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BUCKCHERRY
Black Stone Cherry & The Bangkok Five
July 20, 2006
The Trocadero, Philadelphia PA
Review by Tracey L, Photos by Ed Banas
Philadelphia, PA-Cherry, Cherry, Cherry…Jackpot! Everyone on hand, inside the legendary Trocadero Theatre, received a hefty payout of rock ‘n roll indulgence on this hot summer evening. Starting the night off right, with their glam-punk swagger, was The Bangkok Five, a band from Los Angeles California, who by their own account, are prepared to take over the world, one city at a time. Singer, Frost, maintaining a crazed look on his face, sprung around the stage like a drunken monkey, leaping on and off the bass drum, singing his bloody lungs out and at one point attempted to straddle the steel barrier with his left leg while the right leg remained loosely clinging to the edge of the stage. Brandishing stage antics that were far from graceful, he seemed to effectively impress the girls in the front row, while the rest of the band held down a groove that was tighter than Frosts pants.
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The crowd was now sufficiently primed for a rock show: Mission accomplished!
(note: You can read about The B-5’s gritty rock tales and tribulations in my exclusive interview with them here.)
Tearing out of the gate for the next set was Kentucky based Black Stone Cherry who, as if it wasn’t already hot enough in this joint, set the place ablaze with one monster jam after the next. These guys look fresh outta high school and guitarist, Ben Wells, has that Leif Garrett baby face that’s sure to win over the ladies, as well as, the chops to impress the harshest male critic. Singer, Chris Robertson, who voices resembles that of Noah Hunt from Kenny Wayne Shepard’s band, delivered some dominantly smooth and soulful vocals, most impressively on a smokin’ blues number that was well received by the crowd. Dueling guitar solos and simultaneous head-banging/hair flipping entranced the audience whose fists were in the air throughout BSC's volcanic performance. These guys are poised to pick up where Pantera left off and will take it to a whole new level.
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With out further adieu, lock up your daughters, sauntering onto the stage was the shirtless, sex-soaked lyricist, Mr. Josh Todd, in all of his homo-erotic, tattooed glory. Ah yes, the crowd was beyond anxious for the ninety-minute set of Buckcherry melodies that takes one on a tour of the glam and the grime, leaving you nothing but sweaty and satisfied.
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Among a select few songs from the latest release entitled “15,” was the poignant power ballad, “Sorry,” and the nail biting "Next to You" and "So Far." The climax came, right on cue, as the opening “Ahhhhh, right…..” introduced the intoxicating riff to “Crazy Bitch.” As security was busy dismantling the mosh circle and grounding crowd surfers the chorus of “Crazy Bitch” was bellowed out in unison by all in attendance. Fittingly placed, mid “Bitch,” were a few refrains of Billy Squire’s “Stroke Me” and The Ohio Player's “Fire.” “Ridin’”, “Dead Again” and “For the Movies” rounded out a night of pure, feel-good, ROCK. From the hip-shaking Bangkok Five to the hard-driving force of Black Stone Cherry to the unrefined energy and sexuality of Buckcherry, it was simply another reminder of why I’ll love this shit ‘til the day I die. Can I get a "Hell, yeah?" |
