Month: October 2022

October 29, 2022 – Count Basie Center for the Arts Theater, Red Bank, NJ

Review by Chris Yates // Photography by Estelle Massry

Guitar God Steve Vai descended upon Red Bank NJ this past weekend in support of his new studio album and LP, “Inviolate” which was released earlier this year through: Favored Nations / Mascot Label Group.

Notably one of the best guitarists of all time, the virtuoso is also an accomplished and highly acclaimed musical composer and producer, fluent in the composition and arranging of orchestral music. Throughout his 40 years in the industry, Vai has sold over 15 million records, received three Grammy Awards, and recorded with music legends like Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake and many more.

I first saw Vai playing a double necked, red, heart shaped guitar with David Lee Roth at the Worcester Centrum in the late 80’s. And while I don’t remember much of the late 80’s (for reasons I will not disclose), I do remember very well how floored I was by his technical ability and overall electrifying performance. So when time came around for me to see him again, but this time to review the show, I was ecstatic and could not wait to hear him shred. He did not disappoint!

One can tell the influence Steve has on musicians, and any lover of guitar playing, by the people that packed in to see him. The crowded house, was filled with musicians and fans young and old. I saw a good handful of parents with their musically inclined kids lined up at the merch table, where Vai’s team should have also been handing out “Parent of the Year” awards for providing their kids the opportunity to see the guitar legend live.

Steve came out to a blacked out stage with just the blue glow of his guitar frets visible as he approach center stage. It was a cool scene as he ripped away at his instrument (which seemed a natural extension to his body), appropriately hooking every applauding fan in for the evening. From that moment on I was glued to the performance. Every style for which Vai is known for was showcased to perfection. I found it hard to look anywhere else but at the fingers on his guitar as he demonstrated two-handed tapping, alternate picking, legato, hybrid picking, sweep picking, whammy bar acrobatics, and circular vibrato. It was amazing. When I did glace away from his guitar it was to his facial expressions which illustrated how the music he creates flows through his body.

We were launched into an amazing evening of guitar rock! Vai wore a fluorescent green shirt (his favorite color) and had multiple guitar swaps (as you would imagine), which he played to perfection including: “Avalancha”, “Little Pretty”, “Greenish Blues”, “Teeth Of The Hydra”& “Taurus Bulba”.

Vai’s performance was complimented by a talented group of musicians. Dave Weiner on guitar, Philip Bynoe on bass and drummer Jeremy Colson on drums. Colson was just as electrifying as he was when I saw him here in NJ at the Stone Pony while he was touring with Sebastian Bach.

There are about 25 shows remaining on his tour, concluding in LA on December 3^rd. Make sure to check his schedule and if he’s playing near you (or even if you have to travel to get there) don’t miss it!

For more info please visit http://www.vai.com

October 7, 2022 – PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ

Review by Chris Yates // Photography by Estelle Massry

It was a beautiful fall evening in New Jersey as Alice In Chains, Breaking Benjamin, Bush & Plush closed out the summer schedule with the second to last performance at the PNC Bank Arts Center.

The talented all female band, Plush, opened the night with some great rock & roll. I’ve read that their mission is to bring rock back to the forefront of the music scene. The heavy guitar playing lady rockers are certainly driving that train in the right direction. They played for about half an hour and were a perfect opener to get the crowd amped up as rock fans filled the venue.

The 90’s alternative grunge rock band favorite Bush followed, and by the time Gavin Rossdale and team played their second song the Arts Center was packed and the amphitheater stayed that way for the entire night. Bush sounded great, played for about 45 minutes and mixed in a bunch of old and new. A few highlights for me were when Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains joined Bush for “Comedown” and another was when Gavin left the stage and paraded through the entire venue, from the orchestra all the way up to the deepest of lawn seats, singing the entire time and occasionally stopping for a hug, a hi-five and even a photo or two.

New Jersey born and Pennsylvania raised Benjamin Burnley IV of Breaking Benjamin followed. I have never seen them before but was familiar with their music and enjoyed their performance. Lead singer and guitar player Benjamin Burnley sounded great and belted some amazing rock and roll, mixed with the modern heavy metal screams to complete their unique sound. Many know that Burnley has a recurring illness (Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome), which is an acute brain disorder resulting from a lack of thiamine. This essential vitamin changes sugar into energy. When you have too little thiamine, your brain doesn’t have enough energy to work properly. The most common cause of thiamine deficiency is chronic alcohol use which in his case, almost ended his career. Burnley plays in the dark or without spot light or bright flashing lights in front of him due to the sensitivity of how his illness affects him. None-the-less, he doesn’t perform like he has a lack of anything and certainly not energy. Burnley played for an hour, spoke to the audience often and seemed grateful to be in front of his adoring fans, all of whom he defines as his home crowd. The band is comprised of Benjamin Burnley (lead vocals & rhythm guitar), Jasen Rauch (lead guitar & electronic strings), Keith Wallen (rhythm guitar & backing vocals), Aaron Bruch (bass & backing vocals), and Shaun Foist (drums & electronic percussion). They completely rocked the house and were a perfect tee-up for Alice In Chains.

Alice In Chains (AIC) then finally came to stage to finish out the night and were AWESOME! I’ve been a big Alice In Chains fan but unfortunately have never had the opportunity to see the original front man and co-founder of the band Layne Staley perform before his passing. To this day he lives on as any alternative rock station will play AIC with Layne’s vocals. However, I must say the band has come together wonderfully and filled a tough seat in Layne Staley with new front man William DuVall. Since 2006, DuVall has fronted Alice In Chains, sharing vocals and guitar with co-founding member Jerry Cantrell on three albums following the death of Layne Staley in 2002. Original AIC band member and co-founder Jerry Cantrell said about DuVall when hiring him that he already knew DuVall and told him to just be himself rather than emulating Staley. Jerry highlighted that Alice In Chains was always better with two vocals supporting each other, so they worked well with DuVall and it was apparent. Not only do they sound similar but DuVall also brings a new look and feel while still maintaining the bands hard alternative rock image. I loved the show and the performance as they played throughout the night. Gavin Rossdale of Bush returned the favor and joined AIC on stage for “Man in the Box” as the show wound down to its conclusion.