REVIEW: Alice Cooper is scarily awesome at Foxwoods
Photo: Alice Cooper’s latest solo record is Detroit Stories. Photo courtesy of the artist / Provided by press site.
MASHANTUCKET, CONN. — Alice Cooper kicked off the latest leg of his Detroit Stories tour with a rocking and rollicking good time at Foxwoods’ Premier Theater. The legendary frontman, backed by a stellar five-piece band, plowed through hit after hit before a throng of people who not only packed the concert venue, but they stood for the entire show and couldn’t get enough of the goth theatrics.
Cooper is on tour (when isn’t he on tour?) in support of his latest original album, Detroit Stories, and he featured a tune off the recording in the setlist: “Go Man Go,” a fierce anthem about a man recently released from prison who has nothing to look forward to but his girlfriend and his car. It’s an infectious rant that immediately gets the audience singing along with the contagious chorus of “Go man go!”
Most of the setlist leaned on the classics from Cooper’s early records. Highlights included the concert opener “Feed My Frankenstein,” which set the horrific tone for the evening, plus “Poison” and “Billion Dollar Babies.” A special mention for “Bed of Nails,” perhaps the best Cooper song ever written. The connection between pain and obsession in the lyrics are visceral and catchy; the beat is driving, and the way Cooper plays the tune is like a tornado spiraling out of control. By the end, he’s screaming the words out of passion and misery. “Bed of Nails” was a highlight of the 100-minute show.
The mega-hits were present and accounted for as well: “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” “I’m Eighteen” and “Under My Wheels.” Is there anything better than Coop telling the crowd that the “telephone is ringing”? Other positives for the night, which kicked off around 8:15 p.m., included the sing-a-long to “Hey Stoopid,” the wonderfully romantic “Fallen in Love” and the wonderfully creepy “Stephen.”
Throughout the evening Cooper was attacked by a Frankenstein monster dubbed FrankenAlice, decapitated and placed in a straitjacket. He also played with knives, a sword and a crutch. His wife provided some choreographic interludes, and a few baby-face baddies bounced on stage. The concert was pure Halloween and pure fun.
Cooper’s band is the best in the business. Lead guitarist Hurricane Nita Strauss shreds throughout the evening, twirling around the stage like Stevie Nicks and never missing a cue or beat (look out for her second solo record soon). Chuck Garric holds down the castle on bass and vocals. Ryan Roxie is commanding on guitar and vocals. Tommy Henriksen is a mastermind of the guitar, strumming away with tenacity and verve. Glen Sobel, on drums, showcased why he’s frequently mentioned as one of the best percussionists in the music industry.
The evening winded down with tons of confetti and an all-out rock ‘n’ roll party, set to the tune of “School’s Out.”
One has to love how Cooper doesn’t waste anytime on stage. Once he hits that raised platform, he’s nonstop for the remainder of the show: no talking, no politics, no bullshit, simply rock music. Alice Cooper may get killed time and time again, but he’s very much alive.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Alice Cooper recently played the Premiere Theater at Foxwoods. He plays the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey, Tuesday, March 22. Buckcherry opens that show. Click here for more information and tickets.
