A time of big hair, tight leather pants and meaty
guitar solos was revisited Saturday night when Poison
headlined the Glam Slam Metal Jam at Riverport
Amphitheatre.
Poison, whose members thankfully
ditched their androgynous look, showed that the band was
unfairly discarded during the advent of grunge with an
80 minute set of crowd-pleasing material. Singer Bret
Michaels, who first appeared on
stage wearing a white
fur coat and blue bandanna, was clearly enthused to be
playing in front of his hardcore fans.
He wore a
wide smile throughout the set and talked to the audience
as if they were old friends. Also ecstatic was guitarist
C.C. DeVille, who was fired from the band in 1991 due to
drug and alcohol problems, but returned to the fold in
1996 (His return proved to be a financial catalyst
during their successful reunion tour two years
ago).
The interplay between Michaels and DeVille
was a focal point throughout the night. Michaels
frequently called on DeVille the way James Brown called
on saxophonist Maceo Parker back in the day. DeVille,
who looked incredibly fit, was up to the challenge,
playing staccato runs and making good use of pitch
control. DeVille's solo set was remarkable, alternating
between a laid-back blues style and a rapid-fire
classical approach.
Also displaying his chops was
drummer Rikki Rockett, whose solo turn was so
impressive, you would swear you were at a jazz
show.
Along with its musicianship, the group
showed both sides of its persona. They played the sexual
party anthems ``I Want Action,'' ``Unskinny Bop,'' and
``Talk Dirty To Me.'' They also displayed a poignant
face, with the uptempo songs ``Cry Tough'' and ``Fallen
Angel'' and the ballads ``Something To Believe In''
(which Michaels dedicated to our nation's veterans, his
father and uncle among them) and ``Every Rose Has Its
Thorn'' (dedicated to recently deceased Lynyrd Skynyrd
bassist Leon Wilkeson).
Preceding the headliners
was Warrant. The group, aided immensely by talented new
guitarist Billy Morris, rocked amicably though
hard-rocking hits such as ``Down Boys,'' ``Uncle Tom's
Cabin'' and ``Cherry Pie.'' Singer Jani Lane,
who has
not been treated well by the years, started off playing
the touching ballads ``Heaven Isn't Too Far Away'' and
``I Saw Red'' solo, and was well received. However,
Lane's foul-mouthed cheerleading became tiresome as
the
set went on.
Also appearing were the
infectously joyful Quiet Riot, bolstered by the
irrepressible energy and charisma of singer Kevin
DuBrow, and Enuff Z'nuff.
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