John 5 and The Creatures

Tupelo Music Hall
Derry, New Hampshire
April 6, 2017

Let me start this off my telling you, if you are going to see his show expecting it to be a rehash of a Rob Zombie/Marilyn Manson show, full of nothing but John 5 doing their tunes, you’re in for a butt load of disappointment. John 5 will be in his trademark make up, that’s about it. This show is for the die hard guitar fan and very far from being a disappointment.

Joining John for this small tour is Ian Ross on bass and Rodger Carter on drums.

John 5 is the epitome of good things come to those that work hard. He has worked with just about everyone, Paul Stanley, Meatloaf, Ricky Martin, kd Lang and more famously, David Lee Roth, Marilyn Manson and of course Rob Zombie. In addition to releasing 7 instrumental guitar albums, he has his hand in many different albums across a couple of different genres.

On this night though, this two and half hour drive was to catch him in support of his latest instrumental album, “Season of the Witch”.

A few years ago I fell into his trap, when he released “Vertigo” and I ran out and bought it, and immediately went, “WHAT THE HELL” as the sounds of bluegrass and country picking came ringing out of my speakers, but to be honest after 2 or 3 listens it grew on me and I have kept up with his solo material ever since.

His playing is amazing, from rock to bluegrass to country this set covered it all, even a Michael Jackson cover. My favorite part had to be when he brought out his green lava lamp filled creation and channeled his inner Jimmy Page and played with a bow, but that was still upstaged by the banjo and the damage he wrought with that.

The chemistry between John and his band shined thru the darkly lit room as Ian and Rodger both played with enthusiasm and finesse, definitely a well chosen backing band.

Unfortunately, this was a short tour and my review is coming out as it winds up, John 5 will hopefully be playing some more solo dates after spending the late spring and summer touring with Rob Zombie.

Photos & Review by Frank Piercy

Here is the setlist for the evening:

Guitars, Tits and Monsters
Flight of the Vulcan Kelly
666 Pickers in Hell
Here’s to the Crazy Ones
This Is My Rifle
Jiffy Jam
Hell Haw I.G.R.
Dr Evil’s Spookshow (snippet)
Season of the Witch
Harold Rollings Hymn (Snippet)
Portrait of Sidney Sloan
First Victim
The Black Grass Plague
Behind the Nut Love
Making Monsters
Beat It (Michael Jackson cover)
Medley