Cinderella

[Captain Howdy]

Oh, and I should also add that I booked my ticket this morning.

Also booked a ticket to see Jettblack and Heavens Basement, which was only £8.

What makes me laugh is I bought them both through ticketweb yet the postage cost and fees were completely different.

I know its probably down to what the promoter charges (I know its not the venue as I have booked tickets to shows at Hammersmith before and each show has different fees), but I found it laughable that the postage is £1 or so extra for Cinderella and so is the booking fee. I ended up spending over £30 for the Cinderella ticket and just over £11 for Jettblack.

[JamesEagle]

Wowser are there different concerns about ticket prices around the world. £25 = aud$40, which I would be close to calling a "bargain" to see Cinderella for that price.

 

£15 = aud$24, which is like asking would you prefer to buy a hamburger or see Night Ranger.

 

Seriously, I do wonder if you guys do know how good you have it. I tell you now, if either Cinderella or Night Ranger came down to Australia there's no way you'd see them for less than about aud$65-70 each.

 

Just to clarify, I should point out that if I had the spare wedge, I would probably go and see Cinderella for £25, although compared to other gigs I've ben to recently it doesn't represent good value. I know thrash isn't your bag, but last year I saw Overkill and Exodus, 2 of the greatest thrash bands of all time and real heavyweights in the genre, with 2 other acts on the bill, for less than £20. I have seen several other gigs for less than £20 with good line ups, so I am slightly mystified at the cost of these tickets.

 

That's all by the by though, as I simply don't have the cash to go to more than one gig over the next few months.

[Captain Howdy]

I think there may be a lot of factors with the ticket price, like I have mentioned before.

It doesnt surprise me so much that a gig at the Empire is a bit pricey, to be honest, but what surprises me is that playing there must be a huge risk anyway.

Very few 80s bands risk playing venues that big, and generally go for the smaller places like the Underworld or the O2 Academy (like Night Ranger).

 

They may be banking on the fact that they havent been over here in years might drum up more interest, and that if it does remain the only UK date, that it will attract fans from all over, but its still a risk to come back after so long and expect to sell out a venue that size. Then of course factor in the ticket prices, and a lot of people like yourself will be staying away.

If it wasnt for the fact that I just sold a few bits n pieces on eBay, I certainly wouldnt be able to have afforded it.

 

If you think about it though, go back to about 94/95 and Bon Jovi used to provide great value for money shows, playing at the likes of Wembley or Milton Keynes for around £20-£25 with only one price level.

For that you also got some fairly big name support acts like Billy Idol, Van Halen, Thunder, Little Angels, Ugly Kid Joe, Manic Street Preachers and Crown Of Thorns.

Four decent named bands at a huge venue for around the price of this Cinderella gig, yet now £25 at a Bon Jovi gig will only get you the tickets up in the gods, with tickets closer to the stage being something like £75, and you generally only get one support act.

I love Bon Jovi, but like so many bands, they are just getting up themselves.

Spinal Tap was overpriced. Ditto for ZZ Top. And now Whitesnake are pulling the same shit.

 

I'm hoping that maybe Cinderella will pull of a decent support package, but I am not going to lay odds on it.

[shamus]

Not that this does you guys across the pond any good but Cinderella is playing the Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen, Minnesota on Apr 15.

 

Tix are only $10 U.S. for general admission.

 

I will be there!!! Tickets go on sale Monday March 14th.

 

Just scored Tesla tickets yesterday at the same venue for a concert on May 6th.

 

Second row, dead center

 

Any idea what this venue is like?

[JamesEagle]

I think there may be a lot of factors with the ticket price, like I have mentioned before.

It doesnt surprise me so much that a gig at the Empire is a bit pricey, to be honest, but what surprises me is that playing there must be a huge risk anyway.

Very few 80s bands risk playing venues that big, and generally go for the smaller places like the Underworld or the O2 Academy (like Night Ranger).

 

They may be banking on the fact that they havent been over here in years might drum up more interest, and that if it does remain the only UK date, that it will attract fans from all over, but its still a risk to come back after so long and expect to sell out a venue that size. Then of course factor in the ticket prices, and a lot of people like yourself will be staying away.

If it wasnt for the fact that I just sold a few bits n pieces on eBay, I certainly wouldnt be able to have afforded it.

 

If you think about it though, go back to about 94/95 and Bon Jovi used to provide great value for money shows, playing at the likes of Wembley or Milton Keynes for around £20-£25 with only one price level.

For that you also got some fairly big name support acts like Billy Idol, Van Halen, Thunder, Little Angels, Ugly Kid Joe, Manic Street Preachers and Crown Of Thorns.

Four decent named bands at a huge venue for around the price of this Cinderella gig, yet now £25 at a Bon Jovi gig will only get you the tickets up in the gods, with tickets closer to the stage being something like £75, and you generally only get one support act.

I love Bon Jovi, but like so many bands, they are just getting up themselves.

Spinal Tap was overpriced. Ditto for ZZ Top. And now Whitesnake are pulling the same shit.

 

I'm hoping that maybe Cinderella will pull of a decent support package, but I am not going to lay odds on it.

 

Good points and I agree that the choice to play at the Empire is a strange one. It's a big turn off for me, as my journey home from London is a real pain in the arse anyway, without having to get all the way to and from Shepherd's Bush.

 

Still, good luck Tom et al, hope it goes well and I look forward to reading the Captain Howdy review afterwards!

[Captain Howdy]

My reviews tend to be very few words and are mostly in picture form ... just too damn lazy.

My biggest bone of contention with The Empire is the floor as its flat, not sloped like Hammersmith and other medium sized venues.

When I saw Europe there last month, lots of people were complaining that they just couldnt see if taller people were in front of them.

 

I know what you mean about getting there, as I am Kent based myself, albeit in a London borough (which confuses people no end).

Still, could be worse, it could be Wembley ... I fucking hate travelling there.

[JamesEagle]

My reviews tend to be very few words and are mostly in picture form ... just too damn lazy.

My biggest bone of contention with The Empire is the floor as its flat, not sloped like Hammersmith and other medium sized venues.

When I saw Europe there last month, lots of people were complaining that they just couldnt see if taller people were in front of them.

 

I know what you mean about getting there, as I am Kent based myself, albeit in a London borough (which confuses people no end).

Still, could be worse, it could be Wembley ... I fucking hate travelling there.

 

Agreed about Wembley, I have avoided it since seeing the Scorps there about 20 years ago. Also, neither Wembley or Shepherd's Bush is a particularly nice place to find yourself at 11pm when the gig's finished.

 

So you're in the Bexley, Dartford or Sidcup area?

[Doksdad]

Not that this does you guys across the pond any good but Cinderella is playing the Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen, Minnesota on Apr 15.

 

Tix are only $10 U.S. for general admission.

 

I will be there!!! Tickets go on sale Monday March 14th.

 

Just scored Tesla tickets yesterday at the same venue for a concert on May 6th.

 

Second row, dead center

 

Any idea what this venue is like?

Here's the layout:

 

Shooting Star Casino

[Nightrain]

man i really want to see Tesla but won't be happen anytime soon

have a nice gig there mate

 

btw james, how long is the ride from your place to that venue (Empire) ?

[Captain Howdy]

My reviews tend to be very few words and are mostly in picture form ... just too damn lazy.

My biggest bone of contention with The Empire is the floor as its flat, not sloped like Hammersmith and other medium sized venues.

When I saw Europe there last month, lots of people were complaining that they just couldnt see if taller people were in front of them.

 

I know what you mean about getting there, as I am Kent based myself, albeit in a London borough (which confuses people no end).

Still, could be worse, it could be Wembley ... I fucking hate travelling there.

 

Agreed about Wembley, I have avoided it since seeing the Scorps there about 20 years ago. Also, neither Wembley or Shepherd's Bush is a particularly nice place to find yourself at 11pm when the gig's finished.

 

So you're in the Bexley, Dartford or Sidcup area?

Pretty much. Orpington to be precise, but I did work in Dartford for years.

Its nice to hear someone has heard of this confusing area. Its caused me enough grief over the years as when it comes to certain things I would be told I couldnt claim travel allowance, for instance, into London for a course even though they said people from Kent could, but when it came to getting extra money for living in London, I'd be told I lived in Kent.

[Captain Howdy]

Just spotted on the Cinderella website that this tour seems to only have one date per country, with countries like Russia, Bulgaria, Italy, Germany and Holland all getting a date.

The only exception to this is Spain, which has three dates.

It does say though that more dates to be announced as they are finalised.

 

Interestingly, I noticed that the Bulgaria date is listing Mr. Big as their very special guests.

I spose its too much to expect they will do the whole Euro tour.

[Captain Howdy]

Voodoo Six announced a few weeks ago that they are supporting Cinderella in London, and today Spinefarm has just announced that Houston is supporting as well.

[JamesEagle]

Voodoo Six announced a few weeks ago that they are supporting Cinderella in London, and today Spinefarm has just announced that Houston is supporting as well.

 

Those Houston guys must have an apartment in London!

[Captain Howdy]

Well Just got back home just over an hour ago and the gig was amazing.

Temperatures were soaring today as after all the heavy rain of yesterday, today was the start of a heat wave.

 

Voodoo Six seemed fairly decent, if somewhat unoriginal. The sound for them was awful as all you could hear was the bass and lead guitar. God knows if the guy was actually singing or just mouthing the words, as I only heard him once or twice.

Kind of an old school rock sound to them, with some meaty riffs and a few 70s influences.

 

Houston Were up next and they were a solid act, but certainly not anything that excited me as they rely too heavily on keyboards for my tastes.

Also, they have to be the worst dressed band I have ever seen. The drummer came out dressed in some weird red jacket and black trousers that looked like something from an 80s Journey/Kansas/Night Ranger video.

The singer was wearing a boxing robe, and when he took it off his trouser and shirt were a bit weird as well.

One of the guitarists looked like he was the bastard son of Yngwie Malmsteen and Conny Bloom, and the other looked like he was in a thrash band or something.

The keyboardist looked quite normal, but the bassist looked like he had been picked up in Gays R Us. His hair was shockingly bad, and that was just the start of it.

 

As for Cinderella. It took them a while to come onto the stage, but when they did they ripped through a set of about 12 songs or so, which took about and hour and 15-20 mins.

Tom didnt do much speaking, so my guess is the way the set was played was done to minimise the use of his voice (they didnt even bother going off and coming back on for the encore).

They covered most of the big hits, and played heavily from the first two albums.

 

Every song got a great reaction, but certain songs just had the crowd going nuts.

When they played Gypsy Road, I thought the crowd were gonna explode.

The place was packed, and was surprised that there seemed a decent mix of younger and older people who were actually there for Cinderella, not the younger Houston.

 

From memory, and in no particular order, the setlist was as follows:

Night songs

Once around the ride

Shake me

Nobodys fool

Somebody save me

Gypsy road

Dont know what you got

Coming home

Long cold winter

Second wind

The more things change

Heartbreak station

Shelter me

 

[cdjunky41]

Wow!

Great update Howdy!!

 

Nice photo's too..

 

I'm thinking about seeing them in august..

[Evil Rick]

Nice pics! Got me pumped for when I see them in July for the first time...plus they are doing a meet & greet after the show!

[Captain Howdy]

I dunno if I am just being totally ignorant, but the one thing that really surprised me is that Tom played nearly every guitar solo and more often than not seemed to be the main lead guitarist.

I know he did some lead work, but thought LaBar would do more than he did.

 

I must admit that I was somewhat disappointed that there wasnt much interaction with the crowd as that usually helps bring the crowd into the set more, but I can understand why Tom would concentrate more on the singing side to save his voice going on the amount of operations he has had on his throat. That said, the energy from the crowd was constant so it really wasnt needed.

[Glen]

Houston Were up next and they were a solid act, but certainly not anything that excited me as they rely too heavily on keyboards for my tastes.

Also, they have to be the worst dressed band I have ever seen. The drummer came out dressed in some weird red jacket and black trousers that looked like something from an 80s Journey/Kansas/Night Ranger video.

The singer was wearing a boxing robe, and when he took it off his trouser and shirt were a bit weird as well.

One of the guitarists looked like he was the bastard son of Yngwie Malmsteen and Conny Bloom, and the other looked like he was in a thrash band or something.

The keyboardist looked quite normal, but the bassist looked like he had been picked up in Gays R Us. His hair was shockingly bad, and that was just the start of it.

 

 

one of the shittiest live bands ive seen in a long time.

 

Were a complete disappointment for me........Vega destroyed them at the borderline, and Houston were bloody headlining.

[Captain Howdy]

I'm really not an AOR type person, so never bothered getting the album as what I have heard never excited me.

The live set didnt sound bad to me in itself, but even people who I was talking to, who were huge fans, didnt seem to be that excited with the set.

As I say, their image was more fascinating to me, but not for the right reasons.

[Nightrain]

so is Tom Keifer's voice back again because i heard that Don Dokken said that Keifer's surgery went well, because last Cinderella's live CD i heard (mohegan sun), he's pretty bad there

[Captain Howdy]

Sounded great to me. Its obviously not what it once was, but very few rock singers can still do what they did in the 80s.

[Nightrain]

Sounded great to me. Its obviously not what it once was, but very few rock singers can still do what they did in the 80s.

 

very true, the most obvious thing is they're lowering the tune to accommodate their aging throat,

but as long as they can maintain the pitch control without going off-key, that's a big plus

 

well hopefully Cinderella will make a new album in the next 2-3 years, it's been too long, are there any hint bout this at the gig?

[Captain Howdy]

Nah, no mention of a new album.

As I say, Tom really didnt interact with the crowd that much, but they did come on a bit late and had a 11pm curfew, so I think between that and his issues with his voice over the years, they pretty much decided to rip through the songs without spending too much time talking.

I honestly dont think a new album is in the making tho as they have shown no interest in making one since the whole Portrait debacle over a decade ago.

 

Eric does all his recording with his wife, and Jeff has helped out with that.

Fred does a load of other stuff including producing etc

And Tom is always sposed to be working on some kind of solo project that never seems to be happening.

 

In one way I would love a new album as its been far too long and their back catalogue is so small (excluding the 1000 or so compilations and live CDs), but at the same time, those four albums are damn near perfect, so it'd be a big shame if they spoiled it with something that wasnt up to the level of those four.