By Mike McKenney, Rock At Night New England Correspondent
Venue: Wolf Den at Moghegan Sun, Uncasville-Connecticut–January 7, 2017
As the snow piled up outside to almost a foot deep, die-hard Blue Öyster Cult fans slowly made their way to the Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville Connecticut. With Saturday nights show being a sellout, one could see that weather deterred about half of the expected crowd.
For those that were able to make it, BOC made sure it was worth the trip.
On stage with founding members Eric Bloom and Buck Dharma were drummer Jules Radino and on guitars/keyboards and vocals Richie Castellano, both of whom have been in the band since 2004 and on bass Kasim Sulton (Meat Loaf/Utopia/The New Cars, Joan Jett, etc…) has been in the band since 2012.
At the Wolf Den, Blue Oyster Cult transported the mostly older crowd back to the days when bands played for the pure love of the music. Clad in their ever present black leather jackets and dark sunglasses, BOC relies not on the flash seen at some of today’s typical concerts, but on heavy substance and enormous skill that has kept them rocking since the 60’s. BOC maintains a unique place in rock history that encompasses both popular radio hits and heavy metal cultures.
Beginning with “The Red and the Black”, and “Before the Kiss”, it was clear Buck and Eric came ready to rock. Hitting their stride with the ever popular “Burnin’ for You” and continuing right through mainstays, “The Golden Age of Leather”, “Buck’s Boogie”, “Dancin’ in the Ruins” and “Shooting Shark, this band was tight in a way that only musicians of this caliber and experience playing together for so long, can be.
Featured along with Kasim’s throbbing base and Jules perfectly on point drumming, Richie’s searing solo’s were sure to start an avalanche outside.
A night with BOC would not be complete without fan fav’s “Godzilla” and “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” and they did not disappoint, as the entire crowd rocked out. Even with the snow accumulating outside, BOC generously returned to the stage for an encore of “Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll”.
If you missed the show perhaps due to the inclement weather, Blue Oyster Cult will be in the area again on February 24, 8pm @ The Stadium Theater, Woonsocket Rhode Island. You won’t want to miss them again!
Set List:
The Red and the Black
Before the Kiss
Burnin’ for you
Dancin’ in the Ruins
Bucks Boogie
True Confession
Shooting Shark
Golden Age of Leather
Then Came the Last Days Of May
Godzilla
(Don’t Fear) The Reaper
Encore: Cities on Flame
(Rock and Roll)
Photo Gallery
The images may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without written permission to Rock At Night and the photographer. Use of any image is a violation of the United States and international Copyright laws.
Mike McKenney is an award winning professional photographer and current New England Correspondent for Rock At Night magazine.
With his years of experience and passion for Concert Photography, Mike has photographed many of the famous acts in the world today.
Rock Icons such as Sting, Peter Gabriel, Dave Matthews, and Fleetwood Mac along with Country artist Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney,and Jason Aldean have all appeared before Mike’s camera.
"My goal is always to present the experience truthfully so fans can feel the energy and emotions the Artists convey. It’s a tremendous honor and responsibility to be allowed to create art while blending my two passions, music and photography”
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