Blackout in Akron - LOVE/HATE Pays A Visit To Ohio

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Review By Geoff Ketler/Aces High Photography

Before making their way to the M3 festival, LOVE/HATE dropped by Northeast Ohio at the Tap House Concert Venue, a promising new club that has recently booked the likes of Y&T, Kip Winger, & FASTER PUSSYCAT, among others.

Fresh off of their UK tour, the current incarnation of LOVE/HATE consisting of founding member Jizzy Pearl accompanied by Robbie Crane (RATT/LYNCH MOB), Matt Starr (Ace Frehley), and Keri Kelli (Alice Cooper/SLASH'S SNAKEPIT) performed to an energetic crowd in Akron.

LOVE/HATE jumped into their set with “Why Do You Think They Call It Dope" as the crowd sang along to the chorus line, it suddenly got quiet. Drummer Matt Starr managed to break the kick drum head during the first song of the night, causing a slight delay, however it would be the only hiccup of the evening as LOVE/HATE pulled off song after song without a hitch. Jizzy commented to the crowd that this was the first time this ever happened to him in 25 years of “semi-professional” music. LOVE/HATE blazed through most of the Blackout In The Red Room album as nine of the twelve songs on the album were featured in their set, but curiously absent was “Rock Queen” despite several requests from the crowd.

LOVE/HATE ended their set with “Wasted In America". Jizzy then told the crowd that this was the point in the show where the band would leave the stage before returning for an encore…however the way the venue is physically set up, this is impossible. So rather than leaving the stage, LOVE/HATE went straight into their encore which featured covers of Alice Cooper’s “Schools Out” and MOTORHEAD’s “Ace of Spades” followed by “Blackout In The Red Room". In an act of true musicianship, LOVE/HATE replayed “Why Do You Think They Call It Dope” –this time with all drums intact, to end the evening.

Jizzy and the gang played with energy and there was no doubt that they left it all on stage. Musically, the band was tight, Jizzy’s vocals were spot on, and Keri Kelli just screamed on guitar. The highlight of the night was “She’s An Angel” –a great song and a crowd pleaser.

I have to say, I am quite impressed with the production at this intimate venue…the show had big sound and more than adequate stage lighting, things that are fairly uncommon at a club show. I’m really looking forward to heading back to see more acts at the Tap House.

Setlist:

• "Why Do You Think They Call It Dope"
• "Tumbleweed"
• "Spinning Wheel"
• "Straight Jacket"
• "Spit"
• "One More Round"
• "Fuel To Run"
• "Yucca Man"
• "Tranquilizer"
• "She’s An Angel"
• "MaryJane"
• "Hell Ca, Pop 4"
• "Wasted In America"

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