Live Review: Firehouse in Dayton

It's been quite some time since Firehouse rolled into Dayton, Ohio. The band played my hometown Saturday night at McGuffys, our little "rock club." Tickets were pricey at $25, but everything is expensive now so I accept it and move on.

Aside from Eric and Heather nearly being killed by fellow concert goers, the evening was good and uneventful. Some over rowdy nut jobs kept shoving Eric out his place near the barrier, begging to touch singer C.J. Snare. Now, I like Firehouse quite a lot, but I'm certainly not going to cause anyone bodily harm to get next to them. That's not how I roll.

I digress.

Bill Leverty is a criminally underrated guitarist. Watching him live is always a highlight for me. I like the little "snake charmer" bit he does with his hand while playing.

Song highlights for me were "All She Wrote" (which is actually my favorite Firehouse tune), "Love of a Lifetime," "Don't Treat Me Bad" and "I Live My Life For You." The band also performed "You've Got Another Thing Comin,'" by Judas Priest. Firehouse recently did that song on a Priest tribute album, and C.J. Snare did a great vocal interpretation of Rob Halford. During quite a lot of the fast numbers, drummer Michael Foster banged the cymbals with his feet. 

The evening went along as predicted: the band had some beers, laughed and played very hard. There were probably 200 people in the club. That number is sort of sad, but everyone was really digging the show - there wasn't a whole lot of people just randomly sitting on bar stools in the back.

I wanted Firehouse to perform "Don't Walk Away" but they skipped it. I guess there's always next time.

There's no photos because I was told at the door "no cameras allowed." This seemed a bit insane since 1) I was in a tiny club and 2) I paid $25 bucks, so I should get to take a photo. But whatever. I didn't cause a scene - and yeah, I had my camera with me in my pocket.

Comments

[chip]

Do you think the no cameras was the club policy or a request by the band? I was thinking of checking out a show there and I'd like to take photos. Also, how did the timing work? I live in Columbus and would like to get a sense of what time the headliners go on/finish.

[Dai Raion]

It sounds like Firehouse put on a great show, Allyson. I've been into them since I discovered their first album on cassette in the bargain bin that my local FYE was trying to sell off.

[kari]

I love this band live. I only saw them once at ROcklahoma 2007 and let me tell ya, I was HOOKED! Overnight Sensation. one of my fave's.

[d.r.]

Sounds like Heather should have opened up a can of Whoopass!!!

[Gary]

You are 100% correct about Bill Leverty Ally. The guy can flat out torch a guitar, and never really got half the recognition of some of his counterparts from the era.

[Dai Raion]

I agree with you, Gary. Firehouse is often unfairly lumped in with other hair metal bands that were essentially clones of better groups. With the exception of "Love Don't Care", which I personally don't like, I think that "Here For You" is one of the better albums of it's era.

[Allyson]

Chip,

Firehouse was an all ages show - meaning they played at 11. I've seen shows at McGuffys when the main band doesn't play until 12:30. I have no idea about the camera policy. I assume it was the band and not the venue.

Allyson