Concert Report by Billa MSG with Uli Roth at The Roadhouse, Sacramento, CA, USA August 28, 2004
Added on 08/29/2004
Ohio Gozaimus - just got back . the room was muddy, and the band was loud. The mix was a little rough. The drums were very together, and not sloppy at all.
Shenker did shine, tho would have hoped for a cleaner sound. Just can't compare to the studio albums.
Looking down most of the time, at the ground of the sweet Rio Linda. tweakers trailer trash and titties.
Lights Out
Are you Ready
Let it Roll
Assault Attack
Mother Mary bunch of others, about 17-19 total songs.
also Fat City, Hot 2 Handle, Only you can Rock me, axeman, Doctor, RockBottom.
Uli Jon Roth was without a formal band. Was synth and tapes and another guitar. Did some early Scorps and other stuff.
Concert Report by Skid Rowe MSG with Uli Roth at The Roadhouse, Sacramento, CA, USA August 28, 2004
Added on 08/31/2004
Aug 28 2004 - SACRAMENTO: This venue really is terrible but it is probably the only place that MSG can book in the California capital city. The cancelled show in '01 and last year's great show in November were scheduled here. The stage is probably only 20' to 25' across, about 2' high, and the ceiling is only 8' above the stage. The lights behind the stage blind half the audience and the lights in the back blind the musicians on stage. And HOT! Typical California valley summer -100 degrees! No A/C! They did have a few large fans blowing above the audience, if you were lucky enough to be under one. Frank Hannon of Tesla was spotted in the crowd.
Uli came onstage with a sheet hung behind him as a video screen, I joked that you could see the "Property of Holiday Inn" on it. Accompanied by only a keyboardist/computer geek and a rhythm guitarist/roadie he jumped right into a cool song, maybe Sky Overture? I don't know any of Uli's post Scorpions stuff! Some songs I do remember... Winter from Metamorphosis of Vivaldi's four seasons, Enola Gay - Hiroshima, Sails of Charon, Virgin Killer/Fly to the Rainbow, All Along the Watchtower and a few more. Each song had it's own video with it but because of the low ceiling only a small part could be seen. Uli commented on how hot is was and joked about being from England and trying to do his best in the heat. I was impressed with his classical sound but could not see his playing due to the fact that you could not see him from the chest down unless you were in the very front. I was a little disappointed for someone who had not played in the US in nearly 20 years to have to play under those conditions. Uli was kind enough to sign anything for fans after his set and had all of his CD's and the Castle Donnington DVD available for purchase along with some cool t-shirts.
MSG came on and launched into "Lights Out" as the crowd roared in approval. Again the poor view for most of the enthusiastic crowd took away from the show. The set list was the same as last years concert, only in a different order. Wayne Findlay's solo on "Arachnophobiac" was killer. Michael smiled, waved, and acknowledged the crowd between songs. Rev did his usual unusual antics, spinning his hair, making faces and playing around on stage [note to Pete Way: Not near Schenker] Pete Holmes was solid on the drums. Some may not like Chris Logan but I feel he does an outstanding job of fronting this band. They play and sound tight and are a solid group of live musicians. The sound was not always great because of the venue but live is live and still a great experience. The crowd was deafening in their cheering. Michael stayed and signed everything for everyone also after the show with Chris and Wayne also there for a while. About everything MSR Records has ever put out was on sale in the merchandise booth, including a new "25 Years of MSG" t-shirt.
SET LIST:
Lights Out
Ready To Rock
Let It Roll
Assault Attack
Mother Mary
Fat City
Because I Can
Arachnophobiac
Rock N Roll Believer
Fatal Strike
Into The Arena
Too Hot To Handle
On And On
Only You Can Rock Me
Attack Of The Mad Axe Man
-------------------
Armed And Ready
Doctor Doctor
Rock Bottom
Skid's review of 08/29/2004 Concord show is here.
Concert Report by Randy MSG with Uli Roth at The Roadhouse, Sacramento, CA, USA August 28, 2004 (Originally posted on DinasourRockGuitar Forum)
Added on 08/31/2004 Photos added on 09/06/2004 & 09/07/2004
I saw Uli and MSG on Saturday night at the Roadhouse in Sacramento, CA.
Uli had only a keyboard player with him. Some of the vocals and other instruments were recorded. It pains me to say this - I waited 28 years to finally see him in concert - but I just didn't find his show all that exciting. It had its moments - but most of it was just... OK. The highlights to me were the three Scorpions' songs he played. He made a lot of mistakes during the really difficult to play neo-classical songs. The Scorp songs got the most rousing reaction from the fans. However, I sensed that Uli played them out of obligation to his fans - and not because he really wanted to play them.
Michael Schenker, on the other hand, was on fire from the second he took the stage. He just tore the Flying V up. I talked with Chris Logan (vocals) and Wayne Findley (guitar and keyboards) after the show and they both said Michael is a totally new man ever since getting his bad marriage behind him. Michael looked great too - slimmed down to a point where he almost looks skinny (I'd say he's weighing in at about 160-170 lbs). He was smiling to the crowd, high fiving after some really hot songs, very pleasant after the show and signing anything you brought to the M&G table and also posing for photos with anyone who wanted one.
Setlist:
Lights Out
Ready To Rock
Let It Roll
Assault Attack
Mother Mary
Fat City
Because I Can
Arachnophobiac
Rock N Roll Believer
Fatal Strike
Into The Arena
Too Hot To Handle
On And On
Only You Can Rock Me
Attack Of The made Axeman
<encores>
Armed And Ready
Doctor Doctor
Rock Bottom
Wayne said they filmed a show in Poland recently for a DVD that'll be out in October. He said it was one of the best shows of the European tour. If it was anything like the show on Saturday, it's going to be a winner. Wayne has been with Michael for that past six years and knows him pretty well. He said this is by far the best the band has ever sounded since he joined and Michael is the happiest and loosest he's ever seen him.
Concert Report by Andy MSG with Uli Roth at The Roadhouse, Sacramento, CA, USA August 28, 2004
Added on 09/01/2004
Was fortunate to be able to see Uli this weekend. TWICE!
I had tix to see him play back in 1985 in SF at the Kabuki with Alkatraz (Vai version) but Graham Bonnet got sick and the show was cancelled. 19 years later I got payback!
Sat night in Sac was unbelievably hot. Driving down from Tahoe the heat just kept increasing and when we hit Sac, a sign by the freeway said 90 degrees at 8:30 at night. It was even hotter in the low ceiling club. The only a foot high stage made it tough to see but the sound was excellent!
The crowd was way into it and very appreciative of Uli's effort. He commented on the heat and said he'd do his best but did seem affected by it. Some guys I talked to who'd been to every US show said he was a bit sloppy, just wiped out by the heat and long travel from LA the night before.
Sky Overture
4 Seasons - Winter
Sails Of Charon
I'm A River
Hiroshima
Virgin Killer/Fly To The Rainbow
All Along The Watchtower
MSG was maybe the best I've ever seen him. When I saw him last year he kinda seemed like he was just going through the motions but when you follow Uli, you better have your shit together and Michael did. He was on fire and played a great long set!
I saw Uli and MSG on Saturday night at the Roadhouse in Sacramento, CA.
