H R H - C O N C E R T - R E V I E W S
Warrant
Lava Lounge &
Grill
Sioux Falls, S.D.
December 28, 2006
by Derric Miller
Staff Writer
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Comments: Warrant ripped into Sioux
Falls, S.D. on Dec. 28 to play their brand of rock ‘n’ roll
to the metal-emaciated Sioux Falls masses. The venue they played, The
Lava Lounge Bar and Grill, is the best thing to happen to Sioux Falls
since The Pomp Room, a historied rock venue that brought bands like
Metallica, Great White, Green Day and Aerosmith, now currently a flippin’
parking lot. Thanks for bringing Warrant to the Dakota Territories,
Lava Lounge (and Chris
Brookins Entertainment).
Warrant has been undergoing symbolic plastic surgery for over two years,
ever since original frontman Jani Lane left the band and the insanely
underrated former Black ‘N’ Blue singer Jaime St. James took
the helm. Being able to sing the classic Warrant songs is just one reason
why St. James was chosen — he’s also a first-class entertainer,
a rocker in the purest sense. With their new album, Born Again,
Warrant has succeeded in unshackling themselves from Jani Lane and created
their own sound, something a band like Skid Row is still struggling
with after losing their original singer.
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If you saw the band a couple years
ago, you are going to be in for a surprise when you see them today.
They used to play with a bit of a chip on their shoulder, obviously
knowing they had something to prove. That’s all in the past. Now,
they are just enjoying the moment, and it shows. And it’s also
why they titled their new album “born again.”
Their playlist was nothing but their greatest hits, with two offerings
from the new CD, “Dirty Jack” and “Hell, California.”
Warrant is always going to play the songs that got them where they are
today, and that means you’ll hear “Down Boys,” “Heaven,”
“I Saw Red,” “Sometimes She Cries,” “D.R.F.S.R,”
and of course, the song that is almost as divisive as it is addictive,
their closer, “Cherry Pie.”
The new songs came off impeccably, especially “Hell, California.”
The backing vocals may have been the most surprising aspect to the live
representation; hearing them pull off the Beach Boys-like harmonies
was impressive. That is the best song on Born Again, and it needed to
be a part of their setlist.
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One bone tossed to the crowd was
for the fans that have been with St. James since the early ‘80s.
They played “Hold On To 18,” off of Black ‘N’ Blue’s
first release in 1984. It was surprising seeing so much of the crowd
singing along to those words, but it probably shouldn’t be. Sioux
Falls might not be the biggest city in the world, but it knows and appreciates
music.
The show was really just bombastic. The guitar duo of Erik Turner and
Joey Allen were sharp, with Allen playing the guitar with some kind
of “surf-Zen” calmness and fluidity. Jerry Dixon was a madman,
hammering away at the bass and getting the crowd in a froth, with drummer
Steven Sweet pummeling his manic rhythms in tandem at the crowd. And
then there was St. James, nailing every song, while adding his own flair.
If you are a Black ‘N’ Blue fan, then you’ll remember
the lyrics, “I’m God’s gift to women so they call me
the Saint.” That’s the attitude he sings with, every night.
He’s got what it takes to be Warrant’s frontman, and they
are a better band with him in it, period.
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When the show hits your town — or anywhere close to your town — go.
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