- August 11, 2000 - Shoreline Amphitheater - Mt. View, CA
- The 1980s are dead and buried, with the exception of a few retro radio and TV shows, and one may wonder where all those bands that dominated MTV went. Well, with the exception of a scant few creators in the rock field, most really weren't that good to begin with. This becomes obvious with many attempted reunion shows that generate little interest as haggard performers, no longer with the physique and hair of their 20s, try to relive their adolescence.
- Fortunately, there are still some bands who were the forefront of the rock scene in the 1980s and actually produced valid products and sounds. Of those, Poison were the kings of the glam scene. Here is a band who went all out on appearance, staging, attitude and music. Happily too, they never really went away and so, are not in the "has been" category. Poison has had their fair share of detractors - of which, the band seems to dwell a bit much on - who have tried to keep them shelved and unheard. As it is though, Poison was not just hairspray and make-up. They technically weren't even "glam rock" by the definition as their influences ranged much closer to the "glitter rock" scene that has produced such infamous and unarguably valid artists as David Bowie, Marc Bolan & T-Rex, New York Dolls and many others. The form there was punky attitudes with driving music and outrageous stage shows. Poison delivered these on all ends.
- To this day, Poison has not let up on the professionalism of their performance. With a new album in the stores, called, as the tour, "Power To The People", Poison has returned to show that anyone with talent can continue to be valid and change with the times. Their music has always been varied - although not as many know that as should, thanks to critics - and the year 2000 is no different as the new album displays a heavier sound and even some rapping to keep with the times.
- To keep the proof that Poison is alive and well, Bret, C.C., Bobby and Rikki headed out on the road in what was truly a well-selling tour of shows. They brought along other 1980s fan-favorites Cinderella, Dokken and Slaughter, to add to the excitement of bringing the 1980s to the 2000s. It worked like a charm. One might have thought this to be a "relive your childhood" show, but it really wasn't like that as, especially Poison, provided some of the new with the old. The stage was set, the lights bright and the band playing fresher than ever.
- To start the show, Slaughter hit the stage to the eagerness of the primarily female fan-base and churned through a set of hits that keep their fans hanging on. After that, Dokken was on stage. Here is a band who has had quite a fair share of hits throughout the 1980s and 90s. I personally had never been a fan of vocalist Don Dokken's voice but, I have to say that he sounded top of his form this time around. They ripped through a blistering set of their standard hits and kept the crowd quite entertained.
- When Cinderella came onstage, the audience was primed. No one knew quite what to expect as they haven't been seen much in the past decade, but Tom Kifer and company did a fine job, albeit even if they are the "poor man's Aerosmith" with Tom's obvious desire to be Steven Tyler. They played just about every hit they have had (and that is plenty) including "Save Me", "Push, Push", "Don't Know What You Got Until It's Gone", and a blistering "Nobody's Fool", amongst others. The band played hard and furious except for the slowed down acoustic portion of the set. It was good to see Cinderella playing out again and even more amazing to see that Tom has somehow not aged one day and still looks around 20 years old.
- When Poison hit the stage, there was no mistaking it as lights flared, music blared and the audience went nuts. It was obvious who people came to see. Poison did not disappoint as they played and played, covering everything that they could as well as offering up some new material, including the blistering title track of the new album "Power To The People" as well as "I Hate Every Bone In Your Body But Mine", featuring C.C. Deville on lead vocals. The rest of the evening was ripe with the classics. "I Want Action", "Talk Dirty To Me", "Every Rose Has A Thorn", "Unskinny Bop" and all the rest were played with total vigor. If you ever wondered if older rockers from two decades ago get old and lazy - think again. This foursome was live and ready - not like another infamous foursome currently on tour who should have hung up their capes and boots years ago. The were alive, active and sounding better than ever. Poison really showed that you can accomplish anything you want if you just have the right attitude. This show rocked! I can't wait until a new full album and the next tour. I kid you not, to anyone who still has doubts and thinks that Poison is "for pussies" has no idea what they are missing.
- Written by Philip Anderson
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