2024 Monsters Of Rock Cruise: Day 4
At Sea – 3/5/24
Coverage/Pics: Will
SYTYCS
This was the morning I had prepared for… All those afternoon jogs, dodging and weaving people, the strength training, building up stamina. All of my hard work led me to this point. To rush in to get a seat for the “So You Think You Can Shred” contest. This contest is not for the weak and neither is just trying to find a seat. So I got there early, planted my flag and let the games begin.
For those who missed out (and miss out you did!) the SYTYCS contest is for Cruisers that sign up for the opportunity to shred for two minutes in front of a selection of celebrity judges. And these are not normal judges..No! You are there to be judged by guitar legends! The panel this year consisted of some decent guitarists in their own right…Nuno Bettencourt, Courtney Cox, Joel Hoekstra, Joe Satriani and Michael Wilton. They were joined by comedians, Don Jamieson and Courtney Cronin Dold. The show is hosted by former SYTYCS judge, Kip Winger. In other words, not intimidating at all.
There were 10 contestant in all and most years the judges are pretty scathing and pretty damn hilarious. I must say this year, outside of a couple of people who’s nerves got the better of them, the contestants were all damn decent. Yes, there were a few stinging jabs here and there but also a lot of compliments. (Courtney Cox was still willing to share her cabin number with a couple of shredders and Courtney Cronin Dold was willing to shit herself to not miss out on a guitar solo). Highest of honors indeed. All-in-all, everyone did a fine job of either shredding, or laying down some decent rhythm along with their minute of drumming accompaniment.
The very deserving winner this year was Juan Gutii, who took a different approach and layed down a nice selection of bluesy licks.
Shout to Rob Meives who coordinates this contest each year and along with Kip, assembles a mighty fine selection of judging talent.
H.E.A.T.
If you have a Dad bod or a “bod” in general that looks more like a failed lab experiment (speaking solely for myself), this next act was not about to do you any favors.
Yep, Kenny Leckremo and his abs are back in H.E.A.T. and they’re more fabulous than ever (Ab Fab?!). And just like Kenny, if I looked like that, I too would walk around the boat in nothing but a pair of short shorts and a leather jacket. Oh yes… H.E.A.T did indeed rock the pool stage.
Kenny Leckremo – lead vocals
Jimmy Jay – bass guitar, backing vocals
Dave Dalone – guitar, backing vocals
Don Crash – drums, backing vocals
Jona Tee – keyboards, backing vocals
The fact that it was a blazing hot day, didn’t stop the band from bringing the energy to the stage. Kenny was basically teaching us an aerobics class on steroids as he bounced all over the stage, including a climb up the lighting rig.
Also big thank you to my new friend, Valerie who allowed me to squeeze in for a few songs to grab what turned out to be a ton of way too close up shots of Kenny’s crotch.
KK’s Priest
Finally, it was time for some M. E. T. A. L.! I was shooting one of my photo experiences during their first set on the boat, so I was pumped for my opportunity to shoot KK’s Priest’s second show and it did not disappoint. Needless to say even though they did play a few originals, it was the Priest songs that really had the fans losing their shit.
The man himself, KK Downing, played a blistering set and at 72 years old was rocking like any other spring chicken.
Tim “Ripper” Owens sounded amazing. Like, Mark Tornillo the day before with Accept, Ripper was unleashing some high-pitch-perfect screams. I have seen him with Dio Disciples a few times, but this is the first time I got hear him singing his Priest times, and like many already knew before me, he was born for it.
K. K. Downing – guitars
Tim “Ripper” Owens – lead vocals
A.J. Mills – guitars, backing vocals
Tony Newton – bass, backing vocals
Sean Elg – drums
The band that includes, A.J. Mills, Tony Newton and Sean Elg are fantastic and through their outfits, stage antics and all around musicianship, give off major Priest vibes.
Yes, it would be great to see KK back in Judas Priest at some point, but I think as fans, it’s really us who are the winners in that we get both. We get the Metal God with JP and we get KK with Ripper sharing his era in the band.
Crazy Lixx
The damn Swedes AGAIN!. There they go…Electrifying the stage with their infectious energy, classic sleaze inspired riffs and catchy choruses. Damn them all! Crazy Lixx once again transported the crowd back to the golden age of Sunset Strip rock anthems.
(Also, I noticed when I put up the pics above that keeping your eyes open is not a requisite for being able to rock a crowd)
Danny Rexon – vocals,
Joél Cirera – drums
Jens Anderson – bass
Chrisse Olsson – guitar
Jens Lundgren – guitar
Crazy Lixx are definitely fan favorites on and off the stage on the boat. The only question I have is how on earth did Jerry Seinfeld become such a fantastic frontman!?
The Darkness
Almost every year on the boat there’s a band that leaves people talking. Usually it’s because they are a revelation to the uninitiated or it’s a known act that engage in some crazy antics or put on just a fantastic, memorable set. In past years that designation has been bestowed on bands like Rose Tattoo (2023) , Skid Row (2019) and Lit (2022) to name a few.
I’d say the band that was on most people’s lips at some point this year that covered all of the above criteria were The Darkness. Their music is not for everybody. Justin Hawkins, high pitch falsetto vocals can be an acquired taste, but there is no denying that their stage presence along with Justin’s, almost Ricky Gervais like, between-song, banter keeps everyone interested and intrigued.
Justin Hawkins – lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar
Dan Hawkins – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
Frankie Poullain – bass, backing vocals
Rufus Tiger Taylor – drums, backing vocals
Their first set (which again, I missed due to the photo op) already had tongues wagging due to Justin’s stage antics which included a trip into the pool while guitar soloing above his head. Their second show was notable for other reasons. It wasn’t Justin’s 5 octave range, the chest baring black & red jumpsuit, his drum riser leg clapping headstand, or even the stoic intensity of Frankie Poullain on bass. It was especially memorable for Justin calling Ace Frehley a C*nt.
Now let me explain. The Darkness‘ set started over an hour late due to Ace Frehley’s set starting and ending way over schedule. As I mentioned in my Day 2 Coverage, Ace had his issues. Whether the tardiness of his set was due to his own foibles, technical issues or MORC problems is neither here nor there. The fact is that “No one makes The Darkness Late”. Now this was all said mostly in jest (And I have it on good authority that Justin subsequently apologized to Ace after learning that the issues that had things running behind were most likely not his doing), but man do most Americans get their panties in a bunch when the “C” word is used. It’s hard to explain that that word is used mostly as a term of affection (For the most part) in Britain. But both times that Justin called him out, it was extremely amusing to hear the mixed rumblings in the crowd.
Also, isn’t it refreshing to have that type of unrehearsed, unabashed, antagonistic vitriol that used to be such a large part of the scene decades ago?! I for one loved it all.
Justin was definitely a fan favorite around the boat and seemed to relish in the attention. He is as flamboyant off stage as he is on and was one of those breaths of fresh air that are completely welcome in MORC acts. The word on the street (funny how the street always has the inside skinny) is that The Darkness will indeed be back on the boat very soon. I for one have thrown them into my “can’t miss acts” bucket.
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