The "Mad Anthony Express"!!!!

[Rock Bottom]

Wow!!! My friends and I sure got one hell of a surprise on Sat night at the Cabo in Tahoe. We decided to come up from Reno and spent the day/night in Tahoe even though the show was postponed. We had rooms and plenty of top shelf tequila and limes so what the heck?! Anyway, as I was walking to the Cabo Cantina to meet up with everyone I saw a sign that read, "Mad Anthony Express with Michael Anthony, May 5". As soon as I got inside I hit up one of the bartenders for the scoop. Sure enough, they were to go on at 11pm inside the cantina. So after hanging there awhile, we went back to one of rooms, warmed up a bit ;-) and went back for the opening band at 8. They were actually pretty damned good and the guitarist could frickin' wail! They took a 10 minute break and as they were coming back Mikey's guys started taking their stuff off the stage; Mikey was coming out early! I was so stoked to see Vic Johnson on guitar! From the opening with Atomic punk to DOA all the way to I'm the One they kicked ass! Man, it was great to see them dust off some stuff Mikey hasn't played in over 25 years. Plenty of Cream, Zep, AC/DC thrown in as well. Aaron Hagar came out and worked it on a couple tunes including Rock Candy. I was right next to the stage on Vic's side and I could read on the back of his picks, "Nothing but Love for Ya" and that's the way it felt. These guys didn't have to come up and play but they did and they obviously loved every minute of it. I have nothing but the greatest respect for these guys. BTW, it looks like either Lauser is out on drums or they will have 2 full time percussionists as the drummer(can't remember his name right now, maybe J.D.?) was announced as the newest member of the Wabos. I do have a pic and bunch of really poor sounding video. The sound level was just too much for my phone camera(my ears are still ringing 10 hours after the show was over). The crowd was little rough at times but that's what happens when you're an up front fanatic! I just want to thank Mikey and Vic for turning a disappointment into a little piece of rock history.

[AT]

Hey... good to hear! So who was the band then? Mikey, Aaron Hagar, Vic on guitar, and who was the drummer(s)?

[Rock Bottom]

Sorry, the band was Mikey on bass and lead vocals, new guy on drums, Vic on guitars, and Aaron singing on a couple tunes. BTW, Cabo Uno is $32 a shot but unlike any other Tequila you're likely to try. Pretty incredible stuff!

[Nostalgia Act]

Wow!!! My friends and I sure got one hell of a surprise on Sat night at the Cabo in Tahoe. We decided to come up from Reno and spent the day/night in Tahoe even though the show was postponed. We had rooms and plenty of top shelf tequila and limes so what the heck?! Anyway, as I was walking to the Cabo Cantina to meet up with everyone I saw a sign that read, "Mad Anthony Express with Michael Anthony, May 5". As soon as I got inside I hit up one of the bartenders for the scoop. Sure enough, they were to go on at 11pm inside the cantina. So after hanging there awhile, we went back to one of rooms, warmed up a bit ;-) and went back for the opening band at 8. They were actually pretty damned good and the guitarist could frickin' wail! They took a 10 minute break and as they were coming back Mikey's guys started taking their stuff off the stage; Mikey was coming out early! I was so stoked to see Vic Johnson on guitar! From the opening with Atomic punk to DOA all the way to I'm the One they kicked ass! Man, it was great to see them dust off some stuff Mikey hasn't played in over 25 years. Plenty of Cream, Zep, AC/DC thrown in as well. Aaron Hagar came out and worked it on a couple tunes including Rock Candy. I was right next to the stage on Vic's side and I could read on the back of his picks, "Nothing but Love for Ya" and that's the way it felt. These guys didn't have to come up and play but they did and they obviously loved every minute of it. I have nothing but the greatest respect for these guys. BTW, it looks like either Lauser is out on drums or they will have 2 full time percussionists as the drummer(can't remember his name right now, maybe J.D.?) was announced as the newest member of the Wabos. I do have a pic and bunch of really poor sounding video. The sound level was just too much for my phone camera(my ears are still ringing 10 hours after the show was over). The crowd was little rough at times but that's what happens when you're an up front fanatic! I just want to thank Mikey and Vic for turning a disappointment into a little piece of rock history.

Thanks for the post. Way to make lemonade out of lemons. David Lauser out of the band? What?!? Where did you hear this? Damn, i hope it isn't true.
Would the two full time percussionists be Gibby Ross and Johnny Douglass?

[LLFHS]

Jeallllllllllllous!

[Van Squalen]

Wow. Kewl that they made something happen after Sammy's cancellation.

Would love to see a complete setlist.

Mike should just start his own band, or they should rework the Wabos to have him in on a permanent basis.

[ZachenFoot]

Wow. Kewl that they made something happen after Sammy's cancellation.

Would love to see a complete setlist.

Mike should just start his own band, or they should rework the Wabos to have him in on a permanent basis.

Agreed. Seen the Wabo's four times and Mona's ALWAYS annoyed me. Mikey would be cool as the permanent Wabo's bass player.

Or just start his own band, he can hold his own as a lead vocalist, I would believe.

[AT]

Agreed. Seen the Wabo's four times and Mona's ALWAYS annoyed me. Mikey would be cool as the permanent Wabo's bass player.

Or just start his own band, he can hold his own as a lead vocalist, I would believe.

I'd like to hear the Michael Anthony solo album. There were legitimate rumors about it after the 2000 Dave reunion fell through, and Sam was supposed to have helped write and play guitar.

Chickenfoot would be cool too. SOMETHING new and original would be cool.

[ZachenFoot]

Unlike most people here I'm not looking forward to Chickenfoot. I'd rather just hear new Sam music or a Mikey solo album.

But hey, Chickenfoot is better than NOTHING at all.

[AJHV]

Lets see them pics!!!!!

[valdez44]

cool fuckin' story! Lucky bastard.

Kinda doubt Lauser is out of the band though, Sammy's know that cat for years.....My guess is he just didn't make the trip, and Mike just found another drummer.

[Raldo]

Sounded like it was a hell of a show!

Looking forward to seeing some pics.

[Little Dreamer]

Makes sense. Mikey finally figured out the rule, you can't be in two bands... UNLESS one of the bands is named after you, hence the "Mad Anthony Express!"

Mike's back in VH, you heard it here first.

[smithjc]

This is great to hear. Mikey da man.

And yes, I'm very jealous that I missed this.

[Vince G.]

Setlist from someone else who attended:

Atomic Punk
Runnin' With The Devil
Immigrant Song
Waiting For the Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago
Ain't Talkin' Bout Love
All Right Now
Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers
Rock Candy(Aaron Hagar)
Bad Motor Scooter(Aaron Hagar)
Little Dreamer
I'm Going Down
DOA
I'm The One