LIVE: SKID ROW / BUCKCHERRY – March 28, 2023

Venue: Seminole Hard Rock Event Center

City: Tampa, FL

Dates: March 28, 2023

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

For the second time in a week I found myself at Tampa, FL’s Seminole Hard Rock Event Center, but in total contrast to the acoustic show I saw last week, I was faced with a triple shot of SOLD OUT rock and roll co-headlined by Skid Row and Buckcherry with openers No Resolve.  I am no stranger to the music of Detroit, MI based No Resolve as they play often at a venue I frequent, The Machine Shop in Flint, MI.  The group came out and did what they do… play rock, toss in some cool covers, and have a great time on stage.  Their energy is contagious and helps set the bar for the evening.  After opening with “Hostage,” they ripped in a solid cover of Kenny Loggins’ “Danger Zone.”  With a short set, they pepper originals into the mix with other covers, with my personal favorite being Adele’s “Easy On Me.”  Be sure to catch these guys whenever they swing through your area on a bill or headlining.

Next on stage was a favorite of mine, Buckcherry.  I have loved their stuff since their first album and they never let me down with release after release or tour after tour.  With a new album coming soon and a new single to promote, the guys are out canvasing the country and soon the globe trying to get the word out.  Opening the show with their first single – and my personal favorite of the bands catalog – “Lit Up” was the perfect launch for their portion of the show.  After another track, they dug back to their often overlooked and underappreciated sophomore release Time Bomb and ripped into “Porno Star” and filled it with all the attitude and piss & vinegar of the original.  Frontman Josh Todd controlled the flow of the show while guitarist Stevie D paved the way for the rest of the band – Kelly LeMieux. Francis Ruiz, and Billy Rowe – anchored the set wit solid playing.  Other tracks that peppered the set were “Ridin'” and the huge hit “Sorry” swirled into the mix with newest track “Good Time.”  The set ebbed and flowed perfectly through other hits “Gluttony” and arguably the biggest track in their repertoire and set closer “Crazy Bitch.”  Every time I see these guys, I walk away with a smile on my face, a song in my head, and an evening full of memories.

Closing the show, I was finally able to see Skid Row in a headlining spot after watching them cut their teeth more than 30 years ago as openers.  With a new album, singer, and a shitload of energy, they hit the stage and didn’t look back for a single moment.  Original members Dave “Snake” Sabo, Rachel Bolan, and Scotti Hill led the charge with. Leaning heaviest on the bands debut release, the rockers swirled tracks from their second disc as well as a couple servings from their newest 2023 release, including the title track and tour namesake “The Gang’s All Here.”  Kicking things off with “Slave To The Grind” and “The Threat,” the energy was up from the first chord and things began to spiral up when they pushed it into overdrive with “Big Guns,” “18 And Life,” and “Piece Of Me” all from their multimillion selling debut.  Drummer Rob Hammersmith helped the charge by anchoring from behind the band and underneath Sabo and Hill’s tandem of guitar riffs and the thundering bottom end of Bolan.  With each song, it was obvious the band was back and ready to take over the world again one venue at a time.  While the guys never gave up and have kept at it, the renewed vigor seems to stem from the energy and stage prowess of newest member and lead singer Erik Grönwall.  Other Skid Row classics hit the setlist like “I Remember You” coupled with “Monkey Business” near the end of the set while new track “Time Bomb” was tossed in for good measure.  Several tracks from the bands second release hit the mark like “The Threat” and “Monkey Business” allowing Erik to flex his pipes and demonstrate exactly why the Skids chose him to front the band.  With nothing to prove, they performed as if they had everything to prove and worked song after song to make sure they had the crowd wrapped… and succeeded.  Set closer “Youth Gone Wild” had the venue singing along word for word and sent us all into the casino and remainder of the evening with a renewed sense of our own youth.

SKID ROW SETLIST: Slave to the Grind – The Threat – Big Guns – 18 and Life – Piece of Me – Livin’ on a Chain Gang – Quicksand Jesus – Rattlesnake Shake – Time Bomb – I Remember You – Monkey Business – The Gang’s All Here – Youth Gone Wild

BUCKCHERRY SETLIST: Lit Up – So Hott – Porno Star – Out of Line – Ridin’ – Bent – 54321 – Good Time – Sorry – Gluttony – Shine Your Light – Crazy Bitch

NO RESOLVE SETLIST: Hostage – Danger Zone – If Love Was a Gun – Never Back Down – Easy on Me – Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) – Come Back Stronger – Counting Stars – How Far I’ll Go

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SKID ROW PHOTOS

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BUCKCHERRY PHOTOS

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NO RESOLVE PHOTOS

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Tags: featured

Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries