2025 Monsters Of Rock Cruise: Day 2
w/ Massive Wagons, Michael Monroe, Winger, The Answer and Tyson!
At Sea – 3/11/25
Coverage/Pics: Will
Day 2 started… well…late. Day 1 was complete sensory overload. Between meeting up with our M.O.R.C. family, trying to figure out the boat and the venues, the schedule of who was late and or canceled, and for some, trying to get all your drinks package value in one day. (I know a few people who succeeded).
One glance at the schedule told me it was going to be a busy one. Not just because of the shows, but this was also the first day of Photo Experiences. Both of mine (as one of the photogs) were scheduled on Tues. Note: If your pics with Stephen Pearcy and Sisters Doll turned out bad? Then, I lied…it was someone else who took them.
What shall I say about the experience of the photo experience? I will say that Stephen is cool as hell, pure Ratt n Roll, but let’s say…distracted at times. And how about Sisters Doll? The coolest dudes around. And some of you women should be ashamed of yourselves. I mean they’re old enough to be your sons GRANDsons! Ashamed I tell you! But on a serious note, it’s a lot of fun to be one of the photogs who gets to capture some of your excitement when you meet the rock stars.
What should have been the first show of the day for me (Pretty Maids) ended up getting canceled and rescheduled. Every year, I tell ya…Every year.
Which brings me to the first band I was able to shoot on Day 2. Now I’ll start by introducing you to a couple of the finest people on the boat. Everybody meet John and Cath.
Now why are John and Cath featured you ask? Because if we flashback to M.O.R.C. 2024, a little birdie had mentioned to them that Massive Wagons would be one of the bands appearing on the boat in 2025. These two have followed the band around Europe and couldn’t speak highly enough of them. I remember at the time their excitement was hardly containable. Well now it was time for me and many others to discover the band ourselves. Would they live up to the hype…?
Massive Wagons
I’ll answer that question by letting you know that all THREE of Massive Wagons shows are included as *SHOWS OF THE CRUISE. I barely saw any band twice, but made sure I saw the Wagons all 3 times. It’s true you can only make a first impression once, and Massive Wagons seized the moment with their first opportunity to play for an American audience.
Massive Wagons are:
Barry Mills – Vocals
Adam Thistlethwaite – Guitar
Stevie Holl – Guitar
Adam ‘Bowz’ Bouskill – Bass
Alex Thistlethwaite – Drums
From the first note, it was cleat that their energy and enthusiasm would be infectious. And with songs such as “Fuck The Haters” and “A.S.S.H.O.L.E.“, well, it was clear from the start that this band were going to be loved by many.
But the lads from Lancashire are more than just a party band, they’re also mental health advocates and have songs with deeper meaning as well. Go check out the song/video for “Night Skies“.
I had listened to them before getting on the boat, but as some of you know until you catch a band live, you really just don’t know. Well Massive Wagons are the total package. And after meeting them after gig #2 in the Atrium, a nicer group of blokes you couldn’t meet.
Massive Wagons deservedly get a Massive Gallery, so check out all these shots of a band that you’re going to hear a LOT more from:
Michael Monroe
Judging by conversations I had with many, Michael Monroe seemed to be the main Rock Star that people wanted to get their picture taken with. Now admittedly I was never a huge Hanoi Rocks fan back in the day, but I was very curious to see if all the hype of MM was warranted. Yep, Worth it!
Monroe’s opener “Dead, Jail, or Rock n Roll” had me hooked. A great set that saw a few Hanoi AND Demolition 23 tunes thrown into the mix for good measure.
After getting a chance to throw some food in the pie hole, it was time for a quick pitstop at “The Cavern” to check out some dueling pianos between Will Doughty (Poison) & Tyson Leslie (Everything, Everywhere, All At Once). Yes, Tyson’s description is accurate as he had to be one of the hardest working dudes on the boat. He. Was. EVERYWHERE! Rare Hare, Dueling Pianos, with L.A. Guns, of course Vixen and showing up with numerous other bands that I’ve realized as I’ve gone through my picture editing.
As “We” were stuck in the back of The Cavern (another teeny, tiny, packed venue) we only stayed for a few tunes and then headed to…
Winger
My affection for Winger was born on my second Monsters of Rock Cruise back in 2020. Not that I didn’t like a few of their songs. It’s just I liked the harder, heavier stuff for the most part during their heyday.
Then I got to see Winger play live, on the pool stage as the Sail Away band. Everything aligned at the moment. The tunes just seemed to “hit” different, Kip and the band’s synergy on stage, the sun setting in the background and possibly a few cocktails created the perfect, musical storm.
Yes, Live on stage is where it’s at for Winger. One of the few bands from “back in the day” that are still rolling around with their original lineup of Kip (vocals & bass), Reb Beach (guitar), Paul Taylor (keys and guitar) and Rod Morgenstein (drums), with the inclusion of Howie Simon (guitar) filling in for John Roth.
Kip has announced that Winger will no longer be a touring band moving forward. He hasn’t ruled out one off shows (and hopefully Cruises!), but it looks like the chances to catch the band in the future may be few and far between. Glad I caught the end of the bandwagon when I did.
The Answer
Don’t threaten me with a good time! As many of you know I grew up in Northern Ireland (Norn Iron) and have an affinity for acts that come from “back home”. So I was extremely excited to get the opportunity to see County Down’s, The Answer added to the lineup.
The Answer are another great, bluesy rock band in the style of the Black Crowes and Quireboys. They consist of Cormac Neeson (vocals), Paul Mahon (guitar), Micky Waters (bass), James Heatley (drums) and Cara Bruns (keyboards).
A captivating performance that had everyone in the PACKED Manhattan Room dancing and singing along. They’re still a relatively new band, but judging by the response to their show, I can definitely see their star being on the “Rise“.
And that was a wrap on my Tuesday evening.
Stay tuned for Day 3 coverage, Coming Soon!
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