Stage 954 is an intimate venue with a capacity of 999 people located on the second floor of Dania Beach Casino, in Dania Beach, Florida near Ft. Lauderdale. The venue was sold out with a VIP section directly in front of the stage with round tables with seating for six. Slaughter graced the stage at 8:15 pm to a deafening cheer from the audience as AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” finished blearing through the PA system.
The band opened with “Mad About You” from their 1990 release, Stick It To Ya and the show was off with a bang. This show was restricted from using smoke, pyrotechnics, or things that go bam per the fire marshall, so it was pure and raw, in-your-face Slaughter. The next two songs were also released on Stick It To Ya, “Burnin’ Bridges” and “Spend My Life,” and just before the show took a turn with Led Zepplin‘s, “Immigrant Song” where Mark Slaughter showcased his vocal range in Robert Plant fashion.
The fun kicked into high gear with “Eye to Eye” and drummer extraordinaire Jordon Cannata showcased why he is nicknamed “Animal“, from the energetic character in the Muppets. Jordan’s prowess is unmatched behind the drum kit and he is just a joy to watch him perform.
A few songs later, the band left the stage, leaving Mark Slaughter center stage with a 12-string guitar and he played the band’s highest-charting single, “Days Gone By,” and is joined by bassist Dana Strum to finish the song. Guitarist Jeff Blando saw the break in the action and alerted the audience that July was the month to celebrate Mark Slaughter’s birthday. Now his birthday is July 4th, but the band celebrates it the entire month of July. After a quick celebration, the mood got somber once again as “Fly to the Angels” was dedicated to the loved ones who are no longer with us. Marks asked that the stage lights be brought down and the crowd illuminate their phones in the air. The effect was the only source of light with one single small spotlight on the band and made a wonderful effect.
Next, it was time to kick it up with “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love” a Van Halen cover that got the crowd rocking again, and finishing out with the fans singing the chorus of The Slaughter’s “Up All Night” that went into The Who‘s “Won’t Get Fooled Again” to complete the show.
Great band, great night, everyone left satisfied and happy getting their Saturday Night Rock On!
Band:
Mark Slaughter – Lead Vocals/Rhythm and Live Lead Guitar
Dana Strum – Bass Guitar/Backing Vocals
Jordan Cannata – Drums/Percussion
Jeff “Blando” Bland – Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals
Setlist:
Intro: Highway to Hell (AC/DC song)
1. Mad About You
2. Burnin’ Bridges
3. Spend My Life
4. Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin cover)
5. Eye to Eye (W/ Drum solo interlude)
6. The Wild Life
7. Desperately
8. Days Gone By
9. Real Love
10. Fly to the Angels
11. Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love (Van Halen cover)
12. Up All Night / Won’t Get Fooled Again
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Photographer and Editor/Founder of AllMusicMagazine.com. My love of live music has taken me to incredible experiences with the top bands of all time in stadium shows to the smallest venues with equally inspiring musicians. Using the medium of photography and my publication, these memories will last forever.
