Mad Monster 2015 Tour stops In The Desert

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All Photos by Lisa Legz Photography

There are not many times nowadays where you can walk in to a show and be blown away. Of course you know what you are usually walking in to, more than likely you have seen the band(s) before. They can have a stellar night, but at the same time you're already kind of expecting that.

Couple weeks ago I got the enjoyment of seeing JOHN 5 for the first time solo. Blown away is an understatement. I already knew he was an exceptional guitarist, I have seen him with Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson, but I came away from the show thinking how underrated he is. This guy is up there with the Satriani's and Vai's. He bounced around rock, hard rock, goth, blues, steel guitar, and I think even reggae - with ease. At first I was surprised at how packed the club was due to the fact this was going to be an instrumental performance, but after listening to him I could see why. Songs included "Flight Of The Vulcan Kelly", "Villisca", "This Is My Rifle", "Sin", "El Cucuy", "Jiffy Jam", "Portrait Of Sidney Sloan", and "Six Hundred And Sixty Six".

As if the crowd wasn't already hyped during the entire performance, it was ended with a medley of covers, including "Beat It", "Back In Black", "The Trooper", "Thunderkiss '65" as well as a few others.

Direct support was handled by none other than legendary MISFITS guitarist (and younger brother of MISFITS bassist Jerry Only) Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein and his band DOYLE. The punk was heavy tonight, and the band played "Bring Out Your Dead", "Leech", "Cirque Du Sin", "Battle For The Sun", and "Filth". Naturally MISFITS tunes such as "Last Caress" were scattered throughout as well.

Remaining JOHN 5 shows without DOYLE:

• Nov 18 - San Antonio, TX @ Sam's Burger Joint
• Nov 19 - Dallas, TX @ Trees
• Nov 20 - Tyler, TX @ Click's
• Nov 21 - Houston, TX @ Scout Bar