Summer Jam 2006

I really debated hard about going to Summer Jam. It had nothing to do with the bands, but with how tired I still was from the drive home on Saturday. I'd spend the week in Missouri at my parents' home and the drive was just exhausting! Sunday, I knew I really wanted to see The Atomic Punks, Ratt, and I'd never seen Kansas before. I'm also a Ted Nugent fan and REO fan. Even though I was still exhausted, I decided to go at the last minute. I got their in time to see The Atomic Punks on the second stage. They originally were to hit the main stage, but a scheduling conflict with the arrival of REO's sound equipment.

The Atomic Punks had a set list on stage, but I think they veered from it a bit. The printed list is as follows:

On Fire
Every Body Wants Some
Mean Streets
Runnin' With The Devil
Eruption
You Really Got Me
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
Dance The Night Away
Jamie's Cryin'
Ice Cream Man
Panama
Unchained
Hot For Teacher

The guitar player has only been with The Atomic Punks for 3 months but has the licks down. Ralph Saenz is the ultimate David Lee Roth impersonator and had a lot of fun with the crowd that gathered at this stage. I was able to meet Ralph and the guitarist after the show. They were very kind and hope to be back this way in the future.

Ratt is the main band I was anxious to see. I have always been a fan and they have never disappointed. The set list was:

Lack Of Communication
Lay It Down
Over The Edge
You're In Love
Way Cool Jr.
Nobody Rides For Free
Wanted Man
I'm Insane
Back For More
Walkin' The Dog (John Corabi sang lead on a verse.)
Round And Round

Jizzy was excited to see such a large crowd. Robbie was rocking out the entire time and seemed to have some fun with Jizzy on stage. Warren DeMartini is the consummate guitar hero and shared the mic on some background vocals with John. Bobby didn't miss a beat and led the band through the set. From the side of the stage, Barry Sparks (Dokken and Ted Nugent bassist) and Ralph Saenz were enjoying most of the Ratt set and the Ratt gang seemed truly appreciative to have them there.

Kansas was up after a set by the Hat Trick Heroes. I guess HTH is some kids that play from Florida. I just didn't pay much attention. Even during the Kansas set, I found myself wandering around while listening. It was a tight set and many people seemed to be into the show, but I didn't know most of the songs. They played about 5-6 songs before whipping out Point Of Know Return. They played another tune before leaving the stage. They really sounded great and seemed to have most of the lineup from the Freaks Of Nature CD. They came out to encore Dust In The Wind and Carry On My Wayward Son. For me, this was finally the payoff. I was hoping for Play The Game Tonight, but Steve Walsh didn't sing on that song so it was expected that they may skip it. It just may have been more familiar to a guy like me who only has 3 of their CD's in my collection and mostly has heard them from the radio. Still a great band and I'm glad they are still around.

Ted Nugent was up next and the crowd was constantly chanting "Ted" even while the drum kit was being brought on stage. This was one fired up crowd! Uncle Ted didn't disappoint, either. He kicked off with the American Anthem backed by Barry Sparks and Mick Brown, both from Dokken. These guys are tight! Ted's tunes tend to jam out with some great guitar and the band really was on fire supporting him. I've got some titles wrong, so feel free to correct me, but the set list was:

National Anthem
Get Ready
Wango Tango (You Really Got Me was in the middle of this.)
Who The Hell You Think You Are (Yea, this title is wrong.)
Free For All
Wang Dang Sweet Puntang (Some great blues playing!)
Klstrphnky
Rawdogs And Warhogs
Soul Man
Hay, Baby (Barry Sparks sang lead on this tune.)
Dog Eat Dog
Fred Bear
Kiss My Ass
Stranglehold
ENCORE
Cat Scratch Fever

Ted had the crowd eating from his palm the entire set. He is an icon and a full bluntal frontman. He used the bow and arrow to shoot Osama and the crowd went nuts. He constantly brought up his hunting and politics and love of America and rock 'n roll. Barry and Mick were genuinely having a blast and this truly seemed like a band with a leader.

I left after Ted, so I don't know how REO did, but I'm sure it was great. I've seen REO a couple of times and they never fail to put on a great show. I hope someone got a set list and review of this part of the day.

KGGO did a pretty good job of putting on this event. I'm not sure how many were in attendance in comparison to Waterstock, but the area was spread out more and there were more food vendors. There wasn't a real tattoo parlor, but you could get temporary ones if you were into that. There just didn't seem to be the variety of the Waterstock event. Tickets were a bit higher and the VIP tickets were $150. I heard complaints about the VIP tickets as there was no band interaction that I heard of and their area ended at the corner of the stage where Lazer at least added some front of the stage access at Waterstock. The VIP tickets apparently included only one meal and 5 beers. This seems to be less than Lazer provided for their $125 ticket. Both stations have a long way to go to make this a real value.

While the crowd was large, it was a bit older since KGGO is more of a classic rock station as opposed to Lazer. The big drawback to the crowd is the fact that there are still idiots who seem to represent the worst of Des Moines concert-goers. There were actually people there expecting to be able to sit in lawn chairs at the front of the stage the entire day. Signs need to be posted at these events or a roped area that lets people know that chairs aren't allowed within 30-50 feet of the stage. This is a rock concert, not a picnic. People need to realize that and leave the chairs in back of the people who want to rock out and represent the best of Des Moines down front. Live music needs real energy feedback and sitting on your backside at the front of the stage does nothing for any band. Jizzy Pearl even poked a little fun during Ratt's set at these people by asking if they were comfortable and could use a sandwich or something. The only other drawback is the women who want to show off their chests at these shows. Please don't lift your shirt if you don't look young and nubile. Overweight or flat and saggy boobs are not what these bands want to see. Sixty year old women in thongs and bikinis are not appropriate at these shows, either. It's embarrassing to live in a place like this and try to enjoy a rock show when there are people like this showing up at the shows. I'd prefer to make a good impression on these bands so they will want to come back often. Just my humble opinion, but I heard this voiced by many others, too.

Overall, Summer Jam was a great day of great music. I wish I hadn't been so tired so I could have stuck around for all of it.

Pictures are up at http://sonofapreacher.spaces.msn.com if you want to check them out.