Photography Reviews

BLE Masquerade Day 2 – 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, PA 7/29/22

By Shannon Wilk / August 12, 2022

Another day at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. Today fans were lined down the side of the building under the scorching sun getting hyped up for a day full of rock n’ roll at the BLE Masquerade festival. Personally, I was most excited for this day because of its star-studded lineup and I was even pleasantly surprised by several of the bands I hadn’t been familiar with.

 Kicking off the day once again were Atlanta’s Shotgun Superstars. Their set featured a couple of special guests including Kickin’ Valentina’s Heber Pampillon fretting the solo to Kix’s “Cold Blood” with guitarist Victor Adriel as well as Jay “Salem” Oakley delivering guest vocals on Hardcore Superstar’s “We Don’t Celebrate Sundays”. “You’re hired” remarks frontwoman Annie Clark as Jay takes a bow and walks off the stage. These 5 put on yet another high-energy rock n’ roll set to warm up the stage for what was to come.

Next up were the mid-atlantic heavy metal quartet Silvertung. From the second these guys took the stage, I immediately was reminded of bands like Shinedown and Godsmack who influenced the metal scene immensely in the early ‘00s. As I watched the band jump around the stage, headbanging and aggressively stumming and banging their respective instruments, I could tell this wasn’t their first rodeo. Upon further research I discovered they’ve opened for not only Godsmack and Shinedown but other massive modern metal bands like Slipknot, Disturbed and others. Need I say more?

Making a pit stop on their tour as direct support for Beasto Blanco were September Mourning. Formed in New York in 2009, they are described as a “transmedia dark culture project”. This group combines elements of storytelling through audio and comic strips with musical and visual performance. Frontwoman Emily Lazar plays the character “September”, who is a human-grim reaper hybrid, as she sings her stories of navigating the living and non-living worlds. They can be described as a blend of musical elements from bands like New Years Day and visual elements from bands like In This Moment. 

This next band was a big surprise for me. Hailing from Columbus, OH, The Lonely Ones put on an unforgettable performance. Performing almost entirely all original material plus their mashup of Queen’s “The Hero” and “Flash”. The band is a 4-piece group of young guys who look like they walked straight out of the ‘70s yet their music is somewhat heavier than anything released in that decade. Their tunes are very catchy and had everyone singing along with their beautiful harmonies. As their set came to a close, vocalist Marty McCoy says “we’re The Lonely Ones, don’t you fucking forget it” and needless to say, I sure won’t!

Straight outta Atlanta, hard rockers Kickin’ Valentina took the stage around 3PM. The crowd packed in, ready for the freakshow. After about 5 songs of in-your-face riffs and eye-to-eye crowd interaction, the band had to stop their set due to a medical emergency. Initially the crowd was informed their set would be cut short however once the scene was cleared, the band was able to finish their performance… and they definitely went out with bang! Kickin’ Valentina closed their set with “Revenge of Rock” and “Get Ready”. These guys have established a look, a sound and a reputation to match.

Tokyo Motor Fist was next on this jam-packed Friday evening. Presently the band’s lineup includes 2 members of Trixter – Steve Brown on guitar and PJ Farley on bass as well as Danger Danger’s beloved frontman Ted Poley. There are also two underdogs in the band, drummer Billy Orrico and Chris McCoy behind the keys. This was a set full of mesmerizing movement, smiles, catchy TMF tunes as well as a few classic Trixter songs!

Next up is a favorite band of mine, New York City’s Spread Eagle. This show was a special one for the band as it was not only their first show with new guitarist Jommy Puledda, but it is their first show since 2017. For having a somewhat short set, they managed to throw in a couple of newer tunes from their 2019 release “Subway To The Stars” such as “Sound Of Speed” and “Dead Air”. It was cool to see artists supporting artists when Kickin’ Valentina members Heber Pampillon and Chris Taylor were seen front row singing along during Spread Eagle’s set. Every member of the band stands out as musically gifted and have a notable stage presence, needless to say there are no weak links to be found in this group of New York rockers. “You guys just made my night” remarks vocalist Ray West after the crowd was singing along with every word he uttered throughout the set. What a comeback!

It was time to Set The Night on Fire with the Leather Boyz, Pretty Boy Floyd. These 4 guys took the stage in head-to-toe black clothes, black makeup and Steve Summers with Jack Daniels in hand. With this latest lineup, the band really brings the energy. Bassist Criss 6 jumps around the stage like something inside him has been unleashed, guitarist Diego “Ashes” Ibarra sports a sparkly pink guitar as he makes full use of the space, drummer Nick Mason is an absolute beast behind the kit with hair and sticks flying and finally the only original member, Steve Summers commands the crowd and performs just like he has since his earliest days on the Sunset Strip. 

It was time for Pennsylvania’s own Dirty Looks. After a wildly successful reunion show back in September 2021, and a successful release of a live CD/DVD “Cool From The Speedway”, the band lined up a few shows for the end of July and the Masquerade was the first stop. They are back and performing with the same grit and raw, perfectly rough sound they’ve had since back in the day. Their set included the best of their discography from “Oh Ruby” to “Turn Of The Screw” to “Cool From The Wire” to “Wastin’ My Time” and more. Catch them next on the 2023 Monsters of Rock Cruise!

Taking the stage next were nationally and internationally renowned shock rockers Beasto Blanco. Frontwoman Calico Cooper has stage performance in her DNA, as the daughter of rock legend Alice Cooper, and in a neck-down bodysuit, thigh-high leather boots, dark makeup and contacts, she sure knows how to put on a show. Bassist Jan LeGrow sports a ripped up Boogeyman Club shirt, a rugged beard and a white Fender bass slung on his shoulder – a recipe for rock n’ roll. Guitarist Chris “Brother” Latham rocks the long blonde locks and a classic Gibson Les Paul. Drummer Seans Sellers bangs his drums bare-chested with an evil grin across his face. Last but certainly not least, vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Chuck Garric with a leather and fur jacket, heeled boots, a sunburst Les Paul and of course his default tongue-out pose. “Hell Yeah” the crowd yelled throughout the band’s set.

This band has clear chemistry and they know how to entertain. Massive riffs, solid rhythm backbone combined with CO2 guns, robotic limbs, lasers and more – Beasto Blanco are a real treat to see rock the Masquerade stage or any other.

Closing out the night, one of the most legendary rock drummers, Steven Adler of Guns N’ Roses. Besides bringing his truly remarkable drumming abilities, Adler comes with a group of exceptional musicians to blast through an hour worth of the classic GN’R tunes. Vocalist Ari Kamin is an absolutely phenomenal singer and frontman and certainly could give young Axl Rose a run for his money. The black-haired, guitar-slinging beasts Michael Thomas and Alistair James play their instruments with ease and attitude. Steven Adler keeps the groove from behind the kit with a big grin on his face and drum sticks in hand. This band clearly loves what they do and their passion is tangible.

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