Friday night I went to see Def Leppard, and was treated to a wonderfully engaging and completely unknown opening act called Rocko and the Devils. The band, fronted by singer and lead guitarist Rocko Reedy, is comprised of Scott Appleton also on guitar, Larry O’Connor on bass, Jim Handley on drums and Brent Jeffers on keyboards. The cool thing is that Rocko is a tour and/or production manager for such diverse bands as Def Leppard, U2, Journey, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, and many others, and each member of The Devils is a roadie (or music technician) for big name acts as well. Add to the mix the fact that Rocko and the Devils (according to their website) had opened for U2 and Pearl Jam in Hawaii for the final Vertigo concert in 2005 and I fully expected a spectacular show. I wasn’t disappointed.
Rocko and the Devils started their set with a killer version of Beatles Eleanor Rigby - very dark and brooding in its sound, almost heavy metal. It took the audience a few moments to recognize the song because the band had taken it and made it so much their own, but the reaction was favorable if somewhat subdued.
The band followed it up with covers of I Don’t Want to Fall In Love, and Cheap Trick’s Cool Voices, which was very cool indeed. From there, they were off and running into their own material, starting with Road Rage, a song chronicling the woes of following behind a driver juggling lipstick, cell phone and a coffee. Broken Brains was next, a song about teenagers that most of us 40-somethings could relate to. The lyrics in both songs were humorous and the energy behind the songs was intense. The audience response was somewhat less than I would have expected for a rock band giving its all, and I guess Rocko thought the same, because when they started into a cover version of The Ramones ‘I want to be Sedated’, Rocko told the audience: “I cant hear you. I’m coming out there!”, and he did just that; jumping off the stage and running through the audience singing! As he got to the chorus, he’d thrust the microphone under someone’s chin and they’d yell out “I wanna be sedated” and it was a little bit wild and a whole lot entertaining. Back onto the stage for the end of the song and the crowd finally showed some life, coming to its feet and cheering wildly and whistling etc.
The band finished their set with one of their own songs, Domino. Catchy tune with brilliant lyrics, a great beat, and easy to sing along to after just the first chorus! In fact, I did hear people singing and humming it later, as I walked around the venue checking out merchandise.
My overall impression of this band of ‘roadies’? These guys were tight. Not only are they consummate musicians that know how to play their instruments to perfection, but as a group they gel; there is an energy there that is unmistakable.Rocko has a stage presence that is palatable. not only does he know how to engage an audience and bring it to its feet,
but how to leave us feeling like we were part of the experience. he has a warmth that is genuine and an excitement that is infectious. The other band members too were having a blast; the smiles never left their faces all night. I had the time of my life at this concert. I’d pay money to go see them again, whether as an opening act for someone else, or top
billed. Rocko and the Devils is my new favorite band.
For more info, tour dates and/or to send Rocko and the Devil’s a Myspace friend request make sure to check the websites below:
www.rockoandthedevils.com
www.myspace.com/rockoandthedevils
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December 19th, 2007 | Tags: Music | Comments:
I saw this band as well – they were fabulous. Reading this review has brought back good memories.
I was lucky enough to catch them when they opened for U2 in Hawaii. A killer version of Eleanor Rigby indeed
domino .. wish I had heard it live!!