Rock Never Stops

Rock-Never-Stops is a US tour aiming to bring back the 80's, a decade blessed with some of the best rock ´n roll the world has ever heard. The Line-up of Rock-Never-Stops is a heaven for headbangers - L.A. Guns, Firehouse, Slaughter, Warrant and Quiet Riot. Hopefully this tour will strengthen the tendencies of a melodic hardrock/glam revival.

The Openers were L.A. Guns with new lead singer Jizzy Pearl, formerly of Love/Hate fame. Unfortunately, due to traffic we missed this part of the show but some fans we talked to said it just didn't sound like L.A. Guns.

Next up was Firehouse With all original members. Great showmen and vocals! The set list included a sing-a-long to "Love of a Lifetime" and "When I Looked Into Your Eyes" along with the upbeat version of "Reach for the Sky". A very remembered moment was when vocalist C.J. Snare told everyone to "stand up for what they believe in." That'sexactly what I considered this show to be - a festival for people who still believe in Rock
'n Roll.

The next to hit the stage was Slaughter. (The first I've seen them since the untimely death of guitarist Tim Kelly - the replacement is a guy named Jeff Blondo) Slaughter was great but you could tell that there should be a little more healing time. They played "Mad About You", "Spend My Life" and the infamous "Fly To The Angels" with ten seconds of silence for Tim. They ended with "Up All Night" with vocalist Mark Slaughter running through the crowd and shaking hands with all the fans. After the show they, being as fan-friendly as always, did a lengthy meet and greet for all the fans who wanted to meet them.

Next up was Warrant with vocalist Jani Lane and bass player Jerry Dixon being the only remaining original members. It seemed that this crowd really enjoyed Warrant, singing "Cherry Pie", a cover of "War Pigs" (which, believe it or not, really suits Jani's voice), "Hole In My Wall" and the melodic version of "Heaven". Basically I was surprised that Jani was sober, but their set also ended with Jani running through the crowd.

Quiet Riot was headlining, doing "Slick Black Cadillac" and "Mama, We're All Crazee Now". They featured the classic lineup with Rudy Sarzo on bass, which I believe was turned up just to show off how talented he is. Finishing with the Slade cover of "Cum On Feel The Noize" and "Metal Health" they ended the show with a speech about telling authority to "Fuck off."

The show ended after five hours (!) of great Rock 'n Roll and seeing it was the highlight of my summer, but also the low. I say low because when I think about how popular all these bands used to be, it's just sad. Warrant used to beadline, and so did Slaughter at times (mainly in the States). All of them have to tour together just to get some sort of an audience!  Why? I don't understand. All of them are the nicest, most fan-friendly bands I've ever met. They all sign autographs, pose for pictures and treat you like a human being.

Hopefully, one day, the public will smarten up and notice good music when they hear it (and stop lining Puff Daddy's pockets!).


Contributed by Julie Oakes
Edited by Adolf Chri$t and Andreas Persson