|
Review of Bret's Gig @ Viper Room Date: 10/26/00 7:40:32 PM Author:Tresses Source:http://on.starblvd.net/cgi-bin/bbsmsg?dogmaster&tr=46.3.1 Let me just preface the review by stating that Bret announced during the performance that the name he is considering for his solo group is "TORN" and inquired "What do you all think of "TORN" as the new name for his solo group?" By the way, I don't know how he came up with that name? Perhaps you could all let Bret know what do you think of the name? Having said that, here's my review. BRET DOMROSE,Viper Room gig-Friday, October 20, 2000 The Venue was comfortably full, but not so packed that you couldn't move. I have to say that the music they played at the Viper Room that evening in-between bands was great too, much better than the stuff they played at the House of Blues in-between bands the last time I was there. At HOB, it was like you just prayed the bands would come out so that you didn't have to listen to the music they were playing between bands, but the Viper Room had a great sound. Even the door security guard was groov'n to the tunes. I bought myself an orange juice and had an opportunity to say hello to Bret and Mike prior to the first band. I've just gotta say how very kind hearted Bret is to people. Mike asked me later to extend his apology to everyone on the Dogstar Bulletin board for not posting anymore. Although he assured me that he is feeling much better since he had back surgery he will not be posting regularly as he used to do. The first group was Grasshopper. I moved toward the front to listen. They came on stage and the lead singer, guitar player was sporting a duct taped guitar strap and you're thinking like, hmmm? But they started playing and you can't judge a group by the look of their duct taped guitar straps! They had a very unique sound with interesting transitions. They warmed us up as an audience and got us moving. He said they were the "foreplay!" The Bret Domrose band, Torn, took stage. Bret was wearing black jeans, black boots and a silky black button down shirt. Mike was wearing black jeans, black button down shirt with blue and silver embroidery on the front, also of a silky texture. Mike and Aaron were wearing sunglasses and Bret said something about the resemblance to the Blues Brothers. Their on stage attitude during this part was animated and fun! Not sure when they lost the sunglasses! Bret was warm with the audience and added a little banter throughout the performances. He thanked friends and everyone for coming to hear them. He said he knew we had a choice of groups to listen to and thanked us for choosing to hear/see them perform (this comment got a laugh, a little spin off from the airplane slogan, "We know you have a choice of airlines and thank you for flying on ... Airlines") Bret and the band were incredibly energized! Truly couldn't keep myself from grooving to the music! Bret, so well known for his on-stage passionate embrace of the songs did not dissappoint. Someone in the audience lit a lighter and began waving it in the air. Very moving performance! On the flip side, at times the group was totally rocking! Mike was twirling his drumsticks and he definitely ROCKS!! It was an awesome show! Later in the set Bret kidded around about balloon toys that "someone" was making and picked one up (a very long apparatus to this balloon) and asked what it was supposed to be, ;-) (tee hee). Aaron put the balloon on his head! There was a lot of variety to the songs. Sam and Mike's accurate vocal harmonization added depth to the sound and emotion of the songs. Bret played a lot of great new songs that I had never heard! He said he has recorded these as well!!!!! They also played from Rough Around the Edges the following songs: Fall, Eve, Melt and Volcano. I believe he sang Second Chance as well. There were also special lighting affects with at least one of the songs that added to the excitement and visual stimulation. Sorry I don't have a complete set list. People were notably moving, dancing and grooving! It was my first time to see Bret and his solo group perform--AN ENERGIZINGLY FUN TIME WAS HAD BY ALL! "TORN" ROCKS! Established since 1st September 2001 by 999 SQUARES. |
