Why is it EVERY time I have to go into that damned city it’s just a recipe for disaster? But I asked for it this time! Even having advanced notice of EUROPE playing the Starland Ballroom right here in Sayreville, New Jersey AND already planning on going to that show, I requested passes to B.B. King’s in N.Y.C.! I figured that it’s been a LONG time since these guys played the United States so I really wanted to see them as much as possible and B.B. King’s is really a GREAT venue… once you get there! Plus it’s pretty easy to get to… right out of the tunnel and straight into the parking garage three blocks away, a two block walk and you’re there! Sounds easy enough, right? HAH!

When we first left on our little romp into the city, it was clear skies. A few minor traffic delays but nothing too bad. By the time we got out of the tunnel, the “monsoon” had swept over the city which immediately brought traffic to a screeching halt! Forty-five minutes later, after being diverted 3 blocks in the opposite direction, we finally make it to the parking garage and begin our trek to the club. Of course, it’s still pouring out so by the time we actually get there, we’re all soaked to the bone. No matter, we made it and all is well… NOT!

Turns out the only smart one amongst the three of us was our own staff writer Mark Balogh who purchased his ticket in advance. My fiancé and I, on the other hand, were expecting to have our passes waiting for us at the door as usual but apparently there was some kind of mix up and our names were left off the list. Now in most cases and at most clubs in the area, the basic attitude of the venue staff would be “Tough Shit!” but I have to give credit where credit is due. The staff at B.B. King’s were absolutely AMAZING. After a short delay, the manager of the club was even nice enough to go back stage and bring out Danny, EUROPE’s road manager, who immediately remedied the situation. I had to actually pinch myself so I would know I wasn’t dreaming! A venue in New York City that actually gives a shit?!? Wow… unheard of! So kudos to the staff at B.B. Kings… you guys are the BEST! FINALLY… the show!

After “swallowing” an opening set by EUROPE’s North American tour openers, a band called GARLIC who were “ok” at best, Joey Tempest and the band hit the stage about 9:15pm. Unbeknownst to me, the show was being broadcast “live” on XM satellite radio and hosted by New York’s favorite “metal” DJ Eddie Trunk. When he came out to introduce the band, the capacity crowd absolutely erupted as EUROPEbroke into a stellar track from their last album (“ Start From The Dark” ) “Got To Have Faith” and you could tell right away these guys weren’t fucking around. EUROPE is DEFINITELY back and better than ever.

The energy emitting from the band just electrified the crowd as the band ripped through EUROPE classics like “Ready Or Not,” “Sign Of The Times,” “Girl From Lebanon” and “Superstitious.” They even included some REAL surprises like the title track from their second album “Wings of Tomorrow” and another treat from their debut, self-titled release called “Seven Doors Hotel” which sounded incredible after all these years. The version they played was “beefed-up” a lot as compared to what it sounded like back then… but then again, most of the old songs sounded a lot heavier and more modern than from what people are use to and filled in nicely when they played tracks from “ Start From The Dark” like “Wake Up Call,” “Flames,” and “America.”

Guitar virtuoso John Norum’s heavy licks and melodies engulfed the venue all night long and the band itself was definitely on! These guys didn’t miss a beat and actually sounded tighter than most bands who have been together for the past twenty years and NOT had that decade apart from each other.

Some other highlights of the evening included a heavily THIN LIZZY influenced track from their last CD called, simply, “Hero” and a soothing, acoustic rendition of the band’s 1986 hit “Carrie” which featured just Joey alone on an acoustic guitar. I kind of missed the keyboards on that track but hey, it was different and just seemed to fit better into the set as an acoustic piece which also gave the other guys in the band a well deserved breather.

The set ended on a high note with a track only available on their “Rock the Night: The Very Best of Europe” CD called “Yesterday’s News” which got everyone in the venue on their feet… followed closely by an all time EUROPE favorite “Rock The Night” which just brought down the house. The encores included the title track from their last CD “Start From The Dark” and finished up with a powerful one/two punch with “Cherokee” and, of course, “The Final Countdown.” The only thing that hit me as rather strange at this point was that the intro to “The Final Countdown” was definitely over-dubbed which had me rather curious as to why? But keyboardist Mic Michaeli kicked it into over-drive from there and really helped bring the song home.

Wow, what a show! I was fortunate enough to get a chance to meet the band afterwards as well and what a GREAT bunch of guys. Very down to earth, very appreciative and just an absolute pleasure to speak with. I was so happy that these guys received such a warm welcome in New York City that I could hardly wait to see what the crowd response was going to be over at the Starland in New Jersey.

Three days later, Mark and I were back on the road and heading down to the Starland Ballroom. Only this time accompanied by our very own Brian Rademacher who was able to snap off some of these great pictures you are seeing along with this review. Of course, there were no such problems that night because…Hey!...We’re in JERSEY! The only thing I must say is that, yet again, we had to bite our tongues through another set by GARLIC… not to mention some “Joe-local” band called OPERETICA who were absolutely atrocious. The music itself wasn’t half bad but I guess these guys had the ingenious idea to get some female opera singer to, well… scream over it! My ears are still bleeding and unfortunately we got there a bit late so we missed what would probably have made the rest of the openers bearable, AMERICAN ANGEL.

Anyway, it was a late night with EUROPE hitting the stage at about 11:15pm. They pretty much stuck with the same set as B.B. King’s which was a “little” disappointing because we had heard through talking to some other fans that they had been mixing it up a bit at other venues. Still, it was another superior performance.

I can’t say it was a “capacity” crowd but pretty close and the Starland is a decent-sized venue so it was nice to see all these fans turn out and on a weeknight, no less. Everyone, again, was totally into it and with the bigger stage, Joey’s escapades and energy just climaxed more and more as the night progressed. Even John Norum sounded a bit “smoother” than he did at B.B. Kings, as Mark pointed out. These guys can still “ROCK” with the best of them and when you look at the grand scheme of things and the longevity of some other bands, you realize that this band is still relatively young and could continue on for many years to come. All I can say is I truly hope they do because the world needs bands like this. Bands that are not only true to their music but true to themselves and their fans as well. Both performances were brilliant spectacles that I am glad I had the chance to witness and despite any minor inconveniences, it was worth every minute of it!

KEEP ROCKIN’, GUYS! Welcome back to the States and I hope to see you guys here again in the future!