311 08/03/12 Jones Beach Theater - Wantagh, NY Words/Photos by Melorocker After missing the last 3 unity tours from 311 I was able to not just attend this event but to also get v.i.p. tickets and a meet and greet. It was one hot evening meeting and then listening from second row one of my favorite bands of the last 15 years. 311 is still going strong. I was impressed that the venue was close to a sell-out. the vibe was hot and intense. opening ... Read More

Incubus 09/03/11 Jones Beach Amphitheater - Wantagh, NY Words/Photos by Melorocker   I will keep this simple, I LOVE INCUBUS. There's nothing that Brandon and company can't do. Amazing musicians, amazing voice and overall a great live band. Do not miss them on this tour. These pictures were taken from second row, dead center. I appear on one of them...see if you guys can find me. This will be my last show at the Jones Beach this season which is a shame as I love this ... Read More

[gallery]Soundgarden (w/ Coheed and Cambria) 07/09/11 Jones Beach - Wantagh, NY Words/Photos by Melorocker The big sound of SOUNDGARDEN is back. I was a witness to one amazing performance from this "grunge" relic from the 90's. Singer Chris Cornell delivered like a metal god that he is...or a grunge god. Not only did he match note for note what appears on the records, (Badmotorfinger and Superunknown) he exceeded on some of those notes and took us to new vocal heights. Did it matter that this ... Read More

BillBoard Mag and Me Written by Melorocker   I believe that it was late last year that a survey was e-mail to me from BB mag. I was very much surprised, it seemed that one of my concert ticket purchase through ticketmaster came with this survey. I was more surprised when I actualy filled the form...it took me about 10 minutes. Billboard Mag was looking for a "street team" of sorts, that on a regional basis will act as the eyes and ears for the mag ... Read More

Stone Temple Pilots 09/04/10 Jones Beach Amphitheatre: Wantagh, NY Words/Photos/Videos by Melorocker Can someone please stop those rumors?!?!?!.  With the recent fall from a stage by Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland during a show and his "ability" to continue to sing on "cue" when he should have been hurtin', it is no wonder that the internet has been rampant with those rumors of STP using lip syncing backing tapes during their shows.  This incident has also led to the chants of Scott Weiland getting back ... Read More

The 2010 Vans Warped Tour 07/17/10 - Nassau Coliseum Parking Lot - Long Island, NY Words/Photos/Videos by melorocker This 2010 edition of the traveling Warped tour seems scaled back from previous years. i have been to 2 other warped shows that were at near or at full capacity. Nassau Coliseum holds up to seven thousand people when a concert is held indoors, but at the parking lot it could be trickier to come up with a figure. i felt that it was not the usual numbers ... Read More

Scorpions 06/22/10 Jones Beach Theater, Long Island N.Y. Words/Photos/Video by melorocker The Scorpions "Get your Sting and Blackout World Tour 2010" is not to be missed for it is the Scorpions farewell tour thus ending one of the most enduring and succesful career any hard rock band would dream of. i dont agree with the scorpions retiring. they delivered a high energy affair last night at jones beach theater. drumer James Kottak (formerly of kingdom come) seems to have a huge personality just like his ... Read More

Cinderella 06/22/10 Jones Beach Theater, Long Island N.Y. Words/Photos by melorocker My first statement on this concert review of Cinderella is that i have fallen in love all over again with this band.  Cinderella STILL got mojo to spare. love the fact that it is the original band, tom, jeff, eric and fred on stage. Tom still have his voice and then some. he delivered the songs like they appear on record, though a couple of high pitch screams were missing. i notice that guitarist ... Read More

RATT 05/10/10 The Fillmore @ Irving Plaza - New York, NY Words/photos by melorocker RATT is BACK! Amazing show last night in NYC. Stephen, Warren, Carlos, Bobby and Robbie were in top musical shape. warren is such a guitar god, he was incredible. carlos also provided some guitar mastery as well. tight rythym section with bobby and robby. what can i say about mr. pearcy, his voice and stage prescense was great tonight. the sound of the p.a. was in top form. i did heard ... Read More

Decimation of the Nation 2 Tour  12/18/09 Nokia Theater - New York, NY Words/Photos by Melorocker First, many thanks and gratitude to Justin and Mr. Robertson for getting me that "precious" photo pass (and may this not be the last time I get it lol). I am a huge fan of Hatebreed but I am not that big on the "deathcore" scene, still I had a blast at this show, and after all i'm becoming a fan of Born of Osiris and Unearth. I used ... Read More

The 90's are back! did they ever left? who would have though that in 2009 musical groups that began their carrers in the 90's were going to be crashing the party in the new millenia? With the return of bands like BLINK 182, LIMP BIZKIT (touring in europe), JANE'S ADDICTION, CREED, NO DOUBT, PHISH (justin's hippi-fave), THE CRANBERRIES, THE PIXIES, SUGAR RAY and STONE TEMPLE PILOTS (2008 tour) and adding the continuing carrers of NIN, PEARL JAM, ROB ZOMBIE, 311, PAPA ROACH, GREEN DAY, WEEZER, ... Read More

the cranberries - linger live from new york[gallery] If you blink, you'll miss it. The Cranberries are back after a long seven year absent. The group was one of the most successful rock acts of the '90s and sold over 14.5 million albums in the United States alone. On this new york city show at the Nokia Theater Dolores and the boys played for an hour and a half of mostly hits, a couple of dolores' solo songs plus a brand new, very ... Read More

It is no accident that i love taking pictures. in fact i graduated with a Graphics Arts Degree and worked in the advertising field for a time. though i make my living as a state employee my love for picture taking has never waivered. To "compose" a concert photograph and be given a few seconds to do it, is a challenge that i want in order to get that ultimate shot that is so rewarding. Now! i am not a professional photographer ... Read More

u2 - 360 tour[gallery] U2 360 tour 2009 is the best stadium tour that i have seen. mind you i have only been to 5 stadium gigs over the years, but the staging is very fan-friendly and awesome to look at.  the proximity of the stage from the audience was the first thing i noticed.  the stage, in the round just a bit off center gave not a bad seat/spot in the house. the speakers were hanging from this "spider-like" claws that held everything in place, including ... Read More

"Shit is Fucked Up Tour" 2009.  What a way for the Offspring to embark on a north american Sojourn.  Yes the economy stinks, people are unemployed...kids are way beyond bored! and this tour came at the right FUCKIN' time.  The show started with a punk/folk guitarist by the name of TURNER.  Ok music, not my cup of tea. he should have employ a band cause he really scream every word of every song.  Next up SUM 41.    i remember these guys a ... Read More

hello earthlings here melo writing to you  about an observation i made and keep making if you will. maybe you all know about it? have you notice that LIVENATION is offering a "free fee wednesday" for many LN shows?  also warped tour was selling sans convenience fee or that jones beach arena box office was offering $20.00 upper seats to the upcomming JUDAS PRIEST show without the extra fee when buying at their box office?  yes folks the economy is hitting the concert business.  Up ... Read More

Street Sweeper Social Club/Nine Inch Nails/Jane's Addiction 06/07/09 Jones Beach Amphitheatre - Wantagh, NY Words/Photos By Melorocker When the announcement of a reunited jane's addiction, to tour this summer along with nine inch nails was made it  gave me chills and  brought back some old memories of my first jane concert back in 1990 at the garden in n.y.c.  this was a great show from start to finish.  opening the gig was tom morello and boots riley's  Side Street Social Club.  SSSC is a very hard and ... Read More

How can you go wrong with a line-up consisting of Headliners DISTURBED with support from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, LACUNA COIL and CHIMAIRA? well the economy ofcourse.  It was evident to see that at this venue all the mid to top level section were curtained off.  out of the possibilitiy of 15,000 thousand fans only 6,000 thousand attended this event.  in the grand scheme of things i dont care, i had a blast. everyband was in an above average top form. Chimaira seems to be another ... Read More

[gallery] R.E.M. - Leaving New York This is in responce to the post on Modest Mouse. Having been an R.E.M. fan for a long time, this Madion Square Garden show   was my first time seeing R.E.M. in concert. Modest Mouse gave direct support to R.E.M. and they were ok.  I was more into watching (daydreaming) guitarist Johnny Marr, the former SMITH legend, wishing that it was them on stage.   R.E.M. has stood the test of time, their music played so well going from the early 80's jangly "(Don't Go Back To) ... Read More

[gallery] One of my favorite bands Interpol, hails from New York City and are seen as the Dark Princes of Pop. Comprise of Paul Banks, Carlos D., Daniel Kessler and Sam Fogarino.  Interpol has attained an immediate level of success thanks in part to their song craft and to the visual appeal of the band,  greatly manifested in bassist  Carlos D.  The cult of Carlos D. has been covered by many magazines and T.V. channels over  the years.  Carlos does oozes city cool, but it is his playing ability ... Read More

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[gallery] taken from my response in the slipknot forum. "well i'm back from the concert and it was a real blast. i wished slipknot would have played more songs from AHIG. first things first. that emai about early entry for ot9 that was not being used at madison square garden was done in error. there was a ot9 yellow section for early entry and meet and greets. would you guys believe that i was the only one being escorted by ot9 for early entry. everybody was looking at me as ... Read More

Papa Roach delivered the goods on this anniversary show,  the second of two (california being the first show).  It was also guitarist JERRY HORTON' s birthday, though  the fans got all the presents in the form of 15 delectable papa songs. the show started with Days of War/Change or Die from their forthcomming METAMORPHOSIS and after that an-onslaght of classic, great papa songs made their way. Getting away, ...To be loved, Broken Home and many more.  I was happy that they played Time is running out and that Scars, a great song ... Read More