by John Kindred
— Publisher —
November 19, 2023 at the Star Pavilion, Kansas City, MO, USA
Keeping the dream alive, the ’80s nostalgia trip continues with veteran rocker Stephen Pearcy returning to the touring foray. Currently out on tour supporting the metallic music of RATT, Pearcy stopped in Kansas City with another ’80s band, Autograph.
Autograph notoriously known for the 1984 hit, “Turn up the Radio,” from the debut album Sign in Please, isn’t the same band from that era. With bassist Randy Rand recently passing away, and all other original members having stepped away from the group as most recently as 2019 (think Steve Lynch), honestly this is not Autograph.
The current lineup features: Simon Daniels (v)(g), Marc Wieland (d), Jimi Bell (g), and guest Steve Unger (b) of Metal Church fame.
This incarnation of Autograph has released three albums – 2016’s Louder, 2017’s Get Off Your Ass and 2022’s Beyond with vocalist Simon Daniels.
This lineup has its own musical vibe, that isn’t in the vein of Autograph and should be renamed, rebranded, and be their own animal.
They performed several songs including: “You Are Us, We Are You,” “Blondes In Black Cars,” Send Her To Me,” “Get Off Your Ass,” and the classic “Turn Up the Radio.”
The group put on a solid performance, Daniels has a strong unique voice, and it’s time for the group to deliver their brand of music under their own moniker.
Stephen Pearcy took the stage with the swagger of a confident, leather-clad frontman. With 40-plus years in the business, Pearcy is a consummate professional. With one goal in mind, to perform the music of RATT, he and his bandmates did just that.
Sad to say that this wasn’t a reunion show with his former fellow bandmates – Warren DeMartini, Bobby Blotzer, Juan Croucier or the late Robbin Crosby. But Pearcy’s backup band delivered.
The guitar duo of Ferentinos and Monaco played the music of RATT to perfection. The bassist and drummer provided the rhythmic heartbeat of RATT and also shined throughout the show. The backup vocals were impressive as they sounded as expected without help from digital processing.
Pearcy led the band through timeless classics performing, “Nobody Rides for Free” from 1991’s Point Break soundtrack, and songs from Out of the Cellar, Invasion of Your Privacy, Dancing Undercover and Reach For the Sky albums.
Closing out the show with “Round and Round” for me the music of RATT is as fresh and empowering as it was back in the day when in my youth I first heard their music. The power of the rhythm and lead guitars still rattle in my head every time I close my CD player, hit play, and spin these timeless classic songs.
RATT & ROLL.
Stephen Pearcy Solo Band:
Stephen Pearcy – lead vocals
Erik Ferentinos – guitar
Matt Thorne – bass
Scott Coogan – drums
Johnny Monaco – guitar
Stephen Pearcy Set List:
- Wanted Man
- I’m Insane
- Slip of the Lip
- Way Cool Jr.
- You’re in Love
- Lay It Down
- Lack of Communication
- You’re in Trouble
- Nobody Rides for Free
- Lovin’ You’s a Dirty Job
- Back for More
- Round and Round (encore)
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