19/05/00: Don B. - dbuttaccio@aol.com
Rating: 10
UNION at The Penny Arcade - Rochester, NY 5/4/00

Well the bad news first - I got a speeding ticket on the way to Rochester, NY (my old
stomping grounds) to work with UNION. My Fault!

I have helped several bands set up as a stagehand at this venue/bar. I have also performed
there several times. Its a descent stage with a great PA system, monitors and lights.

Bus with gear and personel arrived at around 4 pm.
Myself and a friend (Mike S.) helped Joe D. unload the bands gear from underneath the
bus. Since I have done a lot of guitar tech work in the past - Joe had me pull out all 10
guitars and place them in the guitars stand/holders - I was very carefully!

4 for Bruce - Gibson Tobacco Sunburst Les Paul, Wine Red ESP Custom Strat, Black
ESP signature model SG shape, and a new Paul Reed Smith Sunburst color guitar - NICE!

3 for John - All ESP models, sparkle silver double cut-a-way, gold single cut-a-way, and
his new sparkle blue double cut-a-way.

3 for Jamie - Hamer 12 string bass, sparkle silver ESP 4 string bass and a Gibson
Thunderbird 4 string bass which belongs to Joe D. (the tech)

All gear was set up with out problems, some of the band members took off to do
whatever, but John hung around the club and actually sat at the drum set to do line checks
for the PA mix. - I do have a picture of that.
After that - Joe D. John, Mike S. and myself just hung around outside the back of the club
in the sun - it was a beautiful day to do so. John and Joe were very pleasent to hang with.
We were waiting for the rest of the band members to return for a full sound check.

They did Hypnotize and Surrender for sound check - all was fine.

The local opening act was New York Fuzz, they did a fine job, but didn’t have many
people to play for.

More people showed up as it was time for UNION to hit the stage.

The set list:

OLD MAN WISE
DEAD
HEAVY D
LOVE, I DON’T NEED IT ANYMORE
HYPNOTIZED
JUNGLE
DO YOUR OWN THING
EVERYTHING’S ALRIGHT
WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE
MAN IN THE MOON
encores
NO MORE
SURRENDER

Everything sounded great!

I counted 5 or 6 rounds of shots that were brought to the stage - the band drank most of
them.

John was still using the clear red ESP USA logo / signature picks, Jamie had new UNION
logo & signature orange picks with sparkle imprinting, Bruce tossed out some new
transparent green UNION logo / signature picks with silver imprint.

They had a lot of merchandise for sale - t-shirts, hats, pick packs, cd singles.

We packed up all of the gear and onto Hartford CT they went.

DON B.
dbuttaccio@aol.com

10/05/00: Mike Beer - dabeers1@msn.com
Rating: 100
I was lucky enough to see Union for the second time in three weeks, this time at the Ritz in Indianapolis. Again, they played a tight set and this time were very loose with the crowd, talking to people all night and stopping a couple songs to joke with the crowd. John got a tattoo from a local artist who was in the front row videotaping the show. Bruce sang on the first encore song during "I Walk Alone" from "Carnival of Souls". Jamie provided a great groove and clean background vocals, while Brent was perfect on the drums all night!

Set List:
Old Man Wise
Dead
Heavy D
Love (I Don't Need...)
Hypnotized
Jungle
Do Your Own Thing
Everything's Alright
Who Do You Think You Are
Man in The Moon
Encore-
I Walk Alone (Bruce on vox)
Power To The Music

I really hope Union can hook up with the Ratt / Warrant tour as they are trying to do. They deserve some national exposure and they actually deserve to headline that show!

05/05/00: Henry - kissfan@twcny.rr.com
Rating: 99
First off I have to say Melodicrock or someone with the Union camp f*&%ed up. My name was not on any list. It was very lucky that when my guest and I arrived at the Penny Arcade in Rochester, New York John Corabi was sitting on a pool table near the front door and recognized the name of the website. It was John who let us in the door. Not a big deal to not be on the list but I did write to make sure everything was OK because I drove over an hour to get there.

The crowed was dismal. Fewer than 100 people showed up. But guess what? The band didn't seem to mind ! They played there asses off! They genuinely had a great time!

The set list has not changed from what others wrote. The sound was perfect and the vocals were dead on! There was a lot of play during the set and lots of talking with audience members!

I stayed until after the set was over and talked with each member of the band. They all signed autographes. In fact, they all came armed with their own Sharpie pen ! Too cool !

John was the best! You can easily tell he remembers what it's like to be in the audience as opposed to being on stage. He really cared that the people there had a great time!

Bruce signed everything in sight and was also ver cordial to the fans. It doesn't seem to phase him in the least that he isn't playing for ten of thousands of people (yet!). He playing the music he wants to play and that's what counts!

Both Brent and Jamie were having a ball. They also hung out after the show and talked with all the fans.

This band really does care what the fans think and the fun they have on stage carries off right into the audience ! They lost one point on my rating because I wanted more! They could have played even more tunes!

DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW !

01/05/00: Larry Schultz - Trapp37s@aol.com
Rating: 10
Review of Union 4/29/00 Birch Hill
While looking up the word tight in the dictionary, I found a picture of Union. John Corabi sounded better than ever. Bruce Kulick showed off licks that Kiss fans didn't know he had in him. Jamie Hunting's playing anchored their sound and Brent Fitz's slamming sounds showcased their talents. But the real treat was their backing vocals. Especially during "I Walk Alone". This was my second time seeing Union and they have grown as a band.

Set list:
Around Again
Dead(fabulous song even better live)
Heavy D
Pain Behind Your Eyes
Hypnotized
Jungle
Do Your Own Thing
No More
Who Do You Thnk Your Are(John offered this as a "ballad" from the heart)
Man in The Moon
Encore-
I Walk Alone
Power To The Music

Bruce seemed tired the next day, as my girlfriend and I met him at the Kiss convention. Her and Bruce discussed who is more tired the day after the show. Granted Bruce was still there signing autographs after we left.
Thanks Andrew!

30/04/00: Toxic Taco - rvman@aol.com
Rating: 0
Well the night was Friday ,
April 28th , and the place was the
Village Pub ,In Rockin Port Jefferson for,
what was one Explosive night for Rock and Roll.
The band was Union and man did they rock..
Heres the low down enjoy ,
They started off the night with the
Explosive Old Man Wise and from the opening
riff the band slammed the stage for
one hot and energetic crowd ready to rock,
next came Dead of the new cd and the band was
slamming it again with there energy and
the crowd was rockin it hard ..
Other highlights of the set were
Heavy D ,Love I dont need it
Anymore , as well as cuts from the new
cd The Blue Room called Hypnotized .
Then Rockin it into Jungle and what an intense
and killer song ..
The crowd once again was loving it and myself bigtime as
they were moving and groovin allnight ,
Union was just feeding the energy from the crowd ,
and giving it back so it was Hot..........:)
They kicked In to the killer opening
track from the Blue room Do Your Own Thing,
a song about not taken anything from anyone
and just doing what you believe and Do Your Own thang.
Then Everythings allright..
Man you just tell by the crowd they were
enjoying the show ,and having a great time ,
it sure came across from the band as well,
from there eye contact with crowd and it showed
on there faces as well they were enjoying playing for us..
A few more Highlights of the show Included Who
do you think you are , Man on the Moon , and a
killer extended version adding some blues ..
After the band came back on to
do a few more encores jamming some
surprises for us that just simply rocked ..
The Final song of the night and what was
to be one awesome version of Cheap Tricks Surrender that
rocked as well and made the night awesome,
ending one Rockin and Roll Party and killer show..
After the band did there meet and greet at the
merchandise table and that just made for another
great night,taking time for us fans.
They signed my cds all 3 of them plus other stuff
I picked up from the show whooHoo:)
All in all it was a Perfect 10 and one explosive
and exciting night of rock and roll and
one big party that I wont forget..
Thanks to Bruce ,John ,Brent and Jamie for the
party hope to do it again soon ..
Toxic Taco :)
One a final note the Blue Room Rocks and If ya dont have
it allready Id sure pick it up :)
I dont think the Village Pub will ever be the same,
cause the roof was blown off it was on fire :)
When Union hits your town go see them and all
the best to everyone and thanks for reading..
Enjoy:)

24/04/00: sirclairvoyant - sirclairvoyant@excite.com
Rating: 10
I saw the band at The Lucky Dog on the 22nd of April. From the very start of the show I was blown away. I knew that they would be great but, I never thought they would command and rule the stage as they did. John's vocals were as clear as they were on "Galaxy". I thought that Bruce made playing look so damb easy. If you can see these dynamic, multi talented guys do so.
As a side note: Thanks to John and Bruce for the time taken at the pizza shop. I'll never forget just how nice you both were to us (the fans).
SirClairvoyant

24/04/00: Marc Steiger - 1emily@email.msn.com
Rating: 90
same set list as was mentioned below by Mark...the show took place at the Station in West Warwick,RI...a place that is fast becoming the best place in New England to catch a show...Union took the stage at about 11:30 and tore through an amazing set for about 1 1/2 hr...i'd say there were about 150 or so people in the place and everyone seemed to be having a good time...especially John and Bruce who knew a couple of people in the crowd and were goofing off with them the whole show...the high points of the show were "Who Do You Think You Are?"...which saw the crowd screaming along with the chorus..."Love (I Don't Need It Anymore) which rocked and had the crowd jumping up and down...and "Man In The Moon" from John's days in The Scream...Bruce's all too short solo fell in the middle of this song and from where i was standing i could see John telling Bruce to stretch the solo out longer...he seemed to be enjoying it...they closed the show with a great version of Cheap Tricks "Surrender" which had everyone in the place singing along...(maybe cuz it's one of the most well known songs ever)...All 4 guys really seemed to be enjoying themselves...not only while they were on stage but after the show as well...when they came out and enjoyed some adult beverages witht the crowd...a great bunch of guys and a fun show all around...now granted...the fact that i got to see Jenna Jameson 2 hours before the show may have blinded me to what was going on around me...but i'm not complaining at all...next show at the station is on Thur. 4/27...Warrant...life is good...

Thanks Andrew and Union for the tix...

21/04/00: Bart - smileymavrock007@msn.com
Rating: 90
Review of Columbus, OH show on 4/16.

Damn these guy are good. They deserve so much more than they got at the Alrosa Villa on April 16th. The set was the same as below, but the crowd may have been smaller. I think people left after the opening acts finished. I know it was a Sunday night and all, but its Rock N Roll. You are suppose to go to work tired the next day. The sound was fantastic. Mr. Corabi is a great front man. He plays with the your emotions, especially with his humor. He is one funny dude.

Highlights of the night were Hypnotized, Jungle, Who Do You Think You Are, Man In The Moon, and Surrender.

Musician wise I am impressed with Jamie Hunting's playing. He played a 12 string most of the night. Damn those string's are close together. I have seen Cheap Trick several times and Tom Peterson doesn't play his 12 string that much.

Thanks for the passes Andrew.


This was my first time seeing Union, and I have to add them to my short list of bands that sound just as good in concert as they do in the studio. These guys are true professionals and deserve much more attention than they're getting.

20/04/00: HTS - rawonam@concentric.net
Rating: 10
I saw Union at Banana Joe's in Pittsburgh,PA last night. They played for an hour and sounded great. The songs from the first disc sounded better live. The new songs were great, and the Motley and Scream songs made the setlist even better. Only about 100 people were at the show, but were a loud bunch. If not for the free passes,and Andrew's site, I wouldn't have known about the show. It was not promoted well.The band was great with the crowd and even signed stuff after.

The opening band was a local called Ashes To Ashes. They have four cd's out and a fifth on the way. They played a good hard rockin set and got a good response.

And if anyone cares,D.C. Cooper was even at the show.

Thanks to Andrew and Union for everything. If they come to your town, go see them. They put on a great show.

19/04/00: John M - jmartini@bigpond.com
Rating: 90
Excellent CD, rocks very hard.
John Corabi sounds great, Bruce Kulick shows that there is plenty of life left in him after KISS and the rhythm section is solid as a rock.
No bad songs at all, equally as good as the first album.
This band deserves to be bigger than they are.
They should be playing to more than 100 people a night.
Lets hope they get the recognition they deserve.
The only thing this may be missing is a radio-friendly single
to get their music out to the public.

Union Rock

17/04/00: Mark - Exsgt33@aol.com
Rating: 94
It looks like must of your don't understand how to rate an album on this site. Come guys it's 1 to 100.
Anyway, Union's "The Blue room" is there strongest CD to date. John Corabi is in fine form and really smokes
on every track. "Who do you think are" has to be heard to be believed and then you have to play it at to
piss of the neighbors. Every track is a gem. This is a great album. Give it a chance out there. You
won't be disappointed.

17/04/00: Mike Beer - dabeers1@msn.com
Rating: 10
Review of Union show April 15, 2000 in Muncie, IN.

I pretty much agree exactly with Mark Swindell's review. The attendance was about 100-150 people. Union rocked hard, played every note correctly, and John sang great and interacted well with the crowd. They played the setlist from Mark's review as well. After the show, all four members made their way into the audience and signed as many autographs as were demanded.

This was my first time seeing Union, and I have to add them to my short list of bands that sound just as good in concert as they do in the studio. These guys are true professionals and deserve much more attention than they're getting.

16/04/00: Mark Swindell - MSwindell@aol.com
Rating: 10
Union rocked "The Flying Machine" Friday night (April 14th) in Lorain, Ohio with a blistering 70 minute set. The 100-125 people in attendance were witness to a band that has obviously benefited from its time on the road together. Despite a small stage and the smaller than hoped for turnout, the band played as if it were in Cleveland at the Gund Arena.
Hitting the stage at 12:20 am, the first song out of the speakers was the usual show opener "Old Man Wise." This was quickly followed by "Dead" the first of five "Blue Room" cuts to be played.
While John Corabi and Bruce Kulick are typically the primary focus of the band in interviews, on stage this is a band in the truest sense. The rhythm section of Jamie Hunting and Brent Fitz supplied a solid back beat all evening; particularly during "Jungle." The fact that all four can sing helped to make the choruses to songs such as "Everything's Alright" and "Do Your Own Thing" sound comparable to the studio versions.
One highlight was Bruce's extended blues jam during John's "Man on the Moon," from his days with The Scream. The encore was the Cheap Trick classic "Surrender" which ended with the crowd still wanting more.
It should be mentioned that as soon as the show ended, all four guys went directly into the crowd and signed autographs. Little gestures like this go a long way in building fan loyalty.
Hopefully the band will get an opportunity sometime soon to get on a bigger tour and show larger groups of people what a talented band they are.

Setlist:
Old Man Wise
Dead
Heavy D
Love (I Don't Need It Anymore)
Hypnotized
Jungle
Do Your Own Thing
Everything's Alright
Who Do You Think You Are
Man On the Moon
(Encore)
Surrender

10/04/00: Mike Allen - Heavensonfirenow@aol.com
Rating: 0

Hey - UNION was great. I got Bruce Kulick and Jamie Hunting to sign a CD to
my little boy NOLAN (6). Nolan just thinks Kulick is about the coolest
guitarist on earth - next to Ace Frehely. Coarbi is awesome in his
performance. The guy has all the power of a combination of Ronnie James Dio
and Steven Tyler put together. He sounds a little like Peter Criss (if Peter
applied his voice properly) too.

Bruce Kulick was incredible. The guy is a master of TONE and can he ever
shred. The sound system was mixed perfect. You could hear Corabi's rhythm
punched up nicely - just under Kulick's slightly mean and meaty tone. Most
the night Bruce played a Les Paul which really suprised me. - He usually
plays ESP's.

Jamie Hunting could pass as a double for Tom Peterson of Cheap Trick. All
show long - I am thinking to myself, Geez - this guy has the stage presence
and overall bass stylings of Tom Peterson of Cheap Trick. Wouldn't ya know
that their last song was "Surrender" by Cheap Trick! Talk about a cool!

As for the drummer Brent Fitz - all I can say is the guy is great. He is no
Eric Singer, but he sure is a very good drummer. Nothing overly fancy - or
fast - just extremely solid.

The opening act "Cat's Eyes" I think was their name (they also play under the
name "Baloney Poney's") put on a killer show too. Their frontman is a
combination of Jani Lane and Brett Michaels - The equivalent vocally - and in
looks. - (maybe actually a better singer, if only I would have heard more).
they are an 80's style hard rock band. They did a killer cover of "Mean
Street" complete with guitar intro - that was pretty darn close to what Eddie
Van Halen plays. Overall - a great band!

Thanks for the tickets - My kid was so tickled this morning to get his little
suprises!

30/03/00: Ken Justka - mdog269@aol.com
Rating: 4
Your site rocks!!!

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