"Trial by Fire" and "Heart Brigade" in Charlotte

[UncleKG]

Went to see "Trial by Fire" and a Heart tribute act, "Heart Brigade" at the Fillmore in Charlotte, NC, last night. It was cool to see the turn out (the place was probably 2/3rds full, so I'd estimate 1,000 people). They were doing a Groupon offer on tickets (I got mine free as I was leaving a Bruce Springstreen tribute act show a couple of weeks ago). I was (pleasantly) surprised at how many "kids" in their 20's and 30's I saw in the crowd (I'm in my late 40's).

The positives: Heart Brigade out of Raleigh were really strong. "Ann Wilson" looked (and especially sounded) very much like the original. She especially killed it on "Alone," which can be a tough one for a vocalist. They threw in a Zep cover and a Who cover, "Love, reign o'er me." It wasn't as strong as the Heart version I've seen live, but it was still really good. "Nancy Wilson" wasn't nearly as aggressive in her playing as the real thing, though. One unexpected thing was they had a female drummer (surprising at how much power she generated, as she was very petite). I highly recommend checking them out if they ever play near you.

The negative: I was very underwhelmed by "Trial by Fire." The guy kind of sounded like Perry, but he was pitchy in a few spots and didn't seem to be having his best night. He had long hair and wore the tuxedo jacket, but he's paunchy (not putting the guy down for his weight as I'm heavy too, but for the purposes of being the lead singer in a Journey tribute act, it didn't help the "illusion.") "Neal's" guitar tone was nothing like the real deal and the drummer wasn't seeming to try and emulate Steve (or Deen) in some places (the way he played the opening to Separate Ways, for example). The wife and I listened to about five or six songs and bailed. It just wasn't moving us. Having gotten the tickets for free certainly made it easier to walk away.

I'm not saying not to check them out if they come to your area, as many in the crowd seemed to be digging it. I just wasn't that impressed.

Again, definitely check out "Heart Brigade" if you ever get the chance. She really sounded great.

[eshepherd2000]

Went to see "Trial by Fire" and a Heart tribute act, "Heart Brigade" at the Fillmore in Charlotte, NC, last night. It was cool to see the turn out (the place was probably 2/3rds full, so I'd estimate 1,000 people). They were doing a Groupon offer on tickets (I got mine free as I was leaving a Bruce Springstreen tribute act show a couple of weeks ago). I was (pleasantly) surprised at how many "kids" in their 20's and 30's I saw in the crowd (I'm in my late 40's).

The positives: Heart Brigade out of Raleigh were really strong. "Ann Wilson" looked (and especially sounded) very much like the original. She especially killed it on "Alone," which can be a tough one for a vocalist. They threw in a Zep cover and a Who cover, "Love, reign o'er me." It wasn't as strong as the Heart version I've seen live, but it was still really good. "Nancy Wilson" wasn't nearly as aggressive in her playing as the real thing, though. One unexpected thing was they had a female drummer (surprising at how much power she generated, as she was very petite). I highly recommend checking them out if they ever play near you.

The negative: I was very underwhelmed by "Trial by Fire." The guy kind of sounded like Perry, but he was pitchy in a few spots and didn't seem to be having his best night. He had long hair and wore the tuxedo jacket, but he's paunchy (not putting the guy down for his weight as I'm heavy too, but for the purposes of being the lead singer in a Journey tribute act, it didn't help the "illusion.") "Neal's" guitar tone was nothing like the real deal and the drummer wasn't seeming to try and emulate Steve (or Deen) in some places (the way he played the opening to Separate Ways, for example). The wife and I listened to about five or six songs and bailed. It just wasn't moving us. Having gotten the tickets for free certainly made it easier to walk away.

I'm not saying not to check them out if they come to your area, as many in the crowd seemed to be digging it. I just wasn't that impressed.

Again, definitely check out "Heart Brigade" if you ever get the chance. She really sounded great.

First let me say thank you for coming to the show. Second let me apologise for not living up to your standards. I consider.myself lucky to be able to have the chance to sing the songs of Journey. Playing the Fillmore in Charlotte 3 times now to very large crowds its been a thrill. I have no regrets. Im living my dream. I get to do what ive always wanted. And i get paid for it! And for the most part the crowd seems to enjoy it. Now im not living in a dream world. I dont think i compare with steve Perry. I think our job is to entertain and luckily Journeys music does most of the heavy lifting. As for my weight. Well thats a work in progress. Ive been heavy my whole life. And since day one of starting this band ive been worried about the day someone says Hey arent you too heavy to play Steve Perry? Yeah maybe i am. But guess what? I love doing it. And that joy far out weighs(inside fat joke) that fear. I hope that one day ill be thinner. And its a constant thought for me. I eat healthy and get exercise. I hope one day i will win over the people on MR. Itd be great. But i love what i do and will always be out there doing my best. I wish you all the best. Pleasr dont bash me for posting. I dont want to start any trouble. Just adding my two cents

[Infinity Vocalist 2010]

Went to see "Trial by Fire" and a Heart tribute act, "Heart Brigade" at the Fillmore in Charlotte, NC, last night. It was cool to see the turn out (the place was probably 2/3rds full, so I'd estimate 1,000 people). They were doing a Groupon offer on tickets (I got mine free as I was leaving a Bruce Springstreen tribute act show a couple of weeks ago). I was (pleasantly) surprised at how many "kids" in their 20's and 30's I saw in the crowd (I'm in my late 40's).

The positives: Heart Brigade out of Raleigh were really strong. "Ann Wilson" looked (and especially sounded) very much like the original. She especially killed it on "Alone," which can be a tough one for a vocalist. They threw in a Zep cover and a Who cover, "Love, reign o'er me." It wasn't as strong as the Heart version I've seen live, but it was still really good. "Nancy Wilson" wasn't nearly as aggressive in her playing as the real thing, though. One unexpected thing was they had a female drummer (surprising at how much power she generated, as she was very petite). I highly recommend checking them out if they ever play near you.

The negative: I was very underwhelmed by "Trial by Fire." The guy kind of sounded like Perry, but he was pitchy in a few spots and didn't seem to be having his best night. He had long hair and wore the tuxedo jacket, but he's paunchy (not putting the guy down for his weight as I'm heavy too, but for the purposes of being the lead singer in a Journey tribute act, it didn't help the "illusion.") "Neal's" guitar tone was nothing like the real deal and the drummer wasn't seeming to try and emulate Steve (or Deen) in some places (the way he played the opening to Separate Ways, for example). The wife and I listened to about five or six songs and bailed. It just wasn't moving us. Having gotten the tickets for free certainly made it easier to walk away.

I'm not saying not to check them out if they come to your area, as many in the crowd seemed to be digging it. I just wasn't that impressed.

Again, definitely check out "Heart Brigade" if you ever get the chance. She really sounded great.

I can understand your disappointment. And I give you kudos for giving an even-leveled review, most people unconstructively criticize acts like these. However, it seems you went in expecting a copycat band. Usually that is the case with tributes... what you see is what you get. But I can assure you that Ernie and the guys from Trial by Fire aim to be themselves while playing Journey music . In my opinion they do it well. I implore you, if you get the chance, to give it another shot. This is a great act carried by a talent who completely transcends the perception of what a "Perry clone" has been made to be by a lot of wannabes. He comes from the same place as Perry, JSS, etc... He is a student of the soul singers, namely Sam Cooke. He understands what soul is and how to convey it. He is not simply trying to mimic anyone. He is singing with his own voice and soul. Let yourself be taken by his conviction he puts into the songs. His voice carries it in a way that is different yet familiar. That is the trick when doing Journey and a reason why I personally hated Journey's decision to fire Jeff Scott Soto. And he loves doing it. Maybe it's not your bag, and I can respect that. But I believe you could be another fan that Trial By Fire has won over.

[JohnH]

Hmmm. I was in a Journey tribute last year with a very pitchy... I.e Flat singer . Although my main connection in the band left, I didn't get called back... Politics, never really did the hangout thing and the singer decided to put his friend in on keys. Somehow my Cain unhappy face must have shown it, or maybe I was squinting like Neal on The Arrival Dvd. I nailed those songs on keyboard , (second guest stint in a Journey tribute band ) but I'm glad not to do more gigs with that band. Hearing those songs sung flat is not a good thing, if I'd posted videos here you guys would have slayed like piranhas fed raw meat! I'm so booked with gigs right now it doesn't matter anyway. And besides, I've actually done a gig in a band with a real current member of Journey !

[UncleKG]

EShepperd2000, I appreciate you coming on to offer your thoughts and thanks for taking my review in the spirit it was intended. To InfinityVocalist2010, I've seen several Journey tribute acts in my day (and I saw Journey with Soto, as well as with Perry), so I wasn't necessarily expecting a "copycat" band. I don't expect the drummer to play every fill or the guitarist to replicate the solos note for note. If the idea is to be themselves while still doing Journey songs, then it might be better to not wear the tuxedo jacket, which certainly invites comparisons (I saw Frontiers once and I don't recall their singer dressing like Perry, for example). I don't doubt the band has talent or that the singer knows his soul singers. I'm going to be candid, though. I would argue that 95% of people attending a tribute act show are looking for the band to sound as much like the original artist as possible (within reason), even if the band doesn't visually resemble the original all that much, so the guitar tone, etc., is a pretty crucial aspect of that. For me, it just wasn't a great tribute act. "Different strokes" and all that... Like I said, they had a great crowd and many others seemed to be digging it.

[Rick]

EShepperd2000, I appreciate you coming on to offer your thoughts and thanks for taking my review in the spirit it was intended. To InfinityVocalist2010, I've seen several Journey tribute acts in my day (and I saw Journey with Soto, as well as with Perry), so I wasn't necessarily expecting a "copycat" band. I don't expect the drummer to play every fill or the guitarist to replicate the solos note for note. If the idea is to be themselves while still doing Journey songs, then it might be better to not wear the tuxedo jacket, which certainly invites comparisons (I saw Frontiers once and I don't recall their singer dressing like Perry, for example). I don't doubt the band has talent or that the singer knows his soul singers. I'm going to be candid, though. I would argue that 95% of people attending a tribute act show are looking for the band to sound as much like the original artist as possible (within reason), even if the band doesn't visually resemble the original all that much, so the guitar tone, etc., is a pretty crucial aspect of that. For me, it just wasn't a great tribute act. "Different strokes" and all that... Like I said, they had a great crowd and many others seemed to be digging it.

I haven't seen any of these tribute acts, but I have to agree with KG here. If you want the act to go over well, then do the music as close to the original as possible. Where costume is concerned, just dress well. Do NOT, for gods sake, try to dress like the members of the band. There may be certain parties that you're hired to play that might warrant that, but for the bars and other gigs you play, don't do it. Play the music with respect to it's integrity and dress nice.

[tater1977]

EShepperd2000, I appreciate you coming on to offer your thoughts and thanks for taking my review in the spirit it was intended. To InfinityVocalist2010, I've seen several Journey tribute acts in my day (and I saw Journey with Soto, as well as with Perry), so I wasn't necessarily expecting a "copycat" band. I don't expect the drummer to play every fill or the guitarist to replicate the solos note for note. If the idea is to be themselves while still doing Journey songs, then it might be better to not wear the tuxedo jacket, which certainly invites comparisons (I saw Frontiers once and I don't recall their singer dressing like Perry, for example). I don't doubt the band has talent or that the singer knows his soul singers. I'm going to be candid, though. I would argue that 95% of people attending a tribute act show are looking for the band to sound as much like the original artist as possible (within reason), even if the band doesn't visually resemble the original all that much, so the guitar tone, etc., is a pretty crucial aspect of that. For me, it just wasn't a great tribute act. "Different strokes" and all that... Like I said, they had a great crowd and many others seemed to be digging it.

I haven't seen any of these tribute acts, but I have to agree with KG here. If you want the act to go over well, then do the music as close to the original as possible. Where costume is concerned, just dress well. Do NOT, for gods sake, try to dress like the members of the band. There may be certain parties that you're hired to play that might warrant that, but for the bars and other gigs you play, don't do it. Play the music with respect to it's integrity and dress nice.

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