2024 Monsters Of Rock Cruise: Day 2
At Sea – 3/3/24
Coverage/Pics: Will
Day 2
Day 2 of the Cruise was one of my busiest. First, after some Washy Washy and breakfast at the Windjammer it was off to shoot a couple of early morning bands.
Kaleido
Hailing from Detroit, MI, Kaleido made their MORC debut with a heart pounding set. (I was pressed up against the speakers and there was definitely pounding). They hit the stage with a blast of energy only reserved for those that didn’t spend the previous evening drinking Toasted Marshmallow Old Fashioned’s. (*See later)
Christina Chriss – vocals and sunglasses
Joey Fava – drums
Cody Morales – bass
Drew Johnston – guitar
If Kaleido didn’t wake you up and get you pumped for Day 2, nothing was gonna do it.
Also, of note, Kaleido were only 1 of 2 bands with a female fronted member this year on the boat (the other being Paradise Kitty). Come on MORC, there HAS to be a way to have more of the gentler persuasion rocking our asses off on the high seas each year.
Pat Travers
Boom Boom! Guitar Legend Pat Travers calmed things down just a little bit in the Theater, but not by much. Touted by Nuno during the Extreme set as one of his inspirations and one of the most underrated guitarists, after having seen him a few times on the boat now, there were no lies detected.
After the cobwebs were well and truly wiped away by Pat, it was time to trade some swag at Smuggler’s Alley.
Hands up who got a WillToRock Pick Or Beverage Koozie?!
Photo Ops
Day 2 started the photo experiences on the boat and I had smartly or stupidly (both applied equally) scheduled both of my shoots back to back. Up first for me were the Canucks’s from April Wine and then the mighty members of Armored Saint.
To clear up a few questions that pop up each year. Most of the photographers and people helping you with your bags etc during these photo ops. are all volunteers. No, most aren’t getting paid and we’re not getting discounts. We pay for our cruises, flights and hotels like most everyone else. We do get media passes which allows us to shoot the bands for a limited time up front. The photo ops are solely for the purpose of a quick shot with the bands. Although most of the band members would love to chat with you (and do so when given the opportunity around the boat) the photo experience is a quick way to get that full band shot that is included at no extra charge. (Pics are usually available to download within 2-3 weeks post cruise at the VIP Cruise Photos Site: Here)
Back to the shows!
Ace Frehley
Ok, remember ALL the way back to my Day 1 coverage where I said I was MOSTLY not going to be critical of bands. Let’s put that on pause for just a moment. I apologize in advance to all the KISS Army members who may or may not feel the need to stand-up for their hero. But Ace Frehley in general was a bit of shit show. The dude couldn’t have smiled if he was getting Gene Simmons’ paycheck. He was a bit of a sloppy mess on the guitar and vocals and for the most part was the biggest Diva on the boat. Possibly part of the reason there was not a lot of room for additional female artists this year?!
At one point during his Theater show he took a sip of water from a GLASS bottle and hucked it towards the front of the stage, splashing those in the front row. Well this wasn’t Sea World, and there were no “Splash Zone” warning signs. It’s lucky the bottle didn’t hit someone or shatter. The “word on the street” is that he must have assumed it was plastic. In which case…still maybe don’t throw the plastic bottle?!
His entourage also made sure to usher people out of Ace’s way around the boat, because moving a step or two to the left or right would have created an inconvenience of immeasurable proportions (apparently).
And that’s not even touching on the backstage, pre-show antics that led to both of his shows starting late (See my recap of The Darkness show in a few days) that of course pushed everyone else’s set times back (And again…please refer to the exploding heads from Day 1). To be absolutely fair…MORC shows DO have a tendency to run late at times and it’s not always the fault of the bands. So I’ll consider this a gray area.
But, this is what it took to make me feel actual empathy for Gene and Paul!
Ace’s band…? Top Notch, Killer Job & kudo’s for carrying him around like “Bernie” for the 2 shows.
Ace – vocals, guitar
Jeremy Asbrock – guitar
Ryan Spencer Cook – bass
Scot Coogan – drums
British Lion
Where else can you go from seeing an American Icon to running a few hundred yards and catching a British Legend?! Steve Harris and British Lion made their second appearance on a Monsters Of Rock Cruise and delivered one hell of an amazing rock show. The first time they played on the boat I had only heard a few of the their songs. This time, I’ve had a few years to digest both their albums which made this show extra special.
After the initial awe wears off that you’re seeing Steve “fookin'” Harris pounding that bass right in front of you on a small stage, you can shift to appreciating how talented a band British Lion really are. Definitely a departure from Maiden; Richard Taylor’s soulful vocals provide a distinct gravitas to the sound of this band.
Note to Steve…You’ve got to change up that t-shirt, mate. Same one you had on the boat last time. I don’t think I should remember that. If times are tough, please let me know and I’ll send a few quid. Up The Irons! – Will
Steve Harris – bass guitar
Richard Taylor – lead vocals
David Hawkins – guitar
Grahame Leslie – guitar
Simon Dawson – drums
Steffi Scott
Well this was a bit of a departure from the Monster’s Cruises I’ve been on. I’m not saying people haven’t stripped on the boat. (You all know who you are). I’m not even saying that some of them haven’t stripped on stage on the boat. (Cough, Izzy, Cough) I’m just saying I can’t remember it being officially announced and scheduled on the boat.
Steffi did a fine job. She burlesqued the hell out of the stage, and in the middle of a wind storm that would have blown the pasties right off of some people.
I will say the reaction was mixed. The woman next to me was not impressed and another in front of me was cheering her on. (Frehley was still a bigger Diva).
I do think maybe the routine could have been placed directly in front of Lizzy Borden’s set (After all, Steffi’s husband Scott is the drummer in the band). But everyone survived and the Boa amazingly didn’t blow off into Mexican waters.
Faster Pussycat
How else do you follow up a striptease? With the sleaziest band on the boat, of course. Welcome to the Faster Pussycat Pool Party!
Nikki Black had the honors of introducing the guys, and as is customary, she did so by chugging from Chad’s bottle of Jack Daniels.
I have to say, I know it was a one off having Ace Von Johnson back in the band for these couple of shows, but man, I just LOVE this lineup.
Taime – lead vocals, harmonica
Danny Slim Tender – bass, backing vocals
Chad Stewart – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Sam Bam Koltun – guitar, talkbox, backing vocals
Ace Von Johnson – guitar
They bring the party every time and their pool stage show is a must see.
Izzy’s Cruiser Jam
Normally Pussycat are at the end of an evening, but with their earlier set time, it allowed for time to go check out the Cruiser Jam that Izzy Presley puts together each year.
Long before the cruise sets sail, Izzy is obtaining sign-ups from Cruisers who want to get together on the boat and jam through some songs. Often times, band members will hop into the set to accompany the cruisers creating some very cool collaborations.
To close out Day 2, Enjoy a sample of some familiar faces jamming with some unfamiliar faces. (Yes, Shannon Wilk’s face is prominent here, but she paid me extra for the extended coverage). (I keeed, I keeed)
*I didn’t forget about the Toasted Marshmallow Old Fashioned. They were a revelation discovered at the Schooner Bar. Dangerous, I tell you… Dangerous.
(Credit to Brian Scott for the perfect, mallow char)
Related Links:
