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L.A. Guns at The Ballroom

Blog: Punk On

March 19, 2010

For those of you who gave me all the "lame" excuses for not going to see L.A. Guns, can't find a sitter, wife won't let me, gotta work in the morning, I've got band practice...phhttt!! Your loss, you missed one killer of a show.

The show was just a tad late starting. The crowd for the night, that I'd guesstimate to be around 350 at it's fullest, had all the usual concert goers, tall big guys in the front, girl on shoulders trying to see around tall big guys in the front, annoying guy waving arms around as he constantly jumps around (out of time with the music of course), people in their best 80's garb. side note: to the lady wearing the little black shorts and black spike heeled boots....thank you.

A quick over view of the three opening bands (there's always opening bands). First up was "Wide Eyed Coma". They did a 35 minute grunge set. I did love the sound that the bassists was getting. I don't know what equipment he was using but it sounded great. Second up was "Suicide Lies" who had quite the fan base. They did a 45 minute hard rock, metal screaming set that was well received by the crowd. If you like your metal, this is a band worth checking out.These guys were a good match to be an opener for L.A. Guns as the music was hard and they really got the crowd pumped. They should have gone on just before L.A. Guns instead of the band that did, "Fill The Silence". These guys are good....if I'm sitting in a lounge at a Holiday Inn. With the exception of the last half of the last song, these guys put me to sleep. They did a long 45 minute set so I did get my nap in. Way to mellow for the genre of the headliner and there was way too much dead air between songs with these guys. Maybe get a guitar that'll stay in tune for more than one song.

Then it was L.A. GUNS!!!!! Fresh off their Italian tour. They took to the stage amongst smoke and a blaze of flashing lights. Lead man Phil Lewis along with lead guitarist Stacey Blades, drummer Steve Riley and bassists Kenny Kweens started strong with "No Mercy" and "Gypsy Soul" ending their 75 minute set with "Ballad Of Jayne", "Rip And Tear" and "I Wanna Be Your Man". The band sounded like it did 20 years ago from the guitars to the vocals, not bad for a 53 year old singer.

If you decide that you now must see them they will do their final stop of the N.W. mini tour in Seattle at Studio Seven Saturday night.

Below is their opening number "No Mercy".

I hope that this is just the beginning of this caliper of show to come to Wenatchee. The Ballroom is a great venue for this type of show, equal too if not superior to any Seattle venue of this size except that it would be nice if the stage was another foot or two taller. It's also great not having to pay $40 to $70 for a ticket like some other area venues.

I'd also like to thank FTS Entertainment and Paul for making this show happen. Job well done. I am curious however, with all the write ups about the shows at The Town Toyota Center not being profitable I'd like to ask FTS, "Did you make a profit on the show or did you at least break even?" Hope you made thousands on the show.

Until the next event.

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