LIVE! | DOKKEN

by Deb Rao
- Senior Columnist –

May 11, 2013 at Henderson Pavillion in Henderson, NV.

On any given night in Las Vegas there is multiple choices to make for your weekend entertainment. This weekend poised the decision to choose between Dokken and The Rolling Stones. I am a huge Stones fan but my heart lives for ’80s metal. Dokken returned from their seven-month hiatus to perform at the Henderson Pavilion. Jon Levin has recovered from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome surgery. Singer Don Dokken is back on track after vocal rest displaying strong vocals at tonight’s performance.

The audience at the Henderson Pavilion was quite diverse ranging from metallic metal heads to the Grateful Dead hippie. The Henderson Pavilion is a beautiful outdoor venue with great acoustics. But it is a tad out of the way from the hustle and bustle from the Las Vegas Strip.

DOKKEN hit the stage at 8 p.m. for a rejuvenated set. The band opened up the show with “Just Got Lucky.” The set list infused all of the classic hits including “Into The Fire”: and “Breaking The Chains.” The audience seemed really into the set. There were many sing-alongs including “Alone Again.”

Don Dokken is also playing guitar again on a few of the classic hits including “Breaking The Chains,” which gave the band a fuller guitar sound. Don is a great storyteller and reminisced quite a bit on the making of each song.

Highlights of the set included the funky “It’s Not Love.” Former Great White bassist Sean Mcnabb showcased his excellent bass playing on this jam song. Dokken known for their heavy rock style rocked hard on “Tooth And Nail.” The team of Levin and Dokken work well together onstage. Jon displayed some mighty guitar solos.

I had the opportunity to speak with Don after the show and he seems really enthused about the summer touring schedule and return to the music scene. He has quit smoking and working out everyday with a personal trainer. It is so inspiring to see these ’80s rockers taking care of themselves. The scene is quite different from the heyday. It is all about the business now and maintaining quality music for the fans.

It would have been great to hear some current songs from their latest CD Broken Bones; perhaps next time around. All in all tonight’s performance was all about having a good time and nostalgia. The audience didn’t seem to mind listening to all of the timeless hits. It was a bit of a break from the glitzy strip. Dokken will be performing at Rocklahoma on May 26. Check out www.dokkencentral.com for tour dates.

Set List:
Just Got Lucky
The Hunter
Into The Fire
Kiss Of Death
Breaking The Chains
Alone Again
It’s Not Love
Tooth And Nail
In My Dreams

Dokken – It’s Not Love Henderson Pavillion

LIVE! | Don Dokken in Las Vegas

by Deb Rao
- Senior Columnist –

December 15, 2012 at Vamp’d in Las Vegas –

Dokken front man Don Dokken brought his annual acoustic West Coast trek to Las Vegas for a special performance at Vamp’d. The venue is one of the Valley’s best with great acoustics and friendly ambiance,

Don Dokken hit the stage at 11:15 P.M. for a special hour-long set that included many of the Dokken hits opening with “Into The Fire.” Dressed in black, Don sported a cute Bowler hat and John Lennon like sunglasses. Special guest was former Yngwie Malmsteen singer Mark Boals. Mark did a great job with the harmonies and acoustic guitar backing. It was great hearing the Dokken classics Stripped down. Don commented that it was hard to turn a rock song into an acoustic song. But he did it brilliantly.

Other highlights of the set included the rocking bluesy version of “It’s Not Love” and the haunting sing along version of “Alone Again.” What made this evening incredibly enjoyable was the entertaining story telling by Don. The Dokken front man unveiled a vast array of stories including his chance meeting with the late George Harrison. Anyone that knows Don is well aware that he is a huge Beatles fan. Tonight he also performed two Beatles hits including”Yesterday” and his special tribute to the Sandy Hook victims with song dedication of “Nowhere Man.”

The stage had a coffeehouse ambiance including incense burning. There were no special pyrotechnics or blaring loud guitars. Tonight’s performance focused on the songs stripped down to perfection with beautiful melodic vocals that launched these hits onto The Charts back in the day. Other highlights included the huge Dokken hit “Dream Warriors.”

Special Thanks to Vamp’d for their hospitality. If you are ever in Vegas be sure to check out Vamp’d on Sahara. Bringing the best in ’80s music in Las Vegas.

Set List:
Into The Fire
Breaking The Chains
Just Got Lucky
Yesterday
Nowhere Man
Alone Again
It’s Not Love
Dream Warriors
In My Dreams

Dokken | Broken Bones

by Alex Barbieri
- Columnist –

Don Dokken has said publicly that Dokken’s latest album, Broken Bones, will be their last. If the new album is Dokken’s swan song, then the band is finishing a 30-plus year career (Don Dokken founded the band in 1978) at a creative apex and musical high-water mark.

Broken Bones is Dokken’s 11th studio album. It was recorded over 13 months at both Don Dokken’s and guitarist Jon Levin’s identical home studios in California. The new album delivers the signature Dokken sound that fans know and love, but pushes the creative comfort zone a bit more than 2008’s Lightning Strikes Again.

Where Lightning Strikes Again seemed like a deliberate effort to re-capture the classic Dokken sound, Broken Bones finds Dokken and Levin expanding. Dokken, who successfully recovered from throat surgery last year, generally sings lower and more melodically than on earlier releases, but his “whisky and cigarettes” voice has matured well and is appealing as always. The harmonies are exceptional throughout, courtesy of former Yngwie Malmsteen vocalist, Mark Boals. Read Boals’ recent Hardrock Haven interview.

Jon Levin —who impressed the hard rock world by nailing former guitarist George Lynch’s sound and style in the studio and live— still captures Lynch’s familiar sound, but adds more of his personal flair. Levin is a phenomenal lead and rhythm guitarist, and deserves to be acknowledged as more than just a Lynch clone.

Highlights on Broken Bones: Opening track “Empire,” a “Kiss of Death”-style barnstormer, but with better lyrics and a cool breakdown; title track “Broken Bones,” a mid-tempo rocker that would have been all over MTV back in the day, and the gentle, vulnerable modern acoustic ballad, “Today.” (Guys, take a romance tip: Play this one for your lady and watch her melt.)

Bassist Sean McNabb and original drummer, “Wild” Mick Brown —who was recently replaced by Y&T/Megadeth drummer Jimmy DeGrasso— are a flawless rhythm section, laying it down and letting Dokken’s voice and Levin’s guitar take center stage.

If there’s one complaint about Broken Bones, it is the lame cover art. The cliché skull and crossbones looks like a student designed it for a battle of the bands. No, a band this pro and accomplished deserved a more creative, conceptual cover. But that’s a minor complaint, considering the quality of songs and musicianship on Broken Bones.

Speaking of quality, a salute to Serafino Perugino, head of Italy’s Frontiers Records, for his ongoing dedication to releasing consistently high-quality melodic hard rock albums from some of the world’s best bands.

To Don Dokken and company, congratulations on another excellent release—we wish you a bon voyage to future projects. If Broken Bones is indeed Dokken’s “Last Goodbye,” it will be hard to just “Walk Away,” but Broken Bones is a respectable swan song to a storied 33-year career.

Genre: Hard Rock

Band:
Don Dokken – Vocals
Jon Levin – Guitar
Sean McNabb – Bass
“Wild” Mick Brown / Jimmy DeGrasso – Drums

Track Listing:
01. Empire
02. Broken Bones
03. Best of Me
04. Blind
05. Waterfall
06. Victim of the Crime
07. Burning Tears
08. Today
09. For the Last Time
10. Fade Away
11. Tonight

Label: Frontiers Records

Online: http://www.dokkencentral.com/

Read a recent Hardrock Haven interview with Dokken guitarist, Jon Levin.

Hardrock Haven rating: 7.5/10

Order Broken Bones on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Bones-Dokken/dp/B008O33S0O

Jon Levin of Dokken

by Deb Rao
- Senior Columnist –

One band that helped define the metal genre is DOKKEN. The band has recently released their latest CD BROKEN BONES on Frontiers Records. In this Exclusive interview for Hardrock Haven, DOKKEN guitar virtuoso JON LEVIN has checked in with Hardrock Haven to discuss BROKEN BONES.

Hardrock Haven: Jon, the new DOKKEN album Broken Bones was just released September 25th on Frontiers. It sounds amazing. Let’s talk about the songwriting for the album. As a guitarist, what kind of sound were you looking for when you entered the studio?

JON: As an artist I am always looking to try and find the “next best thing” as far as guitar sounds go. I am always trying to attain something that is better than I have done previously. I’ve managed to drive quite a few recording engineers and myself crazy during the process of my ongoing “quest for tone”. A close friend of mine tells me he thinks I hear things that don’t exist, but I guess they exist to me. I wanted to try to create something different for this record, something that was unique. I was looking for a heavy sounding rhythm tone, but I didn’t want it to be fuzzy, too distorted or too scratchy. I guess I was looking for something with a lot of low mid-range “chunk” that sounded fat but was still tone-full. I’m pretty happy with where it ended up.

HRH: “Empire” is the first single from the album. Tell us about the making of the video. What does this song means to you?

JON: We shot the video downtown Los Angeles in old boiler room basement that was built in the 1890’s. I think it was an old abandoned iron factory. When we saw the pictures of the location we thought it was really appropriate for the post-apocalyptic theme of the song, but we didn’t realize that there might not be any air conditioning down there. We ended up shooting the video during the LA heat wave and I think it was the hottest it has been out here in years. When Don told me about the theme of the video he said, “make sure you wear a jacket” because we were supposed to be in a freezing cold basement after a nuclear war. So, there we were in our leather jackets basically melting. It was brutal down there! The song means a lot to me because I think the message of the song is an important one. Basically, the words are saying we all need to stop killing each other or there will be nothing left but a ‘Burning Empire’. Don came up with the lyrics while we were taking a break watching CNN. They were discussing the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. Sometimes inspiration comes when you least expect it.

HRH: Broken Bones is a very interesting title. How did you come up with the name for the Dokken album?

JON: Don and I were reminiscing about things we’ve done in our past. I’ve been in the band 10 years now and a lot of life events have transpired for both of us over that period of time. When you tour with a band for years you go through a lot a life experiences. Some good some not! We’ve both had our share of failed relationships, health issues and whatnot. Additionally, we did this record while we were touring so we would basically go on the road on a Thursday, come home on Sunday, and then record Monday through Wednesday. One day, when we were just getting back to work after having been on the road for a while, I said to Don, man, my bones hurt. And then Don said, that’s it, let’s call the album “Broken Bones”. So that’s how that came about.

HRH: In late 2003 you joined DOKKEN. The band has evolved so much since you have joined. You and Don both really work well together. How do you think the evolution of DOKKEN has progressed since Hell To Pay in 2004?

Jon: Back when I joined the band, I had been practicing law for quite some time and I had not really performed or recorded for a number of years. When we did Hell To Pay, Don was a lot less patient than he is today. He can be very intense in the studio and he put a lot of pressure on me. As a result, I felt rushed. We were recording in a very expensive recording studio which also added to the pressure. That combination of elements made things difficult. This is my fourth Dokken record now, and since that time I think I have become a lot more comfortable. Also, I think Don has softened up with the amount of pressure he puts on me. Either that or my skin has gotten a lot thicker (laughs). I feel much more comfortable speaking my opinion now whereas back in the beginning, I was more reserved.

HRH: Don stated in an interview that this will be the final DOKKEN release. Do you feel the band has come full circle on Broken Bones?

JON: I think we have arrived at a great place, but to say it is “full circle” to me implies that we are doing the same thing the band did back in the 80′s. I think this record has components of what the essence of the band always was stylistically, but I believe we managed to achieve that without simply rewriting songs that have already been done. So, I think we are actually in a new place and it’s the exact place I was hoping we would get to.

HRH: Broken Bones is a very listenable album. Every song stands on its own. The guitar work is excellent. From the bluesy hard driving sound of “Waterfall,” to the Danzig/Toolish song “Broken Bones,” the album just flows with great riffs. It also has kind a Zeppelin vibe too. Do you agree?

JON: I think that if you are going to try and make a well- rounded album you can’t just be a one trick pony from song to song. I think the variety of comparisons you are making is because all of the songs sound different. When we were writing we never sat down and said let’s try and write something that sounds like this or that. We just knew that we wanted each song to stand on its own without being redundant.

HRH: Tell us about the gear you used when recording the album.

JON: After years of experimentation, for rhythms, I almost always use a guitar body that is made out of Basswood. For me, Basswood has a lot of low midrange but still has clarity, which is what I’m always looking for. I like the DiMarzio Tone Zone pickup in the bridge position, and there’s this guy I know, Dave Ryan, who has developed this crazy method for mounting pickups. The pickups aren’t only hard mounted directly to the wood, but there is some sort of secret epoxy resin that he injects between the pickup and the body. The result causes a lot more of the sound of the guitar to get crammed into the pickup. The difference that made to my guitar sound was unbelievable. After he did the first one I had him do every single one of my guitars. I have been using medium-size stainless steel frets. They add a little bit of brightness to the guitar which works for me because I play with a fairly dark sound. My guitar necks are either maple, or maple with an ebony fret board. I did almost all of the soloing on the record on a Phil Collin model Jackson guitar that had a solid mahogany body with a maple neck with an ebony fret board. It had very heavy guitar strings on it. I think they were gauge 12 to 56. The guitar was so heavy that when I sat down with it after about 20 to 30 minutes of playing my leg would go numb. I didn’t use any tube amplifiers while we were recording mainly because I did all the leads in my house this time, and I couldn’t turn it up too loud. So instead I got this thing called the Eleven Rack and created all the sounds myself within it. I printed a direct signal along with everything I recorded which is the actual unamplified sound coming right out of the guitar. Our mixing engineer, Bob St. John, re-amped some of my rhythm tracks through a Custom Audio tube amp and we combined the rhythm tracks with the sounds I created. However, all of the lead tracks are the sounds that I created at my house with the Eleven Rack.

HRH: You mentioned that a signature guitar from Charvel is in the works? Tell us about this.

JON: I’ve been a Charvel endorsee since 2004 and they have made me a number of fantastic instruments. During my course of time with them, I’ve been able to experiment with quite a few different things by way of guitar components. Recently, I was asked to develop a signature model which should be coming out sometime early in 2013. I’m really excited about this.

HRH: Since the heyday of DOKKEN recording has changed so much. Back in the day everything was analog versus digital. Which do you prefer?

JON: Technology has come a long way over the last 30 years. You almost never see tape anymore. In fact, I’m not even sure if they even make it any more. I did like the warmth of analog recordings. When the digital recording age first started I didn’t think that it initially had that same degree of warmth, but now I think the benefits of what it has to offer far outweigh tape.

HRH: Also back in the day bands had huge record deals. These days, bands can make a great album with Pro tools on a smaller budget. So much has changed since the ’80s. Do you agree?

JON: I think that the technology available today when used properly is fantastic. It gives you an incredible amount of flexibility. Most people today have their own Pro tools studio now that it has become so affordable. That’s a great benefit because it enables a musician to play when they feel inspired as opposed to being under the gun and with a clock running and having to play on command regardless of the mood they are in. It’s a good thing we have this option because the big budgets of the 80′s are gone. People don’t spend hundreds of thousands of dollars anymore making a record.

HRH: Hopefully DOKKEN will showcase a lot of these new songs in concert this fall?

JON: We will. In fact are in the process now of revamping our entire show so we can play more songs from several of our previous records.

HRH: Jon, Thank you for taking time out to talk Broken Bones.

JON: Hey, it was my pleasure!

Online: www.facebook.com/dokkenband

Dokken Video “Empire”

Dokken | Broken Bones

by Deb Rao
- Senior Columnist –

As the Olympics have finally come to a close, Dokken is also going for the gold with the much-anticipated release of their 11th studio release Broken Bones. For three decades Dokken has remained a very popular touring act selling over 10 million albums worldwide. One of the most prolific vocalists to emerge out of the ’80s genre Don Dokken takes center stage on their upcoming release unleashing his smooth, powerful vocals throughout the entire album. Broken Bones is a cross between Tooth and Nail meets Dysfunctional. Laden with metallic edge aggression yet never losing the signature melodic overtones that launched Dokken onto the charts in the early ’80s.

Being privileged to hear a rough mix of the upcoming Dokken Broken Bones which is slated for a tentative September release Hardrock Haven fans get a first hand glimpse of the track listing with this first review of the album.

Opening track “Burning Empire” sets the uplifting tone and showcases the bands signature sound with majestic guitar solos and strong vocals with a hint of Scorpions overtones. Next up “For The Last Time” is a strong song with a catchy chorus that will have you singing along. One of the greatest aspects of Broken Bones is every song tells a story and no two-songs sound alike. “Blind” has a bluesy groove that draws you in from the opening chords and one of the strongest tracks on the album. “Waterfall” has a driving bass line reminiscent of early Led Zeppelin.

Several songs stand out on the album, the first would be the title track “Broken Bones.” Dark and embellished with an aggressive vibe that speaks volumes and takes you on a roller coaster ride of spiraling emotions. “Broken Bones” symbolizes the modern day sound of Dokken today. Another stand out track on the album is the melodic hard rock song “Burning Tears” which could easily be the next “Into The Fire.” This song has a haunting melody, inspired lyrics and overall driving groove. “Victim Of The Crime” would make a great TV theme song with its heavy groove appeal and title.

Dokken return to their early pop sound with the catchy “Best Of Me.” One of the heaviest tracks on the album “Tonight” soars with a “Kiss Of Death” ambiance. “Fade Away” embellishes the signature Dokken sound with a catchy chorus. Another favorite tracks on the album.

What would a Dokken album be without a power ballad? It is refreshing to hear the band go from their heavy metallic glory to the angelic remake of Jefferson Airplane song “Today.” Don Dokken shines as he sings with much conviction on this classic hit. Don Dokken has commented that he likes to take obscure songs and make them his own. Job well done.

Don Dokken and Jon Levin co-wrote all of the songs on the album except for “Waterfall,” “Victim Of The Crime” and the Jefferson Airplane song, “Today.” Broken Bones finds the band rising up from the ashes with possibly their best release since Tooth and Nail. It symbolizes Dokken today. Strong and synchronized textured with many layers that range from metallic to melodic. Singer Don Dokken is singing better than ever combined with the razor sharp guitar solos of Jon Levin. Broken Bones unleashes songs that are destined to be new Dokken classic hits that draw you in from start to finish.

Genre: Metal, Hard Rock

Band:
Don Dokken – Vocals
Jon Levin – Lead guitar
Sean Mcnabb – Bass
Mick Brown – Drums

Track Listing:
l. Burning Empire
2. For The Last Time
3. Blind
4. Waterfall
5. Broken Bones
6. Burning Tears
7.Victim Of The Crime
8. Today
9. The Best Of Me
10. Tonight
11. Fade Away
12. Can’t Fight This Love (Bonus Track)

Label: Frontiers Records

Website: www.dokkencentral.com

Hardrock Haven Rating 9/10

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