Crobot drummer Paul Figueroa smiles during the band’s first song at the Complex on Thursday, Aug. 27. Photo: Madi Smith
Crobot bassist Jake Figueroa jams onstage while opening for Saxon and Motörhead. Photo: Madi Smith
Figueroa attacks his drums at the Complex. Photo: Madi Smith
Brandon Yeagley’s voice rings out through the Complex. Photo: Madi Smith
Yeagley headbangs during a guitar solo. Photo: Madi Smith
Yeagley stares into the crowd as he sings. Photo: Madi Smith
Crobot vocalist Yeagley wails into the mic. Photo: Madi Smith
Figureoa aggressively pounds his toms. Photo: Madi Smith
Yeagley jumps on guitarist Chris Bishop’s shoulders as he plays. Photo: Madi Smith
Saxon storms the Complex stage and Paul Quinn greets the crowd. Photo: Madi Smith
Doug Scarratt strums chords while performing with Saxon. Photo: Madi Smith
Saxon vocalist Biff Byford snarls and points to the crowd as he sings. Photo: Madi Smith
Nibbs Carter head bangs as he strikes his bass, running around the stage. Photo: Madi Smith
Quinn performs a flawless solo. Photo: Madi Smith
Byford converses with the crowd. Photo: Madi Smith
(L–R) Byford steps back as Quinn takes center-stage for a solo. Photo: Madi Smith
Nigel Glockler drums with great ferocity despite suffering a brain aneurism last December. Photo: Madi Smith
Byford smirks at the crowd between songs. Photo: Madi Smith
(L–R) Quinn and Carter share the stage during “Princess of the Night.” Photo: Madi Smith
(L–R) Scarrett, Byford and Quinn deliver a crushing show at the Complex. Photo: Madi Smith
(L–R) Glockler moves to hit his cymbal while Byford pauses for a breath. Photo: Madi Smith
Byford gestures to the crowd during “Denim and Leather.” Photo: Madi Smith
Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister of Motörhead steps away from the mic. Photo: Madi Smith
Kilmister performs in front of a full house at the Complex. Photo: Madi Smith
(L–R) Phil Campbell and Kilmister stand side-by-side while performing, “Stay Clean” off their album Overkill. Photo: Madi Smith
Kilmister sings breathlessly into the mic. Photo: Madi Smith
Campbell shreds up his fret board during a solo. Photo: Madi Smith
Kilmister looks to Campbell between songs. Photo: Madi Smith
Campbell sustains a note at the Complex August 27. Photo: Madi Smith
Campbell looks down his fret board during a solo. Photo: Madi Smith
Crobot started off the night at the Complex Thursday, August 27 and surprised me with their rockin’ tunes and groovin’ stage moves. Vocalist Brandon Yeagley danced around stage in his halfway unbuttoned paisley shirt and genuinely seemed to be having an excellent time. Their musical style was a great fit for the bill and they opened the show with a blast of energy.
Saxon stormed the stage, matching Crobot’s energy and increasing it tenfold. Biff Byford’s vocals were gruff and fantastic, especially accompanied by original guitarist Paul Quinn’s zen yet totally bitchin’ solos. Bassist Nibbs Carter went absolutely bonkers head banging and running around the stage while totally tearing up the bass. I saw Saxon exactly three months prior to this show, and drummer Nigel Glockler’s speed and attack had noticeably improved; he even played “20,000 Feet” off of Strong Arm of the Law faster than it was recorded. Byford’s between song banter was sassy and energetic as he encouraged the crowd to sing along and cheer.
After much anticipation, Motörhead commenced their short set of classic tunes. Phil Campbell was immediately engaging the crowd as he ripped on his guitar and darted around the massive, empty stage. Lemmy Kilmister stood stationary and spoke and sang slowly but I didn’t give a damn– I was seeing Motörhead live and in person! They had to cut their set short due to Lemmy’s trouble breathing and when he returned to the stage to profusely apologize, the crowd greeted him with cheers. As he left the stage, all I could hear was, “Lemmy! Lemmy! Lemmy!” It was heartbreaking to see Lemmy in such rough shape, but I had an excellent time seeing a fantastic lineup.
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