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Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts

Saturday, October 24, 2026

Rock Rock Till They Drop: Pyromania Delivered A Def Leppard Masterclass Inside The Tuscany Suites Casino Copa Room Last Night!

 


Most tribute bands never make it out of the gate. Lineups change, personalities collide, gigs start drying up, and before long the workload outweighs the payoff. The few that survive build a loyal following, lock in repeat bookings, and maintain a stable lineup, giving them a fighting chance at reaching the ten-year mark.

But crossing the 20-year threshold is rock 'n' roll rarified air. At that point, a tribute band is no longer just paying homage to an artist, they've become a brand of their own. Fans keep coming back year after year, casinos and festivals know their name, and their reputation starts carrying as much weight as the music they're celebrating.

Bands like Pyromania, performing since 2002, belong to that elite fraternity. More than two decades on the road is an impressive accomplishment for any act, and even more remarkable in the tribute-band world. After witnessing last night's performance, it's easy to understand why Pyromania has remained a force on the world music scene for more than 24 years. They didn't just play the songs, they proved exactly why they've stood the test of time!

Last night, Pyromania blew through Def Leppard's catalog with the power, precision, and swagger of a band that has spent decades perfecting its craft. The setlist packed plenty of punches, including "Rock Rock (Till You Drop)," "Let It Go," "Another Hit and Run," "Photograph," "Animal," "Billy's Got a Gun," "Rock of Ages," "Foolin'," "Love Bites," "Rocket," "Armageddon It," and "Hysteria," before closing out the night with the ultimate Def Leppard anthem, "Pour Some Sugar on Me."

A big reason for the band's longevity is the caliber of musicians on stage. Frontman Andrew Freeman commands the spotlight with a powerful vocal range, magnetic stage presence, and the confidence of a seasoned rocker who has performed alongside some of hard rock's biggest names. He doesn't simply sing the songs, he attacks them with the energy and swagger that made Def Leppard an arena-rock phenomenon.

On guitar, Neal Shelton, a founding member of Pyromania, has been one of the driving forces behind the band's success from day one. More than two decades later, his passion for the music and commitment to authenticity continue to serve as the backbone of the production. His vision helped build Pyromania into one of the most respected Def Leppard tributes on the planet.

Behind the kit, James Schultz delivers the thunder. His hard-hitting style, rock-solid timing, and ability to recreate the powerful Def Leppard drum sound keep the engine running at full throttle from the first song to the last encore.

Holding down the low end is Patrick Jay McGrath, whose bass work provides the foundation that allows the band to soar. Locked in with the drums, McGrath supplies the groove, punch, and musical muscle that keeps every classic anthem hitting with maximum impact.

Completing the twin-guitar attack is Brandon Paul, whose impressive chops, stage presence, and attention to detail help bring Def Leppard's layered guitar sound to life. Whether delivering soaring leads or locking into those signature riffs, Paul's performance is a key ingredient in the band's arena-sized sound.

{My Take}

From the opening notes to the final sing-along, the crowd was treated to a masterclass in arena rock. After witnessing last night's performance, it's easy to understand why Pyromania has remained a force on the tribute circuit for more than 24 years. They didn't just perform the songs; they delivered a full-blown Def Leppard experience!

What an awesome show! 
Rock Rock Till You Drop? Mission accomplished. 馃馃幐馃敟

Gary England


Band Members & Information

Andrew Freeman Out Front Vocals

Neal Shelton Guitar (Founding Member)

James Schultz Drums

Patrick Jay McGrath Bass

Brandon Paul Guitar

Pyromania Facebook

Pyromania Official Website

Pyromania Instagram

Pyromania YouTube

Tuscany Suites 

Tuscany Suites Copa Room


Sunday, September 6, 2026

Queensr每che Hit Las Vegas Saturday Night Inside The Cannery Casino Hotel With A Meteor Barrage Of Non-Stop Hits That Left The Club Glowing in the Afterburn!

 Saturday, September 5th, 2026

Queensryche 

Cannery Casino Hotel "The Club"



Queensr每che’s evolution from their early 1980s metal beginnings to the present day reads like a masterclass in artistic growth! 
They rose quickly with a sound that blended heavy-metal precision, power‑metal fire, and the atmospheric ambition that would make them pioneers of progressive metal. Through the decades, the band kept pushing boundaries, refining their craft, and expanding their musical reach. 
Then came June 2012 — a turning point that felt less like a shake‑up and more like a rebirth. Todd La Torre stepped in and immediately reignited the band’s signature energy, bringing a fresh spark that lit up both studio and stage. 
Joined by founding forces Michael Wilton and Eddie Jackson, the return of guitarist Mike Stone, and the dynamic drumming of Casey Grillo, 
Queensr每che stands today as a revitalized, battle‑ready band, one that honors its legacy while hitting the modern era with renewed strength and unmistakable purpose!

Saturday night, Queensr每che stormed The Club stage inside the Cannery Casino Hotel and took no hostages, firing off a set of over 90 minutes that hit the room like a precision‑guided missile! 

Queensr每che hit the Cannery like a detonation, blasting through swirling lights, rolling smoke, and arena‑grade sound. It was a totally awesome experience!

The band erupted like a sonic boom, sending metal shrapnel across the crowd as they launched straight into "Queen of the Reich". They kept the adrenaline spiking with "Operation Mindcrime", "Walk In The Shadows", "Speak", "I Don't Believe In Love", "Best I Can", and "Warning". Before Todd threw the switch and blasted the house lights back on, he leaned into this easy, laid‑back moment with the crowd, a full showroom of diehards packed tight into The Club. He wasn’t “addressing an audience”; he was talking with old friends, thanking everyone for showing up and hitting the night with the kind of energy only Las Vegas fans bring. It felt like one of those catch‑ups you fall into with people you haven’t seen in a while — warm, familiar, and real.

Those few minutes felt like the calm before the next detonation — a rare, quiet pocket in the night where the band caught their breath and the room held still. It wasn’t long, just enough time for Queensr每che to reset, reload, and let the adrenaline settle for half a heartbeat.

And when they kicked back in, it was obvious that breather didn’t slow them down; it supercharged them. Their internal metal meter wasn’t just back in the green; it was pegged past 100%, redlining like a machine built to run hotter than physics should allow!

Queensr每che came out swinging like a trained MMA fighter with a score to settle, blasting into the set with "Neue Regel", "Behind the Walls"," Take Hold of the Flame", and "Silent Lucidity". By then, The Club wasn’t just packed — it was alive, every voice locked in, every fan singing every word like they were right up there onstage with the band.

Then came the next barrage: "Jet City Woman", "Screaming in Digital", and "Anarchy X" — each one hitting with the force of a flaming meteor slamming straight into the Las Vegas Strip.

Another quick breather followed, just long enough for Todd to introduce the band and share a moment with the fans packed into the Club. Then Queensr每che fired off the final salvo: "Revolution Calling", "Empire", and the night‑ending knockout punch, "Eyes of a Stranger".

As for my review grade?

Queensr每che closed out the night like a band dead‑set on proving why they’re still one of the most lethal forces in metal. Every member was firing at peak power — razor‑sharp guitars slicing through the room, bass lines rumbling like underground Vegas thunder, drums hitting with the precision of a seasoned prizefighter, and Todd’s vocals soaring, snarling, and commanding every inch of The Club. The lighting rig blasted the stage in waves of neon fire, smoke curled around the band like a living creature, and the sound system punched with arena‑level force that felt impossible for a club room to contain.

It wasn’t just a concert — it was a full‑scale metal storm, a night where every song landed like a meteor strike and every moment reminded you why Queensr每che still owns any stage they step onto.

I walked in as a classic rock writer… I walked out a full-blown metalhead.

Gary England

Brought to you by Boyd Gaming








Saturday, September 5, 2026

Yellow Brick Road: Vegas’ Eternal Rock Pulse Erupts Inside Santa Fe Station’s Chrome Showroom Last Night!

 Friday Sept. 4th

Yellow Brick Road

Santa Fe Station Chrome Showroom




It had been way too long since I last got blasted by the powerhouse known as Yellow Brick Road. Too many nights, too many bands, too many neon‑soaked distractions; you know how Vegas chews up the calendar and spits out your free time!

So, when Friday night finally rolled in, I was locked, loaded, and primed to take a full‑throttle sonic hit right to the chin!

I was more than fired up for a night of classic rock heavyweights, delivered by one of Sin City’s longest‑running, never‑say‑die bands — the mighty Yellow Brick Road, still tearing up Las Vegas like the neon never burned out.

The clock slammed into nine, and it was on! If you’ve ever caught Yellow Brick Road in the wild, you already know — this band doesn’t ease into anything. They hit the stage like they’re kicking down a door.

Panama, We Will Rock You, a blast of Eddie Money, Two Tickets to Paradise, and a shot of Sweet Emotion — the whole room lit up. The crowd went from warm to volcanic, bodies shifting forward, itching to spill onto the dance floor the second the groove cracked open!

A couple of shots of Tom Petty — American Girl and Runnin’ Down a Dream — blew through the room, giving David St. John a bright spotlight to flex that low‑end thunder he’s famous for. Then YBR eased off the gas just long enough to slide into REO Speedwagon’s Can’t Fight This Feeling, and yeah… you could hear Mark Cole now.

Mark didn’t just play — he detonated. His Van Halen Eruption solo ripped through the showroom like a lightning strike, every note sharp enough to cut glass.

Then Corky Gainsford stepped up and absolutely wrecked the drum kit with a fan‑favorite solo under the full blaze of the lights — pure rhythmic violence, the kind Vegas lives for.

Frontman Kelly Christian took the reins next, showing off that killer voice with Any Way You Want It, Eminence Front, Cult of Personality, All Right Now, and a scorching Hot for Teacher to slam the door on the night.

Yellow Brick Road didn’t just play a show. They torched the stage and walked off like legends.

If you crave classic rock that still swings a sledgehammer, Yellow Brick Road is a must‑see and see‑again!

A Las Vegas staple since 1997, these guys don’t just play the classics — they make Classic Rock proud!

Gary England






Sunday, August 30, 2026

Ridin' The Storm Out Brought Its Thunder To Arizona Charlie's Decatur Saturday Night: What An Awesome REO Speedwagon Full Blown Experience!

 

Official Website

Saturday, August 29th, 2026

Ridin' The Storm Out Review

Arizona Charlie's Decatur

Years back, I found myself backstage inside the old Hilton Hotel showroom, talking with members of REO Speedwagon. It remains one of the brightest moments of my media life—one of those rare nights that stays etched in your memory. They are definitely one of my favorite bands!

 So, when I learned on Saturday afternoon that Ridin' The Storm Out, the powerhouse REO tribute band out of Cali, was hitting the stage at Arizona Charlie’s Decatur that night, I didn’t hesitate. 

Ridin’ The Storm Out is about as close as you’re ever going to get to having the original REO Speedwagon band on stage. Same fire, same punch, same heart‑thumping blast of classic rock power!

Ridin’ The Storm Out hit the stage around 8:30 PM, and when I say hit, I mean they grabbed that packed showroom by the collar and shook it awake. After a quick burst of what sounded like the Little Rascals theme—just long enough to make everyone grin—they launched straight into more than 90 minutes of REO Speedwagon’s biggest, loudest, crowd‑pleasing classics. Don’t Let Him Go lit the fuse, and the whole room reacted like someone flipped a switch—fans on their feet, the dance floor jammed shoulder‑to‑shoulder, and the energy shooting through the place like a live wire on fire!

Keep Pushin’, Keep On Lovin’ You, Keep The Fire Burnin; and That Ain’t Love—one REO classic after another—cranked the heat even higher, firing up the crowd until the whole place felt like it was running on pure rock‑and‑roll adrenaline.

Live Every Moment, Tough Guys, Time for Me to Fly, and Back on the Road Again didn’t just seal the deal—they blew the doors right off the night. When those four famous hits dropped, the whole place erupted like someone plugged the crowd straight into a stadium‑sized power amp. 

The dance floor? Forget it. Wall‑to‑wall bodies, no room left, take a number and hope you can squeeze in. It was that perfect rock‑and‑roll moment when the band is on fire, the fans are all in, and the whole room might lift totally off the ground!

I Can’t Fight This Feeling, Take It On the Run, and Ridin’ The Storm Out slammed the door on the main set. No classic leave‑the‑stage, stroll‑back‑for‑an‑encore routine—Ridin’ The Storm Out kept it real. It felt more like, “Y’all want one more?” And they delivered, closing out their night with Roll With the Changes, wrapping a full 90‑minute blast of REO power into one last surge that sent the crowd out glowing!

How about this crew of top‑shelf, road‑tested musicians powering Ridin' The Storm Out band!

 Up front on lead vocals and guitar is Michael Zescu, a frontman who delivers every line like he’s firing it straight from a spotlight‑soaked stage. Trading lightning with him on lead guitar is Rick Hunter, the veteran axe‑slinger whose riffs hit with the authority of a man who’s lived the REO legacy from the inside. On bass, Stephen Zipper locks down the low end with that cool, unshakeable groove that keeps the whole engine rumbling. Matt Brown commands the keys, layering in the shimmering textures, keyboard swells, and classic rock color that make the songs breathe. And driving the whole machine from behind the kit is Larry Paschall, a drummer who keeps the beat tight, loud, and right in the pocket—every hit landing like a pulse of pure arena energy.

{My Take}

Take it from this old rock writer—if you haven’t seen Ridin’ The Storm Out, Keep Pushin’ till you do. These guys bring the kind of REO fire that reminds you why we all fell in love with loud guitars and big choruses in the first place. And trust me, they’ll be Back On the Road Again in a town near you before long. As far as my review goes, it’s simple: Go see Ridin’ The Storm Out the next time they hit a venue anywhere close to your zip code. Check out the links below to see where they’ll be tearing up stages in the future. As for me, well… it’s Time For Me To Fly!

Gary England


Ridin' The Storm Out Official Website

Ridin' The Storm Out Facebook

Arizona Charlie's Decatur Las Vegas

Arizona Charlie's Facebook



Saturday, August 29, 2026

Petty And The Heartshakers Homecoming: Vegas Gets Its Petty Fix Friday Night Inside The Orleans Hotel & Casino Showroom

 Friday night, August 28th

Petty And the Heartshakers Review

Orleans Hotel Showroom



Last night felt like a homecoming party with the amps turned all the way up, as the Orleans Hotel & Casino showroom threw open its doors and welcomed Dan Grennes and Petty and the Heartshakers back to Las Vegas. It’s been way to long, and the crowd knew it—fans were already stacking up at the entrance when the Orleans crew started waving everyone inside, like they couldn’t wait either.

The room was still filling, drinks clinking, people jockeying for their favorite sightline—then boom. Lights down. A ripple rolled through the crowd. It was Showtime!

Phones shot up, cell phone cameras everywhere, and the whole place snapped to life as Petty and the Heartshakers stormed the stage to a wall of applause that hit like an implosion on the Las Vegas Strip! The first chords cracked the air, the crowd roared back, and suddenly the Orleans showroom wasn’t a showroom anymore—it was a rock cathedral, and the Heartshakers were preaching the gospel of Tom Petty!

American Girl came screaming out of the gate as the first song in their 90‑minute set, and the crowd erupted as if they’d been waiting for years for that exact chord. Behind the band, the massive video screen kicked into overdrive, firing off a kaleidoscope of vintage Petty imagery—sun‑bleached Americana, retro tour shots, flashes of the past stitched right into the heartbeat of the music.

It wasn’t just nostalgia. It was a time‑warp highway, and Petty and the Heartshakers were driving it with an arena‑level horsepower machine!

From there, Petty and the Heartshakers tore straight into the prime‑time glory years of Tom Petty—the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s—the era when every album felt like a victory lap and every song was built to shake an arena. They fired off Refugee, Listen To Her Heart, Mary Jane’s Last Dance, I Won’t Back Down, Rebels, and You Got Lucky like they were dealing out a royal flush, each track hitting harder than the last.

By this point, the lifelong rockers in the crowd couldn’t stay in their seats anymore. They surged toward the stage, packing in tight, getting that up-close-and-personal view of the band doing what they do best. It felt less like a concert and more like a reunion of the faithful fans pressed right up to the edge of the lights, living inside every riff, every lyric, every heartbeat of the night!

The next run of songs hit like a steel‑toed kick right to the heart of this old rock writer—the Petty classics that always land hardest. You Don’t Know How It Feels rolled out first, that slow‑burn swagger lighting up the room. Then came Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around, delivered as a cool, smoky duet between Dan Grennes and Sara D’Arce, the kind of onstage chemistry that makes you forget you’re watching a tribute and not the real deal.

From there, the band cracked into Breakdown, slid smooth into Here Comes My Girl, and then launched a closing barrage of Petty heavy‑hitters: Freefallin’, Don’t Do Me Like That, Don’t Come Around Here No More, and Runnin’ Down a Dream—each one hitting like a neon‑lit memory straight out of rock‑and‑roll heaven.

And just when the crowd thought the night was over, the Heartshakers came back swinging with an encore that felt like a gift—Even the Losers, delivered with every ounce of grit and soul the band had left in the tank.

Ninety-plus minutes of Tom Petty glory, pumped through the Orleans Showroom by the number‑one Petty tribute on the planet—Petty and the Heartshakers. A night of pure rock communion, and Vegas soaked up every second of it!

Petty and the Heartshakers need no introduction. They’re the number‑one Tom Petty tribute on planet Earth, the kind of group with top-shelf musicians that doesn’t just play the songs—they channel the spirit! The swagger, the road‑dust soul of Tom Petty’s prime!

When they hit the stage, it’s not imitation. It’s ignition. It’s that familiar jolt that tells every rock‑and‑roll lifer in the room: buckle up, the night’s about to catch fire!

Petty and the Heartshakers roll with a lineup that reads like a who’s‑who of road‑tested rock warriors, starting with Dan Grennes, the band’s fire‑voiced frontman and rhythm‑guitar anchor, whose r茅sum茅 includes American Idiot on Broadway alongside Billie Joe Armstrong and Melissa Etheridge—a guy who knows how to command a stage and make every lyric hit with arena‑level conviction. On lead guitar, Chris Cicchino brings the kind of high‑voltage precision you only get from sharing stages with Brian Johnson and Rob Halford, peeling off solos that feel like they were forged in the engine room of a tour bus barreling down a midnight highway. Holding down the low end for the night was “Special Guest” Jon Stenber, locking in the groove with that cool, unshakeable bassist presence that keeps the whole machine rumbling forward. Brenda Fitz handled keyboards with the finesse of someone who’s worked with Kip Winger, among many other rock stars in the biz, layering in those shimmering textures and vintage key swells that make Petty’s catalog feel cinematic. Behind the kit, Les Warner—yes, that Les Warner from The Cult—drove the night with thunderous, road‑hardened authority, every snare crack landing like a shot of adrenaline. And rounding out the lineup was Sara D’Arce, whose vocals—shaped by her work with La India—brought a soulful, electric edge to the night. She didn’t just sing; she charged the room, especially when she stepped into the spotlight for her duet with Dan Grennes on Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around.

Together, as an awesome band, they're a rock‑and‑roll strike force, each member hauling decades of grit, pedigree, and stage fire straight into the Orleans showroom. This lineup doesn’t recreate Petty—they resurrect him, night after night, with the kind of voltage only seasoned road warriors like these awesome musicians (Rock Stars) can deliver.

{My Take}

Welcome back home, Petty and the Heartshakers. You blasted us straight into the past and proved—without a shred of doubt—why you’re the number‑one Tom Petty tribute band on planet Earth. Friday night you didn’t just play the songs… You nailed them, lit them up, and sent them roaring through the Orleans showroom like a jet engine at full throttle. So yeah—welcome back to Vegas. Just do us all a favor and don’t stay gone so damn long next time.

And if anyone out there still hasn’t figured it out, let me spell it out in full rock‑writer fashion:

My Review — this band is a must‑see, an A‑plus, a five‑stars‑and‑then‑some, catch‑them‑whenever‑you‑can blast of ridiculously talented musicians!

Yes, Petty and the Heartshakers RAWK. Really hard!!

—Gary England


#NationalNewsMedia #WorldwideEntertainmentNetwork #USAT #LasVegasReviewJournal #MoreFoxFive


Petty And the Heartshakers Web

The Orleans Hotel Casino Facebook

The Orleans Hotel Boyd Gaming

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Inside the Crash: Singer-Songwriter Danny Wilde’s ALL THE THINGS

 



Danny Wilde’s ALL THE THINGS isn’t just a breakup album — it’s a story told like a rock‑and‑roll crash scene, starting with the wreckage and then rolling back through the moments that caused it. The opener CRASH hits like a spotlight from above: guitars heavy, production wide, Wilde’s voice dead‑center and confident. One word sets the emotional battlefield. But once you hear the whole record, CRASH becomes something else entirely — a miniature of everything that follows.

From there, Wilde shifts angles and characters. BREAK flips the narrative to a woman’s point of view, pushing determination and emotional fracture with radio‑ready punch. AMY brings names, history and country‑leaning storytelling, setting up the emotional fallout that makes PUSH more than just a commercial arena‑rock single. PUSH moves with purpose — verses driving, chorus landing like a destination — and its title becomes action, attitude and consequence.

Then comes the emotional peak: STAY, a simple one‑word plea built on boots by the door, two cups on the floor, and Wilde’s willingness to let vulnerability carry the vocal. It’s the moment where running stops. HEARTS follows with healing instead of bargaining — guitars acting like another character, country‑rock sliding into power‑ballad territory, and themes of faith and mercy giving the chorus unusual weight.

After six full songs, the album breaks open. EASTLAND, just 42 seconds, flashes by like involuntary memory — a cinematic fragment surfacing before the final chapter. And that chapter is STAY UNPLUGGED, the same song as Track Five but now stripped bare, remembered instead of lived. The lyric hasn’t changed; the listener has. The acoustic version proves Wilde’s writing stands without production muscle.

The whole album plays like a film: CRASH shows the wreck, the next seven tracks show the scenes that explain it. Arena rock, country storytelling, power‑ballad emotion, cinematic fragments — all tied together by Wilde’s sharp, economical songwriting. No filler. Even EASTLAND has a job. And repeating STAY completes the narrative device rather than padding the runtime.

ALL THE THINGS starts with a crash. Then Danny Wilde shows you everything inside it!

ALL THE THINGS doesn’t just play — it unfolds, like a reel of emotional wreckage running backward until every dent, bruise, and memory snaps into place. Wilde starts with the impact, then drags you through the story piece by piece until CRASH means something entirely different than it did when the needle first dropped. No filler. No wasted motion. Just eight tracks doing exactly the job they were built to do. When STAY UNPLUGGED fades out, you don’t just want to replay the album — you want to re‑enter the wreckage and hear CRASH with brand‑new ears. That’s the mark of a songwriter who knows exactly what he’s doing!

Gary England - Danny Wilde

The Ikons Of Rock Opened Their Extended Residency At The Strat LV Tuesday Night August 25th With Rock n' Roll Perfection!

Tuesday night, August 25th

Opening Night Show Review




A thunderbolt ripped through the Strat Las Vegas on opening night as the Ikons of Rock stormed into their new Las Vegas residency with the kind of explosive authority that only seasoned rock warriors can deliver. From the moment the lights dropped, Tuesday’s premiere crowd knew they were in for something big — and they scored huge!

For more than 70 relentless minutes, the Ikons fired off a barrage of classic rock anthems, each one delivered with the raw voltage and road‑tested swagger that defined the genre’s golden age. These weren’t just songs; they were monuments — riffs and choruses carved into the DNA of rock ’n’ roll itself. And the band of entertainers treated them with the respect of historians and the ferocity of headliners who still know how to make an entire room feel alive.

Every guitar stab, every drum hit, every vocal blast carried that unmistakable reminder of why these tracks became immortal in classic rock ’n’ roll history. It wasn’t nostalgia — it was resurrection. The Ikons didn’t just play the music; they reignited it, sending it roaring across the Strat like a jet engine tuned to the frequency of every rock fan’s heartbeat.

The Ikons of Rock tore through a powerhouse setlist that played like a guided tour through the Mount Rushmore of hard‑hitting, arena‑shaking rock. They hammered out fist‑raising selections from KISS (“Detroit Rock City,” “Shout It Out Loud”), Heart (“Alone,” “Even It Up”), Bon Jovi (“Livin’ on a Prayer,” “You Give Love a Bad Name”), Pat Benatar (“Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “Heartbreaker”), Alice Cooper (“School’s Out,” “Under My Wheels”), and M枚tley Cr眉e (“Girls, Girls, Girls,” “Looks That Kill”) — each song delivered with the kind of stage‑born authority that proves these songs were built for big rooms, loud amps, and fans who still believe in the gospel of guitar!

And just when the crowd thought the night had peaked, the band unleashed the Prince of Darkness himself — Ozzy Osbourne — to close out the show in true metal‑royalty fashion with “Crazy Train.” The finale hit like a blackout‑level surge, the kind of ending that sends fans out into the Vegas night buzzing, grinning, and already plotting their return to the Strat for another show!

What would the Ikons of Rock be without the world‑class performers and powerhouse musicians who drive the engine every night? This residency is built on the backs of its fearless vocalists — Darren Moore, Rachel Kline, Drew Hart, and Christelle Dussault — each bringing their own fire, range, and personality to the stage. Holding down the low end with authority is Andy Gerold on bass, locking in tight with Nannette Fortier on drums, whose thunderous precision keeps the whole show roaring forward. And slicing through the mix with arena‑sized riffs is guitarist Kurt “KK” Krezanski, delivering the kind of fretwork that gives the Ikons their unmistakable rock‑and‑roll bite.

Together, this cast doesn’t just perform the music — they embody it, fueling the Ikons of Rock with the grit, talent, and attitude that made their opening‑night residency debut hit like a live‑wire jolt!

 From the first note to the last, they proved that great rock ’n’ roll doesn’t just happen — it erupts when great musicians step up and bring it to life!

The Ikons of Rock proved why their opening‑night residency is already muscling its way into the Best of Las Vegas nominations for Tribute & Production Show, 2026. The lighting, sound, and stage setup didn’t just impress — they came at the crowd like a neon‑lit punch, blasting the Strat with a full‑throttle assault of color and volume. Every vocalist and every band member showed up locked and loaded, and truly dangerous, delivering top‑shelf talent with the kind of grit that says they didn’t come here to play it safe. This is the kind of show that grabs you and growls, “Vegas, we own this room now!”

I'd say that the Ikons Of Rock will be a fixture at the Strat Las Vegas for a long, long time!


Gary England


To vote for the Ikons Of Rock "Best Of Las Vegas": Head to www.votebolv.com

Go to the Entertainment Tab (Tribute Show & Production Show) and hit the vote button.

You can vote once a day in each category until the September 10th midnight cutoff.

For more information & Tickets, check the links below.

Ikons Of Rock - Tickets

Ikons Of Rock - Web

Ikons Of Rock - Facebook

Ikons Of Rock - Instagram

Ikons Of Rock - Instagram

Ikons Of Rock - YouTube Channel

Ikons Of Rock - TikTok Channel


Sunday, August 23, 2026

Acoustic Echoes Fill The Air Inside The Hard Rock Cafe: Todd Kerns & Bruce Kulick Offer A Raw Unplugged Performance In Support Of The Nevada SPCA!

 

(Click on picture to enlarge)

Saturday afternoon, we made our way down to the Vegas Strip to the Hard Rock Cafe, where Todd Kerns was performing with special guest Bruce Kulick in a fundraiser to support the Nevada SPCA through donations from the fans.

The packed bar got slammed with 90 straight minutes of pure rock adrenaline — Ozzy, Guns N’ Roses, Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door, Home Sweet Home, M枚tley Cr眉e, Bon Jovi, Wanted Dead or Alive, Bret Michaels’ Every Rose Has Its Thorn, Whitesnake’s Here I Go Again, and a full‑throttle sing‑along to Livin’ on a Prayer.

Then the night hit another gear. Special guest Bruce Kulick stepped up beside Todd, and together they tore into a medley of KISS classics — Forever, I Was Made for Lovin’ You, and Heaven’s on Fire —

Todd & Bruce transformed the Hard Rock Cafe into a fully charged Vegas moment — the kind lit by neon reflections off the bar and driven by a crowd locked into every note. The energy built steadily as the room filled, and by the time the guitars peaked, it felt less like a casual afternoon set and more like a signature Strip experience! It was the kind of performance that doesn’t just entertain; it leaves fans with a clear sense that they witnessed something very special, the sort of memory Las Vegas is known for creating!

{My Take}

The acoustic afternoon at the Hard Rock Cafe carried a kind of stillness you don’t often find on the Strip — a pause in the usual rush, where the lights outside felt distant and the room itself became the whole world. Todd Kerns and Bruce Kulick eased into their set with the kind of calm confidence that comes from years onstage, but here it felt different. Without the volume, without the spectacle, the focus shifted to the small things: the way their voices blended, the soft scrape of fingers on strings, the shared breath before a chorus.

Fans didn’t just listen; they settled into the moment. Some watched with quiet smiles, others let their eyes drift closed, taking in the songs like memories being revisited rather than performed. It was the kind of afternoon that reminded you how music can slow time down when it wants to — how an unplugged performance can feel more honest than a full production ever could.

And the donations for the Nevada SPCA added a gentle weight to it all. People arrived with envelopes, bags, and small offerings, placing them at the table with a kind of quiet pride. It wasn’t a grand gesture, but a collective one — a room full of individuals choosing to give back while sharing an intimate musical moment. In a city built on noise and spectacle, this gathering felt like a reminder that connection often happens in the quieter spaces!

What an awesome unplugged afternoon!

Gary England

Saturday, August 22, 2026

Tonight Saturday August 22nd: Paul Shortino & Mitch Perry Bring The Heat Back To The Treasure Island Hotel's Breeze Bar!

 


Last night I rolled down the LV Strip and straight into the neon glow of Treasure Island’s Breeze Bar, where Paul Shortino and Mitch Perry were already warming the room like two rock‑and‑roll demigods tuning up for battle. The place was packed — locals, tourists, die‑hard music freaks — all crammed in shoulder‑to‑shoulder, waiting for this Best of Las Vegas‑nominated duo to light the fuse.

Even during soundcheck, these two weren’t “warming up.” They were detonating. Shortino’s voice hit the room like a velvet sledgehammer, and Perry — part guitarist, part keyboard sorcerer — carved riffs that made the Breeze Bar feel like a backstage jam at Madison Square Garden.

The show launched around seven with “Shooting Star” by Bad Company, and from there it was a full‑throttle ride through the soundtrack of America’s wild heart: Bee Gees, The Temptations, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Rod Stewart, Allman Brothers, Journey — and then the Quiet Riot classic “Bang Your Head”, delivered by the Quiet Riot man himself, Paul Freakin’ Shortino.

Later came the heavy artillery: “Whole Lotta Love,” “Ramble On,” Marvin Gaye soul, Grace Slick psychedelia, CTA brass, and a knockout closer with “What a Wonderful World.” Only in Vegas do you get Zeppelin, Motown, and Louis Armstrong in the same set — and only Shortino & Perry can make it feel like one seamless, swaggering story.

Two world‑class guitarists. Mitch the keyboard wizard. Paul’s unmistakable, world‑famous voice. When you see them live, you instantly get why they’re nominated for Best of Las Vegas 2026 — Lounge Act.

They’re back at it tonight, 7–10 PM, inside the Breeze Bar at Treasure Island. And if you want to support real Vegas talent, you can vote for them at www.votebolv.com under the Lounge Act category.

Have A BaDD-A$$ Saturday Night!

Gary England

Friday, August 21, 2026

Rustic Lounge Roll‑Call: The Bands & The Musicians Who Lit Up The Stage!

 




Last night, I rolled into the Rustic Lounge in Henderson for their every‑other‑Thursday night Jam‑Fest — and man, these nights always hit different. I live for these jam sessions. The room turns into a playground for raw Vegas and Henderson talent, with musicians stepping up to show off what they’ve got, test‑drive fresh riffs, tighten the loose bolts, and just flat‑out do the thing they love. It’s some of the best homegrown firepower in the valley, all plugged in and unleashed!



From the second I hit the door, I knew the night was about to explode. The place was packed wall‑to‑wall with fans, die‑hard music lovers, and a whole crew of local musicians I already recognized — the kind of crowd that tells you that the Rustic Lounge is about to throw down something special!

My mission for the night wasn’t just to soak up the music — it was to snag some intel on a few standout bands and local talent I can blast out to the world. I’m always looking to give these Vegas and Henderson artists a little extra push in the right direction, shine a light on their grind, and help their names travel farther than the room they’re playing in. And let’s just say… my blog has some suits in the music biz around the world watching and listening to what I say!

The whole night was off the charts from the jump. Every band, every music maker, every artist who hit that stage was locked in and bringing it loud — no misses, no warm‑ups, just straight firepower all night long!


The first band to grab my attention was Satin Steel out of Arizona. After their set, I sat down with them and went straight into my “you guys need to move to Vegas” spiel — because your sound and look would crush it here. Word, is they love Zona and its music scene, but they’re seriously vibing with the Vegas crowd, and they’re all about the Rustic Lounge. Let’s just say, if you’re a venue booker or a music promoter in Vegas, you might want to check out Satin Steel’s YouTube channel. They’ve got Vegas written all over them!



The next artist to hit the stage was a showstopper — a young powerhouse with the look of Cleopatra, with the voice of Ann Wilson from Heart, and the fearless, electric stage charisma of a Miley Cyrus.
 I first saw her over a year ago when she was just breaking into the music scene, and in that short time she’s transformed into a full‑throttle rock star dominating the local circuit. Helena Harris, you’ve officially grabbed this rock-journalist's attention. Wow. < Chasing Light >





My third spotlight dropped right onto Paul Anthony Systemec and his beautiful wife, Jen Lynn. Before they hit the stage, Paul told me, “Me and Jen are just doing a simple acoustic set tonight.” Well… Paul, Jen — that “simple acoustic set” sounded like a full arena‑touring band rolling through the Rustic Lounge. Big, bold, and absolutely awesome. Paul mentioned his band is getting things back in motion after a short hiatus from the biz, and from what I saw and heard last night, you’re more than ready to storm the stage again! Bring it on!

{My Take}




What an absolutely awesome night of music, friends, and full‑throttle talent at the Rustic Lounge. 
Huge thanks to Carmen and Les Warner for the invite — you two know how to pack a room with firepower. 



And a special shoutout to Dave Bentz and Dezi Lou for keeping the whole show running smooth as glass. 
To Satin Steel, Helena Harris, Paul and Jen, and every single band and musician who lit up that stage last night —

  You All RAWK!

Gary England



Sunday, August 9, 2026

Arizona Charlie's Decatur Welcomes Shooting Star To Las Vegas Last Night With A Three Hour Shot Heard Around The World!

 Saturday night wasn’t planned — it was floating in the neon breeze — until Carmen Shortino dropped a message that hit like a power chord: her husband, Paul Shortino, was gearing up to blow the roof off one of my favorite Vegas hideouts, Arizona Charlie's. That was it. Decision made. Stamp it. Rock‑and‑roll approved!

"Shooting Star" At Arizona Charlie's


"Shooting Star"


But then the brain kicked in: Wait… with who? What band? What lineup is Paul unleashing tonight? So, I jump on Facebook, and boom — both Arizona Charlie’s locations (Decatur and Boulder Highway) were hyping country‑themed headliners!

And I’m sitting there thinking: Paul Shortino — the leather‑clad, arena‑tested, big‑voiced rock BaDD‑A$$ — doing COUNTRY? Now that sounded like the kind of wild Vegas curveball I live for. If Paul Shortino’s stepping into a country vibe, you know he’s about to twist it, torch it, and turn it into something unforgettable!

With that second message from Paul’s wife, it was like someone slammed a boot down on the big Green GO button — I (and my wife) blasted out the door and tore toward Arizona Charlie’s on North Decatur, one of my all‑time favorite Vegas battlegrounds where the local music scene doesn’t just hit play… it explodes!

When we rolled into the casino and pushed through the doors of the club, bam — instant shockwave. There stood Paul, not with some country outfit, but flanked by two full‑throttle rock assassins: my longtime brothers‑in‑noise, guitar destroyer Steve Burchell and drum detonator Mark Saul.

Long story short — forget the cowboy hats and country twang. What we were looking at was a brand‑new rock'n monster, a blues‑drenched, classic‑rock killer band, forged straight out of Paul Shortino’s Classic rock volcanic mind!

"Shooting Star" has officially crash‑landed onto the Vegas music scene. And trust me… this band isn’t arriving quietly. Vegas better brace itself for future shock!

The lights hit, and Shooting Star hit the stage, officially on the local Las Vegas music scene grid!

 Opening with Honky Tonk Women and Rock Me Baby, two instant local‑scene wrecking balls that announced, loud and clear, this band wasn’t here to warm up the room — they were here to claim it!

 From there, the night turned into a full‑throttle rock‑and‑roll rampage as Shooting Star tore through Rocky Mountain Way, Black Magic Woman, and a barrage of classics from the Eagles, Bad Company, Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty, and the immortal Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple. They kept the fire rolling with hits from the Doobie Brothers, Bryan Adams, Marvin Gaye, Journey, Quiet Riot, and even a blast of rock‑and‑roll royalty from Elvis. 

Just before midnight, Paul sealed the night with a surprise solo encore — "What A Wonderful World" — the perfect victory lap after a night that hit like a freight train of blues, soul, and classic‑rock thunder! 

Yes, "Shooting Star" has officially arrived!

We, the fans, need more Shooting Star in our lives — more of that volcanic Shortino magic, more of that Burchell‑and‑Saul thunder, more of that soul‑shaking rock‑and‑roll that hits you right in the chest and leaves you grinning all the way home!

Gary England

The Icons Of Classic Rock

#NationalNewsMedia #WorldwideEntertainmentNetwork #USAT





Thursday, August 6, 2026

The Ultimate Sammy Hagar Experience: Three Lock Box Returns Home To The Aliante Casino Hotel Showroom Saturday Night August 15th!

 

Tickets

Three Lock Box — the world’s most famous, most explosive, and most dead‑on tribute to Sammy Hagar — is rolling into North Las Vegas on Saturday night, August 15th, like a red‑hot comet, ready to ignite the Aliante Casino Hotel’s plush showroom for one unforgettable night!

This is Las Vegas turned all the way up: blazing lights, velvet‑smooth sound, with Jay Cee hitting the stage with so much Red Rocker fire that the crowd will double‑take and swear Sammy himself just strutted in from the Strip.

And the band behind him? Pure Vegas horsepower!

On lead guitar, Steve Heath tears into every riff with that molten‑metal precision — the kind of tone that slices through the room like a chrome‑plated jet engine. On bass, Merry Adin locks down the low end with a thunderous groove, shaking the floorboards like the Fremont Street Experience on a Saturday night. On keys, Brenda Fitz paints the air with shimmering synth lines and velvet‑smooth textures, giving every song that classic Hagar lift and arena‑sized shine. On drums, Danny Robert drives the whole machine — a rhythmic powerhouse whose snare cracks hit like neon lightning and whose kick drum feels like the heartbeat of North Las Vegas itself. And adding that irresistible Vegas heat, Sherri Klein brings her sexy, seductive dancer energy to the stage — a hypnotic presence that turns every song into a full‑blown spectacle. Out front, Jay Cee delivers the voice, the swagger, the fire‑in‑the‑gut attitude — and at first glance, you’ll swear Sammy himself just walked into the spotlight.

Expect the full Hagar arsenal — the anthems, the scream‑along classics, the deep‑cut gems — delivered with the kind of high‑octane precision that made Three Lock Box the global gold standard of Hagar tributes. It all goes down Saturday night, August 15th at 8 PM. Inside the Aliante Casino Hotel Showroom

Click on this link for Information and tickets.

An entire night with the Red Rocker! — I’ll totally be there! 

Gary England.


Event Information

Tickets 

Aliante Casino Hotel

Three Lock Box Facebook

www.sincitysammy.com

Sunday, July 26, 2026

Las Vegas Tuscany Suites Casino Copa Room: Two Bands One Night Total Vegas Destruction!

 


Part two of my Saturday night (July 25th) music adventure is coming in hot. If you missed the first blast, catch part 1 here and get yourself up to speed. After soaking in two original‑music BadA$$ bands at the Artist Showcase Night at Sixx Gun Music, the night shifted gears and slammed straight into the Tuscany Suites Casino Copa Room — home turf for two bands every Sin City rocker knows by heart. Saints of Las Vegas and Children of the Grave (Black Sabbath tribute) hit the stage like thunder, two fully established forces of Vegas badassery that don’t need introductions, explanations, or hype. They just show up, plug in, and level the room!

As soon as The Saints of Las Vegas hit the stage, the whole room detonated. Chaos didn’t creep in — it erupted. Amps roared wide‑open, fans surged toward the stage like a Mojave dust storm ripping through town, and the Copa Room flipped from calm to full‑tilt rock mayhem in seconds. The Saints didn’t just start their set… they unleashed it, turning the night into the kind of wild, neon‑lit frenzy only Vegas bands know how to deliver. 

They blasted the night wide open with a killer run of crowd‑pleasers — Boys of Summer, Tragedy, Man in the Box, Life In The Fast Lane, She's Got Legs, ZZ Top, How Soon Is Now, Toys in the Attic, and Ace of Spades, just to name a few. It was a rapid‑fire barrage of hits, each one landing harder than the last, turning the room into a full‑tilt rock cyclone that only Vegas bands can conjure!

The Saints are straight‑up legendary in Las Vegas — a hometown rock institution that’s been lighting up stages and blowing out amps for years. And when they hit the Copa Room, the lineup was stacked with Sin City heavy hitters, each one bringing their own brand of grit, charm, and rock‑and‑roll fire.

John Ryan Robertson — Vocals

John Ryan Robertson is the spark plug out front, firing up every crowd with rock‑star charm and razor‑sharp charisma. His comedic grit and stage swagger keep the show moving like a runaway freight train. He’s the kind of frontman who owns the room the second he steps into the lights.

Brent Muscat — Lead Guitar

Brent Muscat brings world‑tour pedigree straight from his Faster Pussycat days, delivering riffs that hit with veteran precision. His tone is unmistakable, his solos slice through the room, and his presence screams pure rock lineage. When Muscat plugs in, the night shifts into high gear.

Michael “Doc” Ellis — Guitar

Doc Ellis is a guitar hero with desert‑forged grit and a blues‑heavy attack that commands attention. His playing is raw, powerful, and dripping with veteran swagger. He’s the quiet assassin onstage — until he unleashes a riff that stops the room cold.

Keith Trombino — Bass

Keith Trombino holds down the low end with thick, punchy bass lines that shake the floorboards. He plays with a heavy, no‑nonsense grit that gives the Saints their backbone. When Keith locks in, the whole band hits harder.

Pat Caruso — Drums

Pat Caruso drives the Saints with clean, powerful, dead‑on drumming that keeps every song tight. He’s the rhythmic anchor, the heartbeat behind the chaos. Pat’s precision gives the band its unstoppable momentum.

Put these five Vegas warriors on one stage and you don’t just get a show — you get a full‑scale Sin City detonation, the kind of rock explosion that proves The Saints of Las Vegas aren’t just legendary… they’re unstoppable. When these guys lock in, the whole room feels it — the lights seem brighter, the amps seem louder, and the crowd surges like the Strip on a Saturday night. It’s that rare, combustible chemistry where every player hits with maximum force, feeding off the neon, the noise, and the madness of Vegas itself.

This isn’t just a band firing on all cylinders — it’s a rock machine built from pedigree, grit, and decades of stage warfare. When The Saints unleash, the city doesn’t just listen… it bows.

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Next up came the dark‑side detonator — Children Of The Grave, the Ozzy‑chanting, Sabbath‑soaked wrecking crew that storms the stage like they were summoned straight from the underworld. This band doesn’t cover Black Sabbath… they resurrect it. The moment they hit the lights, the room shifts, the air thickens, and every fan feels that familiar jolt — the one that says you’re about to get blasted with the kind of heavy, doom‑laden power that made Sabbath immortal.

Children Of The Grave plays with a ferocity that would make Ozzy grin!

Their guitar madman grinds with that unmistakable Sabbath weight — thick, dirty, and heavy enough to shake the walls — while the bass rolls through the room like a full‑force Vegas quake under the Strip. The drums don’t just keep time; they hit with bunker‑busting intensity, every strike landing like a shockwave. And the vocals? Pure dark‑theater electricity, soaring and snarling with that eerie, iconic Sabbath vibe that grabs the crowd by the spine. Children Of The Grave doesn’t imitate; they duplicate!

This crew is the real deal — a Vegas powerhouse that doesn’t just honor Black Sabbath’s legacy; they ignite it. Every crushing riff, every rumbling low‑end blast, every spine‑rattling chorus feels like a resurrection of the godfathers of heavy metal. When Children Of The Grave storms the stage, Sin City gets a loud, undeniable reminder that Sabbath’s shadow still rules the night!

Last night, Children Of The Grave tore into the room with an unmistakable, heavy‑metal battle cry — opening with Paranoid, War Pigs, Wicked World, Mr. Crowley, Children Of The Grave, and Crazy Train, among other dark‑side classics. Each song hit like a chapter out of heavy‑metal scripture, the kind of tracks that didn’t just shape rock history — they rewired it.

Paranoid is the anthem that launched a thousand metal bands, a raw, frantic blast that defined the early sound of heavy music. War Pigs remains one of the most powerful anti‑war epics ever written, its grinding riffs and battlefield‑march rhythm still shaking audiences decades later. Wicked World dives into Sabbath’s blues‑rooted darkness, a reminder of how the band fused grit and doom into something entirely new.

When they dropped Mr. Crowley, the room lit up — Ozzy’s solo-era masterpiece, dripping with mystique and Randy Rhoads’ legendary guitar wizardry. Children Of The Grave itself is pure Sabbath rebellion, a pounding, apocalyptic warning wrapped in one of the heaviest riffs of its era. And Crazy Train? That’s the eternal Ozzy rallying cry — a high‑voltage shockwave that helped define modern metal and still electrifies crowds every time it hits.

Children Of The Grave didn’t just play these songs — they unleashed them, reminding Vegas why these tracks still stand as pillars of heavy‑metal history!

Who are these musicians who bring the music back from the grave?

Mike Yoder — Vocals

Mike Yoder channels Ozzy with a precision that borders on supernatural. He’s got that eerie vibrato, that wild‑eyed stage presence, and that unmistakable Sabbath snarl that grabs the crowd by the throat. When he steps to the mic, it doesn’t feel like a tribute — it feels like Ozzy himself just walked out of the shadows.

Max Rico — Lead Guitar

Max Rico brings the Tony Iommi fire with riffs that grind like steel and solos that slice through the room with doom‑laden authority. His tone is thick, heavy, and dripping with that classic Sabbath menace. Max doesn’t imitate Iommi — he summons him, delivering guitar work that feels forged in the same molten pit!

Keith Trombino — Bass

Keith Trombino flips into full dark‑mode here, blasting bass lines that rumble like a Vegas quake under the Strip. His low end is monstrous — thick, punishing, and locked in with the exact weight Sabbath demands. When Keith digs in, the whole room shakes like the gates of hell just cracked open!

Bryan Lorenzo — Drums

Bryan Lorenzo drives the band with bunker‑busting force, pounding out Sabbath’s iconic rhythms with deadly accuracy. His drumming hits like artillery — thunderous, relentless, and perfectly synced to the band’s dark‑side energy. Bryan doesn’t just keep time; he sets the battlefield!

Put these four together and Children Of The Grave becomes a full‑scale heavy‑metal resurrection — a dark, roaring, Vegas‑born tribute that doesn’t just honor Black Sabbath… it makes them proud. When Mike Yoder, Max Rico, Keith Trombino, and Bryan Lorenzo lock in, the whole room feels that seismic shift — the kind of energy that turns a tribute set into a ritual. The riffs get heavier, the air gets darker, and the crowd gets pulled straight into that Sabbath vortex where every note feels carved from the underworld.

This lineup doesn’t just recreate the classics — they weaponize them. They bring the weight, the menace, and the raw electricity that defined the birth of heavy metal, delivering it with a modern Vegas ferocity that hits harder than ever. Children Of The Grave is the kind of band that reminds Sin City why Sabbath’s legacy still towers over the genre like a monolith of doom!

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Once again, the Tuscany Suites Casino Copa Room proved why it’s one of the most beloved battlegrounds in the Las Vegas music scene. Management didn’t just book bands — they brought in the exact heavy hitters the fans crave, the kind of acts that turn a Saturday night into a full‑tilt rock riot. This venue is a gem: killer lights, chest‑thumping sound, and a bar staff that works with the speed and swagger of seasoned rock pros.

Fans love the Tuscany. Musicians love the Tuscany. And this rock writer — me — absolutely does too. It’s one of the few rooms in Vegas where every show feels like a celebration of the city’s loud, loyal, neon‑soaked music culture. The Local Las Vegas Music Scene!

Gary England

The Saints Of Las Vegas

Children Of The Grave

Tuscany Suites Casino