When one hears the output of Billy Sheehan, Richie Kotzen and Mike Portnoy, it will make you appreciate what rock and roll can still be. With the help radio/TV personality Eddie Trunk, the band came together and what they created so far has to be the talk of music circles in 2013.
Their self titled CD, released this past summer, meshes Billy’s amazing bass playing, Portnoy’s killer groove beats and the raspy but yet subtle voice of Kotzen. The band has taken to the road this to unleash a powerful trio of music. Playing to a sold out and jam packed crowd at Hard Rock Cafe in Niagara Falls, NY, the band took the stage at 10:15 pm and played about an hour and 45 minute set.
Portnoy played on a more compact kit than he has used to in the past (Dream Theater or Avenged Sevenfold days). He still showed it is not the size of the kit, but the drummer who is pounding the skins is what really matters. He was the captain who steered the ship the entire night and played to the fans throughout by tossing sticks, pointing at them and coming out to slap hands with the crowd.
Kotzen was more low key and showcased his talents by switching instruments throughout and even went behind the keyboards on “Regret.” He didn’t say much and let Portnoy do that job.
Anytime there’s a project that Billy Sheehan is involved in, it is a big deal to the people of his hometown who still love and appreciate the Talas bass man. This latest incarnation is no different. Billy played it up and gave the fans all they wanted and more. Portnoy referenced that a few times referring to Billy as “one of your own.” His bass solo was jaw dropping and his playing was spot on, especially on tunes like “The Other Side” and the Talas classic “Shyboy (later re-recorded with David Lee Roth).” In fact, the set list was changed and “Shyboy” was moved from the middle of the set to the encore for the evening.
Hopefully, this will become an extended project that all three members will put in the forefront. It would be a waste of talent if such was not the case!
Setlist:
Elevate
Criminal
We Are One
One More Time
Time Machine
Damaged
Six Feet Deeper
The Other Side
You Saved Me
Not Hopeless
You Can’t Save Me (Richie Kotzen song)
I’m No Angel
The Dying
Regret
Encore:
Fooled Around and Fell in Love (Elvin Bishop cover)
Desire
Shyboy (Talas cover)
We would like to thank Amanda Cagan from ABC-PR for the credentials to review the show.
