he still remembered everything like it was yesterday. Of course enough can not be said about the lovely Kate Young who is the vocal backbone of The Raindogs. She is as sweet as ever and after the show she came right up to me and gave me hug like we have known each other forever. Since I know AT lurks the boards around here: Adam and Kate I wish you both the best and I know I'll be seeing you down the road soon. Dana Alexandra who I was hearing for the first time put on an excellent set that wrapped up with "Heartbreaker" by Pat Benatar and did it more than justice.

Next up was Kevin and Sean from Candlebox/TGF, this was an intimate acoustic set that opened with Change. This song next to You is probably my favorite song from Candlebox so I was more than happy. Their second song was a new song from the upcoming album coming out in April, the last song they did was their megahit Far Behind. Kevin did a great deal of storytelling during their set with this song it was no different as he talked about the inspiration for this song the late great Andrew Wood. If you hear a recorded version of this acoustic set you'll hear a guy rise above the crowd with a shout out in memory of Andy. Kevin spoke about the horrors of drugs and how wished he was able to help Andy and that is what inspired him to write Far Behind. What can I say this performance was amazing as Memphis tore it up on acoustic like no one I've seen in awhile. What can I say maybe not everyone there loved Andrew Wood and Mother Love Bone as much as I so maybe this song affect me differently?

Now finally for what everyone is waiting for if you have stayed with me this long. Let me preface that I was a little more in the know about certain aspects of this performance, but it did not affect the way I felt when I heard the opening sounds of Dam at Otter Creek. As a group of few of us Freaks were able to meet up with Chad Gracey earlier in the day and he spilt the beans about some of the songs, but it could've never prepared me for the feeling I would be overcome with. Beyond just the chills I was feeling up and down my body, I began to shed tears as I saw the silhouettes of our boys take the stage amongst the dim lights, smoke, and fog like affects. Then Chris Shinn could be seen making his way to the mic. Now I know some of you may think that it is crazy that a 33 year-old grown man was shedding tears, but this band has been a major part of my life since my first show in 1992.

What I can say that hasn't been said already, the energy is back in our band, + LIVE+ is alive and well and if you were there Monday night you would know it. If you weren't fortunate enough to be there I assure these guys are coming to a town near you and if not just join me (I drove 7.5 hours for this show and I have no fear of driving long distance to follow our boys) ask anyone who knows me I'm a road warrior for this band. I pretty much spent my whole summer on tour with these guys on the Secret Samadhi Tour and the energy I have now I ready to go again as soon as possible. Was the set perfect Monday night, no it had its faults, but the one thing that has been missing for so long was back ENERGY. Mr. Shinn welcome aboard this wild ride called +LIVE+ I know you are the element that has been missing for so long. I won't go through every song as I know that it has been done justice by everyone else who attended, I'll just say that our boys killed it and anyone who says different needs to get their head checked.

After the show some of the Freak crew walked to the White Rose, a local establishment that CCP eat at often, for a post show gathering. Before getting there we ran into Chris Shinn and Kevin Martin on the street and let me tell you CS is the most humble unassuming front man I have ever met (a welcome change from what we had in +LIVE+ for the past few years). CS was so accommodating to everyone and was gracious to just to speak to all of us directly and take pictures without question. Kevin is always a great guy and done the same as CS and took pics with everyone and just carried on conversations with people like he had known them for years.

Once we got to the White Rose, we were joined in the same area by CS and Kevin and later Adam Taylor and crew. The Thrill was later present with Chad Gracey and many of the +LIVE+ family members. During our night I had a chance to meet several members of FOL, it was great to meet you. Big shout out to Donno, you are a hell of a good guy and thanks for your thoughts on my late best friend (RIP Nathan, you were as big a fan of +LIVE+ as anyone and even though you've been gone for 8 years you were alive and well in spirit Monday night).

In closing I just want to say thank you to everyone who made all of this happen and I can tell you this without a doubt this is only the beginning of what is sure to be an amazing new leg of the journey that has been and is +LIVE+ Get on board now while you have a chance, if not this train is pulling out and once it gets rolling it's hard to stop.

Thanks for this review GP!!!