First off I wanted to mention how nice it was for me to catch Blue Oyster Cult again after having not seeing them for umpteen years now. I happen to remember noticing plenty of the 4,100 strong crowd commenting how they were just as anxious to see B.O.C. as they were catching Alice again. Couldn't tell you their complete set list but I know they played a decent 45 minute set that included "Burning For You", a lengthy version of "Godzilla", "Don't Fear The Reaper" and at least four other songs. Only current members I can tell you they have now are original members vocalist Eric Bloom and guitarist / vocalist Buck Dharma with of course Quiet Riot bassist Rudy Sarzo. Wouldn't mind seeing Blue Oyster Cult headlining a gig like this next time around.
Next up was that long time shocker rocker, ace radio personality, world class golfer and (essentially) a friend to most of us old and new fans Alice Cooper. Before I get started I wanted to say this show (which I also saw in Kansas City, MO on August 26) was better than his previous 'Dirty Diamonds' 2005-2006 trek. I mean, it was a memorable experience but I just don't see how he could ever top this current 'Psych Drama' tour. I'm sure he'll think of a way. Started off with Alice behind a massive drape donning his name with the intro music from the 'Exorcist' movie I believe before opening with a deep album track off his 1977 'Lace & Whiskey' lp - "It's Hot Tonight", then came "No More Mr. Nice Guy", "Under My Wheels", "I'm Eighteen", "Is It My Body" and "Woman Of Mass Distraction". Maybe it was just me but from standing in the second row, the stage sort of resembled a pirate ship. It just then hit me that Alice is sort of ' like the Captain Hook of rock and roll' . Tunes to follow were his Beavis and Butthead theme "Lost In America", "Feed My Frankenstein" and the heaviest and maybe the best-ever live version I've ever heard of "Be My Lover". What followed next nearly made me wet my knickers, three more of his precious 'deep album cuts' that I've never heard played live before - "Raped And Freezin' ", his 1972 white trash calling card "Public Animal No. 9" (somebody bitch slap me upside the head - I think I'm dreaming) and "Muscle Of Love". Wow! After I was already hoarse from yelling, he then performed a couple of more often played 'deep album tracks' off his 1971 'Killer' lp, his tribute to Jim Morrison "Desperado" and "Halo Of Flies" where daughter Calico came out dressed as an Asian spy woman pointing a pistol at our rock and roll villain. I was obviously having the time of my life.
Then came with a fog covered stage "Welcome To My Nightmare", the rocking "Cold Ethyl", "Only Women Bleed", "Steven", "Dead Babies" (thought it was clever how he had a mic built into the baby carriage) and "Ballad Of Dwight Fry" before the medley of "Devil's Food / Killer / I Love The Dead" had literally made my summer by having a couple of executioners dragging Alice (while back in the straight jacket) stepping up the spooky stairs of the gallows to be hung, as he hadn't featured the gallows on tour since his 1988 'Raise Your Fist And Yell' tour. Band played on until a few minutes later when Uncle Alice returned for "School's Out" complete with six large sized balloons, "Billion Dollar Babies", "Poison" and the finale "Elected" where there were four stage extras came out jumping around wearing rubber masks and carrying signs promoting Alice for president. Too bad I wasn't able to see him co-headlining for Heaven And Hell. Now, I can see why several fans I was receiving emails from where so looking forward to his 'Psych Drama' extravaganza. Not to be missed.
