August 8, 2021

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Sometimes you can just tell when you are witnessing something special.  Having attended over seventy concerts a year for the past seven years, one might get a little jaded.

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However, last night was different.  It was kind of magical.  I got to see a young man come into his own and be the leader of his own, kick ass band.  Wolfgang Van Halen recently released his debut album under the name Mammoth WVH.  He wrote, sang and played every instrument on the album.​

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Wolfgang is out touring with a full band as Mammoth WVH that includes Frank Sidoris (guitars), Jon Jourdan (guitars), Garrett Whitlock (drums) and Ronnie Ficarro (bass) and they made a stop at The House of Blues to a nearly sold-out crowd.

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Van Halen has been in his fathers namesake band as the bassist since 2007.  So he has tons of experience playing in front of large audiences.  It is however, a lot different being the front-man and lead singer of your own band.

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Let me tell you, the guy killed it.

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Opening up with the anthemic song, "Don't Back Down" the band was off and running.

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Wolfie and the boys were having a great time on stage.  After "Resolve" Wolfie quipped, "This is fucking fun! Are you having a good time?"  and the crowd responded with a roar.

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"Talk and Walk" a bonus track from the Japanese album made its way into the set.  Afterword, Van Halen said that he'd waited a long time to play his own headlining show and noted that  "this song is my dad's favorite" as the band launched into "Think It Over."

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Towards the end of the main set, Wolfgang could even sense something great was happening as he stated, "This is a special show.  It's amazing! I put out this fucking album and to see you sing the words..."  

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He clearly was impressed with the Cleveland audience.

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As a thank you, the band played "Feel" for the first time in front of a crowd.

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Keyboards were brought out for Wolf to play "Stone" which ended the main set.

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After exiting the stage, and the crowd chanting "Wolf-ie," Wolf-ie," he and the band returned to play their first single, "Distance" then "Epiphany."

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That usually has ended the show but this Cleveland crowd wanted more!

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Mammoth WVH came back for a second encore and played another new song, "As Long As You're Not You."

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It was a kick ass show, from a great new kick ass band.   I am happy that I got to witness it.

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Plush, a new, all girl hard rock band from upstate New York opened the show with a great set of rocking tunes.

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These girls really know how to rock and lead singer/guitarist Moriah Formica is a great front woman.

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Playing some original tunes such as "Athena" and "Sober," the band really won the crowd over when they played a great version of Heart's "Barracuda." 

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The young ladies ended the set with their latest single, "Hate."  

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This is a band you need to keep your eye on.

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Review and photos by Greg Drugan

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