Grand Funk Railroad is as American as apple pie. This Michigan based band was originally formed as a trio back in 1969. GFR went on to break many records including selling out New York’s Shea Stadium in less than 72 hours. You can say the band has a worthwhile history that every music fan should know about. Since 2000, the band has toured with the same outfit; original members Don Brewer on drums and Mel Schacher on bass, along with Max Carl, on vocals, Tim Cashion on keyboards and Bruce Kulick on guitar.
GFR, who are primarily a nostalgia act, brought their 2012 tour to the Seneca Allegany Casino this past Saturday night to a near sold out house. They opened up with one of their newer songs “Bottle Rocket”’ and like the song name, the show took off from there.
This band is driven by its backbone Don Brewer. Brewer, took the lead vocals on a number of tracks including “Footstomping Music, “Shinin’ On,” and Grand Funk’s big hit “Locomotion.” During “Locomotion,” the audience latched onto each other and formed a train that circled the perimeter of events center. Within the drum solo, Brewer incorporated his band mates percussive skills as both Schacher and Cashion banged away on toms while Kulick palmed his way through on a tambourine.
A patriotic “Star Spangled Banner,” was included in the set list which had Brewer planting an American flag front and center while Kulick delivered a masterful impression of the classic. This is becoming a staple of Kulick’s performances since he did this with his former band, Kiss, on their 1993 “Kiss Alive III album.” Kulick was also able to perform a short guitar solo during “Inside Looking Out.” Former 38. Special front man Max Carl, was also up to par as he was able to sing his multi-million selling hit “Second Chance.” Carl also ad-libbed to some of the songs in an effort to incorporate his band, as well as the audience, in the mix. He additionally added some melodies on the harmonica here and there to further tantalize the exuberant crowd.
Brewer came out wearing an Uncle Sam hat during the encore and the band delivered a stirring rendition of “We’re an American Band.” I’m sure many of the fans left the same way I did, feeling very patriotic about their country and about one of the true great American rock bands to date.
Set List:
Bottle Rocket
Rock and Roll Soul
Footstomping Music
Shinin’ On
Locomotion (Little Eva Cover)
Walk Like a Man
Sky High
Second Chance (38. Special cover)
Drum solo
Star Spangled Banner (Bruce Kulick solo)
Inside Looking Out(Animals Cover)
Some Kind of Wonderful
I’m Your Captain
Encore:
We’re an American Band
We would like to thank Tony Astran from the Seneca Niagara Casino for allowing BackstageAxxess to review the show.
