Cheap Trick keep it coming The Paramount Huntington, NY 8-26-14

Celebrating an amazing four decades in rock-n-roll as one of the most active bands around, Cheap Trick is on the road yet again. Staying true to their must-see live performance reputation, America’s beloved rockers arrived at The Paramount in Huntington, NY on Tuesday August 26th a month after appearing on Long Island at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh with Boston. Performing in a more intimate setting, as opposed to the open area amphitheater, fans filed into The Paramount for an up-close evening with Cheap Trick.

Kicking off the show was New York City’s rock band The Dirty Pearls.  Straight from the lower east side of Manhattan, this band led by vocalist Tommy London, guitarist Matt Hogan, bassist Jimmy Caputo, and drummer Marty E. –  brings a modern twist to dirty old rock-n-roll.  Performing songs from their 2012 debut album Whether You Like It or Not including the ballad single “New York is a Drug” the band left a strong impression on the room.  Staying true to the idea that straight up no frills rock music rules, The Dirty Pearls put on a winning performance as they closed with a cover of Steppenwolf’s “Born to be Wild”.  Check these guys out for some thoughtful guitar driven music.

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Bunching close to the stage and on their feet, this rare opportunity to see Cheap Trick at a general admission show was somewhat of a special treat for fans, bringing back memories of the early days.  The band proving yet again that there is nothing like having the free range to groove as one pleases to favorite tunes within a club-like setting.  For the fans with drinks in hand and stars in their eyes, the moment arrived for the show to begin. Lead vocalist Robin Zander appeared on stage in a sparkle-laced band leader suit igniting the audience to erupt into cheers.   Opening with “Hello There” the greeting was more than just the words in the song but warm welcome to devoted fans.  The welcome extended into an exciting set featuring the first performance of the 1985 title track “Standing on the Edge” since December 27th, 1987.  Awed by the moment the fans’ hands were in the air and they cheered in appreciation.  Set list mainstays had everyone singing along including “California Man” and “On Top of the World” but some of the biggest moments came during the rare live performances of songs like ” Heaven Tonight”, “The Ballad of T.V. Violence (I’m Not the Only Boy)”, “You’re All Talk”, and “Just Got Back.”  These are the reasons fans keep coming out to shows time after time.  It is great to hear the classics but even better to have a chance to indulge in the deeper tracks. This is what it is all about.

The show marched on at a steady pace and each time the legendary Rick Nielsen swapped guitars in-between songs he received a roaring ovation as the audience showed approval and he smiled back.  Ripping through each song like the professional he is his signature style was center stage along with the rest of the band which were as spot on as ever.  Concluding the set with mainstream favorites ” I Want You to Want Me” and “Dream Police”, Zander’s voice sounded electric to the last note.  In fact it was so exciting the noise level coming from the floor almost assured an encore kicking off with “Never Had a Lot to Lose” and chant along “Surrender”.  It was at this point the biggest and most heartwarming surprise took place when Nielsen broke out the five-neck guitar and Zander handed his six-string Strat to an eight year old boy named Andrew to rock out with them for closer “Goodnight”.  Surely a moment in this boy’s life he will never forget and a testament to the class act Cheap Trick is.

This was a special show that Cheap Trick fans will all never forget.  The song selection, the energy, and the personality made it a perfect reason to leave the house on a Tuesday night.  Do not miss a chance to catch this vastly underrated classic rock band live in the flesh.

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