A band that has been making their mark in 2014 has been The Dead Daisies. Formed back in 2012 by vocalist Jon Stevens and guitarist Dave Lowy, the band has gone through a few lineup changes. Currently they have settled in on Stevens on vocals, Lowy on rhythm guitar, Richard Fortus on lead guitar, Marc Mendoza on bass and Brian Tichy on drums. They earned a spot opening up the 2nd leg of the KISS and Def Leppard summer tour. That relationship with KISS budded to a spot on the 2014 KISS Kruise.
Playing the Stardust Theater, and able to enjoy a full set, the band showed what they can do given the proper time. They turned in an amazing set that consisted of songs off of their latest EP titled “Face I Love,” some covers (including some KISS gems) and some new tracks as well. The band is gearing up to release a full length album and after hearing a bunch of the new tracks live, I personally can’t wait to get it in my hands. Songs like “Mexico” offer a few melody changes and great guitar work by Fortus. Stevens’ vocals throughout the set were a highlight, but besides the powerful range he possesses he can also bring it down a few notches and sing the ballad “Yesterday.”
I can honestly say that the rhythm section of this band can match just about any others on the rock scene today. Mendoza and Tichy give the band a bigger set of balls than it already had. Mendoza and Reed provided good harmonies to let Stevens test the boundaries on songs like “Miles in Front of Me.” Few play as hard and as emotionally as Tichy. He even gave a little extra when the KISS covers were played and really brought the songs to a new level. I really enjoyed Stevens voice on the Free classic “All Right Now.”
After playing few other shows on the ship including the closing night, the band earned many more fans and respect by playing rock ‘n roll they way it was meant to be played; with a lot of attitude, swagger and emotion which you don’t get with factory produced music. It’s meant to be sweated out in front of audiences as you build up your following while on the road. The Dead Daises are showing that the old adage still has validity in the music world.
Setlist:
It’s Gonna Take Time
Evil
Washington
Parasite (KISS cover)
Your Karma
Hush (Deep Purple cover)
Yesterday
Mexico
Miles in Front of Me
Critical
All Right Now (Free cover)
Make the Best of it
Angel in Your Eyes
Face I love
Lock n Load
Helter Skelter (The Beatles cover)
Encore:
Larger Than Life (KISS cover)
Firehouse (KISS cover)
We would like to thank Alaidriale Derway and Anthony Diaz from Sixthman for the credentials to review the show.
