Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, Colorado, USA23rd January 2008
Queensryche “2008 Take Cover Tour” and Don Dokken
Queensryche was formed in the Seattle suburbs in 1981, 27 years ago (how time flies!) and four of the five original members are still in the lineup, which makes for an excellently choreographed and rehearsed visual treat for taking a variety of photos. The experience of the group has made each of these talented musicians extremely comfortable playing together and individually – very tightly bonded. The band consists of: classically trained singer, Geoff Tate, bassist, Eddie Jackson, drummer, Scott Rockenfield and the two guitarists (original) Michael Wilton and (2003 addition) Mike Stone. http://www.queensryche.com/ / www.myspace.com/Queensryche
Don Dokken
Opening the evening for Queensryche was 80’s rock music’s legend, DON DOKKEN, performing a solo acoustic set. Playing unplugged and in a more relaxed setting put his music in a different light for those that are used to seeing him play with a full electric band. It was a unique, but refreshingly nice change to see and hear songs like ‘Breaking The Chains’ done in an acoustic style.
Sitting on a high stool with a table next to him that held what looked to be a large goblet of fine wine along with a cup of beer and a candle, made for a very serene setting. There were candles scattered around the stage as well. With a lit cigarette throughout the set stuck in-between his guitar strings, Don mentioned to the crowd a couple of times how the idea of him playing an acoustic set was a pretty spontaneous idea, but even in his discomfort with it at first, the idea was highly encouraged by QUEENSRYCHE and after a time period of thinking about what music he would perform, quite agreeable to him after all. Laughing and joking with the crowd on several occasions in-between songs, he appeared very relaxed and seeming to have a great time.
As usual, the popular Dokken’s set was a crowd energizer and his music seems to be welcome by the crowd regardless of whether it’s electric power rock with a full band or softer acoustic style playing like he’s at home entertaining a few select friends. He performs and sings excellent either way!
Queensryche
I was excited to see this show. QUEENSRYCHE, hugely popular in Europe throughout their career, had in earlier years been nominated for four Grammy awards and had had success with their music being featured in three separate feature films, so I was anxious to hear and see why. Over the years many music critics have described their music as an “innovative entity” that has inspired many-a-musician throughout their long history. It was an interesting thought for me to witness whether they could really justify such successes in an era of shows from other bands that time after time prove nothing more than mediocrity and going through the motions.
Never having seen QUEENSRYCHE perform live before, I was slightly apprehensive about whether I’d like their show or not. To me they had always sounded wonderful on recording but I didn’t think they could possibly duplicate the quality of sound in a live performance. Was I ever wrong, they actually sounded better live, which made this show one of the best ones I’ve seen and heard in years!
Music & Performance
The stage set was made up of a couple of ramps on either side of the drums and the drum kit itself enveloped in thick, heavy metal chains, which created lots of “drama” and fanfare before the show even started. This section of the stage highlighted with brightly colored lights really made for some imaginative questions in my mind as to what exactly my eyes were going to be feasting upon for the next couple hours.
Braving the elements of bitter cold and the high altitude of Colorado, QUEENSRYCHE took the stage in all their glory showing the usual drama, energy, great showmanship and incredible music that they are so widely known for. Performing music from their latest release, Take Cover, along with many of their hits from a variety of work that spans their 27 year history, highlights included QUEENSRYCHE’s renditions of Pink Floyd’s ‘Welcome To The Machine’ and The Police’s ‘Synchronicity II’, both incredibly reworked with the QUEENSRYCHE style of dramatic flair.
Crowd pleaser, ‘I’m American’ (from 2005’s ‘Operation: Mindcrime II’ saga album and tour which is supposed to be released on a double live DVD) was warmly welcomed and effortlessly performed. Geoff Tate’s unique vocals, sounding exceptionally brilliant in this show, proved song after song why this band has always garnered the success that only legends are made of. Despite the drawbacks of cold, thin air, Geoff has rarely sounded better according to fans I spoke with, many of whom sang along with each song performed and expressed great pleasure in their opinions of the show.
Toward the end of QUEENSRYCHE’s set, Geoff Tate teased the crowd some by asking what they wanted to hear and encouraged lots of song names to be screamed out by the people in the first few rows. He finally “settled” with the hit ‘Jet City Woman’ to great applause, singing along and fists pounding the air as the band played the song without a flaw. The crowd was on their feet the entire show and couldn’t get enough. Originally skeptical, I quickly and easily concluded that this show is one to see, it definitely started the new year out right in Denver! I’ll definitely look forward to the next Queensryche tour, and the next and the next. . . . . These guys work harder than the majority of bands I’ve seen of late, and they work their show with lots of pride. They appreciate their fans, take their work very seriously and aim to please. This is much more than just a “day job” to QUEENSRYCHE!
The Tour Schedule
QUEENSRYCHE is scheduled to perform throughout the entire month of February all over the U.S., ending in Seattle on March 1. I’ve read that that they are in the midst of recording another new album for release late this year or early 2009. After a three month break, come June, they regroup for the make up tour of the United Kingdom that had to be cancelled and rescheduled from last November and December, ending with just one final show in Germany:
June 13, 2008 Glasgow, UK
June 14, 2008 Newcastle, UK
June 15, 2008 Leeds, UK
June 17, 2008 Manchester, UK
June 18, 2008 Wolverhampton, UK
June 20, 2008 Norwich, UK
June 21, 2008 Cambridge, UK
June 22, 2008 London, UK
June 24, 2008 Bristol, UK
June 25, 2008 Southampton, UK
June 27, 2008 Bang Your Head Festival - Balingen, German
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