Showing posts with label Joel Hoekstra. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joel Hoekstra. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Sunday, August 14, 2022
Currently Booming: Let The Music Play: The Tipping Point Official Trailer (WATCH)
A short documentary by DailyBOOM Media on Covid-19's crushing impact on the music industry as seen through the eyes of artists, musicians, promoters, venues, merchandisers, etc.
A follow-up to the Award-winning Let The Music Play Documentary, the story picks up as they deal with the aftermath of being shut down and out of work for over a year.
Featuring:
Jeff Pilson- Foreigner/Ex-Dokken
Joel Hoekstra- Whitesnake/Cher
John Waite- The Babys
Michael Sweet- Stryper
Haley Johnsen- American Idol/Indie artist
Todd Kerns- Slash & The Conspirators
Sabrina Nieves- The Cover Girls
Chip Z'Nuff- Enuff Z'Nuff
Ron Keel- Ron Keel Band
Tony Hall- The Neville Brothers
Jeffrey "Soave" Martinez- Freestyle artist
Stacey David Blades- Crashing Wayward
and more.
Trailer music:
Original Score by Jack Miele Productions
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Exclusive Interview: Whitesnake's Joel Hoekstra on Touring, Playing with Cher & More
Since Covid-19 has brought gigs to a screeching halt we are flashing back to some of the best of the best content here at DailyBOOM.
If you're a rock fan then Joel Hoekstra is a man who needs precious little introduction. He spent several years on stage in the Broadway production of Rock of Ages and used that experience to launch a career that has him now playing beside some of his childhood heroes. Hoekstra believes that greatness comes from playing as often as he can and working with bands like Foreigner, Night Ranger and of course, Whitesnake (to name only a few) has helped to shape him into a versatile virtuoso.
Hoekstra has been busy with Whitesnake rehearsal's this week as the band is gearing up to hit the road for the Juke Box Heroes Tour with Jason Bonham and Foreigner, but he was kind enough to give me a few minutes of his time.
(Photo: Cate Meighan)
Cate Meighan: I know that Whitesnake's rehearsals just started a few days ago, how's it going so far?
Joel Hoekstra: We started on June 4th and it's really great to see the guys. Everyone in this lineup gets along so well and that makes it really great to be back together again. The band sounds really tight already. Everybody did their homework leading into rehearsal (laughing) and is remembering all of the songs. David (Coverdale) is in great spirits and is singing fantastic, so we're all excited to get back out on the road again.
CM: You were last on the road together for the greatest hits tour two years ago. How will this show compare to that one?
JH: It's different in that we're sharing the bill and playing the bigger venues this time around. It's going to be a great night of classic rock. Jason Bonham will be playing all of the Led Zeppelin stuff and it just doesn't get much cooler than that. Of course, then you'll get the Whitesnake catalog and the Foreigner catalog which means that it's realistically going to be a night where just about everyone knows every song played. That's the kind of show that just doesn't come around that often.
CM: There has been so much excitement and speculation surrounding the new album, Flesh & Blood, which recently had its' release date pushed back. Is there a chance that the first single from that project, "Shut Up & Kiss Me" might make its' way into the setlist?
JH: I'm not 100% able to discuss the setlist (laughing) because it might get me in a bit of trouble. I'm sure it'll be up online right after the first show so I've got to at least make you wait until then to find out!
CM: How does it feel to have the band back together again?
JH: It's really great to be back. I've spent a decent amount of time with David and Reb (Beach) over the last year working on the new music, which is cool. I feel like my relationship with both of them has grown. Just to finally see everyone else too and have us all together is truly the best part.
CM: I know that mixing it up and doing different kinds of projects seems to have really become your forte. Michael Sweet of Stryper recently mentioned working on something bluesy with you. Can you tell me more about that?
JH: It's in both of our plans to do that and hopefully while I'm out on this tour I can send him some ideas. We both like to work quickly and Michael is so talented and just a super nice guy. It's going to get done, I promise (laughing). We just have to find the time in our schedules to actually get together and do it. It'll be cool though because we're on the same page with exactly what we want to do.
I had a friend take me to see Stryper when I was a kid and still in school. They put on such a great show, I was totally blown away. They put on such a killer show even back in the 80's. Now to actually know the band and to be able to call them my friends is just incredible.
CM: I bet that kind of scenario happens to you a lot now!
JH: It really has been a recurring story over the last ten years of my career- getting to know guys that I looked up to as gods when I was a kid. There was a moment this year when I was out with David (Coverdale) for his birthday. It was just him, his wife, Reb and I at his birthday dinner. I sat there for a minute just thinking that if someone had ever told me when I was still in high school that this moment would eventually be happening I would never have believed it (laughing). I would never have thought that it would ever be possible. I have a lot of moments of clarity like that and it's really cool.
CM: I know that you've spent the early part of this year working with Cher and the rest of her band in Las Vegas. How was that experience?
JH: It was great. My interaction with her was so limited though. The most that I've talked to her is a minute before we would go onstage when we're in a circle exchanging pleasantries. That's literally about it (laughing). She's great to work for though and it's a very professional organization. The musicians are amazing and it has been a real joy for me to have a chance to get to know a lot of them.
It has been really nice to broaden my horizons during my downtime from Whitesnake and break that rock stereotype a little bit. There are showman moments in it where I get to step out and then there are moments when I get to step out with someone that's a pop icon. She's a legendary performer and the set is really diverse musically, which is fun. I get to play anything from 60's pop to disco, all the way up to her 80's hard rock thing. There's a lot happening stylistically and that's fun from a musical perspective for me to be able to play it.
(Photo: Jay Marz)
CM: Does mixing stuff up help you to stay creative?
JH: I really just want to keep working and mixing things up allows me to get paid while becoming a better player. That's how I've always wanted to establish becoming great on the guitar and I think that playing a lot is how you get really good at it. Wherever life takes you and whatever opportunity presents itself, that's how you're meant to get good at it.
I love actually making music. I love being part of a band and musical scenarios where I'm working with other musicians and doing the best that I can with that. I also live in NYC and so just the sheer expense of it means that I should keep working and making money to pay my bills (laughing).
CM: After all of these years of playing with so many great musicians, what inspires you these days?
JH: I keep going to improve.. My definition of success is to never have to do anything other than play guitar. That's the modern day musical dream for me. Forget about someday wanting to own a mansion with 17 sports cars that I can crash and replace whenever I want to (laughing). I'm just trying to work and have a good time while doing it. Hopefully, I'll even be considered a good guy in the process.
It really is a job for us. Sure there's a lot of fantasy to it because you get to be onstage in front of an audience and sometimes you're treated really well, but essentially, it comes down to working hard. I keep that in my head at all times because it's important to keep yourself grounded. Ego will kill your career. I think you need to work hard and then as opportunities present themselves, do what you can with them. That creates your life story more than just having one solid goal. You can't make your goals that narrow.
As a kid I never would have said that I wanted to play guitar in a Broadway show, it was not on my radar at all but doing Rock of Ages turned out to be a huge break for me. It was a six-year gig that changed my whole financial reality. I did the best that I could with it and it led me to right now. I think that you need to do your best with every single thing and then you'll see where it leads you.
It sounds like a cliche, but I do believe that the harder you work the luckier you'll get. Just about every big moment that I've had I can actually trace back to another moment that made no financial sense for me to be doing at the time (laughing). Sometimes you need to do things for the experience and to invest in yourself. You plant some seeds and then wait to see what eventually grows.
CM: What would you like to say to those fans that have supported and continue to support you in everything that you do?
JH: I appreciate their support so much and I try to be thankful every day for the chance to do all of this. I have a laundry list of things that I'm thankful for every day and the fans are definitely on it. It's amazing to be making a living playing music and to have the opportunity to do all of this. The fans are a big part of what makes it all possible.
If you don't already have tickets to the Jukebox Heroes Tour with Whitesnake, Jason Bonham and Foreigner then check out tour dates here. Visit Joel's personal site here to stay up to date
on everything that he's doing.
Monday, May 13, 2019
Exclusive Interview: Joel Hoekstra on Whitesnake's Upcoming Tour, More Cher Gigs and an Update on His Solo Project
(Photo: Whitesnake Promo Shot)
ICYMI
If you're a rock fan then Joel Hoekstra is a man who needs precious little introduction. He spent several years onstage in the Broadway production of Rock of Ages and used that experience to launch a career that has him now playing beside some of his childhood favorites. Hoekstra believes that greatness comes from playing as often as he can and working with bands like Foreigner, Night Ranger and of course, Whitesnake (to name only a few) has helped to shape him into the major rock fixture that he is.
This year finds Hoekstra not only bouncing between gigs but finding a way to make it look pretty effortless. Whitesnake is just days away from launching their Flesh & Blood World Tour and I was able to steal a few minutes of the versatile virtuoso's time this past week.
Cate Meighan: Whitesnake rehearsals have officially started now haven't they?
Joel Hoekstra: Yes, we are pretty much spot on in the middle of rehearsals. We're working on new songs in particular and trying new things live. We've been trying different arrangements and just figuring out how to construct the show. That was our day yesterday, basically figuring out the running order and things like that, it's really been a great time for us.
CM: How does it feel to finally have the "Flesh & Blood" album release right around the corner, especially after it was delayed for a while?
JH: Oh it's great, I mean we're all excited to finally have it out (laughing). It's really fantastic to have it finally meet the rest of the world especially since we've known the songs for a while now, it's exciting. I understand the reasoning for the timeline and why it has taken a while though so I wasn't really frustrated with the delay. Plus I've been really, really busy so that has helped keep my mind off of it and now it's just exciting for all of us.
CM: So tell me, how will this Whitesnake tour be different from the last one?
JH: These are going to be longer shows because we're headlining and so it'll be mainly our audience. Last summer was really a test to make sure that David (Coverdale) was good with his knees and so we went out and just played a 60-minute set. It was a test to make sure that he could get through a few months out there on the road. This is going to be a much fuller schedule and you've only seen just the beginning of the show announcements. By the time all is said and done, we'll have done a lot to support the new album as well as the classic stuff. It's really exciting to be able to get out there to play some headlining shows with some deeper cuts of music and the hits too, of course.
David is just indestructible man (laughing), he's going to rock until there is just no rock left. He inspires us all and he does it because he loves it. He is just in love with the process and in love with everything about it. It just makes him happy and so it's good to be a part of that situation with him.
Photo: Cate Meighan
CM: That's not your only work situation though. You just wrapped up more dates with Cher, this time on an arena tour. How was that experience?
JH: The arena shows are just huge and I was really blown away because some of the shows were over 20,000 people. That was a bit of a surprise because the Vegas residencies are smaller. They were in like a 5,000 seat theater and so to be able to get out in front of 20,000 people is pretty amazing. I saw the size of some of the venues but you can always curtain off a venue to make it smaller and so I don't think that I ever would have foreseen 20,000 people actually in an audience. The whole band was so excited about it and I look at anything that happens with that Cher gig as just a positive blessing It was so out of left field to get it, so anything that comes my way because of it is really cool. I've also been able to come and go with it, you know she has let me do other things and then return when I can. That has just been so amazing of her and I'll be back with her May 20 - 30th for a quick Canadian arena tour and then another Vegas residency in August.
CM: It really is amazing how you find ways to make the dots connect so that you can juggle multiple gigs.
JH: It's almost a mandatory thing now unless you're part of a band that broke a long time ago and actually wrote the material, so then you've sold millions of albums. If you didn't do that (laughing) then you do what I'm doing these days, which is to play multiple gigs. Some fans really don't like that but some understand that this is the current landscape for musicians to make a living. It gets lost on people that not everyone is just rolling in dough, but most of us are just like everyone else. If someone told you that you could only work a third out of your year and only make a third of the money you'd say no way (laughing). As much as you're living your dream and pursuing your passion with music it still is the way that musicians pay their bills and earn a living. Having more on your plate helps you to do that and I also see it as getting paid to get even better at playing. That's the big thing, not only can you pay the bills but you're also improving and pushing yourself one level further at what you love.
Photo: Jay Marz
CM: I spoke with Michael Sweet recently and he was so excited to have you working on a few songs that will be on his new solo release "Ten" that drops later this year. How was that experience for you?
JH: I'm excited about that too. He just wanted to kind of make what sounds like an old school 80's metal record to me. He gave me guidelines like, 'Write a song that's a mash-up of these ideas', and so I sent him three songs. He liked all three but since he is spreading the album evenly with all of the guests, we're doing two of them. They sound really great and Michael is awesome, such a good dude. He works quickly and we're both on the same page so eventually, we're going to have to do a full album, especially after listening to these songs. We've been talking about it and wanting to do it for so long that eventually, we're going to have to figure out the business side of it.
CM: The fans are all wondering about another solo project. Is there anything in the works?
JH: I'm working on a follow up to my Joel Hoekstra's 13 "Dying to Live" record that came out in 2015. It's fully written and the drums and bass are done. I have no release date or info regarding a timeline for it yet (laughing) but it's coming. It really is coming.
Photo: Cate Meighan
Check out everything that Joel has coming up by visiting his official site. Check out Whitesnake's official site for tour dates, merch & more! Their new release "Flesh & Blood" is out on May 10th and you can also catch them at the M3 Rock Festival May 3-5th in Columbia, MD!
Friday, May 10, 2019
Monday, May 6, 2019
Currently Booming: Whitesnake at M3 Rockfest (5-4-19)
— Cate Meighan (@CateDailyBoom) May 5, 2019Click the Periscope link for more of Whitesnake from M3 Rockfest.
Friday, April 5, 2019
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Exclusive Interview: Stryper's Michael Sweet Details Solo Project with Joel Hoekstra, Todd LaTorre, a New Documentary & More

ICYMI
When you say the name Michael Sweet in rock circles it's always met with positivity. Some people may choose to hate on Stryper, the band that he co-founded way back in 1983, but they adore the frontman and with good reason. He's calm, gracious and as connected to himself as he is to those around him. Sweet's fellow musicians gush about his talent while hoping for an opportunity to work with him somewhere along the way, which says a lot about the kind of man that he is.
When you say the name Michael Sweet in rock circles it's always met with positivity. Some people may choose to hate on Stryper, the band that he co-founded way back in 1983, but they adore the frontman and with good reason. He's calm, gracious and as connected to himself as he is to those around him. Sweet's fellow musicians gush about his talent while hoping for an opportunity to work with him somewhere along the way, which says a lot about the kind of man that he is.
I was fortunate enough to catch up with Sweet recently and he was excited to spill details on his new solo project, a Stryper documentary, and more!
Cate Meighan: It has been a while since we last spoke. How are you doing?
Michael Sweet: I'm good! I've been busy, traveling a lot so I'm just trying to catch my breath now, but life is good.
CM: I read recently that you're back in the studio working on a new solo album. How's that going?
MS: Well, I went in about a month ago and I was there for about ten days. Then we did three local shows and I left for Japan with Stryper. Then, I went back into the studio for another four days when I returned. I'm a little tired but I prefer to stay busy and to do what I can when I can, because that day may come when I can't do these things. Whether it's voice loss or something physical or whatever. The project that I do next could tank, I mean who knows (laughing). I just don't want to take what I do for granted and so I try to do as much as I can when I can. We don't know what tomorrow will bring so if I have opportunities that I feel good about to go and sing, record, or perform then I'm going to take them.
CM: How's the new album coming along?
MS: It's really great. I always go into a project with expectations and sometimes I meet or surpass them, but sometimes I don't. Sometimes a song might be a little bit of a letdown and not what I had hoped for but with this album so far, everything is as I've expected and then some. Now granted, I don't have the lead vocals done yet so the pressure is on me. (laughing) I hope the lead vocals turn out how I hear them in my head and how I would like them to be, but you never know. You just don't know until you get in there and you start singing and you get it done.
So far though the songs all have incredible energy. I've got Will Hunt playing drums on it and John O'Boyle is playing bass. The rhythm section is phenomenal and the guitar tones are great. I'm going to have a different guest guitar player on every song, with a solo of course. I've got Todd LaTorre of Queensryche joining me on a song and it's just turning out to be a really cool album. I think that it's going to surpass my last solo album and that did really well, but I think this one is going to be even better.
CM: Todd really seems to be at the top of his game right now. The new Queensryche music is just fantastic.
MS: Todd is a brilliant singer and he is really finding his place in that group. He stepped into a situation that would be high pressure for anyone and he is coming to the table and then some. I think that he is finding himself and becoming more comfortable in that situation and so he's just killing it, plus he's drumming as well! He's a great guy and such a hard worker that he deserves every bit of the success that he's finding. They don't make em' like that, guys like Todd are few and far between.
CM: The last time we spoke you were working on a project with Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake). Is that still in the works?
MS: We were originally trying to put together a Michael Sweet/Joel Hoekstra album with a real classic rock kind of vibe to it. We were ready to move forward and had some meetings about it and to be honest we just weren't able to come to terms with a record company to release it. It's tricky when you need a certain amount of money to do what you need to do. There's a fine line because a lot of musicians go into it with the idea of going and making a record to just have fun. Now that I've got kids and grandkids and a mortgage to pay, I have to be a little more cautious with what I take on. This is what I do for a living, I don't work a 9 to 5 job, so it has to make sense financially and for Joel too because he is in a similar situation. So it's hard when the things that you creatively want to do just don't work out from a business standpoint. What I did was have Joel write a couple tracks that I'm writing lyrics for and those co-written songs will be on my new album. He'll be playing the guitar on those and they're basically all done. One is called "When Love is Hated" and the other is called "Never Alone" and they're killer tracks.
CM: Is there a tentative release date yet?
MS: I'm still not sure. It's definitely going to be this year. We're talking about a summer release and I'm turning it all in by the end of April and so we're probably looking at a July or August release. It depends on how much set up we need with licensing deals worldwide and those kinds of things, but I would say hopefully July/August.
CM: The business has changed so much over the years and the way that artists make their money just isn't like it used to be. The money's not in record sales at all so you've got to be smart and strategic in order to keep working.
MS: Absolutely. I mean, there are things that I've done for free and I'll do more of those things when I have the time. There are times when I'm offered money to sing a song and then I'll have my agent calling with potential shows where I'll make double that and I'm looking at my bills and I have to choose wisely. It's really hard because you don't ever want the business to outweigh the love of what you do but at the same time, you have to think about the business as well because you've gotta pay your bills.
CM: It almost feels like you have to be very cut and dry with it.
MS: You do, no question about it. I really try very hard to balance it and not let the money take my love for what I do, because man, I just really love doing it. If I was 18 years old I'd just go and do 100 projects for nothing because I love it so much.
CM: Where does your writing inspiration come from?
MS: I've got something built inside of me that makes me always want to inspire people. Am I a guy that has it all together or that has all the answers (laughing)? Gosh no. I've got my issues and problems. I've got things that I have to work on and overcome, but I still can make someone smile or give them hope and encourage them. That's something that's built within me and I view it as a waste of time and effort for me to release an album that doesn't have that. What's the point? If people are going to be listening to this stuff for years to come then why not inspire them with a song rather than just singing about sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll?
That's just how I feel and so I get inspiration from life, I get it from the bible, my family and friends. There are so many things that inspire me and so with every album, I just want to help and encourage other people too. It's an important thing, it's every bit as important as the music itself and it's always the message behind the music. It's why we've (Stryper) been throwing out bibles forever. We never start preaching to people and telling them what they should or should not do. We just toss them out with the hopes that maybe they'll check it out. We try to steer people in a good direction, that's what it comes down to and at the end of the day, it's all about love. We're trying to give them hope, grace, and love, instead of hate and despair. If we can play a small little part in giving people what the world needs more of- and that's love, then we've done our jobs.
CM: Do those same gifts then flow back to you?
MS: Oh yeah, we see the stories and it's the old thing of you reap what you sow. We've sown a lot and we continue to reap a lot. We've seen how the lives of some people have been affected by what we do. We've met people who were suicidal or addicts and they've turned their lives around in a positive way. It's so awesome to hear that we've played even a small part in helping them and that lives on far beyond the music. The music is fun and amazing but the message is what changes and transforms lives.
CM: You're always so busy. How is the rest of this year shaping up for you?
MS: I'll be splitting my time a lot but this summer I'm mostly on the road with Stryper. I think we start rehearsals May 2nd in Nashville and then we'll be touring into late-June. I'll be home for part of July and prepping for another project that I can't talk about (laughing). But I'll be recording vocals for that (laughing), it's just nuts. There's always something to do and if something falls through then I'll try and get some solo shows booked. I'm in that place, thank god, where I'm able to work and stay busy. So many of my peers are brilliant musicians, so successful and they just can't get anything going. Every project falls through and I've been there. I went through that from 1996-2000 where nothing seemed to work out and all I heard was 'no'. Then finally the doors started opening up again, Stryper started touring again and the last fourteen years have been a blur. I don't know where the years have gone.
CM: Do you have any regrets about that 'blur'?
MS: My biggest regrets would be passing up opportunities with my family and friends. My attitude with the music is that I need to do it while I can, but that does come at a price sometimes. That's the stuff that I may look back on someday and be really brokenhearted about and regret. My son's birthday just passed and I was in Japan at the time. We're going to celebrate and make up for it, but those are the moments that can be a little hard to take. Then at the same time, there were years that I did have at home when I could or should have been out on the road. I left Stryper from 1992-2000 and I did some touring then but I got to spend a lot of time with my kids too. There are always pros and cons and I think it always comes with some built-in regret.
CM: Any other musical tricks up your sleeve right now?
MS: Well (laughing), we're doing a documentary that's not going to be so much about the band, but it's going to be about the people that the band has affected. It's really incredible and I think that it's going to be pretty powerful. We've already started work on that but we've got a long way to go with it. Then we're also going to start work on a new Stryper album at the end of this year into early next year. So there are plenty of things on the horizon and in the near future. It's going to be a great year.
Check out Michael's official site for updates on new music and dates. You can head over to Stryper's official site as well for tour dates, merch & more!
Saturday, March 2, 2019
Thursday, February 14, 2019
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Exclusive Interview: Michael Sweet of Stryper

(ICYMI)
The Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD was transformed into a bit of headbanger heaven this past weekend when the tenth anniversary M3 Rock Festival rolled in for two days of fantastic music. Stryper was one of nearly twenty bands to hit the stage and before doing so, I was fortunate enough to chat with vocalist/guitarist/co-founder Michael Sweet.
Cate Meighan: How are you doing?
Michael Sweet: I've been busy the last six months or so. The new album is doing great, it made some noise, in mostly a positive way. Some people were up in arms about the title, God Damn Evil. It was a little unfortunate to release an album at a time when Best Buy decided not to carry the album because they're not carrying many other albums. They're basically doing away with CD sales. Aside from anything working against us, there's so much that works for us because the buzz and talk have made the album an incredible success
CM: Does the negative buzz bother you at all?
MS: We always have concerns over what we do because we don't want to do things just to upset people. We always give it real thought and make sure that it's the right thing for us to do. Once we decide that it feels like the right thing, then we let the chips fall where they may. It was the same thing with To Hell with the Devil in 1986, we knew it would upset some people but that's not why we did it. We felt it really was our title because this was what we wanted to say with this lyric. It has been the same thing with God Damn Evil.
CM: Stryper has been together for so long, how has your creative process shifted over the years?
MS: We talk about what we can do to make things better but it's pretty organic and we just kind of go with it. We try to listen to the fans and we also listen to our old albums, to stay true to our sound and who we are. We try not to venture too far from that sound, and I think that the cool thing about Stryper is that we've found a way to merge our music. We still have that 80's sound but it's a little more relevant and not dated in terms of the production. I think that we've found our place and figured out how to do it and make it all work.
CM: How does it feel to still be out there on that stage after so many years?
MS: It's amazing, just amazing to stop in the moment and really think about that. It's such a great feeling. I realize how honored and blessed I am to still be doing this 35 years later. I'm blessed to still be alive, to still be performing and to still love doing it. A lot of people don't enjoy it and they're just going through the motions so it's nice to actually enjoy what we do.
Also, we have a new bass player, Perry Richardson, which is great. It feels a bit like we're a new band or at the very least we're redesigned. Perry has this spirit about him that's just peaceful. Being around him is very calming and when you add to that what a great player and singer he is, he's a perfect fit for us.
CM: What is the one thing that really sticks in your mind after doing a show now?
MS: I take with me always, at any show that we do, those people that come up and talk to me and tell me about how a song of Stryper's saved their life. They were suicidal, an alcoholic or a drug addict and a song of ours helped them to clean up their lives. I usually hear those stories at every single show and that's amazing. Music is cool but at the end of the day, having an effect on people and inspiring them in a positive way is what matters most. The music is a tool that hopefully brings us all together to do that.
CM: You're in the middle of a tour now, do you have anything else planned beyond that?
MS: I usually plan a year or so in advance. We just released the Stryper App and it's the best way for people to keep in touch with us. Download it and you'll literally be kept up to date on everything we're doing.
There's also a Stryper documentary that we're working on and an acoustic album that we want to release. I've already talked to the label about doing a solo album and there's also an album that I want to do with Joel Hoekstra. We set aside time to write that in January, so that's going to happen. It's cool to be able to do all of this now. There's a lot on the calendar and a lot in store for the future, which is great.
Check out Stryper tour dates HERE
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Currently Booming: 'Juke Box Heroes Tour' Review (6-23-18 Camden, NJ)
ICYMI!
If you're a classic rock fan then the summer of 2018's concert circuit is really designed just for you. Rather than heading out to see a show with a lukewarm opener followed by a great headlining act, music fans are being handed 3+ straight hours of music that they were raised on. Music by supergroups like Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers or Def Leppard and Journey is woven into the fabric of an entire generation or twos' life and that's why they are still more than capable of selling out the biggest of venues. The 'Juke Box Heroes Tour' is undoubtedly one of the very best things to hit the stage (any stage) this summer and when Foreigner, Whitesnake and Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening stopped into Camden, NJ's BB&T Pavillion this past weekend the fans were out in full force.
Camden is technically considered a Philadelphia venue and Philly audiences are notoriously loud when showing their love for the music that is still part of their daily lives, even if it's decades old. June 23rd was no exception and as the audience settled in for a long night together Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening was first up to set the tone. Jason is, of course, the son of the legendary John Bonham, Zeppelin's late drummer and it's pretty unlikely that anyone else could reimagine the band's classic catalog better than he can.
(All Photos by Cate Meighan- Jason Bonham & James Dylan)
Jason Bonham
Bonham's set included Zeppelin classics like "Whole Lotta Love", "Immigrant Song" and "Good Times, Bad Times" with James Dylan more than holding his own on lead vocals. Jimmy Sakurai, is a welcome new addition as he recently replaced Tommy Catania on guitar. Sakurai has studied the intricacies of Jimmy Page's playing turning it almost into a science, something that Bonham especially appreciates.
Jimmy Sakurai
The highlight of their set was an emotional rendition of "Stairway to Heaven" aptly dedicated to Pantera's Vinnie Paul who had passed away earlier in the weekend.
The vibe instantly changed when Whitesnake hit the stage, bringing with them guitar dueling Joel Hoekstra (read his interview here) and Reb Beach, a low-key Michael Devin on bass, and Italian-born Michele Luppi on keys.
Joel Hoekstra & Reb Beach
Reb Beach
Joel Hoekstra
Tommy Aldridge is an absolute beast on the drums, using his hands, fists, and elbows during his solo, and then there is the leader of the Whitesnake choir, David Coverdale. He has been a hard rock staple for decades, first fronting Deep Purple back in the early 1970's before forming the Snakes' in 1978. A decade later the band broke through on a massive level with their self-titled release, an album that spawned a string of radio hits like "Give Me All Your Love", "Is This Love" and of course, "Here I Go Again".
Tommy Aldridge
David Coverdale
David Coverdale
David Coverdale
Coverdale's voice is a bit strained at times but after 30+ years of belting out those high notes and animalistic screams, it's no wonder. He still pulls you in and grabs you, then the tightness of the band keeps you on lockdown. As always, Whitesnake ended with their crown jewel (for true rock fans) "Still of the Night". When played full out, it's an eight-minute song that gives you the very best of the entire band and thank god Camden's audience soaked up everything the guys were leaving on the stage.
David Coverdale
Just as the vibe changed for Whitesnake, that same energy shifted once again when Foreigner began to play. While the two previous acts certainly had their share of fans, it was abundantly clear that this crowd was THERE for Foreigner. Unnecessary bathroom runs ceased and so did most side conversations as all attention was this band that has been consistently rocking for forty-one years. No, Lou Gramm didn't make a surprise appearance and more importantly, he didn't need to.
Kelly Hansen & Chris Frazier
Kelly Hansen can more than handle the vocals originally laid down by Gramm and he also brings something extra to enhance them. As a front man, Hansen has always been a favorite of mine because he just loses any hint of inhibition while reaching every far corner of whatever room or venue he is in.
Kelly Hansen
Kelly Hansen
Mick Jones, founder, and architect of Foreigner, still plays and entertains like a virtuoso half of his age. If this band is a family then Jones is the father and watching him, watch the rest of the band play is kind of cool. He looks intermittently impressed by and proud of the talent beside him.
Mick Jones
Michael Bluestein, Tom Gimbel & Mick Jones
Tom Gimbel & Mick Jones
As the band burned through classics like "Head Games", "Cold as Ice", "Double Vision", and "Long, Long Way from Home" bassist Jeff Pilson and guitarist Bruce Watson seemed to have a great time not only playing off of each other but messing with each other as they crisscrossed the stage.
The keys are a huge part of Foreigner's sound and Michael Bluestein makes it all look pretty effortless on "Waiting for a Girl Like You" and "Feels Like the First Time". Equally effortless is Chris Frazier who appears to have been born with drumsticks in hand and a huge smile on his face.
Mick Jones & Jeff Pilson
Bruce Watson
"Urgent" was, of course, an audience favorite in Camden and really, how could it not be? Tom Gimbel (read his interview here) spent the earlier part of the night on guitar before trading that in for his saxophone. Gimbel later told me that this was the best night (so far) of the tour for his sax solo and it showed. The brass attack was insane and you could just see the entire band connecting with each other and then the audience as well. It was eight minutes of rock heaven and if you were lucky enough to be in the crowd, you knew that you had just received a musical gift that doesn't happen that often.
Tom Gimbel
Mick Jones & Tom Gimbel
Tom Gimbel
Watson, Jones, Pilson, Bluestein, Frazier, Hansen, Gimbel
The Juke Box Heroes Tour still has 20+ cities to visit this summer and you can get more information on dates and tickets here.
Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening Setlist:
Immigrant Song
Good Times, Bad Times
The Ocean
Over the Hills and Far Away
Thank You
Whole Lotta Love
Rock and Roll
Stairway to Heaven
Whitesnake Setlist:
Bad Boys
Give Me All Your Love
Love Ain't No Stranger
Slow an' Easy
Guitar Duel
Crying in the Rain
Is This Love
Slide It In
Here I Go Again
Still of the Night
Foreigner's Setlist:
Long, Long Way From Home
Double Vision
Head Games
Cold as Ice
Waiting for a Girl Like You
Dirty White Boy
Feels Like the First Time
Urgent
Starrider
Juke Box Hero
Encore:
I Want to Know What Love Is
Hot Blooded
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