Sonic Slam 2022, featuring The Tom Keifer Band, L.A Guns and Faster Pussycat, was making its way to Central Florida and I had to choose which date and location to apply for. Having never been to Destination Daytona, made this a no-brainer. As I arrived, I had to admit that I was impressed with the whole layout. In addition to Bruce Rossmeyer’s Harley Davidson, there were numerous shops, restaurants, a hotel and finally, the venue. This really was a motorcycle metropolis. I made my way past the line of fans that had begun to snake through the parking lot and was able to obtain my credentials and enter with ease. Along the way I heard rumblings that tonight was going to be a “Guns Free Zone” and that had nothing to do with the 2nd amendment. Apparently, L.A. Guns had canceled and would not be performing. No official announcement or statement was made, but there were still 2 bands that were here and ready to rock.
Photographers tend to get spoiled, so when I discovered that there wasn’t a pit to shoot from I immediately began a frenzied attempt to locate some prime locations. The early conclusion was that this was going to be a duck and dodge kind of night. Faster Pussycat was up 1st and as I waited their arrival I noticed guitarist Ronnie Simmons taking the time to pose for photos with some very appreciative fans. The band hit the stage somewhere around 7:30 and they had their foot on the gas from the get-go. Founding member and vocalist, Taime Downe, was sporting a black cowboy hat and a black leather vest with a skull and crossbones on the back. He unleashed his vocal assault from center stage and had the fans rockin’ to songs like “Where There’s A Whip There’s A Way” and “Slip Of The Tongue.”
Both drummer Chad Stewart and bassist Danny Nordahl have been with the band for more than 20 years and their contributions are undeniably noticeable in the band’s sound and presentation. The guys totally pulled off a cover of Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain“, but this should come as no surprise since they’ve been doing it for 2 decades. Guitarists Ronnie Simmons and Sam “Bam” Koltun bring a youthful fire to the band that results in an incendiary performance. 1989’s mega-hit “House Of Pain” had the fans singing in unison. If 3 guitars were not enough, Tony Higbee from the Tom Keifer Band joined Faster Pussycat onstage for the final 2 songs of the set, “Don’t Change That Song” and “Bathroom Wall.” The band delivered a dynamic set and upon its conclusion it was obvious that the crowd was pumped and primed for more. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to see Faster Pussycat live.
Faster Pussycat:
Taime Downe: Vocals
Sam “Bam” Koltun: Guitar
Danny Nordahl: Bass
Ronnie Simmons: Guitar, Vocals
Chad Stewart: Drums
Setlist:
1.Jack The Bastard
2.Where There’s A Whip There’s A Way
3.Cathouse
4.Slip Of The Tongue
5.You’re So Vain (Carly Simon Cover)
6.Ain’t No Way Around It
7.NOLA
8.House Of Pain
9.Number 1 With A Bullet
10.Don’t Change That Song
11.Bathroom Wall
The 1st time that I saw Tom Keifer was on Cinderella‘s Night Songs tour back in 1986 and I’ve been a fan ever since. The song “Through The Rain” is one of my favorite songs of all time. Keifer has one of the most unique and easily recognizable voices in rock and it hasn’t diminished at all. The crowd erupted as the band appeared amid a light blue glow that has spread across the stage. The band engaged in a pre-show huddle before taking their spots.
Those in attendance were in for a treat, as the 14-song set included a bunch of Cinderella tunes along with several of Keifer’s songs. When Tony Higbee grabbed the acoustic guitar, I knew it was time for “Coming Home” and the crowd knew it as well. The band sounded great as everyone did their part. Keifer’s wife Savannah, and Kendra Chantelle, provided backing vocals throughout the set while Kory Meyers also sang while manning the keyboard.
“Nobody’s Fool” had the kind of reaction on the crowd that you’d expect, as did “Shelter Me.” At the beginning of the latter, Keifer took a minute to record the jubilant crowd on his cell phone. When it was time for “Don’t Know What You’ve Got (Till It’s Gone)” Keifer was joined at the piano by his wife Savannah, and they proceeded to deliver a moving rendition of the ultra-popular power ballad.
Drummer Jared Pope, bassist Luis Espaillat and guitarist Tony Higbee all played their asses off. I’m surprised Higbee still had that much energy left given his earlier performance with Faster Pussycat. Higbee and Keifer had a scorching guitar dual that led directly into the encore of “Gypsy Road.” As they took their final bow, it was clear that they were spent and had left everything they had out on the stage. Hat’s off to Faster Pussycat and the Tom Keifer Band for braving the Florida heat in order to bring this awesome show to their fans. This may not have been an enormous stadium or arena show but believe me when I say that these fans were very appreciative and they will not forget it.
Tom Keifer Band:
Tom Keifer: Lead Vocals, Guitar
Tony Higbee: Guitar, Vocals
Luis Espaillat: Bass, Vocals
Kory Meyers: Keyboard, Vocals
Jared Pope: Drums
Savannah Keifer: Backing Vocals
Kendra Chantelle: Backing Vocals
Setlist:
1.Touching The Devine
2.Night Songs
3.Coming Home
4.It’s Not Enough
5.Somebody Save Me
6.Rise
7.Nobody’s Fool
8.Solid Ground
9.Fallin’ Apart At The Seams
10.The Last Mile
11.Don’t Know What You’ve Got (Till It’s Gone)
12.Shake Me
13.Shelter Me
Encore:
14. Gypsy Road
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I’ve had a love for photography since I was young. Whether it was a Polaroid or a Kodak 110, I was always the kid with the camera. My love of music goes back even further. Nothing beats being at a show when those lights go down and the crowd goes nuts.
