Live-Metal.Net - Concerts: Poison & Ratt

Ten years ago, who ever would've thought that Poison and Ratt would still be capable of embarking on a summer-long tour, playing to packed arenas and bringing back fond memories of glam metal's decade-long run? Grunge had come and gone, nu-metal had begun to come into power and these bands, along with their many peers, became the punchlines of jokes, their music was mocked by fans who had moved on to other things and, most off all, glam metal's boisterous image was the laughingstock of the music world. Many critics and so-called music experts predicted the genre would once again return to glory, though they were a few years early. Well, in 2007, it's evident that glam metal is back, even if there's nothing new to add to the genre.

VAINS OF JENNA
The Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, Va., was only about one quarter full when Swedish glam rockers Vains of Jenna took the stage. Signed to Bam Margera's (Jackass, Viva LA Bam, CKY) Filthy Note record label, these guys are all about bringing back the spirit of dirty, raunchy rock n' roll. Dressed up like '80s metal drag queens, the boys won over the sparse crowd with their rock anthem “Don't Give a Damn” and a cover of Tom Petty's “Refugee,” a rockin' rendition that clearly raised a few thousand eyebrows. White Lion originally was slated to open up the tour, but legal issues forced them to drop off, opening the door for this promising new band, whose members are barely in their 20s. After their set, Live-Metal.net hung out with Vains of Jenna backstage. While downing some brewskies, they talked with us about Mike Tramp and White Lion, Bam Margera, and their experience on their first high-profile summer tour (READ INTERVIEW HERE). I highly recommend this band to fans of dirty rock n' roll in the realm of GNR, Aerosmith and Faster Pussycat.

RATT
Due to hanging out with Vains of Jenna after their set, we missed the first few songs from Ratt, but we caught all the hits. Ratt and frontman Stephen Pearcy have had much publicized problems and at one point were on rocky terms, with lawsuits involved, but the power of rock and an episode of VH1's Behind the Music helped bring back one of the most popular '80s rock bands.

It was quite the sight seeing Pearcy strutting around the stage in tight leather pants and guitarist Warren DeMartini looking like he was still rockin' in 1985. The band members are true rock veterans, but I think even they were surprised by the overwhelming response they received from the crowd, now thousands strong. Pearcy, DeMartini, Bobby Blotzer and Robbie Crane were joined by former Motley Crue singer John Corabi on guitar, receiving a huge ovation when introduced. The stage setup was not too elaborate, mainly featuring the giant Ratt logo as the backdrop. After not hearing this band for so many years, I had forgotten about all of the hits they had. Highlights were “Back for More,” “Nobody Rides for Free,” “You're in Love,” “Lay It Down” and, of course, their mega-hit, “Round and Round.” Pearcy particularly looked as if he was tiring during the set, but he remained active onstage and held it together. The band is promoting their new releases Ratt - Videos From the Cellar: The Atlantic Years (DVD) and a greatest hits collection titled Tell the World: The Very Best of Ratt.

During the '80s, I was always more into thrash metal than glam and never saw Ratt live. So it was good to catch them on this tour, as with their recent troubles, you never know if there will be another chance.

RATT set list:
Dangerous but Worth the Risk
I'm Insane
You Think You're Tough
Wanted Man
Nobody Rides for Free
Slip of the Lip
Way Cool Jr.
Lovin' You's a Dirty Job
Back for More
Lack of Communication
Lay It Down
You're in Love
Body Talk
Round and Round

POISON
Around 9:30 p.m. or so, Poison took the stage, and they went all out with the stage-set, complete with flames, smoke, awesome lighting and a moving drum kit for Rikki Rockett. When I write about glam metal going away, that's not entirely true because Poison has never completely disappeared. With the charisma in this band, how could they? C.C Deville has been in and out of the band and had a much-publicized drug and alcohol problem. He was a part of The Surreal Life reality show and is now sober. Bret Michaels has always been one of the most popular frontmen, dating supermodels, actresses and making indecent videos when he's not on the road. He even has his own reality show on VH1 called Rock of Love, where girls compete for the blond rocker's ... umm ... love. Poison also just released a covers album, simply called Poison'd, which Bret promoted from the stage a few times. The band has continued to do summer tours throughout the years, and even if they seem to be under the radar now, the fans still always come out. Tonight was no different as Nissan Pavilion was packed out to the lawn with the most people I've seen here since Ozzfest 2004. Keep in mind that Nissan's capacity is listed at 25,000.

Michaels, DeVille, Rockett and Bobby Dall led the crowd, made up of roughly 50 percent females (isn't that the great thing about Poison?) through all of their hits. It easily could have been 1989 with hits like “Look What the Cat Dragged In,” “I Want Action,” “Unskinny Bop,” and the smash “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.” Michaels looks to be in great shape and was as active onstage as he was on all those videos we used to see on MTV, back when they played videos, of course. DeVille is actually a great guitarist and had an extended solo followed by a performance of his song “I Hate Every Bone in Your Body but Mine” from his band the Stepmothers. Bret Michaels introduced “Something to Believe In” by dedicating it to all of the U.S. troops overseas and said there was a live feed of this song being sent there every time they play it. He led the crowd, waving their hands in unison, which was an awesome sight to see. A rockin' rendition of The Replacements' “What I Like About You,” from the covers album, also made its way into the set. Several times, flames shot up from the stage and I could feel the heat from my seat. The overall atmosphere was “Nothing but a Good Time.”

Honestly, I didn't have great expectations leading up to the show. But the amount of fans these bands still draw in was a real eye-opener, and I had a blast. And not only older folks turned out. There was a newer generation of rock fans here, which was awesome to see. I don't care if your favorite band is Linkin Park or if it's Lamb of God or Kelly Clarkson, anyone would've had a great fuckin' time at this show. That's what Poison and Ratt were and are still all about, and why they have tremendous staying power even years after their prime.

POISON set list:
Look What the Cat Dragged In
I Want Action
Ride the Wind
I Won't Forget You
What I Like About You
Guitar Solo
I Hate Every Bone in Your Body but Mine
Something to Believe In
Can't You See
I Need to Know
Your Mama Don't Dance
Drum Solo
Unskinny Bop
Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Fallen Angel
Talk Dirty to Me