The Pig Pen in Clinton, Iowa can hold upwards of 600 people for big shows. Unfortunately, there were only 176 that braved a Sunday night show (the third schedule change in two weeks), and having to work the next day for the April Wine concert on October 4th. This was my second time to see the band in person, the first time being the Attitude Tour on October 6, 1993 in Moline, Illinois. At that time, the band was a five-piece, though this go-around sees them as four, minus guitar player Steven Segal.
Rags, a band from St.. Louis, Missouri, opened the show. The much older crowd was there to see April Wine...and from the lukewarm response...April Wine ONLY. It was, however, a very special night for myself, as I was fortunate enough to be the one that picked them up at the hotel and brought them to the Pig Pen. Never thought I'd ever have that chance!
April Wine took the stage at 10:30 p.m. starting with their standard familiar intro. From there it was on to "Anything You Want You Got It" from Power Play. The band went on to play "Wanna Rock". Following this song, Myles Goodwyn told the crowd, "Welcome to the show." Welcome, indeed because "I Like To Rock" roared through and less than two hundred people suddenly sounded like thousands.
A real treat to be sure was next, with Brian Greenway singing "Before the Dawn". Incredible. Memories of listening to that song came flooding back. There is many a sunset that I always think of this one particular song. As if that wasn't breathtaking enough, "Just Between You and Me" was next. If ever there was a song that had such meaning, this one has to be it.
Another popular album track followed, that being "Say Hello". The familiar crunchy intro to "Enough is Enough" grinded it's way through the p.a. One of my personal favorites, "All Over Town" came after, Jerry Mercer's kick drum thumping along at a steady pace. GREAT! Not letting up for a second, "Sign of the Gypsy Queen" sped along with the already thunderous momentum the band had attained up to that point. Myles informed the crowd of the re-workings this song went through upon being released the second time.
Taking a brief hiatus from the grinding rock show at that point, it was time to break out the keyboards with "Comin' Right Down on Top of Me" and "Rock and Roll is a Vicious Game". Brian played harmonica on the former song, while Myles lent an explanation for the latter. Incredible. To know that these four have been around for more than twenty plus years, but to sound so tight and crisp. A real tribute to the band. Longevity is a hard thing to live up to. April Wine has proven that they can.
"21st Century Schitzoid Man" was a welcomed choice, topped off by one of the most intense drum solos I've ever seen. Jerry Mercer whaled away for minutes on end, the snare and toms getting their share of a workout, exclamated by their high pitched pop each time they were hit. And, as if rolling thunder wasn't an appropriate word for what we'd just witnessed, "Roller" came out of the blocks like a bat out of hell.
The encore saw "Oowatanite" from Stand Back, featuring bass player Jim Clench on lead vocals. Jerry Mercer's timing on the ride cymbal intro and Jim's delivery were top-notch. "Crash and Burn" ended the show, which reached levels not even considered for a small crowd.
A tremendous night and the band seemed genuinely thrilled by the reaction they so deservedly received. Pig Pen owner, Robbie Bahr, said that he would definitely bring them back. I'd even miss work for that!