Saw the traveling circus last night in Buffalo - Little Steven is my hero!
$20 tickets to see five bands (4 label acts including a legend), a show that
started on time, had quick turnover between sets (accompanied by a great
soundtrack of 60s garage and three go go dancers) and gave each band ample
time (read - NOT 15-20 minutes) to make a statement.

Opening act - THE NY VAULTS. Embarrassingly enough, they are from my town 
and
i didn't know they existed until Ray Paul told me (he handles radio promo
for them). Kinda Stoogey/Stonesey, or as their best song alludes, "Stoned
Faces". VERY tall stringbean frontman who is pretty animated, musicians good
but odd look (one has a cowboy hat and a country shirt with piping, another
a sleeveless t-shirt with tattoos, etc). Could have worked the stage more
effectively and will learn to run songs together better but overall made a
good impression - a couple of very good songs back to back near the end of
the set helped.

Next - THE CHARMS. Absolutely KILLED, and had the Dolls not been on they
would have stolen the show. Ellie Vee is a *STAR*...she took over the room
in about three seconds and didn't let go. Great songs and a tight
band...powerhouse drummer, flash guitarist - probably the best axeman of the
night, solid bass and the skinny-tied organist leaned and rocked that puppy
like it was on a pivot. And great songs, including a new one ("So Romantic",
I think) that was inspired by and has the energy of a Romantics single. One
great hook blazed into another, and that girl can wail. New album due in the
Spring produced by Jim Diamond. Love their other three, this one sounds like
it could really break them.

Then - CHESTERFIELD KINGS. I was surprised to see them in this slot given
Steven's affinity for them (he got them onto an episode of The Sopranos,
fergodsakes). Greg and Andy have been doing this for years and haven't lost
a step and the newer blood fit in well. Yes, Greg does his Jaggerisms and if
there was ever a man in need of a cordless mic, he is the man - he was in
the crowd from song one but by the time the night was over he killed two
microphones. Good sampling of their stuff (which finally is being reissued)
and the crowd responded, although I suspect they still create more mania in
better locations than Buffalo.

Next - THE SUPERSUCKERS. Tight as hell and funny as hell and had a large
following (there was a mass exodus after their set, although the room did
fill back up for the Dolls). I think the soundman loved them too because he
pushed everything to 11 and it quickly became white noise. Why do people do
this? I took in the latter half of the set in the lobby so I could deal with
the cranial bleeding in better light. Great songs, though - if you can't be
swayed by "The Evil Powers of Rock and Roll" you're a corpse. Imagine the
Beat Farmers gone hardcore.

Finally - THE NEW YORK DOLLS. My god, has it really been 33 years since that
club show in Syracuse? They were simply amazing - Sylvain Sylvain doesn't
get credit for being a great guitarist but he is the Keef of this band.
Johansen looked younger than his years and sounded great, new guitarist
Steve Conte has the Johnny Thunders thing tempered with a bit of Ron Wood.
Great drummer, and so odd to see a mobile bass player instead of the stoic
Arthur Kane, but Sammi Yaffa (Hanoi Rocks) is the perfect guy for this band.
They're leaner, tighter and better than they have ever been while still
radiating decadence. Good mix of classics and the stuff from the new album,
especially the fastest versions of "Pills" and "Trash" I have ever heard.
Like the Stooges, they are revitalized on stage and you'd better go see them
now because who knows how long this can last? Interesting side note - while
the standard tribute to Johnny Thunders took place (the medley of "You Can't
Put Your Arms Around A Memory"/"Lonely Planet Boy" with introduction from
Sylvain), Arthur Kane was not referenced once.

I heard that Steven's label has signed some of the touring bands and CDs
will be coming out, so between the radio show, the tours and the product,
it's like Clear Channel done right. Although I am still wondering where the
concert film / documentary / DVD of the Underground Garage Festival is now
that two and a half years have passed. To say the heat has subsided would be
an understatement...unless he is planning another in 2007 and will release
it to stoke the fire for that one?

Anyway - if you can catch this show by all means do so, you will have your
socks rocked off. This could even wean Gabe off the ganja and back to
rockn'roll!

cheers and ringing eardrums
b