Bon Jovi The Circle Tour

Coming from a fan perspective seeing Bon Jovi during The Circle Tour is a must! The boys are up close and personal. Even with years of historic success they are primed, pumped, and excited to be more available then ever to the fans. Bon Jovi is hungry to be close and is well received.
This tour we saw a huge stage that encloses about 150 fans between the actual stage front and a ramp that connects the remainder of the arena. Being in that circle is where a fan may get the chance to shake hands, give a quick hug or definitely make eye contact with the band. Needless to say this is the ultimate experience, some even got to keep their seat.

Musically the band is at the top of their game. Jon and Richie still harmonizing as fluidly as they did back in 1995 and the band backing them with flawless delivery. The band has promised new and different set lists each and every show adding in old favorites or rare performances of songs like Dear God or Diamond Ring. It’s clear this isn’t just a tour to follow a new CD and although The Circle has been at #1 on the charts and has lots of airplay Bon Jovi wants to please their fans in a thankful way. Set lists have contained the anthems we are always eager to hear: Living on a Prayer, Wanted Dead or Alive, Born to be my Baby, Bed of Roses, and It’s my Life. Hours seem like minutes of a show that was 25 songs long.

Jon is aging but his show is not, Richie and the boys are polished but not stale or stagnant. This tour, the show, the opportunities for the fans are all aspects other bands should model after. However, not many have the fan base or longevity as Bon Jovi maybe I just explained why.

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Big Cock, The Hardest Band In The Land - Back In Action With The Release Of Their New CD - MotherLoad -

When you incorporate enormous talent, impressive experience, provocative lyrics, all immersed in monstrous sound you have Big Cock. No seriously you have Big Cock err the band which is called BIG COCK.

Let me review the lineup; Robert Mason famed singer whose resume includes Cry of Love and Lynch Mob aka BMF serving vocals on a silver platter (also credited with guitar and piano), Dave Henzerling who impressed us in King Kobra executes on lead guitar, John Covington aka Pulverizer on drums, and on thunderous bass is Colby. This is a fully loaded line up radiating charisma and the potency of true rock ‘n’ roll.   

To the credit of Big Cock, there are three released CD’s without disruption in integrity. Freshman release The Year of the Cock 2005 presented songs BMF, King of Cool, and I Want it All. Next in succession is self titled Big Cock 2006 including Real Man, Ride on Me, and Dirty Girl. Motherload the third CD in the bands repertoire released February 2008 offers up songs Get a Load of Me, Built for Speed, and Breaking my Balls. Notably there has been radio airplay starting with the DJ master Jonathan L in Phoenix, who is one of a handful not afraid to prove an original band with commanding talent even though the band name is edgy and suggestive.

Now I’ve laid out the details of who’s who and the CD line up let me take you further into the Big Cock experience. The names you recognize and the song titles are a simple tease of what is really happening here. This is a non stop rock n roll experience reminiscent of a time when big hair, sing along lyrics, screaming girls in packed arenas watching icons of the 80’s were the times of our lives. There is a twist; this band is easily all things rock, intense musicianship, with lyrics that will leave you with an imagination full of thoughts that rock n roll has never put so front and center. These are delivered in a hot roller coaster ride by well oiled vocals. A lyrical example is Real Man “… better hold on tight  ...because I’m a real man baby, you’ve tried the rest, now come get the best…”  If the lyrics aren’t enough to get your attention the musical support is stand out star quality and the stage performance is gritty raw talent.

The show opens with high energy from the band fulfilling what the fans came to receive. Robert Mason immediately delivers hot steamy vocals to the laps of the girls ready to grab hold of his naked steel. Dave is handing out stellar guitar leads with every lick and you have Colby and Pulverizer pounding the rhythm into melodic form to be devoured.
Once the first song is executed the band immediately drives you right into the next relentlessly titillating the senses. Cameras were snapping pictures hoping to capture the induction of this rock sensation to keep in memory. Melodic innuendos lace thoughts of lust, kindred spirits, and rock n roll dreams throughout the night.

Robert leads the band with a strong sense of what all singers should know; he is on and armed with all the right stimulation to win over the masses. You will see Dave delivering guitar elocution with precision and an edge that pushes top notch to the test. Watching a well oiled talent deliver lead guitar impressed everyone. The Pulverizers drum delivery is hard and rhythmic owning the beat of every chop. With a mountainous kit planted onstage it’s simple to see why he is dubbed a hard hitter. Thunder belts the stage with the thump and slap of bass player Colby as he holds true to form gleaming rock star genius.

After an hour of a thrilling stage show and singing along to lyrics you know are oh so naughty, the band has delivered leaving you wanting so much more. One more song chants the audience, not wanting the thrill ride to end. However, Big Cock has poured out a measure of themselves onto all who wanted it that night. It was sadly time to go back to reality. As you look at the pictures and listen to the CD it was a show you won’t forget and will leave you yearning for the next.

This band will put you on the edge of your seat whether it’s from CD or a live performance. The music is timeless and contains everyday thoughts we ponder but aren’t often validated. You will know you are drinking from the true cup of rock ‘n’ roll when you hear music created by some of the best. Get on a plane, buy a CD, or drive to a show, do whatever it takes to hear these guys’ efforts.

Worth it you ask?  I think it’s priceless.

Lorri Mitchell - Bandwidth Rock Magazine© March 2008