LIVE! | Dokken at the Rainbow

by Deb Rao
Staff Writer –

April 15, 2012 at the Rainbow Bar and Grill in Hollywood, CA

The legendary Rainbow Bar and Grill in West Hollywood celebrated its 40th Anniversary on April 15. The Rainbow first opened its doors in 1972. Over the years, the eclectic venue was a haven for many a celebrity to congregate. Many of Hollywood’s top celebrities and rock stars have passed through the popular club during the heyday of metal including Motley Crue, Poison, Dokken, and Ratt. On this special Anniversary tonight’s A-list was no exception. Doors were slated to open at 5 p.m. with many bands set to take the stage including Hurricane and Pretty Boy Floyd.

Driving from Las Vegas to West Hollywood was no easy feat during Vegas’s Spring break. Traffic was backed up for miles along the desert highway. I finally arrived at the club in time for DOKKEN to take the stage at 11 p.m.

DOKKEN first got their start playing on Sunset Strip back in the heyday of metal. Tonight’s audience was a mixture of old and young. It was exciting to see some of the new fans seeing the band for the first time and some old familiar faces backstage. The event took place in the back of the Rainbow and Roxy parking lot. A built up stage and a couple of spotlights were the only stage props. The emphasis was clearly on the music tonight and not the gimmick. DOKKEN took full control of the audience opening with “Just Got Lucky.” The line-up featured Don Dokken on vocals, Sean Mcnabb on bass, Jon Levin, on guitar, and filling in for Mick Brown was drummer Brian Tichy. Although the line-up has changed since the heyday without George Lynch and Jeff Pilson the band still kicks ass.

Don Dokken reminisced onstage about being a 23-year-old kid opening for Van Halen and Quiet Riot at the Whiskey A – Go-Go and said it seemed like only yesterday. Dokken only got to play a 30-minute set and decided to stick to the heavy format belting out such hits as “Into The Fire”, “Kiss Of Death”, and “Tooth And Nail” and ending the set with the sing along to “In My Dreams.”

After the concert, I spoke to Don regarding the special event. He told me that he was happy to be part of the special Rainbow event and it was a lot of fun. Tonight’s concert was all about nostalgia. For a moment, we all had the opportunity to recapture the magic of the ’80s. Although I must say, after living in Vegas for a while now and being used to having venues open till 4 a.m., they do roll up the Red Carpet pretty early at 2 a.m. in LA. After the concert, many rockers invaded the famous Rainbow including Chas West, Carlos Cavaza, Alex Grossi, and Scottie Griffin.

At the Dokken table, I had the opportunity to discuss the upcoming Dokken album Broken Bones with Don. When I asked about the evolution of Dokken and if the new CD will resemble the classic Dokken album Tooth And Nail this is what he had to say, “I don’t know, it’s not done yet. I write what comes from the heart, I don’t believe in writing music trying to repeat what you’ve already done. I understand what the fans want but as an artist I see no point in painting the same picture over and over. Our label hates me to say that and I’m sure the fans too. So we’re walking a tightrope trying to keep everybody happy without selling out. I would hope that our fans have grown with us. When I sing it sounds like Dokken but as time passes I see the world differently so obviously it affects my lyrics. I have been asked to write songs like we did in the ’80s but if the Beatles just kept writing ‘I Wanna Hold Your Hand’ would they have lasted? That is the million-dollar question. So we are trying to strike a balance.”

“What can I say Broken Bones is very up-tempo. I haven’t written the ballad yet. It will be the last song I write for this CD. It will probably be a power ballad. I’ve had some crazy stuff and people pass through my life lately. So I’ve got plenty of thoughts to put to pen!”

Be sure to check out Dokken at M3 on May 12. Hardrock Haven will be on hand to cover the festival.

George Lynch : Kill All Control

by John Kindred
Staff Writer

Guitarist George Lynch returns with his latest solo album Kill All Control. You know him from the ‘80s with Dokken, and later he formed the infamous Lynch Mob. Over the years, Lynch has maintained a steady release of solo records, while keeping Lynch Mob alive and kicking in various incarnations. Chances are that a complete Dokken reunion never will happen; however, Lynch doesn’t live in the past. He continues to expand on his fret board wizardry and add to his catalog of music.

Following up on his latest solo project, Souls of We, Lynch, along with vocalist London Legrand (Brides of Destruction) and drummer Adrian Ost (Powerman 5000), put together a majority of the music for Kill All Control within 10 days. Lynch’s guitar playing always has included his flair for exotic explorations, which he has expounded and expanded on during his 30-plus years as a musician. With Kill All Control, he falls back to the foundational premise of his 1993 solo album, Sacred Groove, which featured a who’s who of hard rock’s premier vocal talent.

Kill All Control features Keith St. John (Montrose, Burning Rain), Will Martin (Earshot), Marq Torien (Bulletboys) and Fred Coury (Cinderella). Each guest makes an appearance on the 13-track release. Burning Rain fans will recognize Keith St. John’s voice on “Resurrect Your Soul,” “Rattlesnake,” “Man on Fire” and as backing vocals on many other songs on the CD. Fred Coury lends his skills to the instrumental song, “Son of Scary,” which tips it hat to the Grammy-nominated “Mr. Scary” from Dokken’s Back for the Attack album release in 1988.

Kill All Control lives and breathes with Lynch coaxing harmonic screams, melodic phrasing, smooth legato runs and unique chord arrangements from his guitar. The vocalists take their opportunities to lay down stellar vocal performances throughout the album. The eclectic group brings varied genres of rock into the mix and creates nuances that include traditional hard rock, alternative and modern rock. They also work together to create full, thick melodic choruses that are quite memorable. Keith St. John really shines here. If you like his voice, check out his work with Doug Aldrich in the band Burning Rain.

People would really like to hear Lynch shred, but he is truly at home in the vocal-guitar-bass-drums band format. His guitar style allows the music to breathe as his rhythm playing doesn’t dominate or over power the vocals. In fact, his snake-like slithering approach intertwines within the confines of the music in such a way that he really is shredding throughout the album. He never stays in positions in which he is just hammering out rooted 5th power chords. His use of all six strings in the rhythmic passages gives the guitar a big, dynamic sound.

Lynch fans will love Kill All Control and will be glad to add the album to their collection. Even with a variety of vocalists, the album feels more cohesive than his last project with Souls of We. Honestly, we don’t need Lynch back in Dokken. Dokken (yes, that’s you Don) lives in the past and has become a cover band with many well-known names brought in to re-create Lynch’s guitar style for the band. George Lynch is his own man, who was borne from the mettle of ‘70s classic rock players, fused with the inspiration of Van Halen and Malmsteen, and is someone who continues to strive to discover new music within his soul. Oh yeah, “Wicked Witch” absolutely is one if the best songs of 2011.

Genre: Hard Rock

Label: Rocket Science, Inc.

Track Listing:
1. Kill All Control
2. Done
3. Fly on the Wall
4. Brand New Day
5. Wicked Witch
6. Man on Fire
7. Voices in My Head
8. Resurrect Your Soul
9. Rattlesnake
10. Man on Fire
11. My Own Enemy
12. Son of Scary
13. Go It Alone

Web: http://www.georgelynch.com

Hardrock Haven rating: 9.5/10

LIVE! : Dokken and Great White

by Deb Rao
Staff Writer

March 25, 2011 at The Wild Horse Pass Casino in Chandler, AZ.

There is a new concert venue in town in Chandler, Ariz. that is a casino and theater all under one roof. The Wild Horse Pass Casino venue opened a year ago in October and is fast becoming one of Arizona’s hot spots.

Tonight on March 25, Ovations featured two of the ’80′s legendary bands DOKKEN and GREAT WHITE. It is ironic, Last time I was in Phoenix a year ago both bands also played on the same bill. Dokken kicked off the night’s festivities at 8 P.M. This was one of Dokken’s first shows after Don’s vocal surgery and the band sounded great with Don taking full command of the audience. Opening with “Just Got Lucky,” Dokken kicked into high gear slamming out hit after hit. The audience was pumped and on their feet. The venue holds 1500 people and tonight’s show was SOLD OUT! Arizona has always been a great concert market for Dokken to perform.

During the set Don reminisced about the ’80s and Don told the audience, “Tonight we are going to do it old school. We come from the genre of Scorpions and Van Halen.” One of the great aspects of Dokken is that their music features great guitar solos and tonight Jon Levin was on fire. The band jammed on “Too High To Fly” and everyone got to do their own solo.

The rhythm section featuring Phoenix’s Mick Brown laid down the funky drum riffs like a sledge hammer and bassist Sean McNabb sizzled on “It’s Not Love”. This song also turned into a medley of Free’s, “Alright Now.”

Highlight of the set was the sing along to “Alone Again.” Front-man Don Dokken said, “You shouldn’t be at a Dokken concert if you don’t sing.” Well sing the audience did and everyone was having a great time.

Dokken has always been one of those bands that can go from melodic to heavy in a split second as the band pummeled into “Tooth And Nail.” It was great to see the band having a great time onstage and Don sounding stronger once again! Dokken ended the set with “In My Dreams.”

When I asked Don about his surgery and the show he responded, “Yes, it seems my voice is on the mend. I’m still singing with caution but every day it’s getting better, finally. Yes, we will be changing the set a lot. We’re going to do songs that we have never done live, starting in April. I’m honestly a bit tired of just playing the hits, time to mix it up and I’m sure our fans will be happy about it as well.”

It has been a year since I have seen Great White. Tonight the band featured Terry Ilous from XYZ on vocals filling in for Jack Russell who is recovering from bowel surgery. Great White has always been a band who were heavily influenced by the blues. Tonight’s performance was no exception. Terry has an R and B kind of sound that works well with the band. Opening with “Desert Moon”, Terry demonstrated his bluesy vocal style very well.

Highlights of the set were ballads “Save All Your Love”, and “House Of Broken Love.”

It was fun watching Michael Lardie perform on keyboards and guitar showing his diversity as a musician. I had the opportunity to talk to Terry before the show. He informed us that this was his 13th show with the band and he has been on the road non-stop now with Great White and was not slowing down anytime soon as the band was heading to a show in Michigan right after their performance tonight. Terry told me, he received a call from Mark Kendall while he was on vacation in San Diego and Mark asked him to fill in for Jack. The same day there was sighting of the Great White shark in San Diego. Mark told him, “This is a sign.” Terry had a day to learn the songs. When I asked Terry if the cliché in the song “Once Bitten Twice Shy” – “You didn’t know that rock and roll burned. So you bought a candle and you lived and you learned,” still held true to the rigorous touring schedule, Terry responded,” Absolutely.”

The 80′s were alive and well in Chandler, Arizona tonight. As Dokken and Great White still performed all the hits with much conviction. Proving that a good song will survive the test of time!

Photos appear courtesy of Deb Rao

Dokken Greatest Hits 2

by Deb Rao
Staff Writer

’80s rock band Dokken will release their Greatest Hits 2 album via Cleopatra Records on May 4. Dokken first burst onto the Hollywood scene in the early ’80s with their catchy pop songs featuring the melodic vocals of Don Dokken and guitar virtuoso George Lynch. In 1997, George Lynch left the band and Dokken went though many guitarists including Reb Beach, John Norum, and Alex DeRosso before finally finding the perfect replacement Jon Levin.

The Greatest Hits 2 features a re-mastered version of the Dokken hits that launched the band into the heyday of metal mania. Although Don is singing in a lower key than the early Sunset Strip days, the songs that we grew up with stand the test of time. The Dokken front man has always been a wiz in the studio as this album, as this release is well balanced and illustrates a modern day twist to the ’80′s hits.

Opening track “Just Got Lucky” has the Dokken signature guitar sound as the band slams into their first hit “Breaking The Chains.” In comparison to “Beast From The East Live”, Dokken’s Greatest Hits 2 features a mix that is crisp and clear with no overdubs or singer or guitarist battling over the control levels.

Highlights of the CD include “ The Hunter”, “Alone Again” which features a great guitar intro that is angelic and “Unchain The Night.” One of re-masters that is really impressive is the hit song that was featured in Nightmare On Elm Street entitled, “Dream Warriors.” This version is a total remake of the original version that was heavier. The new version has more of an acoustic feel that gives the song a new ambiance. The only remake that really doesn’t work is “Tooth And Nail.” There is something about the timing that pushes the song into overdrive and the vocals are pushed to hard.

There are two hidden gems for the die-hard Dokken fans which includes the new single, “Almost Over”, and “Magic Man.” The song “Almost Over” picks up where Lightning Strikes Again left off. Don Dokken and Jon Levin are a great writing team and the two new songs leaves you wanting more original music. One thing that is quite noticeable on this album is that Don Dokken sings these Dokken hits with much conviction and passion. Also the cover of the Hollies tune, “Bus Stop” was a fun twist for the band showcasing their diversity.

Overall the true Dokken fans won’t be disappointed with the updated versions of the songs. It would have been exciting if the CD also had a new live DVD to accompany it.

Genre: Hard Rock

Band:
Don Dokken – Vocals
Jon Levin – Guitar
Mick Brown – Drums
Sean McNabb – Bass

Track Listing:
1. Just Got Lucky
2. Breaking The Chains
3. Into The Fire
4. The Hunter
5. In My Dreams
6. It’s Not Love
7. Alone Again
8. Dream Warriors
9. Unchain The Night
10. Tooth And Nail
11. Almost Over
12. Magic Man
13.Bus Stop (The Hollies Cover)

Label: Cleopatra Records

www.myspace.com/dokken  

Hardrock Haven Rating: 7/10

Dokken Live!

June 27, 2009 at the Chameleon Club in Lancaster, Penn.

by Deb Rao
Staff Writer

Dokken is currently embarking on a Summer tour and performed to packed venues at the Chameleon Club in Lancaster, Penn. and Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe, Penn.

Although the cast of characters has changed, Dokken is still selling out venues across the country and in 2009 is a force to be reckoned with. I recently caught up with Dokken at the Chameleon Club in Lancaster. The Dokken line-up featured Don Dokken on vocals, Jon Levin on guitar, Mick Brown on drums, and bassist Greg Smith, who is filling in for Dokken bassist Barry Sparks who is on the UFO tour this summer.

Dokken hit the stage at 10:30 P.M. and performed a 90-minute set of all of their hits. Opening with “Breaking The Chains,” the crowd was ready to rock to the hard driving catchy grooves that Dokken are known to unleash.

Do you remember when metal clubs were 100 degrees, and packed with metal fans hungry for a night out on the town filled with hard driving metal? Well, that was the atmosphere here tonight at the Chameleon Club in Lancaster. The club featured a 2-tier wooden decor nightclub with a balcony filled with metal fans old school and young.

Dokken ripped through all the hits including, “The Hunter,” “Just Got Lucky,” and “Tooth And Nail.” Don Dokken sounded strong on vocals, and captivated the audience with his melodic vocals and stories. Guitarist Jon Levin shredded out the Dokken hits with perfection. Wild Mick Brown held down the backbone of the band with his hard-hitting groove along side bassist Greg Smith.

The band played an extended version of “Too High To Fly” from the Dysfunctional album. Everybody jammed and showcased their talent. Highlight of the set had to be “It’s Not Love,” and new song “This Fire” which has the signature catchy Dokken groove written all over it.

The band ended the set with “In My Dreams”, as the packed house screamed for more. One thing was for sure, in this day of ever changing musical trends, DOKKEN has survived the odds. Proving that good songs, and outstanding singing really do outlast the test of time. Be sure to catch Dokken on tour this summer.

Dokken Set List:
Breaking The Chains
Kiss of Death
The Hunter
Into The Fire
Just Got Lucky
Too Hugh To Fly
Alone Again
When Heaven Comes Down
It’s Not Love
Tooth and Nail
This Fire
In My Dreams

Dokken Updated Tour Schedule:
Appearing with Scorpions
Sat 07/11/09 Crete, Greece Municipal Stadium Of Perivolia
Fri 07/17/09 Phoenix, AZ Celebrity Theatre
Sat 07/18/09 Grants, NM Fire & Ice Park
Appearing at “Halfway Jam”
Fri 07/24/09 Royalton, MN Halfway Jam
Appearing at “Dakota Rock Fest”
Sat 07/25/09 Sioux Falls, SD Festival Grounds
Fri 07/31/09 Ogden, UT Teazer’s
Sat 08/01/09 Jerome, ID Diamondz
Appearing at “Wisconsin State Fair”
Fri 08/07/09 West Allis, WI Wisconsin State Fair Park
Sat 08/15/09 Chicopee, MA Maximum Capacity
Mon 08/17/09 Ocean City, NJ Ocean City Music Pier
Appearing at “Rock Gone Wild”
Sat 08/22/09 Algona, IA Freedom Park
Sat 09/05/09 Julian, NC Piedmont Dragway
Appearing at “Septemberfest” Omaha
Sun 09/06/09 Omaha, NE Qwest Center Omaha
Appearing with Great White
Fri 10/09/09 Mount Pleasant, MI Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort
Sat 10/10 Riverstar Complex – Cincinnati, Ohio

Don Dokken

by Deb Rao
Staff Writer

DOKKEN burst onto the Sunset Strip metal scene in the early ’80s and never looked back. The melodic distinctive vocal of Dokken frontman Don Dokken inspired a generation of rock fans from the bands early heyday and is still going strong in the music industry today. Be sure to check out concert review of Dokken in Lancaster at Hardrock Haven.

Dokken has never been a band to rely on past laurels. In 2009, the band is still releasing quality music and has garnered a new generation of fans with the recent release with their tenth studio album, Lightning Strikes Again in 2008. Dokken return to their old school roots on LSA and are currently unleashing new material from that album on their current Summer tour.

Sit and back and enjoy one of Metal’s top vocalists, as Dokken front man Don Dokken discusses a variety of subjects including the passing of Michael Jackson and the current Dokken tour.

HRH: Don, the Dokken summer tour is underway. What did you think about tonight’s performance at The Chameleon Club?

DON: Dokken played Penn’s Peak last night in Jim Thorpe. We drove from Penn’s Peak to the Chameleon Club here in Lancaster and we are driving to Michigan tomorrow. I love the Amish Country. It is beautiful. This is what it is all about. There are a lot of Dokken fans here on the East Coast. We were suppose to have a night off tonight, but we are playing three shows in a row. I am glad we played here tonight. All the Dokken fans are out in full force tonight. We are also doing new material on this tour. We played “This Fire” from our new album “Lightning Strikes Again” and we are suppose to play “Standing On The Outside” at the Stars and Stripes Festival in Michigan

HRH: How has the music industry changed since when Dokken first hit the metal scene back in the early eighties?

DON: When I went to Germany to get the record deal, they wanted to sign me as a solo artist. The original album, Breaking The Chains originally came out in Europe and the band was called was called Don Dokken. It was pretty rare. There were 500 copies of it that said “Don” on the cover. So when we got the band together, I just dropped the “Don” and we became Dokken. I am stuck in 1989. I think the ’90s killed music. There were no good songs on the radio. Music was depressing then. Dokken is old school. We come from the genre of Van Halen and The Scorpions.

HRH: Dokken were known for their innovative music videos. What was your favorite Dokken video?

DON: “I would have to say,”It’s Not Love”. We were riding down Hollywood Boulevard in a flatbed truck. We were playing live, yeah know! We kept getting stopped. I think we got stopped four times!

HRH: I recently saw Dokken perform at the M3 Festival in Columbia, Md. Do you prefer playing arenas to clubs?

DON: “The audiences were great this weekend. The sound system at Penn’s Peak was amazing. I kind of like playing the clubs better. It is more intimate. Playing to 10,000 people, is kind of like playing to flies dissected. Everyone is scattered and far away. The venues are varied on this tour from clubs to arenas. We go from playing the Chameleon Club tonight to playing a 10,000 seater tomorrow at the Stars and Stripes Festival.

HRH: As a singer, who first influenced your style of singing?

DON: I listened to Ian Gillen a lot. I love “Highway Star”. I love Ian Gillen’s falsetto. I listened to Ronnie James Dio and Steven Tyler started it all.

HRH: Dokken will be doing a show with The Scorpions soon on July 11 in Greece. Are you looking forward to this?

DON: I am looking forward to working with The Scorpions. It is more like a vacation, I am taking my kids there.

HRH: The music world is mourning the loss of Michael Jackson. What are your thoughts on the passing of this Superstar?

DON: I think it is very sad that we lost the King Of Pop. I can’t believe it. Every generation has their musical icon. He was younger than me.

Photos courtesy of Deb Rao