It was a cold night at Dexter’s in Riverdale, New Jersey on March 29, 2008, but things are about to warm up as Eddie Trunk took the stage to MC the extravaganza. I guess you could call this show the “Past, Present and Future Tour”.
First up you had Ray West formerly of SPREAD EAGLE with his new band HOSTEL INC. as they hit the stage around 10:30pm to an almost capacity crowd. One thing I noticed from past HOSTEL INC. performances is that Ray and the boys were in their prime! When I had seen SPREAD EAGLE back in the day, since they toured frequently, Ray’s voice was always on the money and it was no different on this night. I got flashbacks of how powerful Mr. West’s voice really is. I’ve seen a few HOSTEL INC. shows now and by far this was the best. The band was tight and flawless as they rattled off a killer show.
Opening their set was “Devil’s Sundown”, a prancing hard edged aggressive rocker with full throttle adrenalin and as West captured the crowd with his charisma, slicing guitar riffs sounded in the background. One thing you will notice is new guitarist Dennis Kimak (QUICK KILL FORMULA / COMMITTEE OF FORMULA) is one helluva new addition to the HOSTEL INC. camp and brings a new vibe and stage presence above past members.
Next up was one of the staples, and might I add, one of the best HOSTEL INC. songs “Novacain”. And the crowd wasn’t disappointed with the heavy bass lines by Chigger and pounding drums from Jeff Hardee setting the mood. Comparing vocal styles I would say Ray West has essences of Zacarías Manuel de la Rocha (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE) with the classic West SPREAD EAGLE style. The thing that sets HOSTEL INC. apart from others is non-stop stage presences; these boys attack the stage like hungry animals looking to devour their prey! The band played about a 45 minute set that included tracks off their new demo; songs like “Execution Style” and “Blood from Stone”, with the addition of “King of the Dogs” (SPREAD EAGLE) and “Somebody Get Me A Doctor” from VAN HALEN. You’ve gotta catch these boys if they are in your area and look for their new CD coming in 2008.
The headliner of the night was BIG NOIZE, a star-studded entity full of history. When Joe Lynn Turner (RAINBOW/DEEP PURPLE, Phil Soussan (OZZY OSBOURNE), Carlos Cavazo (QUIET RIOT), Vinny Appice (DIO/HEAVEN & HELL), and Teddy Andreadis (GUNS N’ ROSES/(ALICE COOPER) hit the stage around 11:15pm all hands were in the air as they entered the stage one by one. Joe reminded everyone he’s from New Jersey and says this is not a cover band or a copy band ‘because we would be covering ourselves; this is BIG NOIZE playing our own songs’. It was great to hear all the favorites as the crowd sung along to all the great tunes from RAINBOW, QUIET RIOT, OZZY OSBOURNE, DIO, DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH and even Bruce Springsteen! To me this was just a great night of fun, some of the tunes were a little off key and some mistakes were made but it sure didn’t affect the crowd just having a good time as each member being an icon standing in front of you in a club atmosphere made the fans drool with ecstasy. I think these guys are just having too much fun and getting paid for it. That’s the job I want! I mean, Carlos Cavazo with his trademark killer riffs being just inches away from your face as he starts “Come on Feel the Noise” or “Metal Health (Bang Your Head)”. How impressive is that to a QUIET RIOT fan? And Joe Lynn Turner singing “Street of Dreams” or “Stone Cold” right in your face is chilling! Bass players usually don’t get that much credit but when you have Phil Soussan writing the only OZZY number 1 hit “Shot in the Dark” with his powerful bass lines giving way to a classic solo right on front of you it makes the night come true!
And let’s not forget Vinnie Appice… I mean what can you say… just impeccable drumming! And also what gave BIG NOIZE their full sound was Teddy Andreadis (GUNS N’ ROSES) (who filled in for regular keyboardist Gary Corbett and did a great job). He had so much fun that he knocked his keyboard over early on in the show yet still laughing and having a good time! Andreadis pulled out all the stops playing his licking harmonica and even sang a little “Born To Run” by Bruce Springsteen at one point.
Regardless of the flaws in the set that not many even noticed, this show by BIG NOIZE should sell out everywhere they play; it’s just a great night of killer tunes with some legendary musicians. And the vocal range of Turner makes the hair stand on the back of your neck!
It was mentioned that BIG NOIZE will be recording a new album originals so keep an eye out for that in the future!
And we would once again thank Dexter’s for bringing some of the best acts to New Jersey. Keep ‘em coming!
Special thanks go out to Dexter’s Entertainment Complex (Robby & Lisa), Lady Ace, Frank White, Herb Newman, Danny Tore from TNA, HOSTEL INC. & of course BIG NOIZE. Look for more national acts soon coming to Dexter’s.
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