Jackyl cuts down Altar Bar
Ladies and Gentlemen grab your favorite whiskey, start your chainsaws and head straight to your favorite bar, saloon or watering hole because legendary southern hard rockers Jackyl are back on the road and heading your way.
The tour hit Pittsburgh on a frigid night in February and not even the blowing snow, bitter temperatures and blinding wind could stop the dedicated fans from turning out in droves, because Rock N Roll, unlike most everything else in life, does not take a snow day.
That unwavering, do or die spirit could be felt the moment you walked through the door that night and Pittsburgh newcomers Boomstick took full advantage, cashing in on that palatable energy flowing throughout the room.
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They hit the stage hard with a powerhouse set of old school Metallica-esque originals, as well as covers of Accept’s “Balls To The Wall” and Metallica’s “Seek & Destroy,” which they nailed including the solo.
Even more impressive, is the fact that the average age of the band members is 17. Their frontman, young Andrew Dillon is second generation Iron City Metal. His father- Tom is the frontman for the Burgh’s Yigga Digga. He, along with all the other members\’ parents, were in the crowd that night cheering them on.
Andrew, along with guitarist Sam Willochell, bassist Matt McCullough and drummer Justin Runkel not only did their parents, but the city proud and got things off to a fantastic start. Remember that name- Boomstick, because you’re going hear it again in the near future for all the right reasons.
Up next was one of Pittsburgh’s more eclectic and most entertaining bands Mama’s Madness. The band is a trio similar to a more reggae/house rock version of the band in the movie From Dusk Till Dawn. Kinda like the type of band that would play a dance club on a Friday night, only this was Wednesday.
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Lead singer Brad Gephart was a bundle of raw energy, strumming the living shit out of his electric acoustic guitar as he thrashed around the stage. He was also tons of fun, like their song “Fat Bitch.” At one point Gephart handed his guitar to someone down front, while he ripped off his shirt saying, “I took off my shirt, what do you want to see next, my hairy dick?” They may have been to odd men out that night, but they were also the most pleasant surprise.
Pittsburgh’s Sound Servent was next up on the docket. The band is a trio of seasoned veterans to the Pittsburgh rock scene, who have been playing for years, not for the money or to become the next big thing, but because they love doing it and don’t want to stop anytime soon.
Guitarist/Vocalist Ed Black, Bassist John Randolph and Drummer Tom Kovack gave all they had to give and their set of old school hard rock/metal originals in the vein of AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Motorhead and Metallica was extremely well received by the now near capacity, ravenous for Jackyl crowd.
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The time had finally come and the good ol\’ boys in Jackyl took the stage. Wasting no time, they launched into “My Whiskey Kicks Your Cocaine’s Ass” and fan favorite “Dirty Little Mind.”
Frontman Jesse James Dupree alongside his partners in crime- bassist Roman Glick, guitarist Jeff Worley and his drummer brother Chris Worley were in top form and their dedicated fans knew each and every cue Dupree threw at them and they all responded at the top of their lungs.
Not just a few- every fan knew their parts by heart, much to the delight of the band.
Dupree is as charming as ever and his thick southern drawl still drives all the ladies crazy. He is also as comical and lines like “She dresses like Wonder Woman, which makes me Batman” and “Being hot will only get you so far, you need to know how to make corn bread and a good Screwdriver, triggered the song of the same name got big laughs
The biggest laughs and applause came when he asked the crowd, “Do you want to see what a southern boy pondering looks like,” then just sat down and started drinking whiskey.
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Other highlights included “I Stand Alone,” “When Will It Rain” and “Down on Me,” the latter of which had every woman there showing off their best stripper moves, alongside an impromptu version of “Midnight Rider,” while he shinned a spotlight on the fan club members in the audience, who he seemed to know by name.
As always though, it was “The Lumberjack” that brought them to their knees and back to their feet again, bringing the house down, chopping it into little bits and pieces, bringing the evening to an epic conclusion and leaving them begging for more.
-Eric Hunker