LIVE: ALICE COOPER – November 26, 2019

Venue: Stranahan Theatre

City: Toledo, OH

Date: November 26, 2019

Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com)

Alice Cooper released a killer EP – Breadcrumbs – recently, demonstrating that not only is he still a legendary performer, but is still cranking out incredible music, even if it is covers.  With the current Ol Black Eyes Is Back tour coming to an end for the holidays, we were able to jump in the car and travel down 75 from Detroit and join over 2,500 other Cooper fans inside a packed Stranahan Theatre in Toledo for 90-minutes of amazing showmanship, classic tracks, and even some cool tracks form the 80’s that are in my musical wheelhouse (and also staples in my Alice Cooper rotation).  With his band in place and a show loaded with cool visuals, Alice was about to deliver an amazing show, and that show kicked off with “Feed My Frankenstein.”  With three killer guitarists trading licks and leads, Cooper was off and running and ready to rock.  Next up was the classic “No More Mr. Nice Guy” and a killer cut from his 1989 release Trash – “Bed of Nails,” with the latter helping whip the crowd into a frenzy having been added to the setlist in 2019 after dropping out in 1991, except for a few random performances.  Another track from Alice’s past that was pulled out of the catalog for this tour – “Raped and Freezin'” went over well with the capacity crowd, as did the lone track from Cooper’s most recent release Paranormal, “Fallen in Love.”  One of my favorite moments of the evening came when the first of three mid-1980’s tracks came ripping through the sound system when “He’s Back (The Man Behind the Mask)” came blasting through the venue.  This is one of my favorite tracks from the 1986 disc Constrictor.  Two more classics hit the set with “I’m Eighteen” and “Billion Dollar Babies” making an appearance, pleasing fans young and old in the audience.  The highest charting single (US Charts) in Copper’s career was next as “Poison” burst from the stage, surged through the sound system, and washed over the crowd, with Cooper enhancing the song by pointing out specific women in the crowd he deemed poison.  Another mid-80’s track that made an appearance tonight, as well as Sheryl Cooper, was “Roses on White Lace” from Raise Your Fist And Yell.  While guitarist Nita Strauss showcased some of her chops on guitar in a mini solo, the instrumental high point of the evening was the bands solo-filled rendition of “Black Widow.”  Ryan Roxie, Nita, and Tommy Henriksen all flexed their six-string muscles, while bassist Chuck Garric and drummer Glen Sobel were featured on their respective instruments.  A four-track clump of songs wove a tale that culminated in the beheading by guillotine and reappearance of Alice: “Steven” saw Cooper reflected as the troubled namesake of the song; this lead to another appearance from Sheryl (in another role), allowing another demented side of Alice to rear its ugly head during “Dead Babies”; one of the most anticipated moments of the evening – the beheading of Alice – was accompanied by “I Love the Dead”; and the re-emergence of Alice with the uptempo fun track “Escape.”  The final 80’s track, “Teenage Frankenstein,” sounded as good tonight as the first time I heard it back in 1986.  I sang along with seemingly 2,500 other people in the theatre.  As the night wound down, we were treated to “Under My Wheels” and arguably the most recognized track from Alice’s catalog – “School’s Out.”  While there are only a couple dates left in 2019, keep your eyes on 2020, as Cooper and his band have already announced an Aussie tour and more US dates… if this show makes its way to your area, be sure to grab your friends and check out a night with Alice…

Setlist: Feed My Frankenstein – No More Mr. Nice Guy – Bed of Nails – Raped and Freezin’ – Fallen in Love – Muscle of Love – He’s Back (The Man Behind the Mask) – I’m Eighteen – Billion Dollar Babies – Poison – Roses on White Lace – My Stars – Devil’s Food – Black Widow Jam – Steven – Dead Babies – I Love the Dead – Escape – Teenage Frankenstein – Under My Wheels – School’s Out

Band Members: Alice Cooper (lead vocals) – Ryan Roxie (lead and rhythm guitar) – Chuck Garric (bass) – Tommy Henriksen (rhythm and lead guitar) – Glen Sobel (drums) – Nita Strauss (lead and rhythm guitar)

[Show as slideshow]

FULL SET OF ALICE COOPER SHOW PHOTOS HERE

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Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries