Band Line up:
Vocals: Johnny Gioeli
Rhythm Guitar: Joey Gioeli
Lead Guitar: Josh Ramos (The Storm, Two Fires)
Keyboards: Michael Ross
Bass: Bob Burch
Drums: Bobby Rock
Set List:
Hot Cherie
Life's A Bitch
Everything
Face The Night
Taking Me Down
Weight
Hands of Time
Only A Night
I'll Be There
Rhythm From A Red Car
Dr. Love
Review: Hardline had the unenviable task of taking to the stage after Midnight, for their headlining performance.
This was a different Hardline than the original band that featured Neal Schon, Todd Jensen and Deen Castronovo.
The band has a different dynamic in 2002, now featuring Josh Ramos on guitar, Bobby Rock on drums, Bob Birch on bass (this gig only) and also adding a keyboardist (Michael T Ross), and 2 female backing vocalists for the occasion.
Back of course was the Gioeli Brothers, which for rhythm guitarist Joey, the first gig for nearly 10 years for him.
But this was Johnny's show. From the first note he hit the stage, he was there a man possessed. He was fired up and he was mean!!
He attacked the mike stand like it was his mortal enemy and stomped around the stage, off the stage and onto the side boards like this was his stage and his only.
Great to watch and great to witness, Johnny was certainly on fire!
He gets the most “in your face frontman” award.
The band rocked hard. Like I said, different to the original line up, who I saw in 1992.
But Josh did his best Neal Schon impersonation, and Bobby Rock slammed the drums as only he can.
The addition of keyboards was interesting – it actually worked well and Michael's keyboard solo was greeted warmly.
As to was Bobby Rock's drum solo – man, can he hit those skins hard!
The band's set list was obviously comprised of the heavy hitters from the debut album.
Bass duties were handled by Bob Birch, producer of the new record and an additional third backing vocalist was not on center stage. Josh's guitar tech was the extra voice helping out. It made for a huge wall of harmony vocals.
Hot Cherie, Life's A Bitch and Everything were all awesome.
Taking Me Down saw Johnny go off completely and the closing trio of I'll Be There, Rhythm From A Red Car and Dr. Love closed the night like the crowd could only have hoped for.
The band also threw in three new tracks.
Only A Night was previously featured on the Union 4 Compilation, this time played out as a full band ballad. Very cool.
But hands down, two of the best new tracks played throughout the day both go to Hardline.
Face The Night is a monster power ballad that rocked with a powerful emotional core. Can't wait to hear this on the new album.
And the other track – Weight – wow, what can I say – this was a heavy modern rocker that broke new ground for the band. Super heavy and totally in your face, more so give Johnny's onstage delivery. Another one to look out for.
And that was it. It's nearly 2 am or something like that and the crowd are all knackered, but they all leave with smiles on their faces.
A stronger line up I have never witnessed in one place at one time and Hardline were prefect to close out the night.
