Concert Review. Dokken

Last night I got the chance to see 80's metal icons Dokken perform live. They put on a good show, even if it wasn't all of the original members. Also before we got to them, we had three other acts, of varying abilities, to check out.

First up was an act called Idyle Tyme. Sad to say, it was more like waste of time. They weren't awful, nor insulting (like The Locust at the Andrew WK show), but the band's playing was not all that tight, and the songs didn't stand out. They aren't a band I'd go to see specifically.

Next up was a young looking local act called Metadox. These guys were not that bad, they had a sound that seemed heavily influenced by the likes of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. No sooner did I think that, they jumped into a decent, if slightly faster, cover of Iron Maiden's The Trooper. They were not a great band, but the potential is there. They were young, I would guess they couldn't have been more than 18 or 19. They have a long way to go, if they stick with it as a band they could become very good. They obviously had the skills, what they need is discipline and a few more years experience. I hope they give it a go, I would not mind seeing how the develop.

One more act to go, and that act is Livesay. I have seen this band a number of times, but has been quite awhile since I last saw them grace the stage. I had actually been wondering if they broke up. The last I saw them, they had announced that they had been signed to a record label. They have a sound that is reminiscent of 80's power metal and more current progressive, a bit like Dream Theater. I was happy to see that they had toned down the 80's metal look, although the bass player still looks a bit like a poodle. They used to all wear the tight laced up leather pants and open shirts and had mullet-like hair, the guitar player looks like he wants to be Yngwie Malmsteen. Anyway, they put an a good set, I have seen them play better, but they do know how to work the stage and got us all set for our main event, Dokken.

Finally Dokken arrives onstage. The band is playing Kiss of Death, but no can here Don singing. Don grabs the backup mic, still no voice. Finally they get the mic working and they finish the song. This was the first time I have been able to see Dokken live, they may not be on top of the world like they were twenty years ago, but they still know how to rock. The band is down to two of the original members, 'Wild' Mick Brown on the drums, and of course, Don Dokken on lead vocals. They have found a new bass player in Barry Sparks, who is amazing, he played some solos, and what he can do on four strings was amazing. They have also recruited a new guitar player with Jon Levin, who is also a practicing lawyer, who is more than a worthy replacement for the long since departed George Lynch (who I have seen twice over the past year in his other band, Lynch Mob, and solo). All of the old hits were played in addition to Kiss of Death, we also heard Breaking the Chains, Just Got Lucky, Alone Again, Heaven Sent, Too High to Fly, and a track from their latest album, Escape. Don's voice did not seem as strong as it once was, but he still sounded great, his voice instantly recognizable. It was great singing along with all the songs, Don loved it too, often turning the mic towards the crowd to sing along. One thing I have noticed seeing all of the former 80's heavyweights over the past few years, is that they seem to be having more fun now, maybe it's because the fans that turn out are the true fans that have stuck by them for years. Whatever the case, they tend to put on great, more personal feeling shows. They played for a little over an hour and then came back to play In My Dreams and Paris is Burning for an Encore. The stage set was nice looking, with a neat black light reactive pattern hanging on either side of the stage, a couple of strobe lights, and the giant gong behind Mick's impressive looking drum kit. Another thing to note is the mix, it was one of the best mixes I have heard at the chance. It was not so loud that it distorted, but it was loud enough to feel, plus each instrument was easy to pick out, I could focus on guitar, drums, bass, or vocals and make out every note. It was good to be able to make out all of Don's words. If only all of the shows their could be mixed as well.

After the show, the band was hanging out behind the club talking with fans and posing for photos, and signing autographs. I was able to get up and thank Don for a great show, and he signed my ticket stub. He seemed like a very nice guy who was happy to spend time with the fans, stark contrast to the egotistical guy I remember reading about when George left the band and Don went solo. I can only hope they come around again in the near future. I will be posting some photos I took with my camera over at Deadlock Victim, if anyone is interested.