My Chemical Romance
May 9, 2008
Madison Square Garden. New York, N.Y.

Imagine standing on the floor of Madison Square Garden in the photo pit at the foot of the stage, waiting for the show to start. The venue is buzzing with high-school age females, hair dyed matte black and sporting eyeliner as thick as Cleopatra. The volume bumps a notch whenever a popular song comes over the PA, and in a moment straight out of a romantic comedy, twenty-something-thousand kids are lustily singing along to the immortal chorus of the Turtles’ Happy Together. It couldn’t have been scripted any better unless My Chemical Romance singer Gerard Way had been onstage conducting the scene with a baton. The band was still rolling out the Black Parade show 18 months after the album’s release, sparing no expense on bold lighting, plenty of smoke and a deafening decibel level. Its also hadn’t relinquished bulletproof vests as a fashion statement.—Christa Titus

(Music that is referenced in this article is hyperlinked to Amazon.com for your purchasing convenience. If a product is not hyperlinked, Amazon.com did not offer it at the time of publication.)

Despite wearing a black flak vest, Frank Iero’s taste goes the subtle route. Not so for Mikey Fuckin Way.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

Ray Toro, accompanied by two bottles of Heineken. We didn’t see his face once in the 15 minutes we had to shoot.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

Gerard Way, foreground, and Bob Bryar listen up.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

Gerard Way, commanding the masses.
(Behind are Mikey Way, left, and Bob Bryar.)

Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

Mikey Way’s head blurs with the velocity of his playing.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

Mikey Way
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

Mikey Way, left, and Ray Toro.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

Gerard Way
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

Gerard Way unwittingly presents a target for testing the durability of his bulletproof vest. Drummer Bob Bryar wisely stays low.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

Staking his spot on the stage.
(Gerard Way)
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

Tantric, Candlebox
April 4, 2008
Snitch. New York, N.Y.

Snitch is a rock bar with a performance area that’s so miniscule you have to be careful the band doesn’t knock your drink out of your hand while it’s flailing about. That didn’t stifle Hugo Ferreira and the rest of Tantric when they performed April 4 to promote The End Begins. Having dropped off the radar for several years, Ferreira was charged up for lead single Down and Out; lyrics like “And when you think that we played it out/We come from the bottom and knock it out” especially resonated when he sang since the song has turned into a radio hit. Upping the enjoyment ante was Tantric violinist Marcus Ratzenboeck, who can jam on his instrument like a Stratocaster. The crowd was disappointed Candlebox only did two songs—word had it that singer Kevin Martin was feeling poorly—but at least he and guitarist Peter Klett made it count with favorites Far Behind and Cover Me.—Christa Titus

(Music that is referenced in this article is hyperlinked to Amazon.com for your purchasing convenience. If a product is not hyperlinked, Amazon.com did not offer it at the time of publication.)

Tantric vocalist Hugo Ferreira opens up the set.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Hugo Ferreira, left, and bassist Erik Leonhardt, who just makes the cutoff.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

From left, Hugo Ferreira, Joe Pessia and Erik Leonhardt.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

From left, Hugo Ferreira, Joe Pessia and Erik Leonhardt.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

From left, Hugo Ferreira, Joe Pessia and Erik Leonhardt.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Marcus Ratzenboeck melds the traditions of fiddling and violin playing in Tantric, alternating between performing rhythm parts and solos.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

We’ll refrain from jokes about Marcus Ratzenboeck sporting a long bow.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Candlebox kept it intimate with just two singer Kevin Martin and guitarist Peter Klett.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Kevin Martin, left, and Peter Klett.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Kevin Martin, left, and Peter Klett.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Kevin Martin, left, and Peter Klett.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Doro
March 23, 2008
Highline Ballroom. New York, N.Y.

Although the Easter holiday resulted in a light turnout, Germany’s Doro and her band threw themselves into their set at New York’s Highline Ballroom that Sunday evening as if it were crammed with 20,000 people. We haven’t seen a veteran band physically rock nonstop through its entire show in ages—the whole lot threw themselves into the set like touring rookies gunning for press. The practically aerobic workout included such Doro classics as All We Are and Love Me in Black. By the time the set was over, everyone in the crowd was probably a few pounds lighter.—Christa Titus

(Music that is referenced in this article is hyperlinked to Amazon.com for your purchasing convenience. If a product is not hyperlinked, Amazon.com did not offer it at the time of publication.)

Between the crowd of industry folks and the tight space, it was cramped quarters in the upstairs lounge of the Highline Ballroom. Doro and her band squeezed onto the couch for a pic prior to performing.
(From left: Joe Taylor, Nick Douglas, Doro, Johnny Dee and Luca Princiotta.)    
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

Much more comfortable standing up.
(From left: Joe Taylor, Nick Douglas, Doro, Johnny Dee and Luca Princiotta.)
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

Joe Taylor
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

Nick Douglas, left, and Doro throw themselves into it.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

The ethereal look suits Nick Douglas, left, and Doro.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

Bassist Nick Douglas also doubles as an occasional keyboard player.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

Luca Princiotta, left, and Doro.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

Pumping up the crowd.
(From left, Nick Douglas, Doro, Luca Princiotta and Johnny Dee.)
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

Doro, left, and Joe Taylor.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

Hailing the queen.
(From left: Unidentified staffer, Nick Douglas, Doro and Luca Princiotta.)
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Doro returns the love.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

Nick Douglas, left, and Doro.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

Luca Princiotta, left, and Doro.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

Doro
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus

Queensrÿche
Feb. 8, 2008
Nokia Theater. New York, N.Y.

Queensrÿche’s Feb. 8 Nokia Theater show was full of surprises. The band has primarily played its Operation: Mindcrime repertoire during its last few years on the road, so for the Hits and Rarities tour, the group pulled out songs seldom heard live, such as Gonna Get Close to You and Bridge. It’s also been a while since a supporting act opened on a QR tour, and Don Dokken filled the slot by acoustically performing his classic catalog. Topping the night off was contest winner Bill McKiernan joining Queensrÿche to sing the Police’s Synchronicity II and watching him earn the crowd’s love. Before capturing the night’s action, The Killing Words visited backstage for a few photo ops that resulted in our current favorite Queensrÿche pic—where Michael Wilton, Mike Stone and Scott Rockenfield seem to demonstrate the ethic of “Speak only rock, hear only rock, see only rock.”

To read Christa Titus’ live review of this concert for Metal Edge, click here.

(Music that is referenced in this article is hyperlinked to Amazon.com for your purchasing convenience. If a product is not hyperlinked, Amazon.com did not offer it at the time of publication.)

The Nokia backstage cafeteria also doubles as an ad-hoc photo studio.
(From left: Universal Music’s Kevin Chiramonte, Queensrÿche manager Susan Tate, Geoff Tate, Michael Wilton, Mike Stone, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and radio personality Eddie Trunk.)
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Mike Stone suddenly receives a transmission in his headphones.
(From left: Eddie Jackson, Geoff Tate, Michael Wilton, Stone and Scott Rockenfield.)
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

It’s rumored that these Rÿchers share the same stylist.
(From left: Eddie Jackson, Geoff Tate and Michael Wilton.)
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

We don’t know what’s funnier: Michael Wilton’s sudden urge to growl, or Scott Rockenfield’s reaction to it. Mike Stone is just pleased that his triryche zipper coordinates with his bandana.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Patiently taking another photo.
(From left: Eddie Jackson, Michael Wilton and Scott Rockenfield.)
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Geoff Tate
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Geoff Tate
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Michael Wilton, left, and Mike Stone.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Michael Wilton, left, and Mike Stone.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Eddie Jackson, left, and Scott Rockenfield.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Eddie Jackson, left, and Scott Rockenfield.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Another favorite from the night’s shots. Geoff Tate sings Pink Floyd’s “Welcome to the Machine.”
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Yet another fave of Geoff Tate.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Mike Stone
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

The following series makes it clear how much these two love jamming together.
(Michael Wilton, left, and Mike Stone.)
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Michael Wilton, left, and Mike Stone.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Michael Wilton, left, and Mike Stone.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Priceless.
(Michael Wilton, left, and Mike Stone.)
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Geoff Tate keeps on wailing.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Geoff Tate
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Geoff Tate listens to the crowd: The sound of a job well done.
(From left: Eddie Jackson, Michael Wilton, Tate, Scott Rockenfield and Mike Stone.)
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

The big finish.
(From left: Eddie Jackson, Geoff Tate, Michael Wilton, Scott Rockenfield and Mike Stone.)
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.