Chad Cherry of The Last Vegas
by Deb Rao
Staff Writer
In front of a capacity crowd at the Whisky A – Go -Go, Chicago based band The Last Vegas made Rock history, as they were chosen the winners of the Guitar Center Competition winning an opening slot to open up for legendary rock band Motley Crue on their upcoming U.S. Winter tour beginning on Feb. 2 in San Diego, Calif.
The Last Vegas has an infectious ’80s groove combined with a modern day sound that is reminiscent of the early heyday of metal, raw and exhilarating combining in your face guitar solos and blistering vocals featuring members Nate Arling (drums), Adam Arling (guitar), Chad Cherry (lead vocals), John Wator (guitar), and Danny Smash (bass), originating from Chicago. The Last Vegas infuses a blend of Glam, Metal, and Punk combined, giving the band a hard rock sound that is huge on melody and with captivating, guitar-driven hooks.
The Last Vegas recently were in the studio in January, recording their upcoming album for Eleven Seven Music with Motley Crue bassist NIKKI SIXX. The Last Vegas first single entitled I’m Bad” is currently available on iTunes and the band is gearing up for a spring release.
Vocalist Chad Cherry has checked in with Hardrock Haven and spoke to Hardrock Haven correspondent Deb Rao regarding the recording of their first album for Eleven Seven Music, their current tour with Motley Crue, and how Motley Crue played a major role in the fruition of the band.
HRH: What was it is like being in Los Angeles performing at the Whisky A – Go -Go- and winning the whole Guitar Center competition? What was running through your minds at the time of winning the finals?
CHAD: It is pretty sweet. It has been a fun ride. It was great. We went out there and we rocked it out. We do what we do and it just came natural. We came out on top! The bands we played with were really sweet. Everyone put on a good show. It is cool. We are not like any other bands out of Chicago at all. So I think we kind of have more of this hard rock vibe that hails from the West Coast more than the Mid-West. We grew up on The Doors and Motley Crue and Guns N’ Roses and all the real good stuff that kind of came from LA. We feel really kind of a part of everything that goes on down here. But we do love Chicago. That is where we are from. Actually, two of us are from Michigan.”
HRH: The Last Vegas are quite the seasoned performers. The band has toured Europe many times and you also performed at the Swedish Rock Festival. How long has the band been together?
CHAD: We have been together for about four years. We do Europe on a regular basis. We tour the U.S., as much as we can. We have got together and put out records and just have been touring the whole time. Europe is more like red-blooded rock animals. They are really hungry for rock music. It is fun in the U.S. too. But I think, it is better over the ponds for us. Just for the sake that people really love Rock and Roll. That is where the best stuff came from too.
HRH: The Last Vegas was recently in the studio working with NIKKI SIXX recording your upcoming release for Eleven Seven Music. What was it like working with NIKKI SIXX?
CHAD: NIKKI is awesome. He is like the big brother I never had. He is really cool. He is really fun to work with. We are all on the same page. We are all rockers. We like to record and write. It is a match made in heaven. It is really, really, fun.
HRH: How is the recording going? Do you have a release date set?
CHAD: I don’t have a certain release date on it. It is mid-April, I believe we are going to shoot for.
HRH: Tell us about The Last Vegas first single,” I’m Bad”. How would you describe it?
CHAD: It is a hot little ditty. It is kind of something that we have been working on pretty much the last year or so. We kind of finalized it when we went into the studio. We worked with Marti and DJ, and all my boys here. Like we said, we are all on the same page. We laughed, had tons of fun. Being a Rock star is a little bit more work than you think. But not really. (Laugher)
HRH: Well, I think the band has it down to a science.
CHAD: Well, that is what we do, it is in our blood.
HRH: How would you describe the sound? Is it in the Motley Crue vein style?
CHAD: I guess you can say that. I like to think of us, as a brutal appreciation of everything that is good about music. We like to throw it all in there. We like to give ya what you really want. I think you know what everybody likes and what they want.
HRH: I think the fans want the return of old school metal with a modern day twist. Upon my first listening of the band, I can definitely hear the Motley Crue/Aerosmith vibe going on. How did you come up the name The Last Vegas, and how important is it these days to have a certain image?
CHAD: I don’t know if it is an image? It is just how we are. We don’t know any better. (Laughter) We live in leather pants. What can I say? The Last Vegas is the ultimate last sin in flesh. There is one party left and we are it. So you got to come and see it to believe it. The climax so to speak.
HRH: The band will be having many fans coming to see you, on the road beginning in February opening for Motley Crue. Tell us a little bit about the tour.
CHAD: This tour is going to be just a kick to the fuckin’ head. It is going to be the tour of all tours. Anyone that boogies and loves Rock and Roll music needs to be at this tour because it is going to blow your mind.
HRH: Chad, is their anything else that your would like to mention to the readers here? Are you going to record a video for “I’m Bad”?
CHAD: We are pretty much going to be in the studio until the tour begins. We are going to working hard on getting this record out. We are probably going to shoot a video in the next week or so.
HRH: In closing, is there any advice that Motley Crue bassist NIKKI SIXX has given The Last Vegas in the studio?
CHAD: Oh yes. He has been around the block a couple of times. I can tell you that. He just has great ideas. We all learn from each other. All I have to say to everyone out there is get ready because we are coming to get you. We are going to give you everything that you could ever want.
Motley Crue U.S. Saints of Los Angeles Winter Tour Dates with Hinder, Theory Of A Deadman and The Last Vegas
February
6 – Las Vegas, NV – The Joint
7 – Las Vegas, NV – The Joint
10 – Omaha, NE – Quest Center
11 – Moline, IL – iWireless Center
13 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
14 – Madison, WI – Alliant Energy Center
15 – Rockford, IL – Metro Centre
17 – Des Moines, IA – Wells Fargo Arena
18 – Saint Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
19 – Green Bay, WI – Resch Center
21 – Nashville, TN – Sommet Center
22 – Birmingham, AL – Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex
25 – Greensville, SC – Bi-Lo Center
27 – Lafayette, LA – Cajun Dome
28 – New Orleans, LA – New Orleans Arena
March
3 – Miami, FL – Hard Rock Casino
4 – Orlando, FL – UCF Arena
6 – Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa
7 – Erie, PA – Erie Events Center
8 – Hershey, PA – Giant Center
10 – Ottawa, ONT – Scotiabank Place
11 – Hamilton, ONT – Copps Coliseum
13 – Uncasville, CT. – Mohegan Sun Arena
14 – Baltimore, MD – 1st Mariner Arena
16 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
17 – Manchester, NH – Verizon Wireless
18 – Portland, ME – Cumberland County Civic Center