DCU Center Rock Star Supernova Reviews
In Rock Star -Supernova News, Tommy Lee, Gilby Clarke, Magni Asgeirsson, Toby Rand, Dilana Robichaux, Lukas Rossi | 3 comments | permalink
Sunday night at the DCU Center, Rock Star Supernova lived up to its moniker and imploded.
Unlike the rare celestial event for which it is named, however, the quartet emitted no bright light. Unless you count the elaborately blinding stage set.
The “supergroup” created by the CBS reality series of the same name proved neither super nor much of a group. The band’s four members — Gilby Clarke, short-lived interim guitarist for Guns N’ Roses; Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee; onetime Black Crowes bassist Johnny Colt; and singer Lukas Rossi — exhibited zero chemistry in their incoherent 80-minute set.
Clarke, who sprayed journeyman leads over the band’s bizarre mishmash of metal, grunge, emo, and roots rock, rarely even looked at Rossi.
Lee was his typical hard-pounding, goofy self. His intro drew by far the loudest cheers from the eclectic crowd of aging metal fans, teen reality show watchers, and, judging by the lackluster response of many, the merely curious who filled less than half of the arena.
Canadian Rossi was the ostensible “winner” of the tattooed and pierced version of “American Idol,” but it turns out that Jason Newsted may be the most fortunate member of the band originally called Supernova until an injunction by an obscure California group forced the unwieldy moniker.
While there is certainly nothing lucky about the torn rotator cuff the former Metallica bassist suffered on the eve of the tour, at least his injury, which led to the inclusion of Colt, isn’t being compounded by the insult that is the live version of this cringe-worthy group.
As on the series, Rossi was a sputtering, attitudinal train wreck. His curdled screaming sounded more like his voice was simply trying to escape his body than express any particular emotion. (It’s worth noting that on the show Newsted was a consistent critic of Rossi’s strangulated style.) Although he is capable of stunning, Jeff Buckley-esque falsetto notes, the skunk-haired singer preferred to shout and scowl and spew rock star inanities that he has yet to earn.
With only 2 1/2 decent originals to play from its mediocre album, including the sleazy T. Rex-ian boogie “Leave the Lights On,” the band filled out the set with covers, including a garbled, metallicized version of Don Henley’s “Boys of Summer” and Rossi’s lurching take on the Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony” complete with a female string quartet, familiar to fans of the show.
Comparatively speaking, opener Panic Channel was the model of cohesion. He may be a long way from Jane’s Addiction, but the ever-shirtless Dave Navarro — “Rock Star” host — still brings six-string magic. Singer Steve Isaacs was over the top personality-wise but had a pleasing, powerful voice that recalled Robin Zander of Cheap Trick. Unfortunately there were no songs to go with those skills.
“Rock Star” runners-up Dilana, Magni, and Toby Rand also got a few moments to bask in the concert sun with brief opening sets
Went to the Chicago Feb 3rd show - if I had to use one word to describe the event it would be BRUTAL. Absolutely the worst concert I’ve ever seen. I expected a Rock show and the opener, Toby, was the closest we got. At least he had some energy. Dilana was acoustic including a Police song - yawn - Navarro is a master guitarist but the lead singer blows and I could never have imagined that Tommy Lee and Gilbey Clarke would cover “Boys of Summer” and “Spin Me Round”…..Dead or Alive?!?! Are they serious? I don’t care how loud you play it or how you “metal it up”, Dead or Alive ain’t gonna get it done! Didn’t they kick somebody off the show for covering Duran Duran…..and whomever it was did a better job of it than the boys of Supernova. I am embarassed for them and myself for getting taken like that. And Lukas - don’t even get me started….weak
Peace
On Feb.5, we saw Supernova in Detroit.
I must say that all the performers were great and lived up to our expectations.
I was disappointed that the panic channel was not there, and nobody gave an explanation.We thought Jason Newstad was in the band, but some other guy was there instead. Again there was no explanation.
I have read some of the reviews and the stage hands were really sloppy and very getting in the way.
I think the fans should be told if someone is not going to be there. The real pros were the contestants.
I went to the show in Columbus on Feb. 3rd. I really do not understand the bad review that was given by the Columbus Dispatch. It wasn’t the typical rock show crowd but that was to be expected as this band picked their lead singer on T.V. and had alot of exposure to your not so typical rock crowd. Toby Rand and his band Juke Kartel opened the show with alot of energy and great music and set the pace for the night. Toby was very personable and sincere with his fans. I am not a Dilana fan @ all but she sounded wonderful and Magni was great. I was not familiar with The Panic Channel’s music prior to this concert but I am definitely a fan now. Steve Isaac’s vocals were amazing, and the band was rockin’ the house. And finally, Rockstar Supernova was the bomb!!! Lukas was energetic and his vocals were amazing. The last song of the night was by far my favorite with the combination of perfect vocals, awesome music, great lighting…the stage looked awesome, and the ending with the confetti streaming down. I was definitely on my feet as was most of the arena. I am a big Lukas fan and after reading the reviews for prior concerts I walked into this concert expecting to be let down. This so was not the case. In fact, this concert was well worth the price of tickets and so much more.