By Deb Rao

80's metal is alive and well in New England, as the legendary band WASP rolled into the Showcase in Foxboro, MA on March 9. Performing to a packed house, the kings of the heavy metal massacre, featuring Blackie Lawless, held the crowd in the palm of their hands. Opening with "On Your Knees", the brutal onslaught of pure in your face metal had fans with fists in the air.

I can't remember the last time, WASP performed in the Boston area and tonight's show was a real thrill for the die-hard fans. A huge video screen shadowed in the background displaying videos from WASP's extensive career playing in sync with the band as they unleashed all of their hits.

It was great to hear two new songs off of the WASP new hit album, Babylon including title track "Babylon's Burning" and "Crazy." Both songs are hard hitting and sound amazing live. Highlights of the set were  "The Idol" and "Murders In The New Morgue."

WASP featured Blackie Lawless on guitar and vocals, Doug Blair on guitar, Mike Duda on bass, and Mike Dupke on drums.  Guitarist Doug Blair informed me the tour has been going good so far. There are 120 more dates to go. WASP is currently on tour and coming to a city near you. This is a MUST SEE show. Check out www.myspace.com/wasp for tour dates.

 
setlist
On Your Knees
The Real Me
L.O.V.E. Machine
Babylon's Burning
Crazy
Wild Child
Hellion
I Don't Need No Doctor
Scream Until You Like It
Arena Of Pleasure
Chainsaw Charlie - Murders In The New Morgue
The Idol
The Headless Children
Take Me Up
I Wanna Be Somebody
Encore
Heaven's Hung In Black
Blind In Texas

Los Angeles, CA and Toronto, ON / March 9, 2010 / Leading independent studio, E1 Entertainment is thrilled to finalize their production and development deal with legendary rock band Kiss. E1 will tap the worldwide enthusiasm for the Kiss brand, collaborating with founding members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley to create a comedic half-hour kids television series that galvanizes the band's iconic personas for its young fans.
“We're honored to be involved in carrying on the Kiss legacy,” comments Frank Saperstein, Senior VP of Kids and Animation for E1. “It's wonderful to collaborate with the creative forces behind one of the greatest rock bands of all time and unquestionably one of the most recognized worldwide.”
E1 has snagged the Kiss brand as it eclipses its roots, building energy in new family and youth media outlets. Kiss's role as the face of Dr. Pepper, their significant presence during Super Bowl XLIV, and their appearance on the 2009 American Idol Finale, which reached over thirty million viewers, has made the make-up and leather-clad giants a household name for kids and families today. The Kiss tradition continues to grow generation after generation transcending age, race and creed.
"Kiss continues to be the juggernaut of licensing and merchandising, from Kiss M&M's to Kiss Dr Pepper,” remarks Kiss co-founder Gene Simmons, “Kiss is a band, but also the only music BRAND. Continuing in our 35 year history of going where no band has gone before, we are proud to partner with E1. Like all things Kiss, we intend to make this a very special show for our fans."
“We couldn't be more excited. Coupling E1's successes and ingenuity with the global force of Kiss guarantees an express pass into the homes of our youngest Kiss Army members with a show of superior quality,“ adds Kiss co-founder Paul Stanley.
The as-yet untitled series will be produced and distributed worldwide by E1. Executive Producers are John Morayniss and Frank Saperstein for E1 Entertainment; Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of Kiss. E1 and Kiss will handle all licensing and merchandise for the series.

Two of the most influential and ground-breaking artists of the 1970s—YES and Peter Frampton—are reuniting for a twenty-five city national co-headline summer tour, which kicks-off in early June and runs through the middle of July. The two performed stadium shows together in 1976, including a show to more than 100,000 at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. Tickets will go on sale for the June 16, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, NY show on March 5. For additional ticket information please visit: www.yesworld.com or www.frampton.com.

The concerts will feature more than three hours of music from the Grammy Award winners, performances which are sure to include YES classics such as “I’ve Seen All Good People,” “Starship Trooper,” as well as Frampton hits “Show Me The Way,” “Baby, I Love Your Way” and “Do You Feel Like We Do.”

One of history’s greatest, legendary, progressive rock bands, YES will feature a lineup of guitarist Steve Howe, bassist Chris Squire, and drummer Alan White, as well as Oliver Wakeman (son of Rick Wakeman) on keyboards and lead singer Benoit David.  Songs that have left an indelible mark on rock ‘n’ roll history and a concert spectacular that has become synonymous with YES, make this tour one that should not be missed.

Frampton, who recently won a Grammy Award for his instrumental album Fingerprints, will be performing material from his forthcoming release Thank You Mr Churchill (April 27, A&M/New Door/UMe)—as well as favorites spanning his catalog. Frampton’s band will include Rob Arthur (keyboards, guitar and backing vocals) and John Regan (bass), as well as Adam Lester (guitar) and Dan Wojciechowski (drums).

YES’s performance will include the hugely successful and indelible catalogue of music from hit albums such as Drama, Fragile, Close to the Edge and 90125. Classics such as “Roundabout,” a seminal hit which consistently appears on “the best songs of all-time” lists, and the group’s #1 hit “Owner of a Lonely Heart” are sure to be featured for an evening of music not to be missed.

One of the most popular concert attractions of all-time YES’s remarkable career has served to re-define the boundaries of rock.  As a dominant force for more than four decades, YES has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide.  Their symphonic use of sound and innovative musical styles has made each of the group’s players virtuosos in their own right.

Frampton remains one of the most celebrated artists and guitarists in rock history. Raised in London, Frampton taught himself to play guitar while still in single digits. He studied at the Bromley Technical School with classmate David Bowie (with whom he later recorded and toured). At 16, he was lead singer and guitarist for British teen band, the Herd. At 18, he co-founded one of the first super groups, seminal rock act Humble Pie. His fifth solo album, the electrifying Frampton Comes Alive!, is one of the top selling live records of all time. Frampton is so identified as the quintessential rocker, that he served as a consultant on Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous, Crowe’s semi-autobiographical film about a teenage journalist covering the fictional rock band Stillwater.

YES/PETER FRAMPTON TOUR DATES (MORE TO BE ADDED)

June 16                 Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT

June 18                 Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, NY

June 19                 Tower Theater, Upper Darby, PA

June 20                 Meadows Racetrack and Casino, Meadow Lands, PA

June 23                 Wolf Trap Foundation for Performing Arts, Vienna, VA

July 4                    Lake Forest Venue, Blue Ash, OH

July 7                    Sandia Casino, Albuquerque, NM

July 9                    Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA

July 10                  Harrah’s Rincon-Open Sky Theater, Valley Center, CA