The legendary Grand Funk Railroad, affectionately deemed “The American Band,” made a stop at the Seneca Niagara Events Center, inside the Seneca Niagara Casino, in Niagara Falls, New York, on Friday evening. The scheduled 8:00 PM start time was delayed until about 8:20 PM as fans continued to pour into the Events Center until the start of the show.
The anxious capacity crowd cheered as GFR took the stage. Grand Funk Railroad’s current line up has been touring together since 2000 with founding members Don Brewer (drums, lead vocals) and Mel Schacher (bass guitar), along with Max Carl (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica), Tim Cashion (keyboards) and Bruce Kulick (lead guitar). From the opening number “Bottle Rocket” straight through the encore, this band did not miss a beat, and in fact, added a few at the able hands of Don Brewer.
Grand Funk Railroad played favorite after favorite during a one hour and 15 minute set. It was short, but very sweet. GFR’s version of “The Locomotion” got the audience movin’ and groovin’ as singer Max Carl motioned for everyone to get up and dance. The band sounded terrific and Max Carl did a great job on vocals, including the song “Second Chance” which he co-wrote and also sang during his time with the southern rock band 38 Special.
Don Brewer did a truly bang up job on his drum solo. His energy level is simply amazing and following his several minute long solo, a percussive “Devil’s Daughter” was a highlight of the show as each band member added a thunderous blow to a variety of drums that were brought to the stage. As guitarist Bruce Kulick (formerly of KISS) traded the tambourine for another of his many guitars, Don Brewer brought an American flag to the center of the stage and Bruce’s guitar solo ensued with “The Star Spangled Banner,” again bringing the rather reserved audience to its feet, this time with hands on hearts to honor the flag. This was followed by an electric blues jam session in “Inside Lookin’ Out,” showcasing each member of the band, including some harmonica playing from Max.
The band closed the set with “I’m Your Captain/ Closer to Home” and then came back for a one song encore as Don returned to the drum kit wearing an oversized Uncle Sam hat and Bruce donned a guitar with an American flag paint job to wrap up the show with “We’re An American Band.” Grand Funk Railroad put on a feel-good-fun performance.
Set List:
Bottle Rocket
Rock & Roll Soul
Footstompin’ Music
Shinin’ On
The Locomotion (Little Eva cover)
Walk Like A Man
Sky High
Second Chance (38 Special cover)
Drum Solo Devil’s Daughter
The Star Spangled Banner (Bruce Kulick Guitar Solo)
Inside Lookin’ Out (The Animals cover)
Some Kinda Wonderful
I’m Your Captain/Closer To Home
Encore:
We’re An American Band
We would like to thank Anne Leighton from Leighton Media for the credentials for BackstageAxxess to review the show.
