A rowdy crowd gathered at Chicago’s House of Blues on February 12th to see the party band Great White. Jack Russell and the boys took the stage once again to sing and play their hearts out and to entertain the concertgoers. Packed in tight, hands waved in the air, heads were banging, and the music was moving fans through the room. It was a hell of a night for music and a night that will not soon be forgotten.
Drummer Audie Desbrow climbed behind the kit in the dark wearing a Loop t-shirt, representing a radio station that has been a part of the Chicago rock music scene for over thirty years. Before the lights came up, he was followed out by Mark Kendall, Scott Snyder, and Michael Lardie. The lights came up and Jack Russell limped out on stage with a crutch in one hand and a cane in the other supporting his broken body. He proceeded to sit down on a stool looking very tired, but determined to perform.
After they played a few songs Jack explained what had happened and why he was looking quite busted up. He been envolved in a few accidents and had suffered “Eighteen broken bones.” During his story he manned up and stated he was in the hospital and “went out for a cigarette and never came back.” His determination to perform was incredible, but his lack of energy acted like a boat anchor for the band. His vocals were on pitch the entire evening and he projected with every ounce of energy he had. He truly gave it all he could.
The night pushed on playing their standard songs such as “Save Your Love,” “Rock Me,” and their biggest hit “Once Bitten Twice Shy.” Musically the band was so tight and never missed a beat throughout the entire set. Everything was done very close to the original studio release and it was clear that these boys were seasoned professionals.
On lead guitar with impeccable chops was Mark Kendall. His ability to play his ass off has been an attraction to this band since the beginning days of Great White and his live performance was no exception. Shreading his way through the quick songs that needed it and then slowing it down to nice sweet melodic runs is an accolade of this guitarist. As time has progressed so has Kendall’s playing ability. Musically he just keeps getting better and better to see and hear.
Scott Snyder came out peddling notes on his five string bass with a fury. The bottom end was being held together with every pluck to the thick gauged strings by this man. Being the new coming bass player to the band he had something to prove and he did just that. The fire in his playing was always present within every note. So many bass players have taken the stage as a part of this band, but this is one that hopefully will stand the test of time.
Banging away on drums with precision and rock solid expertise was none other than Audie Desbrow. His drum affair with Great White has been like a rollercoaster ride. This is one drummer that keeps the beat as the tempo goes up and down within the library of songs. His hard hits and percussive dynamics offset the guitar work well within any live or studio setting.
In 1986, Great White made an addition to the band that was so perfect for the group. Michael Lardie’s ability to hold the rhythms on the six string, his work on keyboards, and his sweet backing vocals makes him one of the best utility men in the music business. All night long he filled out every song completing the band’s sound. This band would not be the same without this musical intellectual.
Great White played old songs from their past albums and songs from their newest compilation Rising. The song “All or Nothin’” was a new song from the band that was just awesome. This piece struck a chord with audience. The new song was a hit and sounded like the Great White that everyone remembered from a few decades ago. The music felt like it could’ve come from one of these great early albums in the true hair band quality even as the hair was thinning.
Some of the fans of Great White had commented about the band and the show. “They are my favorite band. I’ve seen them in Pennsylvania, Jersey, New York, Las Vegas. I’ve traveled all over to see them. When they aren’t around my house, I come to them,” says Renee Allen.
Another fan that wished to remain anonymous thought they had great vocals, but that you couldn’t hear them in the mix. An upset diehard fan made the comment after a song, “That’s the worst five minutes I’ve ever seen by Great White. Young people are dancing and nobody cares as long as they keep dancing, but I could’ve done better than that singer.” Comments from sober and drunken people were heard, but the overall opinion is that Great White rocked.
After a long time of being an awesome rock party band, Great White still had the fans and the girls. Several young ladies were dancing away in 1980’s attire to their favorite songs from their teenage life. A song touched one female fan so deeply she stepped up to the mammoth speakers next to the stage and proceeded to molest the monitors with her body in a humping motion.
The band chugged through the night and kept on strumming, singing, and pounding their way into your soul. They continued to entertain the crowd as the professionals that they are. Great White is one band that is suggested to see live. Their ability to wow the crowd has never stopped and it is doubtful that it ever will. They hit the House of Blues attendee’s right between the eyes with their show and no one ever saw it coming.
