Pittsburgh 7/9 Review

[VH-is-Alive]

Let me preface my review by saying that I've seen VH five times (all with Sam), three times on the 2004 tour, once on the "Balance" tour, and once on the "5150" tour. Coincidentally, on my way into the Post Gazette Pavillion parking lot this evening I looked down at my odometer and the first four digits were 5150! Anyway, I had never seen a Sam show without VH prior to tonight. I know quite a bit of Sam's solo work, but mostly the mainstream stuff from the early 80's and a few of the newer songs, i.e. the past 10 years. I don't mean to compare any of them to VH, but I pretty much only listen to VH so I don't have much else to compare to.

Sam--I have to admit that he puts on a hell of a show and to be honest, I'm realizing that the reason I enjoyed all the VH shows is because of the show Sam puts on. I was a VH fan long before Sam was in the band, but tonight kind of told me where the energy in VH that I liked so much came from during his time with the brothers. Sam just makes the show a lot of fucking fun. They started with "Mas Tequila" and played several songs from different Hagar eras including "ICD55", "Heavy Metal", "There's Only One way to Rock", and others. Moving into the second half of the show, they opened that up with RWTD--fucking killer. First time I've heard RWTD live and worth the four hour drive. They played "Summer Nights", "Runaround", "Finish What Ya Started", "Why Can't This Be Love", "Best of Both Worlds", "Good Enough" and others. I thought "Good Enough" fucking rocked. I can't remember if they played it live during the 5150 tour, but this is the first I remember seeing it live. IMO, it's one of their best songs and it was awesome live. Oh yeah, it also looks like Sam is in pretty good shape. It looks like he's lost quite a bit of weight since the '04 tour. I'm sure he had to step it up a notch to do a 3 hour show, too.

Mona--now that chick rocks. I had not seen any video or anything of her before tonight and she's just plain fucking cool. Strong backup vocals and seems to really get into the show with Sam. I'm impressed.

Vic--I had not seen any video or anything of Vic, either. He's pretty friggin good. Consistent, smooth. No one's another Ed, but Vic does a solid job and has a really good sound. When it came to the VH songs, I thought he did a better job that anyone I've probably heard other than Ed. I will say that he's pretty good at playing the songs as they are written/recorded, so he doesn't noodle or anything like Ed does, but he's solid. For those looking to see a show that represents the songs JUST as they are recorded, this is the show to see. I think he fucked up during one song, maybe on FWYS? Can someone else who was there confirm that? I think I seen Sam and Mike kind of look at each other.

David--Good drummer. Not quite the boom-sizzle that AVH has, but good and solid. Not a lot more I can say here and I don't mean to sell him short.

Michael--same Mad Anthony as ever. His bass solo was different than most he does. He mixed in some of the 1984 intro and at the end he rolled right into the beginning of RWTD.

Two of the highlights from the crowd--this guy in the group behind the band on the stage threw Sam a huge banner that was asking his g/f to marry him and she said "Yes". Sam had a couple shots of Cabo taken up to them. Pretty cool way to do it if you ask me. Also, there was a guy standing next to me that had been back from Iraq for two days. He threw his ARMY shirt and a banner up and Sam signed it.

I was quite surprised and disappointed they did not play Cabo Wabo.

This was my first time to the Post Gazette Pavillion. I wish I had done a little more research. I did not realize the setup or I'd have gotten there a little earlier to enjoy the festivities and some Cabo.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to try to make it to another show or two, now. I had a great time.

Anyone else there? Agree/Disagree with me?


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[The J Man]

aw man, I wish they played "Runaround" in Detroit last night...no "Summer Nights" in Pittsburgh?

[5150]

They played "Summer Nights", "Round and Round", "Finish What Ya Started", "Why Can't This Be Love", "Best of Both Worlds", "Good Enough" and others.

Hate to tell ya... but 'Round and Round' was RATT. Hopefully you're thinking of 'Runaround.'

'Everyone have a good night and stay away from the Cabo Wabo.' ~DLR, Sam and Dave Tour

[VH-is-Alive]

Hate to tell ya... but 'Round and Round' was RATT. Hopefully you're thinking of 'Runaround.'

'Everyone have a good night and stay away from the Cabo Wabo.' ~DLR, Sam and Dave Tour

HA! I just edited that. I can't believe I said that!



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[VH-is-Alive]

aw man, I wish they played "Runaround" in Detroit last night...no "Summer Nights" in Pittsburgh?

Yeah, I mentioned that. It was pretty good too!



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[VivaVH]

Anyone else there? Agree/Disagree with me?

Alive, I'd sit here and write an elaborate review but it appears you already did so for me.

What did you think of the pot shot Sammy took at Ed before Summer Nights? I was a little disappointed he did that, but then again, Ed certainly has taken Sammy for a ride these past ten years, so perhaps it can be argued it was not without justification.

One thing that was cool, for those of you who weren't there, at the end of The Other Half's set, Mike held up one half of the 5150 sign, then Sammy held up the other half of it and connected it to Mike's. Hope for the future.

I have to say this may have been the tightest live sound I've ever heard.

[debi456789]

I was the girl next to the girl who got engaged. I have her email address. Do you have any pictures of when that happened? I would love to email them to her. She would love it. Or anyone else have any?

[VH-is-Alive]

Alive, I'd sit here and write an elaborate review but it appears you already did so for me.

What did you think of the pot shot Sammy took at Ed before Summer Nights? I was a little disappointed he did that, but then again, Ed certainly has taken Sammy for a ride these past ten years, so perhaps it can be argued it was not without justification.

One thing that was cool, for those of you who weren't there, at the end of The Other Half's set, Mike held up one half of the 5150 sign, then Sammy held up the other half of it and connected it to Mike's. Hope for the future.

I have to say this may have been the tightest live sound I've ever heard.

I couldn't quite hear what Sam was saying other than they quit playing Summer Nights after about 10 shows during the 5150 tour because no one could play it then Ed couldn't even play it because it was such a difficult sound. Vic did a nice job all night.

I think the VH show in Cincinnati in '04 was the best and tightest sound I've heard live, but last night was pretty friggin good.



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[VH-is-Alive]

I was the girl next to the girl who got engaged. I have her email address. Do you have any pictures of when that happened? I would love to email them to her. She would love it. Or anyone else have any?

Unfortunately I did not have a camera. I wish I had known they didn't care or I'd have had some awesome shots. Perhaps next time....



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[Judgement Day]

Went to last nights show and all I can say is that it was one hell of a good time! Got in the parking lot around 5:00 and kicked back a few cold ones, walked around looking for the Cabo village because I thought it was supposed to be outside the venue, but saw some of the stuff set up inside. Asked the guards if we could go in and come back out, but they said that once you went in, you had to stay there. So we headed back to my buddies truck and had a few more beers and then headed in for the show around 7:15.

Walked around inside for awhile and picked up a Waborita, their not too bad except for they cost $10. I wouldn't have got one if I knew I was going to get one for free later. Anyways, me and my friends decided it was time to head up to our seats. They had section 6 row Z, and that is where I was planning on sitting until I checked ticketmaster a few days before the show and ended up with Pit row A! I took one of my pals that I figured would really appreciate it up with me and it turned out that they were right in front of Sammy's mike.

Well the shows already been talked about, so I guess I don't have to go into detail there, but what I can say is and what the highlight of the show was for me, was when Sammy gave me a Waborita, felt like a little kid at x-mas. Overall, I'm more than happy with the show and how things turned out. My only complaint is that I wish there was bigger crowd kinda felt bad for Sam after playing to a big crowd the night before in Detroit and then moving on to Pittsburgh with around 4,200 (asked one of the gurards). Oh well, all the better for those of us who decided to show up and enjoy one hell of a show.

[VH-is-Alive]

Well the shows already been talked about, so I guess I don't have to go into detail there, but what I can say is and what the highlight of the show was for me, was when Sammy gave me a Waborita, felt like a little kid at x-mas.

Were you the guy he handed the drink to closer to the end of the show on the front row, just to the right of center?



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[Bad to the Bone]

I think when Sam talks about not being able to play summer nights I think he's talking about the trans trem guitar. That thing was a bitch from what I understand, Vic's playing it on a regular guitar and it sounded fine to me. Ed played it for the whole 5150 tour and I think the whole MOR/OU812 tour.

[Judgement Day]

Were you the guy he handed the drink to closer to the end of the show on the front row, just to the right of center?



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No, he had the camera man hand it to me somewhere around the middle of the first set.

[VH-is-Alive]

No, he had the camera man hand it to me somewhere around the middle of the first set.

Hmmm..was trying to figure out who you were...so much going on and the Waborita delivery girls had my attention most of the time.

[Judgement Day]

I was right in the middle in front of Sammy's mike stand, I was wearing a black VH shirt with the eagle on it. I take it you were on the stage, where at?