A triple bill that had a little bit of everything made its way through central New York this past Wednesday. Fans of shock rock, got metal and just plain ole rock and roll. Shock rock legend Alice Cooper, Haletsorm and up and coming band Motionless in White gave the light but hearty crowd 4 hours of various doses of rock.
First up was Motionless in White. The band just released their 5th studio effort “Disguise” in June and were eager to please the overly populated Cooper crowd. The band played 2 tracks off of the new record in “Broadcasting from Beyond the Grave: Death Inc.” and “Brand New Thumb.” Vocalist Chris “Motionless” Cerulli stated the bands appreciation for coming to see them on more than a few occasions. I thought one reference was enough but stating this at least 3 separate times was too much in my opinion. One older gentleman seemed to be enjoying and rocking out to the music and Cerulli said it was like his dad and it freaked him out a little bit. That was an inappropriate thing to say. For band trying to win new fans they should be accepting and appreciating of anyone at any age digging your music.
Next up was a band that BackstageAxxess has a lot of history with in Halestorm. We interviewed the band numerous times throughout the years and shockingly, this was the first time I was catching them since they dropped their latest record “Vicious” over a year ago. Before the band took the stage, all you can hear is a powerful voice coming from backstage. Lzzy Hale’s voice took over and that was just the beginning from a powerful set the band from Red Lion, PA ended up delivering. Halestorm has become so polished over the years. The audience they have built is something to marvel at in this day in age. In a world of pop and circumstance (so to speak), it’s hard for a rock band to get noticed and I believe Haletsorm is doing and they continue to build their brand. They really extended “Love Bites (So Do I)” showing their musical chops. Drummer Arejay Hale always plays with authority and this show was no different. He even brought back out the “Big Drumsticks” out for his drum solo. This was a bit he used earlier in Halestorm’s career. Guitarist Joe Hottinger traded licks with Lzzy Hale in and out all night long. The band played 11 songs in just about an hour set.
Last but not least was the legend himself, Alice Cooper. His an hour and half set included some deeper cuts to please long time Cooper fans and of course, his collection of hits as well. Its been just over 50 years since the bands first record “Pretties For You” was released. His band has remained the same since Nita Strauss took over for Orianthi back in 2014.
If your a rabid Cooper fan you could’t be more happier than what was on the set list. He switched it up as he moved up “Feed my Frankenstein” for the opener. Cooper and his band went deep as “Raped and Frezin’ was played and even brought out “Desperado,” which hasn’t been played live in 11 years. Cooper’s latest album was “Paranormal,”‘ which was released 2 years ago. “Fallen in Love” was the newest track that was played (which was off of this record.) Of course Sheryl Cooper (Alice’s wife) made numerous appearances throughout the set playing the part of the deranged lover/nurse.
Cooper spreads the wealth as his band gets a lot of the limelight in his shows as well. Strauss enjoyed a solo and was all over the place. Sobel and Garric held down the low end all night long. Sobel enjoyed some of the limelight as well during the “Black Widow Jam” with a drum solo. Lzzy Hale made an appearance for the closure “School’s Out” playing guitar along with Ryan Roxie. A blown up Cooper baby for the song also appeared. Confetti and streamers along with balloons rained down as the set closed out.
There are certain things in life you can always count on, death, taxes and a solid Alice cooper show. The performance at CMAC was as expected. After 50 years in the business, Cooper continues to to not only show how its done, but how its done well with consistency over a long period of time.
Alice Cooper setlist:
Feed my Frankenstein
No More Mr. Nice Guy
Bed of Nails
Raped and Freezin’
Fallen in Love
Muscle of Love
I’m Eighteen
Despardo
Billion Dollar Babies
Poison
Guitar solo (Nita Strauss)
Roses on White Lace
My Stars
Devils Food (Band Jam)
Black Widow Jam (With Black Juju drum solo)
Steven
Dead Babies
I Love the Dead (Band vocals only)
Escape
Teenage Frankenstein
Encore:
Under my Wheels
Schools Out (With Lzzy Hale of Halestorm and snippet of Another Brick in the Wall-Pink Floyd cover)
We would kike to thank Amy Sciaretto from Atom Splitter PR and Abby Kochan from CMAC for the credentials to review the show.
