ALICE COOPER Concert Review

Alice Cooper

Sunday, July 14, 2013

State Theatre, Minneapolis, MN

Fresh off of a co-headlining run with Marilyn Manson, Alice Cooper brought his troupe to town for the first of two shows at the State Theatre. This was billed as “An Evening with Alice Cooper”, so I was excited to finally see an extended, full set from Alice since all previous times seeing him were part of a package tour (twice with Judas Priest, Dangerous Toys, Motorhead, and Metal Church) or as co-headliner (with Rob Zombie). It looked like I was going to have to miss this show, but a last-minute miracle enabled me to go so I wasn’t disappointed that I was forced to arrive late and hear “No More Mr. Nice Guy” and “Under My Wheels” as I found the way to my seats (the show was opened with “Hello Hooray” and “House Of Fire” prior to these two songs).

Slideshow of Alice Cooper pictures (20). These are screenshots of some of the video of the show, so the image quality is below my usual standards.

What I like about Alice’s show is that he doesn’t shy away from playing new songs, while also forgoing some of his hits to play some lesser-known favorites. The first hour of the set featured newer songs “I’ll Bite Your Face Off”, “Caffeine”, and “Dirty Diamonds” (including a drum solo) mixed in with old standards like “Billion Dollar Babies”, “Department Of Youth”, and “Hey Stoopid”. Rounding out the first half were other 70s-era classics: “Welcome To My Nightmare”, “Go To Hell”, and “Devil’s Food”.

Click here or on any of the pictures to see more photos of Alice Cooper (20).

Up until this point (from what I saw) the stage show made use of simple props and actors, but “Feed My Frankenstein” had Alice strapped to a spark-emitting machine that turned him into the fictional monster. Returning as Alice for “Ballad Of Dwight Fry” while singing in a straightjacket, a segment of “Killer” brought a roar from the crowd as he was executed by a guillotine before his head was paraded around during a short version of “I Love The Dead”.

Playing tribute to fallen rock stars, the band then honored Jim Morrison, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, and Keith Moon by playing spirited covers of their respective bands: “Break On Through (To The Other Side)”, “Revolution”, “Foxy Lady”, and “My Generation”. This part of the show was the only disappointment, only because I’m not particularly fond of any of these bands. Mandatory classics “I’m Eighteen” and “Poison” brought the show to a close, with “School’s Out” saved for the encore.

Alice Cooper never puts on a bad show, and this one was everything you would expect. The entire production was flawless and no time was wasted, not even to address the crowd – the lights dimmed for no more than five seconds between each song before launching into the next one. With three guitarists in the band for this tour, this was probably the heaviest and most lively performance of his band that I’ve seen. With a career now approaching 50 years, Alice’s quality of studio output has understandably varied at times, but there is no doubt that his live performances are better than ever. The man is a true legend, and Alice once again reminded the sold-out crowd of why he has remained relevant and endearing to generations of fans.

Concert Announcements - March 22, 2013

Local sludge band Witchden has the “Loud Wednesday’s Residency” at Cause Spirits & Soundbar in Minneapolis for the month of April. The band will play every Wednesday in April (3, 10, 17, and 24) with other local bands for no cover charge.

Former Misfits vocalist Michale Graves returns for a show at Cause Spirits & Soundbar in Minneapolis on Tuesday, April 30 with support from Ripsnorter, Regenerators, and They Live.

Progressive/hard rock legends Kansas return to the area on Friday, May 3 for a show at the Events & Convention Center at Grand Casino in Hinckley. Tickets go on sale Thursday, March 28.

Falling In Reverse will be playing an all ages show at Mill City Nights in Minneapolis on Sunday, May 12. Tickets go on sale today, Friday, March 22 at 10:00 am.

Taproot comes back to the town for a show on Wednesday, May 15 at First Avenue in Minneapolis.

Fear Factory makes their long-awaiting appearance to promote The Industrialist following cancellation of their U.S. tour last summer on Wednesday, May 22 at Station 4 in St. Paul. Support with come from Hate Eternal, Kobra And The Lotus, Climactic, and Standing Alliance. Tickets go on sale today, Friday, March 22 at 10:00 am.

Sludge rock stars Kylesa will be playing the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis on Monday, June 3 with support from Blood Ceremony and White Hills.

Former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di'Anno's June 5 show at Neisen's in Savage has apparently been CANCELLED. Some websites still list other U.S. dates in June, but Paul's official webpage has all U.S. dates removed. I've removed this from the Concert Calendar pending any official word about this.

Prosthetic Records recording artist from Minneapolis Ambassador Gun plays Neisen's in Savage on Saturday, June 8 with Outside, The Murder, Climactic, Ghosthook, and Mastiff.

During a break in their co-headlining run with Lynyrd Skynyrd, hark rock/blues band Bad Company plays their own headlining show with support from Joan Jett And The Blackhearts on Friday, July 5 at the Amphitheater at Grand Casino in Hinckley. Tickets go on sale Thursday, May 9.

As posted a coupledates ago, Alice Cooper has added second show at the State Theatre in Minneapolis on Monday, July 15. Tickets go on sale today, Friday, March 22 at 10:00 am through the State Theatre box office and all Ticketmaster outlets.

Three Days Grace has been announced as the final headliner for Rock Fest in Cadott, Wisconsin on Thursday, July 18, topping the bill with Seether, Halestorm, All That Remains, and Aranda.

ALICE COOPER Adds Seconds Show, Ticket Presale Starts Today

Tickets for Alice Cooper's Sunday, July 14 concert at the State Theatre in Minneapolis are on track to sell out, so a second date has been added on Monday, July 15 at the same venue. The State Theatre is reserved seating only so buy tickets early to get the best seats. Tickets go on sale this Friday, March 22 at 10:00 am.

A ticket presale for the July 15 show starts today, Wednesday, March 20 at 10:00 at the State Theatre box office and all Ticketmaster outlets - the password is TRUSTROCK. This presale opportunity only lasts for 24 hours.

Concert Announcements - March 1, 2013

The concert calendar is starting fill out more as shows for the summer season start to filter in. First up with the new announcements are concerts for which tickets go on sale today, Friday, March 1 at 10:00 am:

Suicidal Tendencies, DRI, and Wake The Dead will play an 18+ show at Mill City Nights in Minneapolis on Tuesday, April 16.

Kvelertak returns to the area for an 18+ headlining show with support from Cancer Bats on Saturday, April 27 at the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis (tickets on sale for this one at 12:00 noon).

Papa Roach comes to the Mayo Civic Center Auditorium in Rochester for an all ages show with Escape The Fate and Otherwise on Tuesday, May 21. Tickets purchased today are only $14.99 - advance go up to $23 thereafter and $25 at the door.

The ever-bizarre Primus will play an all ages show at Myth in St. Paul on Saturday, June 1.

As mentioned in the presale announcement a couple days ago, the legendary Alice Cooper will play an all ages show at the State Theatre in Minneapolis on Sunday, July 14.

There's plenty of other recent metal concert news:

Heathenfest 4 featuring Einherjer, Sig:Ar:Tyr, Vanir, Ashaena, Trelleborg, Hammer Horde, Vesperia, Minos, Battlesoul, and Winterhymn on Saturday, March 9 at Station 4 in St. Paul has been CANCELLED. A FREE 16+ show is being lined up in its place with Minos and other bands to be announced. A February 13 post on the Einherjer Facebook page blames the cancellation on the promoter: "Ok, it seems we need to clear up any misunderstandings regarding the cancellation of our performance at Heathen Crusade. We are not able to perform because we didn't get any money from the promoter. No money for flights, no money for visas. We've tried our best to find a solution, but the deadline for the working visa application left us no choice but to cancel. We're really sorry it came to this....and we are just as pissed off as you are!!!" There's always two sides to any dispute like this (every band I've talked to loves working with SwordLord), but my guess is that it all comes down to weak advance ticket sales.

(hed)pe returns to St. Paul on Sunday, March 31 at Station 4 for an all ages show with Nuisance, Strate-Jak-It, and Angry Room.

Long-running death metal band Suffocation brings Exhumed, Jungle Rot, Rings Of Saturn, and Adimiron to Station 4 in St. Paul on Monday, April 8 for a 16+ show.

Within The Ruins and The Contortionist co-headline an all ages show with support from I Declare War, Reflections, and City In The Sea on Tuesday, April 9 at Station 4 in St. Paul.

Punk band The Casualties will be playing at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis on Saturday, April 20.

Swedish death metal band Hypocrisy comes backs to Station 4 in St. Paul on Tuesday, May 7 with Krisiun, Aborted, Arsis, and Starkill.

Des Moines-based death metal band Amass The Grave plays Station 4 in St. Paul on Sunday, May 26 with The Curse Of Hail and Climactic for a 21+ show.

Former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di'Anno will hit Neisen's in Savage on Wednesday, June 5.

Bang Tango plays the Hi 5 Bar in Burnsville on Thursday, June 6 with support from Metal Witch and Black Rainbow.

Former Guns 'N' Roses drummer Steven Adler brings his new band simply called Adler to Buster's in Mankato on Sunday, June 30.

ALICE COOPER Concert Announcement, Presale Password

The legendary Alice Cooper returns to the area for an intimate show at the State Theatre in Minneapolis on Sunday, July 14. There's no word yet on support acts. Tickets go on sale this Friday, March 1, 10:00 am through Ticketmaster.

A 24 hour ticket presale starts this morning, Wednesday, February 27 at 10:00 am through Ticketmaster and in person at the State Theatre box office. The presale password is: TRUSTCOOP

Rob Zombie And Alice Cooper Concert Review

Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Mayo Civic Center Arena, Rochester, MN

This co-headlining tour was a brilliant idea, and it brought two theatrical metal legends together for a run through small cities across America and Canada. Alice Cooper was up first, and he stole the show with a deep 80 minute set that showed why every horror-themed band borrows from him. The crowd was immediately brought to its feet with the timeless anthem “School’s Out”, and from there he worked his way through both hits and old album cuts. All the songs you would expect to hear were played, from “I’m Eighteen” and “Poison” to “Billion Dollar Babies”, “Elected”, “No More Mr. Nice Guy”, and “Under My Wheels”. Long-time fans had a lot to be happy for, with forgotten hits and album tracks like “I Never Cry”, “Department Of Youth”, “I Love The Dead”, and “Cold Ethyl” all being aired. Alice made the most of his time, and wasted no time between songs as he led the band through more than 20 songs. All the usual props were used, but it never seems old as Alice is summarily decapitated, hung, and impaled by spikes during the show. He’s a master showman, and it’s hard to see how anyone could walk away unimpressed at the high level of professionalism in every aspect of the show. Those who think that 70s-era rockers aren’t relevant in today’s music scene haven’t seen Alice Cooper recently. Here are some videos of Alice’s show, and the review of Rob Zombie’s set is continued below.

Click to watch Alice Cooper play “I’m Eighteen”.

Click to watch Alice Cooper play “Go To Hell”.

Click to watch Alice Cooper play “Only Women Bleed”.

Click to watch Alice Cooper play and get hanged during “I Never Cry/Black Widow Jam”.

Rob Zombie emerged following a 30 minute intermission, and the differences between his elaborate stage show as Alice Cooper’s couldn’t have been starker. Blinding strobe lights, massive amounts of pyrotechnics, and roving robots took the place of more traditional props. Zombie’s show was also great, but it was disappointing that he played a shorter set (70 minutes) with a lot of banter and wasted time between songs. Nevertheless, a load of hits such as “Superbeast”, “Never Gonna Stop”, and “Living Dead Girl” early in the set had the crowd delighted. Two new songs from Hellbilly Deluxe 2, “What?” and “Mars Needs Women”, were played, and guitarist John 5 put in an impressive, extended solo. Zombie and his band are highly energetic, and they run around on stage with vigor that matches the light show. “Thunderkiss ‘65” was unfortunately played way too fast, but a super-charged version of “Demonoid Phenomenon” lit the arena up. A funny moment happened when small feathers were shot from guns onto the crowd in front of the stage, coating everyone’s sweaty bodies with them. Zombie doesn’t shy away from controversy, either, and disturbing images of mutilated bodies occasionally were shown on the video monitors, and the band changed into Nazi regalia for “Werewolf Women Of The SS”. “Dragula” was saved for last, and the crowd was spent by this time after two full-length sets. While I preferred the greater showmanship and variety of Alice Cooper’s show, Rob Zombie certainly did not disappoint overall, either.

Click to watch Rob Zombie play “Superbeast”.

Click to watch Rob Zombie play “Never Gonna Stop”.

Click to watch Rob Zombie play “Demonoid Phenomenon”.

Rob Zombie Guitarist John 5 Announces Rochester In-Store Signing

John 5, current guitarist in Rob Zombie's band, has announced on his website an in-store signing of his new solo CD The Art Of Malice in Rochester, MN on May 11 at Best Buy (4540 Maine Ave. SE, Rochester, MN 55904). The event starts at 5:30 pm, and those who purchase The Art Of Malice at Best Buy will receive a free poster.

If you're up for a little drive from the Twin Cities, Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper have two co-headlining shows coming up as part of their "Gruesome Twosome" tour:

Tuesday, May 11, Rochester, MN, Mayo Civic Center Arena

Wednesday, May 12, Duluth, MN, DECC Arena