Even in the post-Lane Staley era, Alice in Chains continues to establish themselves as one of the best and most durable bands from the Seattle grunge explosion. Now, with singer William DuVall taking the reigns, the band takes on a new identity while at the same time staying true to form. Though DuVall’s voice is similar to Staley’s, he offers a completely different presence – a presence that has not only been accepted by hard core Alice in Chains fans, but one that also works with the band’s chemistry. DuVall is not just a replacement singer, he is now Alice in Chains, and he proved that last weekend as the band headlined Charter One Pavilion in downtown Chicago with the support of The Deftones and Mastodon.

Opening with “Them Bones”, Alice in Chains was off to a thunderous start. Guitarist and founder (along with Staley), Jerry Cantrell, blasted away with low, gut-grabbing tones that seemingly shook the ground. Though an outdoor arena with Lake Michigan on one side and skyscrapers on the other may not have been as ideal as the Riviera or Aragon Ballroom, the band made it work quite well. A set containing roving spotlights faced out from the smoke-filled stage with rings of blinking lights appearing around the beams on occasion. Cantrell and DuVall switched back and forth from center stage to a microphone stand placed on a riser adjacent to Sean Kinney manning the drums, as leads vocals occasionally changed and just for the sake of variety.

Alice in Chains is a fantastic live act. DuVall and Cantrell’s harmonies were warm and haunting. Overall, the sound of the band was dominant, precise, trancelike and forceful when it needed to be, while their presence was dark and commanding. Like any band with so many great songs in their repertoire, they couldn’t play every song demanded by the fans, but it was a fully satisfying set nonetheless. Included in their Chicago performance was “Acid Bubble” and “Check My Brain” from their latest release When Black Gives Way to Blue a handful of songs from Dirt such as “Dam That River”, “Angry Chair” and “Rooster”. The band also played “Again”, but did suffer technical difficulties during the first half of the song as DuVall’s microphone failed to work. Finally, they ended with encores “Man in the Box” and “Would?”.

The Alice in Chains age with DuVall has begun and, with no disrespect to the late, great Layne Staley, it is apparent it will be a good one.

The “Hottest Show on Earth” returned to the Chicago area last weekend at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, with KISS reminding everyone what made them the rock gods that they are. Though the band received strong support from The Envy and The Academy Is, they didn’t need it. Despite the fact that KISS has been rocking the world for over 37 years, Paul Stanley (a.k.a. “The Lover”) and Gene Simmons (a.k.a. “The Demon”) still carried out the showmanship that made them one of the most famous acts in rock and roll history. With newer members Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer taking on the identities of “The Spaceman” and “The Cat”, this full-on rock show gave fans the chance to experience KISS as though they were still in their height of popularity – in fact this show may have been bigger.

From the opening number, “Modern Day Delilah” off their latest release Sonic Boom, when Simmons, Stanley and Thayer were airlifted over the towering drum set and placed at the front of the stage, it seemed as though the band incorporated something in each song that made the crowd think, “Holy Shit”. Whether a flurry of explosions, giant bursts of fire, or segments of the stage rising to propel a band member, nearly each song was a spectacle in its own unusual way. But not to be overshadowed by the incredible stage effects, was, of course, the music. In a set that lasted two hours and ten minutes, KISS included such songs as “Detroit Rock City”, “Love Gun”, “Calling Dr. Love”, “Firehouse”, “Black Diamond” and “Say Yeah”, also from their latest album.

KISS pulled out all the stops. Tommy Thayer shot fireworks from his guitar ala Ace Frehley and Gene Simmons breathed fire. Not long after, blood oozed from Simmons’ mouth during a haunting bass piece just before he was carried over 50 feet high, above the stage lights, to perform “I Love it Loud”.

The band went on with a six-song encore that kicked off with Eric Singer taking on former drummer Peter Criss’ ballad, “Beth”. While Singer stood center stage to sing, the other three members huddled to his right, quietly jamming in the background. KISS followed up with a couple more big hits before “I Was Made for Loving You” in which Paul Stanley glided across the audience on a cable and landed on a small platform with a microphone in order to perform to the people toward the rear of the arena. When Stanley returned to the stage, the band broke into “God Gave Rock ‘n’ Roll to You” as images from vintage KISS were displayed onto the jumbo projection screens. Finally, white confetti shot out from the stage, transforming the arena into a mega snow globe for the duration of the show, as the band jammed out to “Rock and Roll All Night” amidst thunderous explosions and high-flying stage theatrics – including an ascending drum riser.

KISS’ live show is not just a concert; it’s an experience – an experience that should be had by all rock and roll fans. Should KISS return anytime soon, make a point to catch this amazing show.      

For those who are not yet familiar with Katie Todd, you’re really missing out a very creative and intelligent songwriter, not to mention a highly entertaining and live show. Catchy songs, thoughtful lyrics and unique vocals coupled with an amazing band are the keys to success for any act and Katie Todd has them all. Over the weekend, fans were able to catch the band at the third annual Chickago Social in Andersonville, along with a handful of other performers including Sean Wiggins, Reyna Larson and international DJ, Lisa Pittman. The Pride event attracted Katie Todd loyals, the curious, music lovers in the gay community and anyone else in search of good musical performances.

Alone, Katie Todd quietly took the stage to open the show, headed to her keyboard and went into “This Time”, the full band joining her at just the right moment as the song began to hit its stride and take off. As the set continued, trumpet player, Steve Wright, an integral component to the overall Katie Todd sound, was able to showcase his skills, complimenting each song with just the right touch of horned flair, as well as delivering flowing backing vocals. Katie Todd’s cutesy but powerful vocals gracefully streamed over the band’s melodic instrumentation from each song to the next, perhaps most notably on favorites “Leave” and “Love Love Love You”.

Guitarist Ted Kezios is another reason the band gels so well. Ranging from subtle picking to aggressive rhythms, Kezios also displayed his signature sound in a handful of solos that had the crowd buzzing, especially in the band’s very original version of The Doors’ “People are Strange” where he flat out sizzled.

Despite playing with a relatively new rhythm section, Katie Todd pulled off a fantastic show without any hitches, leaving the crowd with yet another memorable performance that will certainly add to her large contingent of followers. For more information on Katie Todd’s music and upcoming shows, visit www.katietodd.com.  

"The Bad Boys from Boston” returned to Chicago with a flair and command that could only be associated with Aerosmith. This time taking stage at the Fist Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, singer Steven Tyler and company delivered a thorough set of classics opening the show with “Same Old Song and Dance” immediately followed with “Train Kept A-Rollin’” and “Love in an Elevator”. The large set included three large projection screens – one on each side and one above the stage, overhead panels to enhance the band’s light show that were lowered and raised, and a catwalk that protruded out into the crowd about 30 or so rows from center stage.

The band’s musical performance was pinpoint precise, with guitarist Joe Perry effortlessly nailing each lick and solo, while Tyler, dressed in classic Aerosmith frontman attire, danced around like a thirty-year-old and utilized his vocal range to perfection. The show included staple elements from the repertoire of rock and roll essentials such as a booming drum solo in which Joey Kramer pounded the skins with his hands in a thumping symphony of blistering beats. Perry also dueled his Guitar Hero counterpart (appearing overhead on screen) ultimately defeating him thanks to masterful fingerwork in a series of tasty progressions.

In addition, the band found themselves defending a crowd member at one point. Tyler reprimanded house security after they pinned down a woman who merely ran up to toss a pink boa onto the stage when the band went into the song, “Pink”. “Leave the woman alone,” shouted the famous singer before continuing with, “Security must not get laid around here.”

Included in Aerosmith’s fun-filled set were favorites “Livin’ on the Edge”, “What it Takes”, “Rag Doll”, “Sweet Emotion”, “Cryin’” and a superb rendition of the Beatles’ “Come Together”. The band also integrated a couple more obscure numbers before finally ending the show with a bang, performing encores “Dream On” and “Walk this Way”.  

For those in need of a good dose of metal, the “Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival” held at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, hosted enough heavy, brain-crunching music to please even the most dedicated and hardcore of fans. Held on two stages, it was metal mayhem for nearly an entire day from openers New Medicine to its power-packed finish with Avenged Sevenfold and Chicago’s own, Disturbed.

The second stage, or the Jagermeister Stage, had bands New Medicine, Hail The Villain and Airbourne set the tone for the festival with HELLYEAH rounding out the action with a loud and furious set before sending fans to the Rockstar Main Stage.

Kicking things off on the main stage was Halestorm, followed by Stone Sour, featuring Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor. Packing in as much music as possible in their 45 minute set, Stone Sour opened with “Mission Statement” then went into an inspired performance of “Reborn” before squeezing in seven more songs and ending with their death blow, “30/30 – 150”.

As good as all the bands performed, it was Avenged Sevenfold that stole the show. Sharing the top billing with Disturbed, the tour opted to put the latter in the final slot, though either could be justified in handling the marquis finale spot – and that is not a knock on Disturbed, who also kicked major ass.

Avenged Sevenfold’s set began with a man falling to his death, noose around his neck, where he remained hanging front center stage throughout their opening track “Nightmare” from their newest album, which carries the same name. The band immediately kept the adrenalin pumping in the crowd as they went into a charged presentation of “Critical Acclaim” that had Sevenfold’s energetic singer M. Shadows leading the arena with repeated fists in the air and chants – a show of strong command as the eager fans followed his every direction in unison. Shadows, whose vocals were spot on, then acknowledge the newbies in the crowd with the apropos “Welcome to the Family” while guitarists Sinister Gates continued to blaze away, wowing the most snobby of guitar critics.

At some point in Sevenfold’s set, Shadows also made mention of the band’s former drummer, James Sullivan, otherwise known as “The Rev”, who had passed away last December of 2009. M. Shadows told the crowd how much he misses his best friend of eighteen years while a jumbo image of Sullivan appeared on the backdrop of the stage where it remained for the next few songs. Shadows later acknowledged, and thanked, drummer Mike Portnoy – an inspiration of Sullivan’s - for filling in and helping the band move forward. Avenged Sevenfold’s set also included “Afterlife” and “Unholy Confessions” before ending on a high note with “Almost Easy”. From beginning to end, the band gelled incredibly well with Zachy Vengeance accompanying Gates with intricate guitar harmonies and bassist Johnny Christ and Portnoy providing a thunderous rhythm section, infusing each song with that precise punch that Sevenfold is known for. Once again, Avenged Sevenfold has proven that their live show just keeps getting better and better.

By the time Disturbed took to the stage, the fans were already more than satisfied with what the Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival had to offer, just making the finale performance that much more enjoyable. Opening with “Voices”, frontman David Draiman led the charge of heavily-driven songs amidst a startling light show and pyrotechnics. The band went on to play such songs as “Meaning of Life”, Stricken”, “Fire”, their Genesis cover, “Land of Confusion”, along with a few songs from the new release, Asylum, and finally closed out with the hard-hitting “Down with the Sickness”, making it a very memorable homecoming.

*Avenged Sevonfold pictured (top) and Disturbed 

They might have become men over the past several years, but we still know them as New Kids on the Block, or more recently, NKOTB. Call them what you want, but they are back and, yielding to cliché, better than ever. Currently on their Casi-NO Tour the one-time mega popular boy band recently returned to Chicago where they played three sold out dates at The Venue, located in the Horseshoe Casino, in Hammond, Indiana. Though the actual venue is plenty large enough to accommodate big-name acts – and does with regularity – I half expected the New Kids’ set to be scaled down with minimal props and lighting. However, that was not the case at all. A large riser took center stage while a wall of lights that would constantly change per beat stood as the backdrop. The show was big, and the band was jammin’, thanks to a Chicago-based drummer and a guitarist who looked like he’d fit in better with Slayer.  

Jordan Knight, Donny Wahlberg and Joey McIntyre took turns singing the leads just as they have always done, only this time with more mature and seasoned vocals. They would later take turns performing their own solo numbers in which Joey sang a steamy rendition of the Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams”. Danny Wood and Jonathan Knight contributed with perfectly tuned harmonies and backing vocals to round out the New Kids’ sound, while also busting some very impressive moves.

NKOTB did not disappoint the crowd that was mostly comprised of 25 to 35-year-old women, playing a set that included “The Right Stuff”, “Step By Step”, “Full Service”, “Favorite Girl” and their ever so popular ballad, “I’ll Be Loving You”. The dancing was well choreographed and even better – youthful and fun. The boys also played an acoustic set with Danny taking on the guitar in which “Please Don’t Go Girl” set the mood along with the soft, light-filled curtain that fell behind them.

One concert highlight was when all five New Kids’ walked through the crowd, still singing and waving their arms through the air. Once in the swarm of fans, the five separated, making themselves accessible to most of the main level while Donny took it up a notch and headed closer to the rear of the venue where he balanced on a seat with the help of a few eager helpers.

The night finally came to a close, but not before NKOTB performed one of their top hits, “Hangin’ Tough”, ending the show on a high note and sending the fans home asking when the tour would hit Chicago again.