Downtown Las Vegas Summer Concert Series at Fremont continues this summer, once again focusing on bands of the 90’s. Last week, The Toadies, who were celebrating the 25th anniversary of their breakthrough record Rubberneck, hit the stage.
The Show.
Opening with “I Come from The Water”, the band quickly had the audience singing along.
Vaden Todd Lewis, the mastermind behind the band hasn’t missed a step. Sure, he looks a little older, but his vocals are still on point, straining just to the edge of breaking during songs like “Back Slider” and “Tyler”. His guitar playing, combined with Clark Vogler, is much the same way. They tie together the odd time signature melodies with licks that are just chaotic enough, but never go off the deep end.
The formidable rhythm section of original drummer Mark Reznicek and bassist Doni Blair kept a nice, solid beat that’s as the band was once described, “distinctively grungy and distinctly Texan”.
The music has always been a heavy groove Southern rock, and although the band never achieved the mainstream success they deserved, (mainly due to the inept record label they were involved with) fans of the 90’s era know the Toadies, and they know the songs. This being evident when the band launched into their biggest hit “Possum Kingdom”. The entire Fremont Street crowd screamed along.
Along with a surprise cover of “I Put A Spell On You” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, it was a blistering set. It matched the blistering heat of the evening.
The Toadies are currently touring the United States and are a must see for any grunge fan.
Setlist.
I Come From the Water
Little Sin
Song I Hate
Backslider
Take Me Alive
Tyler
Polly Jean
Away
I Put A Spell on You (Screamin’ Jay Hawkins cover)
Possum Kingdom
Gallery.
PHOTO CREDIT: All photos by Stephy Hayward for ZRockR Magazine – All Rights Reserved