Poison/Dokken/Sebastian Bach Bristow, VA 7/31/08

[journeyman8484]

Saw the "Live Raw and Uncut" tour with Poison, Dokken, and Sebastian Bach last Thursday at Nissan Pavilion in Bristow,VA near Washington,DC. It was my 3rd time seeing Poison and my 1st seeing both Dokken and Bach.

Got to the venue a little before 6, got some food and blew $120 on a shirt from all 3 bands before the show started. Poison really needs to stop dealing with Fanfire, they really know how to jack up shirt prices don't they? When I saw Foreigner (who doesn't deal with Fanfire), shirts were only $25. Here they were $40. Anyway, Bach hit the stage at around 7 with a cover of Aerosmith's "Back In The Saddle". He played a 45 minute set that included all of the big Skid Row hits plus a few new ones from his new album "Angel Down". I saw the current Skid Row last year and they put on a damn good show in their own right, but nobody sings these songs like Bach does. One of the most high energy frontmen I've ever seen and his voice hasn't changed a bit. "Metal" Mike Chlasciak from Rob Halford's band was on guitar, and man he can play! Johnny Chromatic is no slouch either. Bobby Jarzombek, also from Halford, was on drums and he kicks ass too. Sound was pretty bad though, during the songs I didn't know (only a few) I had a hard time understanding him. Still a great show though.

Setlist:
Back In The Saddle
Slave To The Grind
Stuck Inside
18 & Life
American Metalhead
Stabbin' Daggers
Monkey Business
You Don't Understand
I Remember You
Youth Gone Wild

At around 8, Dokken hit the stage with the classic "Kiss of Death". They played a 40 minute set that included all of their big hits plus a new song from their new album "Lightning Strikes Again". In my opinion, the best set of the night. Don has lost some of his high register but overall is in good voice, and Jon Levin just shreds. I liked how he both copied Lynch and improvised some instead of copying the entire solos note for note. I wasn't quite sure how they'd sound since they fired drummer Jeff Martin who was also the main high harmony singer but they proved me wrong. Don mentioned that his mom died that morning so best wishes to Don and his family and I congratulate him for playing inspite of that. Sound was also better then for Bach, Don's mic was a little low at 1st but it was fixed after a few songs.

Setlist:
Kiss of Death
Into The Fire
Standing On The Outside
Just Got Lucky
Breaking The Chains
Alone Again
Tooth and Nail
In My Dreams

At around 9:15 Poison took the stage with their standard opener "Look What The Cat Dragged In". They played a 70 minute set that included all of their big hits. Poison puts on a great show everytime, but they really need to change up their setlist some. I saw them last year and this was essentially a shorter version last year's show. I know most of the people who go see them just wanna hear the hits, but why not throw in a few more obscure songs for the hardcore fans and make the show a little longer? Like I said before, I really enjoyed their set, but hopefully they'll change it up some next year. Poison also had the best sound mix of the night too.

Setlist:
Look What The Cat Dragged In
I Want Action
Ride The Wind
I Won't Forget You
What I Like About You
Guitar solo
Something To Believe In
Your Mama Don't Dance
Drum Solo
Unskinny Bop
Every Rose Has It's Thorn
Fallen Angel
Talk Dirty to Me
Encore:
Nothin' But A Good Time

This was a really good show. I'd definitely see Dokken or Sebastian Bach again. I'd probably see Poison again too, I just hope they change it up some next year.