Photos By Brooke Striewski

When I last saw and covered W.A.S.P. (a personal favorite heavy metal band of mine) for Rewind It Magazine live in Orlando nearly two years ago now, I went with the intention of “rocking out” as hard as I had the first time I caught them well over a decade prior. But I went in to their recent show at the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach, FL this past Wednesday, September 23 with the mindset of just enjoying, and of course documenting, the night as best as possible.

Just two days prior to the show itself, Rewind It got the call (or email, as it were) to officially review/photograph them with KK’s Priest, the Judas Priest offshoot lead by former guitarist K.K. Downing and another band whose show Rewind It also covered previously in 2024. The guys wasted no time to break out the big guns, opening with “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'” before launching into “Breaking The Law.”

Another classic followed in the form of “Living After Midnight” before more modern numbers like “Strike of the Viper,” “One More Shot at Glory,” and “Hellfire Thunderbolt” could be heard. After “Heading Out to the Highway,” a backdrop displaying the Sad Wings of Destiny album cover was lowered down and paved the way for “Beyond the Realms of Death,” “The Sentinel,” and “Victim of Changes.” The ’80s-era “Turbo Lover” was even thrown in there before the band capped off the night with “Raise Your Fists.”

KK’s Priest performing at the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach, FL on 9/23/26 (Photo by Brooke Striewski).

And finally, the mighty Blackie Lawless and W.A.S.P. took stage just after 9:30pm. While I previously researched recent set lists and was looking forward to hearing them perform some tracks I had not heard them do at prior shows, their cover of Uriah Heep’s “Easy Livin'” followed directly by “Fistful of Diamonds” may not have been the strongest two openers to pick, though “The Flame” from the the band’s 1984 debut album helped moved things into the right direction some.

A brief story from Blackie on the origins of “Mr. Cool” paved the way for the performance of the pre-W.A.S.P. track, before the always-loved “On Your Knees” could be heard. “Thunderhead” was an interesting choice, while the ballad “Forever Free” and their cover of The Who’s “The Real Me” sounded as immaculate as always. “The Headless Children” was one I was definitely looking forward to hearing for the first time, but did not see the execution of a Hitler look-alike on stage at the end of the track coming at all – definitely a new one for sure!

After a short break, the band resumed with an encore for the ages that included “I Wanna Be Somebody” and “L.O.V.E. Machine” from the first album, followed by “The Big Welcome” seguing into “Inside the Electric Circus and “I Don’t Need No Doctor” from their third album.

Blackie Lawless performing on stage with W.A.S.P. this past Wednesday night, 9/23/26 at the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona (Photo by Brooke Striewski).

It was at this time that Blackie once again took fans off guard, appearing onstage under the spotlights by himself to perform some of 2015’s “Golgotha,” the title track from the album of the same name that firmly puts his born again Christian beliefs on full display (something I deeply respect, and was glad to hear live for the first time ever.

Last but not least, the band ended with 1985’s “Wild Child” (the song I’m pretty sure initially got me into the band in the first place) and of course, “Blind in Texas.” It was a fitting high note to end an already-epic night on, leaving me with even more shared memories with my family that I don’t think I’ll be forgetting anytime soon. Thanks again, Blackie.

Nicko McBrain’s Titanium Tart, Medal Militia, and Maximum Friction at The Barn in Sanford, FL on 8/29/26 Words by Jesse Striewski/Photos by Brooke Striewski

It’s been over fifteen years since the last time I’ve heard Iron Maiden’s music live back in 2011, and although I’ve since seen frontman Bruce Dickinson on his spoken word tour more recently in 2022, it felt as though it was time to finally dust off the old Eddie merch and catch longtime drummer Nicko McBrain’s latest project Titanium Tart at The Barn in Sanford, FL this past Saturday, August 29 – another amazing show brought to you by Lazer Focused Talent Agency.

Upon arrival once again with my wife/photographer Brooke, I was a bit disappointed to learn that we had missed up-and-coming metal act Maximum Friction’s set entirely. However, within minutes of walking through the door and running into an old/familiar face, Douglas (who if memory serves we hadn’t seen since an Orlando Queensryche show back in 2018), we were informed that we missed an amazing set that included a cover of Anthrax’s “Caught in a Mosh” (footage since posted online confirm this indeed).

Metallica tribute act Medal Militia were well into Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” (there’s that song again!) by the time we fully got our bearings. Now, I’ve made my conflicted stance on tribute acts well known over the years (especially when it’s for a band that’s still active and touring like Metallica), but when you can see the passion for the material really shining through each member on stage, I tend to be more open-minded to the idea. (Bonus points that some of the members in the band are actually veterans, too…THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.) I’d be lying if I said I wanted to go out of my way to hear overplayed tracks like “Masters of Puppets” or “Enter Sandman” in any given setting most times though, but the guys were definitely spot on with their playing, and they honestly did have me fully engaged with their version of “One.”

Medal Militia performing at The Barn in Sanford, FL on 8/29/26. (Photo by Brooke Striewski)

And finally, Nicko McBrain and company took stage right around 8pm, opening with a soaring version of “The Number of the Beast.” (As soon as I heard frontman Paolo Velasquez hit that high note that was enough to make Dickinson proud, I knew we were in for one hell of an evening!) From then on it was a barrage of tracks both old and new that one’s not likely to hear at every Maiden show these days, including “Infinite Dreams,” “The Writing on the Wall,” “The Clansman,” and another Blaze Bayley-era cut (and an all-round personal favorite of mine that I had to actually record some of, complete with the monk chants in the very beginning), “Sign of the Cross.” Side thought/pet peeve of mine here, for those who like to stand in the way and shoot video for every song at shows like this these days – what are you doing with all of this footage, are you really re-watching it that much?! And doesn’t anyone like to actually just live in the moment at all anymore?!

But I digress, after another newer track in the form of “Darkest Hour,” McBrain briefly stepped out from behind his kit to engage some with the crowd. It was around this time that we were able to witness a very real Spinal Tap-ish (I never tire of using this reference!) moment when he attempted to throw something out in the crowd so high that it actually landed on the rafters, though efforts to retrieve the item with a mic and stand proved to be in vain. After a few laughs, McBrain resumed his position, and got back down to business with “Stranger in a Strange Land.”

Nicko McBrain steps out from behind his drum kit to give us the most Spinal Tap-like moment of the night at The Barn in Sanford, FL on 8/29/26. (Photo by Brooke Striewski)

“When the Wild Wind Blows” was up next before a face-melting rendition of “The Trooper” was sandwiched between it and “For the Greater Good of God.” Then finally, the one-two punch of “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” and “Hallowed Be Thy Name” closed things out for the near-dream like set list for most Maiden fans (of course there’s maybe a track or two in there I would’ve personally switched out for something else).

On a personal note, I’d be lying if I said my mind was not elsewhere for a good portion of this show, as my father was recently hospitalized the week prior to it. Looking back, I remember actually staying at his place in Ellenton all those years ago when I had gone to that previously-mentioned Iron Maiden Tampa show back in 2011, so in a way, he’s kind of been there with me for each occasion. I’ve never asked for prayers on here before, but right now certainly seems like a time we could use some, should anyone reading feel so inclined.

Dokken, Hairborn, and Papa Wheelee at the Mount Dora Music Hall in Mount Dora, FL on 8/21/26 Words by Jesse Striewski/Photos by Brooke Striewski

For years now, I’ve more or less been on a mission to see every and any band live that I’ve ever cared about going all the way back to my first concert (AC/DC) in 1996. Dokken is one such band that has alluded me all this time, although I have seen numerous ex-members over the years, including original bassist Juan Croucier on stage with Ratt in 2017, guitarist George Lynch at a Daytona record shop in 2018, and classic lineup bassist Jeff Pilson on stage with Foreigner in 2024 (whom I also interviewed for Rewind It Magazine earlier that same year).

But to see founder and frontman Don Dokken on stage performing the classics was still on my to-do list, especially knowing his intentions to “slow down” after various ailments, including a spinal/neck injury that left his right hand partially paralyzed in 2019 that has limited his mobility greatly. After taking all of this into consideration, the Mrs. and I made a last minute decision to make the trek to see Don and co. at the Mount Dora Music Hall in Mount Dora, FL this past Friday, 8/21, something I think we each can say we’re glad we made the effort for now.

Upon arrival, openers Papa Wheelee – who we previously caught opening for Bret Michaels and Lita Ford back in 2018, and as far as we could tell were not listed anywhere on the flyer for this event – were already well into their set, with guitarist Sam Bittenbinder walking down the aisles playing the national anthem with his axe behind his head, at which point we knew it would be a fairly epic night. The band closed out their sets with “Mississippi Bruhaha” (hopefully I got that one right) and “Do It Anyway,” priming the crowd for surely more epic moments to come.

Papa Wheelee performing at the Mount Dora Music Hall in Mount Dora, FL on 8/21/26 (Photo by Brooke Striewski).

And then, cover act Hairborn took the stage. Now, I don’t want to come off as too harsh here – there’s definitely some talent there, namely their two guitarists. But I don’t think I’ve ever seen the energy leave the room quite so fast before, nor have I ever witnessed so much dead noise in between songs from a band before (a sure way to lose some attention spans). They actually started off well enough though, opening with Judas Priest’s “Electric Eye” before going into Motley Crue’s “Dr. Feelgood,” Y&T’s “Mean Streak” (which I was actually surprised to hear), and Sammy Hagar’s “There’s Only One Way to Rock,” but I still couldn’t help but feel like things were a bit Spinal Tap-esque here.

The group then went into a cover of “We All Die Young” from the 2001 film Rock Star, something I’ve never seen anyone else attempt before. Triumph’s “Fight the Good Fight,” Tesla’s “Modern Day Cowboy,” Iron Maiden’s “Wasted Years,” and Dio’s “Rainbow in the Dark” were all fun enough as well. But if the guys in Hairborn just worked on their onstage presence a bit more and maybe incorporate some onstage banter in between hits, they might find their fanbase grow even further.

Last but not least, Dokken finally took stage just after 10pm, and with his barstool within arms reach, it was clear this was a new era indeed. These days Don is backed by a solid band despite the absence of any and all other original members. Guitarist Jon Levin has been beside Don’s side for well over two decades now, while bassist Chris McCarvill and drummer BJ Zampa, who have each served time in House of Lords, provide a solid rhythm section.

Opening with “Kiss of Death,” the band went through “The Hunter,” “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” and “Fugitive” before Don took a seat to tell a story involving Polaroid photos regarding the origins of “Into the Fire” before launching into the 1984 track.

A drum solo from Zampa followed prior to another brief backstory on the song “Breaking the Chains” (which involved a conversation with Scorpions guitarist Rudolph Schenker while touring together back in the day), which midway through saw an unfortunate moment when Don accidentally unplugged Levin’s guitar and the crew scrambled to get it working again. (The rhythm section thankfully kept the beat going during this like the pros they are though.)

Things quickly got back on track with “Dream Warriors” (from 1987’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 3), which saw one of the biggest responses of the night from the crowd. The classic power ballad “Alone Again” was sandwiched in between newer track “Saving Grace” and ’90s-era number “Too High to Fly” before a guitar solo from Levin (which featured segments of “The End” by The Doors).

The classic sing-a-long “It’s Not Love” was up next before McCarvill was given his due with an impressive bass solo, which also segued into part of Free’s “All Right Now.” “In My Dreams” had the audience on their feet once more before “Heaven Comes Down” and finally, “Tooth and Nail,” rounded out their set for the night.

Was it a perfect show? Of course not (I’d say that’s fairly obvious at this point). But despite the current conditions (and any flaws), a Dokken show is still a show of rock royalty, one that I’m glad was finally able to be witnessed firsthand.

Dokken on stage at the Mount Dora Music Hall in Mount Dora, FL this past Friday, 8/21 (Photo by Brooke Striewski).

All Star Jam featuring Joel Hoekstra, Terry Ilous, Steve Unger, Patrick Johansson, and more at The Barn in Sanford, FL on 8/1/26 Words By Jesse Striewski/Photos By Brooke Striewski

For as long as its existed, rock n’ roll has always provided plenty of examples of tenacity, a D.I.Y. from many of those involved, willing to go above and beyond so that the show can go on. This was on full display all-around at the show held at The Barn in Sanford, FL this past Saturday, August 1, which was fully organized thanks to an idea that developed in the mind of Karen Lazer of Lazer Focused Talent Agency after a conversation with local musician/singer Leo Lee Rocks.

Thanks to this, a first of its kind, once-in-a-blue-moon type of concert was put on by top notch musicians lead by Joel Hoekstra of Whitesnake and Trans-Siberian Orchestra (and currently Stephen Pearcy/formerly Night Ranger, among many others), who Rewind It Magazine readers may recall we last caught up with in Cassleberry back in late 2024 as part of Hoekstra/Gibbs. Joined by XYZ/former Great White singer Terry Ilous, former Metal Church/Autograph bassist Steve Unger, drummer Patrick Johansson (who has served time on stage with W.A.S.P. on more than one occasion), and at times the previously-mentioned Lee, the act didn’t even have a chance to fully practice their set together beforehand aside from the usual soundcheck.

It was also encouraging hearing that most of these guys were running on fumes that night, each having to catch their own early morning flights to make it on the stage that night. (I myself was feeling the same levels of exhaustion after having been up at 4:00am the day of, I’ll just say thanks to the actions of others.) But it is seldom not worth it to not push through it all to make it still happen, and I’m glad that all those involved could still make the memories we now all share from the experience.

Local cover act After 5 primed the crowd appropriately, opening with “Boys of Summer” by The Eagles, Blondie’s “One Way or Another,” and The Cult’s “Love Removal Machine.” But by the time the band had gotten to Foreigner’s “Jukebox Hero,” Def Leppard’s “Too Late,” and Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell,” they were definitely speaking more of my language.

After 5 primes the crowd at The Barn this past Saturday, August 1. (Photo by Brooke Striewski)

But the real highlight came in the form of their version of “Detroit Rock City,” a personal favorite KISS track that showcased the talent of the rhythm section here for sure. More covers of AC/DC’s “T.N.T.” and “Hell’s Bells,” The Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter,” and Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” followed, yet none topped the aforementioned KISS song in my book. (I may just be a tad bias here though if I’m being honest.)

And finally, the previously-mentioned all-star lineup took the stage just after 8:00pm on Saturday night, opening with a trio of Whitesnake classics in the form of “Slide It In,” “Fool For Your Loving,” and “Love Ain’t No Stranger” prior to launching into their version of the David Coverdale-era Deep Purple hit, “Stormbringer.”

Next up, Ilous gave a heartfelt dedication to his late predecessor in Great White, Jack Russell, prior to going into the anthem “Rock Me,” one of the absolute highlights of the night. Terry’s other well-know act XYZ was represented next with “Inside Out” before Joel took over on vocals for Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love.”

“Break on Through (to the Other Side)” by The Doors was up next before Leo Lee joined the band for a round of songs that included Deep Purple’s “Burn” and “Perfect Strangers,” as well as yet another cover of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs.” Johansson then briefly stepped into the spotlight for a drum solo before AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” could be heard, followed by an extended (and I do mean extended!) version of Led Zepplin’s “Whole Lotta Love,” complete with a Slayer riff or two thrown in for good measure.

As if that was not all enough, the full band then regrouped on stage for Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again” and “Still of the Night,” as well as Rainbow’s “Long Live Rock n’Roll” and AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell,” at this point with both Terry and Lee sharing lead vocals, as well as one of Hoekstra’s own guitar students, Juan (apologies I did not catch the last name), came out to take over on some leads.

XYZ/former Great White frontman Terry Ilous shares a moment with Hoekstra protege Juan on stage at The Barn this past Saturday, August 1. (Photo by Brooke Striewski)

But perhaps the most unexpected moment of them all came at the very last hour as bassist Steve Unger took over the lead vocal position for a cover of Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places,” which everyone joined in for in true sing-a-long fashion. It was a fitting, epic ending, to an otherwise already epic evening.

Michale Graves at Bam Bam’s in Daytona Beach, FL on 5/10/26 Words by Jesse Striewski/Photos by Brooke Striewski

As alluded to in my previous article, last week was a whirlwind filled with shows and live music, all taking place in Daytona Beach. It all started with the combo concert/fight that was Blood 4 Blood, featuring the likes of Black Label Society and Crowbar on Wednesday, 5/6, one of Rewind It Magazine‘s “official” covered shows of the year.

Then beginning the very next day it was the massive annual outdoor festival Welcome to Rockville, which the family and I have been attending nearly every year since 2021, though this year I only made it out to the first two days. (Though my son did stick with it for all four.) In that time span I was able to finally catch the likes of several extreme/death metal acts – many of which that had long since eluded me – in the form of Carcass, Cradle of Filth, Death Angel, Kreator, and Deicide, as well as several more contemporary bands such as Ice Nine Kills, Dethklok, and Atreyu. (Guns N’ Roses were also the headliners that first night, and their quality has long since gone downhill since the last time I caught them back in 2006, even with the current “reunion” of the band intact.)

But between the large crowds, excessive heat and all-around terrible weather (we actually left early on the second night due to the show being postponed by a thunderstorm), and overall lack of interest in the bands scheduled on the last two nights, there was very little reason to get me to go back and endure two more full days of it.

Yet this all turned out to be a blessing in disguise that would free us up to once again to catch up with former Misfits frontman Michale Graves at Bam Bam’s in Daytona, another show confirmed for Rewind It just days prior, and our second time covering him live and acoustic since 2021.

I’ve seen Graves onstage many times over the years going as far back as 1999 – both as a member of the Misfits, and as a solo artist – and he never disappoints. These days, his shows are the only place to go for those wanting to still hear ’90s-era Misfits live (And if you were a card-carrying member of the Fiend Club back in the day such as myself, its certainly worth it.)

The atmosphere was completely palpable by the time Graves took the stage, and he no doubt had the crowd in the palm of his hands as he launched into “The Best of Me, quickly followed by “Wanderer,” and “I Believe.” A couple of Misfits cuts in the form of “Descending Angel” and “Shining” had the crowd singing along, before Graves unleashed the fan-requested Web of Dharma track, “Ophelia.” (A personal favorite of mine as well – nice touch!)

Michale Graves performing at Bam Bam’s in Daytona Beach, FL on Sunday, 5/10/26. (Photo by Brooke Striewski.)

“Nobody Thinks About Me” and “Almost Home” followed before launching into the track that more or less put him on the map, “Dig Up Her Bones.” “All the Troubles” lead to another Misfits classic in the form of “Saturday Night,” while part of Nirvana’s “Come As You Are” would segway into “Fiend Club.” Emotions ran high for “American Prayer,” “Boxcar Headed East,” and even “Dawn of the Dead,” which all lead up to closer “New Song.”

It’s a shame so many contemporaries out there refuse to even give Graves the time of day, simply because he hasn’t fallen in line with the status quo the way they have. (How very “punk rock” of them.) Graves is a sincere, humble musician AND human being that I have no doubt more would be able to see if they’d only open their minds up a bit more. In fact, I felt so inspired after his set this time, I even had him sign my right arm for a potential future tattoo. (Which still remains to be seen if I do indeed make permanent).

And what did Graves do? He not only graciously signed it, but also showed signs of legit concern for me actually going through the procedure of getting another tattoo, knowing at this point that I was only about half a year removed/in remission from a nasty bone disease after our brief conversation beforehand. I have no doubt this is the exact same type of humility Graves displays for fans across the board, and is indeed the type of person I think of whenever I think of Michale Graves.

Black Label Society, Malevolence, Crowbar, and Slaughter to Prevail at Blood 4 Blood at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, FL on 5/6/26 Words and Photos By Jesse Striewski

I had known for months leading up to this past week that I would be heading to Welcome to Rockville with the family again for the fifth (?) consecutive year in a row (at least “partially” attending anyway), but I had no idea that Rewind It Magazine would get approved the week prior for the Rockville “pregame” hybrid show/fight, aptly titled Blood 4 Blood, at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach with Black Label Society, Malevolence, Crowbar, and Slaughter to Prevail all in tow.

I also hadn’t expected to be directly in the photo pit tackling the photography duties (usually its either my wife Brooke or son Jacob handling that aspect, but the approval this time was only for one), but there I was for the first time in I have no idea how many years taking on the task myself. (And I’m pretty sure I was the only one doing so that night with a walking boot on at that!)

And speaking of Rockville, I had caught openers Slaughter to Prevail at one of them in the past before, though must admit I don’t know much when it comes to their music. Still, their frenzied live set and masked band members no doubt created enough energy to prime the stage for the rest of the acts of the evening. (Frontman Alex Terrible was also one of the headlining fighters on the bill for the night.)

Slaughter to Prevail’s Alex Terrible primes the Ocean Center crowd last Wednesday, 5/6. (Photo by Jesse Striewski.)

Mighty sludge metal titans Crowbar were next up, and were one of the acts I was looking most forward to seeing to say the least. Although only a casual fan, they’ve been one of those acts over the years worth revisiting every now and then, and hearing tracks like “Repulsive in its Splendid Beauty,” “To Build a Mountain,” and “Planets Collide” was a thrill nonetheless. (Having Saint Vitus/Down bassist Pat Bruders back in the lineup was an added area of interest for me personally as well.)

Crowbar performing at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, FL on 5/6/26. (Photo by Jesse Striewski.)

Hardcore veterans Malevolence were up next, and while I recognize they were able to give the audience a surge of adrenaline, their sound has never really been my style. (Nor has the main attraction of bare-knuckle fighting for that matter – I’m more of a WWE kind of guy.) Still, the momentum was indeed there by the time Zakk Wylde and company took the stage.

I had seen Wylde perform live once before, though it would be with Pantera (once again, at Welcome to Rockville) rather than when I saw Ozzy Osbourne back in the ’90s (Oddly enough, both bands were touring together at that time, though Wylde was replaced by former Lizzy Borden guitarist Joe Holmes by then. Even stranger now, Wylde has another Borden-alumni in the current incarnation of BLS, guitarist Dario Lorina.)

But I digress – seeing Wylde in such a setting where he’s afforded more creative ability rather than simply playing a paint-by-numbers set was a sight to behold indeed. “Suicide Messiah” and “Stillborn” were of course some of the highlights, while even just a snip-it of the classic track “Black Sabbath” from Zakk’s guitar was enough to invoke a roar out of the crowd. Definitely an evening full of some of metal’s finest, and some memories I’ll no doubt treasure for many years to come.

Former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde lead the charge on stage in Daytona this past Wednesday, 5/6 (Photo by Jesse Striewski.)

As far as the fighting itself goes? Well, to each their own. (More photos from this event to come soon).

Quiet Riot and Vixen at the Hard Rock Live in Orlando, FL on 3/6/26 By Jesse Striewski/Photos By Brooke Striewski

Back in late 2006, I had been a new father for just over half a year when I ventured out to Ormond Beach, FL for Biketoberfest to catch Quiet Riot and Skid Row – two bands I loved while growing up that many of my middle/high school peers would surely give me flack for still rocking out to at the height of grunge and nu metal (Though I never cared much what anyone else thought). It ended up being one of the funniest shows I had ever been to up to that point, and I’ll forever be grateful to have seen the late legends Kevin DuBrow and Frankie Banali on stage together prior to their unfortunate, respective passings since.

Twenty years later, and a lot has certainly changed. But I knew when I saw Quiet Riot were coming to the Hard Rock Live in Orlando with Vixen in tow on Friday, March 6 (coincidentally one year to the day since I was also discharged from the hospital), it was time to finally catch the band live again, this time with my wife and Photographer Brooke beside me for the ride, too, who was ready to once again break out her SLR camera again for the occasion. (As crazy as the first week of March might have started out for us, too.) And after putting in a last-minute request, we got the “okay” from none other than Quiet Riot guitarist Alex Grossi himself (the only remaining member of the band left from said time I caught them back in ’06 who I also interviewed for Rewind It Magazine back in 2021), we were all set to go. (Thank you again, Alex.)

Almost immediately after entering the building it was clear that we had made the right decision to go. While preparing to start photographing the show from the side of the stage, Brooke ran into longtime (and legendary) Quiet Riot bassist Rudy Sarzo, whose initial time in the band stretches all the way back to the late ’70s, and recently returned to the lineup in 2021. Sarzo – who also served some time in both Ozzy Osbourne’s band and Whitesnake in the ’80s, and has also had stints with the likes of Dio and Blue Oyster Cult, among so many others – was no doubt one of the major selling points for us to go that night in the first place (Especially yours truly, having come from the school of bass players myself.)

Another group that we’ve caught live before who have also experienced some significant lineup changes since the last time we saw them back in 2019 (opening for Sebastian Bach, ironically at the very same venue), the always-lovely Vixen, who now featured new lead singer Rosa Laricchiuta, and temporary bassist Jennifer Jo Oberle filling in for Julia Lage. (Who is currently on tour oversees with Smith/Kotzen, and admittedly I was a bit disappointed to find out was not there, though Oberle no doubt did an admirable job in her place).

Vixen on stage at the Hard Rock Live in Orlando, FL on Friday, March 6. (Photo by Brooke Striewski.)

The gals kicked off the night with plenty of energy though, opening with “Rev It Up” before launching into “Charmed Life,” “How Much Love,” “Crusin’,” “Hard 16,” and “Cryin’.” A medley featuring parts of “Runnin’ with the Devil,” “I Want You to Rock Me,’ “Perfect Strangers,” “What You’re Doing,” “War Pigs,” and “Still of the Night” kept the momentum going before a drum solo from Roxy Petrucci lead them back to “I Want You to Rock Me.”

Yet the girls were still far from finished, with “Streets in Paradise, “Love is a Killer,” “Not a Minute Too Soon,” “You Ought to Know By Now,” “Love Made Me,” and of course, “Edge of a Broken Heart” all finally wrapping up their whopping seventy-five minute long set.

By the time Quiet Riot hit the stage the excitement was undeniable. The previously mentioned Sarzo and Grossi were now joined by another former Rewind It interveiwee, Jizzy Pearl of Love/Hate (another band whose show we covered some years back in 2018), and drummer Johnny Kelly of Type O Negative and Danzig fame. (Who I was also lucky enough to catch on stage with both acts in the past in the ’90s and ’00s.)

Bass icon Rudy Sarzo commanded the stage with Quiet Riot at the Hard Rock Live this past Friday, March 6 (Photo by Brooke Striewski).

In an instant the entire audience was transported back in time with the likes of “Run For Cover,” “Slick Black Cadillac,” “Mama Weer All Crazee Now,” and “Love’s a Bitch,” all paving the way for what was still to come. The tender “Thunderbird” was then introduced and then dedicated not only to late guitarist Randy Rhodes (who the song was originally penned for after his tragic death in the early ’80s), but also DuBrow, Banali, and another former Sarzo bandmate, Mr. Ozzy Osbourne himself.

“Party All Night,” “Blackout in the Red Room,” and “The Wild and the Young” all kept the party going before the guys unleashed a medley of their own that featured “Let’s Get Crazy,” “Crazy Train,” a guitar solo from Grossi that segued into Van Halen’s “Eruption,” and a touch of Type O Negative’s “Black No. 1 (Little Miss Scare-All)” before coming full circle back into “Let’s Get Crazy” again.

By that point, there was not much more left to do other than the one-two punch of “Cum On Feel the Noize” and “Metal Health (Bang Your Head).” No doubt it was a night full of fun and classic anthems, but there’s more to it than just that; each time bands like Quiet Riot and Vixen hit the stage, they’re keeping not only the music itself alive, but also the memories of all those those who had a hand it helping to create it.

The Romantics, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, and Minikiss at the Ocoee Music Fest on 11/14/25 By Jesse Striewski/Photos By Brooke Striewski

Way back in 2012 (and a few years before Rewind It Magazine), I took a chance to check out an ’80s show in Orlando with The Romantics, John Waite, and Modern English all on the same bill, and ended up having a blast that night. Fast forward a good decade plus, I heard The Romantics were coming back for another WMMO-sponsored event, this time at the Ocoee Music Fest with John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, and the one and only Minikiss also on board, which more or less sealed the deal for me (and the wife and kid this time around, too).

Upon arrival this past Friday, November 14, Minikiss were already well into doing their thing (local musician Bre Hopkins had also played prior to them, though we were obviously unable to catch any of her set), and “Shout It Out Loud” could clearly be heard while walking over from the nearby parking lot, followed swiftly by the early-’80s Kiss classic “Lick it Up.” The band then went into “The Star Spangled Banner” in honor of Veteran’s Day, then teased the epic “Black Diamond” (one of my personal favorites) before seguing into the Black Sabbath classic “War Pigs” (and dedicating it to late frontman Ozzy Osbourne), and ultimately returning back to the 1974 classic they had previously started.

It was around the time of said track’s solo that I got a little teary-eyed thinking of Ace Frehley’s recent passing, and the fact he would never be around to play it himself again. It was also around this time that I noticed how few fellow KISS Army members were actually side-by-side with me that night, as so many (though not all) remained unmoved until the big “hits” started coming out.

Minikiss shouting it out loud at the Ocoee Music Fest in Ocoee, FL on Friday, November 14 (Photo by Brooke Striewski).

And the hits did come, with “I Was Made For Loving You,” “Love Gun,” and the timeless anthem “Rock n’ Roll All Nite” closing things out on a high note. As an avid Kiss fan who was able to see the band while still active (ironically also in 2012, the same year that I had caught The Romantics), as well as Frehley solo, I can say with all honesty that Minikiss are as close to the real thing one might get to seeing the band live these days (had I closed my eyes long enough, I might’ve actually believed it was them), and I think Kevin James’ Paul Blart just might agree (the band had cameo-ed in the 2015 sequel Mall Cop 2, for those unaware).

Next up was John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band. Not exactly an act I can say I’m a fan of per se, though their music has been here and there throughout my lifetime thanks to having songs included in such films as 1983’s Eddie and the Cruisers (and its 1989 sequel), and 1985’s Rocky IV.

The ensemble came out with I believe “Tough All Over” before getting right down to business with their massive 1983 hit, “On the Dark Side.” “Hearts on Fire,” “Blue Moonlight Drive,” and “C-I-T-Y” all kept the momentum going, likely winning over a new fan or two along the way (yours truly included).

John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band giving the crowd what they came for at the Ocoee Music Fest in Ocoee, FL on Friday, November 14 (Photo by Brooke Striewski).

And last but not least, The Romantics took the stage right around 9:15pm. The lineup had changed considerably since that last time I had caught them live in Orlando, most notably via original guitarist Mike Skill and bassist Rich Cole, whose simultaneous exits in 2022 left frontman Wally Palmer the sole original member now. However, the return of guitarist Coz Canler, who originally joined the band way back in 1981 but left in 2011, added some interest nonetheless.

That being said, the band’s sound has not missed a single beat, despite the changes. Opening strong with “Rock You Up,” the band followed it up with “In the Night Time,” “When I Look In Your Eyes,” “Gimme One More Chance,” and “Got Me Where You Want Me,” sung by current bassist Bruce Witken.

“One in a Million” has always been a personal favorite of mine, though sounded a bit on the weaker side this time around. “A Night Like This,” “Boom Boom Boom,” and “Bop” were each admirable efforts before the band pulled out the big guns with 1981’s “Talking in Your Sleep.”

The Romantics giving their everything to all those in attendance at the Ocoee Music Fest in Ocoee, FL this past Friday, November 14 (Photo by Brooke Striewski).

What could’ve been the perfect one-two punch ending was prolonged with a bit of overindulgence as the band continued with “Stone Pony” and “Little White Lies” before finally giving the crowd their first massive hit they had all came for, 1979’s “What I Like About You.” While it might not have been an entirely flawless affair from start to finish, it was no doubt a night filled with classic rock hits from the ’70s and ’80s, an era of great music worth holding onto for as long as possible indeed.

Stephen Pearcy and Warren DeMartini Performing Ratt, Trixter, Enuff Z’Nuff and Pretty Boy Floyd at Ferg’s Concert Pavilion in St. Pete, FL on 10/17/25 By Jesse Striewski/Photos By Brooke Striewski

I really hadn’t planned on taking two back-to-back weekend trips to the Tampa/St. Pete area after having just traveled with the fam to the west coast the weekend prior for the Megadeth-spinoff band Kings of Thrash. But literally just two nights prior to the show, the wife and kid surprised me when they said they had won tickets from local rock station WJRR for the Stephen Pearcy/Warren DeMartini of Ratt fame show at the Ferg’s Concert Pavilion in St. Pete, FL on Friday, October 17. And hence, another Rewind It Magazine road show was born.

While initially hesitant about making the drive down there again so soon, it turned out to be a much better experience than the last show, with Pretty Boy Floyd – who Rewind It have covered two shows for now (one as far back as 2018, and another as recent as just two months ago this past August) were the first band we were fully able to catch (we arrived just as the first opening act, Permacrush, were finishing up, and I cannot give an honest assessment of them), and while I’ll try not to dwell on my medical issues here again, but will just say I was beyond relieved to see we had actual seats for the show (and the venue was a noticeable upgrade in comparison to some of the more recent ones we’ve visited as well).

My always reliable (and beautiful) wife/photographer Brooke instantly sprung into action while I hung back with our son (and sometimes secondary photographer) Jacob who, for the first time ever, had his girlfriend Em along for the ride with us this time as well. And with legendary KISS guitarist Ace Frehley having just passed the day prior, there were plenty images of the late musician’s face adorning many a fans’ t-shirts that night (yours truly included), and of course some mentions of him from some of the bands that night, too.

Pretty Boy Floyd performing at the Ferg’s Concert Pavilion in St. Pete, FL on 10-17-25 (Photo by Brooke Striewski).

But I digress, Pretty Boy Floyd took the stage with a fury as always, with “Your Mama Won’t Know” paving way for more classics like their cover of Motley Crue’s “Toast of the Town,” “48 Hours,” and “Rock n’ Roll Outlaws.” At one point frontman Steve Summers – always the showman – teased a cover of Marilyn Manson’s “The Beautiful People” with the rest of the band before announcing “We don’t do that one!,” before ending their set with the one-two punch of “I Wanna Be with You” and “Rock n’ Roll (Is Gonna Set the Night on Fire).”

I’ve known of the next act, Enuff Z’ Nuff, for as long as I can remember, though I cannot say I was ever much of a fan (their sound has always been a bit too “out there” and soft for my taste to be honest). But alas, we watched as Chip Z’Nuff and company went through tracks like “The World is a Gutter,” “Baby Loves You,” “Heavy Metal,” “Jet” (Paul McCartney cover), “Fly High Michelle,” and “New Thing.” After their set, I can say I could at least understand their like-ability a bit more than I had beforehand.

Enuff Z’Nuff performing at the Ferg’s Concert Pavilion in St. Pete, FL on 10-17-25 (Photo by Brooke Striewski).

It was at this point that the story really gets interesting. Thinking we had some time in between acts to make it back before Trixter hit the stage, Brooke and I wandered off for a bit. In our travels we briefly ran into Enuff Z’ Nuff co-founder/bassist/vocalist Chip Z’Nuff, and Pretty Boy Floyd’s Steve Summers and Jake Curtis Allard (always great seeing them!). But it was what came next that really took us both by surprise.

The thought did not even occur to me that local St. Pete rocker Todd La Torre of Queensryche might be on hand that night. But alas, a chance encounter found us briefly chatting with the lead singer/former drummer right then and there, and neither of us could believe it (It should be noted, Brooke and I had previously reviewed/photographed a Queensryche show for Rewind It back in 2019, as well as gone to see them at our first major show together when we were still just starting to date in early 2013, so the history is definitely there for us).

Rewind It’s Jesse Striewski (left) with Queensryche frontman Todd La Torre at Ferg’s in St. Pete, FL on 10-17-25 (Photo by Brooke Striewski).

By the time we got back to our seats, we saw members of Trixter still on stage, which we thought were still just setting up their equipment. It turns out though, they were actually breaking it down – our adventures mingling actually caused us to miss their set entirely. While disappointing at first, in the end, it was worth it to have the experiences that we did in the interim (we were also informed after the fact that Trixter’s set was also apparently cut short, which no doubt contributed to this).

And finally, the band everyone had come to see above all else – which features core Ratt members Stephen Pearcy (vocals) and Warren DeMartini (guitar), as well as alumni Carlos Cavazo (guitar/also former Quiet Riot) and Matt Thorne (early Ratt bassist from ’81-’82 and also former Rough Cutt), and ex-Slaughter drummer Blas Elias rounding things out – finally took the stage (not before some Spinal Tap-esque issues with the sound causing them to be a few minutes late at first), coming out swinging with their signature opener, “Wanted Man.”

A cover of “Walkin’ the Dog” followed before “I Want a Woman,” “Slip of the Lip,” “Body Talk,” “Lovin’ You’s a Dirty Job,” “I’m Insane,” “Nobody Rides For Free,” “Way Cool, Jr.,” “Lack of Communication,” and “Lay It Down” all kept the momentum going.

Stephen Pearcy performing at Ferg’s Concert Pavilion in St. Pete, FL on 10-17-25 (Photo by Brooke Striewski).

Somewhere along the way, Pearcy teased doing “a love song that they don’t play very often,” alluding to their oft-forgotten 1990 minor hit “Givin’ Yourself Away,” which I would’ve loved to have actually heard them perform (the two times I saw Ratt previously they shy-ed away from doing it then as well). But in typical Ratt fashion, the song was nixed, with Pearcy proclaiming “Here’s your love song!” at the start of “You’re In Love.”

By that point, there really was not much left to do other than unleash the big guns with “Back For More” and “”Round and Round,” which of course drew the biggest responses from the crowd. While Pearcy’s chops might not be what they once were, the band on stage that night was undoubtedly tighter than any other lineup of theirs I had seen previously, noticeably improving since the last time the Mrs. and I caught them in Orlando back in 2017. Is it perfect? Of course not…but that’s just rock n’ roll baby!

Kings of Thrash, Deth FX, and more at The Brass Mug in Tampa, FL on 10/11/25 By Jesse Striewski/Photos By Brooke Striewski

Those who know me well, know what a pivotal role Megadeth have played in my developing years as a young musician/bass player. First jumping on board around the Countdown to Extinction era (middle school days for me), I instantly gravitated towards bassist David Ellefson’s style the same way I had the likes of Steve Harris and Geezer Butler.

It would take several years before I would finally see the band live for the first of several times (in 2006), and a few more years until it would actually be with Ellefson back on stage with them finally by 2010. But it would be worth the wait indeed – not only was I able to meet him that very same day at a bass clinic in Orlando, FL, but just one year later I would find myself face-to-face (well, over the phone anyway) with Ellefson yet again, interviewing one of my bass idols for a nationally-published magazine at the time in 2011.

Fourteen years since that last encounter, I knew as soon as I heard Ellefson would be coming to The Brass Mug in Tampa, FL with his latest band, Kings of Thrash (which also features former Megadeth guitarist Jeff Young from the So Far, So Good…So What! era) that it was a show for Rewind It Magazine through and through.

What I did not know upon originally setting up coverage, however, is that I’d once again be put back on IV medications shortly before it thanks to the never-ending bone infection I’m still fighting right now (always a blast!), so it came as a bit of a surprise to find out after arriving at the Mug (with my usual photography crew/wife and son Brooke and Jacob Striewski in tow) this past Saturday, October 11 (each their first time hearing any Megadeth performed live), that there would be a whooping six bands to endure prior to the headliners (a lot for an old dog like me to take in right now indeed!).

The first act of the night, Killproof, were already mid-set upon entering the venue, and no doubt held their own on the stage. The follow-up group, The Hand of Reason, had their own unique indie-influenced sound that I did my best to watch all of. But for most of their set, as well as the following two bands Love Pit and Kalas, I found myself trying to stay off of my leg on the back porch area.

I paid a little more attention to Gravel from Colorado Springs, whose down-and-dirty style found them covering not only Airbourne’s “Runnin’ Wild,” but also an amped-up version of “I Think We’re Alone Now,” the pop hit originally from the ’60s before Tiffany got her hands on it in the late ’80s.

Local Florida rockers Deth FX (sometimes stylized DETHFX) were up next, and finally started scratching that thrash metal itch with tracks like “War Morality” and “Unnatural Reign” from their debut album. The guys truly gave it their all with each and every note that night, showcasing their talents for surely many a new follower.

Deth FX performing at The Brass Mug in Tampa, FL this past Saturday, October 11 (Photo by Brooke Striewski).

And last but not least, the Kings of Thrash (which is rounded out by vocalist/guitarist Chaz Leon of Black Daze, and Fred Aching, who has served some time with BulletBoys) finally took the stage just before midnight, instantly living up to their name with the intro to the said So Far… album, “Into the Lungs of Hell.” Not one member of the crowd was sitting down at this point, and rightfully so.

“Rattlehead” from the band’s 1985 debut Killing Is My Business…and Business Is Good! was up next before “Hook in Mouth,” “Train of Consequences,” “Victory,” “The Skull Beneath the Skin,” and “502” all kept the momentum going.

A brief drum solo segued into “In My Darkest Hour” and the haunting “Bad Omen” before the band started with their original track, “Lockdown,” which by then felt like the perfect stopping point for the night.

But not before briefly meeting legendary music producer/recording engineer Max Norman, who was there in the crowd that night. Not only has Norman worked with Megadeth on several of their ’90s-era releases ranging from Rust in Peace to the Hidden Treasures EP, he also had a hand in several of the late Ozzy Osbourne’s early solo albums, but also efforts from the likes of Y&T, Grim Reaper, and Armored Saint (among many others), so it was an absolute honor to actually shake his hand!

The author Jesse Striewski (right) with said recording engineer/producer Max Norman at The Brass Mug in Tampa, FL this past Saturday night, 10/11. (Photo by Brooke Striewski)

Of the numerous times I’ve seen Megadeth live over the years, not once can I recall them performing the majority of the songs heard this past Saturday night (sans of course the likes of “In My Darkest Hour”), especially any of the extremely earlier material from that first album. The Kings of Thrash show brought things back to exactly how I’d imagine a Megadeth club show to be “back in the day,” celebrating the music the way it indeed should be; I’m forever grateful to have witnessed it firsthand.