August 13th, 2021
The Marquee Theatre
Sioux City, Iowa
Doors at 6:30 pm. All ages
Tickets $22.50 – $200 at www.eventbrite.com
- John 5
- Jared James Nichols
- Sarah Longfield
- Black Satellite
I’m ashamed to admit that tonight would be my first time seeing John5 in a solo capacity. I’ve seen this man perform with Rob Halford’s Trent Reznor produced 2wo, several times with Marilyn Manson, and more times than I can count on tour with Rob Zombie.
Tonight wasn’t only about John5 though. He brought with him a few of his most talented friends.
The incredibly talented Sarah Longfield did an amazing job setting the tone for the evening. The guitarist virtuoso and Youtube sensation stunned the audience with an incredible instrumental set. Thankfully tonight’s show would be one of only a handful of dates that Longfield would be attending, and we got to witness her shredding magic!
Sometimes its best to go into a show with no prior experience of the band’s performing, and tonight was one of those nights. Even thought the band has previously toured with another of my favorites, STARSET, I’d never heard Black Satellite’s music before tonight. The band has been around for a few years, but, like their namesake, has flown under my radar. Their bombastic set was absolutely one of the best I’ve seen in many years, so good that I bought their debut album as soon as their set was finished. Vocalist Larissa Vale, and guitarist Kyle Hawken have an amazing stage presence and commanded the crowd with ease.
I had the chance to chat with Vale after their set about any concerns she might have had about touring again during the ongoing pandemic. While Vale is vaccinated for the COVID19 virus, and didn’t experience any major after vaccine symptoms, she had no hesitance of going out on tour this summer.
“We can’t live in fear,” she told me in between sips of an old fashion.
She’s right. We cannot. We need to be cautious, aware of our surroundings, and prepared but we cannot live indoors forever.
Wisconsin native Jared James Nichols, whom you might have seem performing with John5 on live-stream, has been releasing music since 2015, is no stranger to the stage. The man has toured with the likes of Zakk Wylde, L.A. Guns, and Living Colour, and collaborated with legendary producers Warren Huart, and Eddie Kramer. The hammering dirty south rock style of Nichols’ shredding amp’d the crowd up another notch to a fever pitch.
The overall tone at The Marquee was already at a boiling point of excitement when John5 and his band took the stage. I’m still wrapping my head around that it’s been just over 25 years since my first time seeing John5 on stage.
For over an hour the crowd was pummeled as John5 thrashed through a set encompassing cuts from his solo career and with John and The Creatures. Watching the man on stage is hypnotizing. The music coupled perfectly with the horror movie video clips played throughout the set. Its not just a dude playing a guitar. John5’s fingers dance with across the string, weaving an intriguing story.
Whether or not you know it, John5 has arguably influenced more of today’s musicians than any other individual in the past 20 years. After tonight’s show, I have an entirely new level of respect for this amazingly talented musician.
Do yourselves a favor, if you have the chance to see any of these performances, don’t miss out!
