Vince Neil, Queensryche, and Sebastian Bach in Council Bluffs, Iowa on June 2, 2017.
Stir Concert Cove was brimming with fans of Vince Neil, Queensryche, and Sebastian Bach, a group of guys I consider an essential part of 80’s rock and roll. The venue of choice, Stir Cove, was the best place to have this show. Bonus for me, I got to photograph three bands that I saw in the 80’s when we were in our 20’s.
The show kicked off with former Skid Row vocalist, Sebastian Bach. They kicked out several familiar Skid Row Songs that included 18 & Life, Sweet Little Sister, Youth Gone Wild, and I Remember You. Overall, this was a very good set by one of the 80’s best vocalists. Plus at 50 he can still hit the high notes (mostly) like he did when he was 20. His touring band. Brent Woods (Guitar), Andy Sanesi (Drummer-Missing Persons), and Rob De Luca (Legendary Bassist for Spread Eagle and UFO), played the songs as if they had been with Sebastian for the entirety of their careers. The Sebastian Bach set at Stir Cove in Council Bluffs was the first show they have done together as a band, and it was not a disappointment.
Next up, was Queensryche a band that I was introduced to in the late 80’s with their album “Operation Mindcrime.” Still operating with original members Michael Wilton (Guitar), Eddie Jackson (Bass), and Scott Rockenfield (Drums) with the added talents of Parker Lundgren (Guitar) and Todd La Torre (Vocals), Queensryche played and sounded the same to me as they did in 1988. Todd was an amazing replacement for Geoff Tate with vocals so close that when I closed my eyes I could not hear a significant difference. They hammered through great Queensryche songs like I Don’t Believe in Love, Queen of the Reich, Eyes of a Stranger, and Operation Mindcrime. I covered Queensryche in December 2016 and the show at Stir Cove was a much better fit for them as it gave their music the space to bloom and become full the further back I went.
Finally, it was time for the Vince Neil show. In January 2016, I was given the opportunity to cover Motley Crue. Much to my discontent, it wasn’t the best opportunity. On this go round, Vince Neil had a different and better band backing him with the talents of Dana Sturm-Bass (Slaughter, Vinnie Vincent), Jeff Blando-Guitar (Slaughter, Saigon Kick), and Zoltan Chaney-Drummer (Slaughter). This quartet had more energy and stamina than any band I have seen still playing from the 80’s. Other than showing signs of being 50, Vince Neil belted out Motley Crue favorites, Kick Start My Heart, Wild Side, and Girls, Girls, Girls.
Stir Cove is a magnificent outdoor venue and featuring these bands in their environment was a total pleasure.
Photos courtesy of Winsel Photography in Omaha, Nebraska. ©2017.
Review by The Pitmaster.
