Wow, did Michael Schenker & Co. ever KILL it last night! The show really got me thinking, with all the publicity about the upcoming Van Halen tour, including on this website.
Sorry, Eddie, Dave, Alex and Wolfgang. You are just not in a league with The Michael Schenker Band. It's really nice to see 5 dudes walk out there and play loud, HARD rock music the way it was meant to be played, here in 2015, because we all know that there is just not enough of that going around these days. Two guitars, bass, drums, lead singer. The second guitarist was very, VERY good, and he had a keyboard in front of him as well but he rarely touched it. A SCORCHING hot rock 'n' roll band, what else can I say. I'd go see them again in a minute.
The show kind of left me shaking my head when I walked out the door because Schenker's lead singer is such a tremendous hard rock vocalist, with tons of range.............he at times actually reminded me of Rob Halford in his prime. Compare him with the recent David Lee Roth videos from Jimmy Kimmel............OUCH. I'm sorry, I don't know the singer's name, or anyone else's in the band. He's Scottish, that's all I can tell you. And yet, these guys are playing 400 seat clubs while Van Halen will likely play to sold out 20,000 seat arenas this summer. Fortunately for Van Halen, they don't have The Michael Schenker Band opening for them because there just would not be much reason to stick around for VH.
Personally, it was nice just to finally see Schenker. I had a ticket five years ago but I was sick and gave it to my neighbor. The only other time I saw him was 40 years ago.........believe it or not, the original UFO opened for Steppenwolf at Pauley Pavilion, UCLA. I was 20, I took my 19 year old sister to that, and I had no idea who they were. And yes, they were good. I thought, damn, these guys are a really rockin' band.
I caught the second of two shows, and although the first set was longer, we still got one hour 20 minutes. They played three hours total, then. UFO tunes: Doctor Doctor (opener), Lights Out, Shoot Shoot, Rock Bottom (a jaw dropping 12 minute version with Schenker REALLY going off). They also did one Scorpions tune. And really nice to see Schenker looking and sounding so good at 60 after a long history of alcoholism. I looked on Wikipedia, Schenker's birthday is three days after mine, and yes, same year!
If you love great loud hard rock music...........catch these guys if you get the chance!!
[Edited on 4/3/2015 by robslob]
Hard to imagine a band that loud in a room that small. Probably drowned out the Amtraks that roll down the street. I've played that room twice - by far the best-sounding room I've ever been lucky enough to play in. Great venue - last band I saw there was Lenny White's band featuring Jimmy Herring. Chatted with Jimmy outside for about fifteen minutes after the show. As nice a guy as he is an otherworldly player, like Derek and Jack Pearson.
rmack: They were loud but I didn't think they were TOO loud. Without a doubt though, by FAR the loudest show I've ever seen at Yoshi's. As I'm sure you know, they used to book strictly jazz. Nice that they have opened it up to other genres, but I'm sure that was for financial reasons. Too bad the Yoshi's in San Francisco didn't survive, that was a really nice club, too.
Schenker is amazing. His band right now has the original drummer and bassist from the Scorpions. Singer is Doogie White who sang for Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow at one point and Wayne Findlay is the other guitarist who is indeed good himself.
Lots of talent and must have been great in a small venue. I have seen him in a couple of small venues and they were awesome. Also have some tickets for no shows and cancelations but he was messed up mentally for a bit.
Glad to see him in a great head space in recent years. Too talented not to be playing.
Thanks for all the info James! (Canadian Mule). I forwarded your post to a bunch of friends just to brag about who I saw last night!
Herman Rarebell on drums and Francis Bucholz on bass.
I caught them on their U.S. Walk on Water tour. I didn't realize until after I fortunate I was to catch a solid show as I wasn't hip to all the drama surrounding the ban and Schenker at the time. I don't listen to much heavy music any longer, but I'm always pulling for him. There were a few years there where you just couldn't help but feel bad for him. I'm glad you saw a string show.
Blooby
