I would like to start by saying, this is a perfect triple bill. Each band compliments the other. The opening act Sumo Cyco Is a band that I was not familiar with until this evening. Sumo Cyco is a band that has been around since 2011. They hail from Toronto Canada. They are currently on Napalm Records. Their latest release is titled Initiation. I am surprised I have not seen them before at one of the festivals but like so many other acts, you miss them because you have never heard of them. I will not go into their sound because I do not know their songs well enough yet and you owe it to yourself to check it out. This is what I can say, they are very entertaining and energetic live, and have good original music. The crowd really enjoyed them which tells you something. The two tracks that stood out to me are “Love You Wrong” and “Cyclone” both which are on the band’s latest album.
Second on the bill was Blacktop Mojo. They are an amazing band out of Texas and if you have never heard of them, I recommend you run out to the record store as quickly as you can to purchase their latest release, 4. I have reviewed them several times and they’re one of those bands like Buckcherry and Cheap Trick, that keep getting better. To say they are simply a solid rock band, is an understatement. They are really building a following and a solid fan base by doing all the right things. Releasing new music, connecting with the fans and working their butts off.
Their fan experience is quite amazing in that they spend 1/2 an hour with people at the meet and greets. They really want to get to know their fans. You may be asking yourself, why does that matter? It matters because they care about their music and their fans.
Blacktop Mojo worked their way through a 45-minute set the other night that included several of my favorite songs like “End of Days”, “It Won’t Last”, “Bed Tundy” and “Lay It on Me”. Every night they change the set up a little and every tour they play different songs. It always feels like a fresh show to me. I do not like to pigeonhole bands into anything, but I also feel like if I can give you a frame of reference to encourage you to give them a listen I will. I would say they are a bluesy southern rock band with really loud guitars. They have a lot of great videos on YouTube which will give you a good feel for who Blacktop Mojo is.
Headliners Buckcherry did not disappoint but then again, they never do. This is a new leg on their current Hellbound tour 2022. I know for a lot of people who see live shows, when you say the band is going to perform four or five songs off their newest record, many shy away from that. In this case it is different because Buckcherry is one of the few bands that continue to put out amazing music. I would argue that point with anybody. Hellbound could be the best rock album that has been released in the last several years. it is filled with so many songs that have great hooks. As a fan of Buckcherry, I am thrilled that they play these songs and mix it up every night.
On this evening they opened with “5,4,3,2,1” which is their latest video/single from Hellbound. They also performed “Gun”, “No More Lies” (which is my personal favorite), “So Hot” and “Hellbound”. The next night in Wisconsin they switched two of them out and added “Barricade” and “Wasting No More Time”. I cannot stress to you enough as a music listener, how much you are missing out by not having the latest Buckcherry release Hellbound. if you are too lazy to go to the store, you can order it online. if you are still not convinced, go to YouTube they have made four videos for the new record. I dare you to watch those videos and tell me that you did not purchase Hellbound right after watching them.
Of course, they did the hits from past albums as well like “Lit up”, “Sorry” and “Crazy Bitch”. But like I have said in the past, Buckcherry is so much more than those three songs. They play a variety of their other favorites throughout the years as a band. The only negative thing I would say is, I wish they would not ignore another incredible album they released several years ago titled Rock and Roll. It has been a while since I have seen them perform any songs off that record. And like Hellbound, it is filled with incredible songs. To me they are a band that just keeps getting better with age.
Seeing Buckcherry live is always a wonderful experience. They give it their all no matter if they are playing in front of 10,000 people or 2500. You know when you go to see them it is always going to be a good old-fashioned rock and roll show. It is worth the price of admission every single time. Then when you add Blacktop Mojo and Sumo Cyco to the bill, it makes this tour a must see.
