Hard Rock super-group Cheap Thrill brought along big thrills to the packed crowd at Diesel last Friday night while Chrome Mollie gave it their All Or Nuthin’ (pun intended!)
Diesel Concert Lounge in Chesterfield Township, located about 20 minutes northeast of downtown Detroit, is rapidly becoming one of the top-notch venues in the state of Michigan for live music. A steady stream of acts, both national and local, grace the stage here on a nightly basis playing to packed crowds every time.
This past weekend found the super-group Cheap Thrill headlining with members of Cinderella, Collective Soul, and Motley Crue coming together to perform original and cover songs for the night. The venue was packed early in the day for a multitude of reasons. One of the bigger ones was the official CD release party of All Or Nuthin‘ by Detroit rockers Chrome Mollie.
The opening act of the night, and one that personally wowed me, were the young hellion rockers in the band Kougaran. A group of talented young guys with the heart of a lion and the roar of a bear tore up the stage with a short set.
They too have made their presence known around the Detroit scene. A refreshing blast of sound to the ears that encompassed a wide spectrum of bands I grew up listening to myself as a teenager, but with their own unique take on it. Each song had me riveted to the stage as they demonstrated a most capable mastery of their instruments.
It’s not just the music either because these young lads had a kick ass stage atmosphere to back up their ballsy brand of rock and roll. Check these guys out online. Definitely on my short list of local bands to watch grow!
Impossible Tuesday is another excellent local Detroit based band who has had great success around the region. I’d never seen them before tonight and they were just as solid and tight as the other bands on the bill.
Nothing frilly or silly about them, just straight up hard rock that gets straight to the point. Not to say it was simplistic music, because there are some really catchy and complex hooks going on in their tunes. Reading some of their bio online today I can see where the influences of bands such as Sixx AM and Alter Bridge come in to play, as well as the inspirational drumming from bands such as Tool and Rush.
These guys have had some big gigs in the past including a gig at Pine Knob (DTE Energy Theatre *sigh*) Chalk up another local band to check out when I head out on the town.
Hard-rocking and hard-working, Chrome Mollie are one of the most favored local bands in the Detroit music scene. Take everything you love about Eighties hair band rock and roll such as Motley Crue, Poison, and Ratt (minus the makeup, and glam), toss it in a blender with a big shot of Detroit attitude and you get one of the most solid and tightest bands around town.
Well established in the local circuit, they’ve opened for several national acts including Y&T, BulletBoys, Kip Winger, Stryper, and George Lynch. Even John Corabi couldn’t turn down an opportunity to join them on stage a couple of months ago for a rendition of Hooligan’s Holiday, which he recorded during his stint in Motley Crue. Even though the CD was only released a week ago, almost every fan in the crowd was singing along word for word as they commandeered their small space on stage in true L.A. nightclub fashion. It’s just a matter of time until we see these guys booked on the big stage at Pine Knob Amphitheater aka DTE Energy Theatre, this summer opening for a national act, preferably Motley Crue!
Cheap Thrill took the stage to cap off the night. The lineup this night consisted of Brandon Gibbs (Gibbs Brothers), Eric Brittingham (Cinderella), Cheney Brannon (Collective Soul), and John Corabi (Motley Crue), all well-respected and established musicians in the music industry. I dare say they had a tall order to impress the crowd after the Chrome Mollie set.
According to their bio, when Cinderella isn’t touring, Gibbs and Brittingham have always found themselves working together off and on over the last five years. This Nashville based group made their début on the Monsters of Rock Cruise in March of 2013. “Being able to transition from an acoustic show to an all out pumped up electric show keeps the project fun and versatileâ€, says Brittingham. “It’s all about the music†says Gibbs, “we have fine tuned a product that will appeal to audiences of all ages.â€
Reading Gibbs’ bio, it says he has performed at a national level since the age of 14 and he has put in many years working with some of the best artists in the business. Gibbs says he is excited to be taking on the world as the front man for Cheap Thrills.
Cheap Thrill setlist:
Falling Apart
Heavy
This Town
December
Heartbreak Station
Radar Love
Shine
The Hero/Heavy Man
Nobody’s Fool
Gypsy Road
Billie Jean
Superstitution/Purple Haze
Roll With The Changes
Home Sweet Home
It’s amazing how much local talent there is here in the Metro Detroit area. I’ve lived here in the area for 20 years now and constantly wonder why labels don’t turn their attention back to Detroit. There is no shortage of amazing, original sound to be found in this area. Detroit has spawned so many famous national acts that have inspired thousand of other bands over the decades.
Photos by Thom Seling | Article by Mick McDonald
Cheap Thrill:
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cheapthrillrocks.com
facebook.com/cheapthrillrocks
Chrome Mollie:
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Impossible Tuesday:
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Kougaran:
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Brandon Gibbs has a busy touring schedule full of solo shows as well as shows with Cheap thrill. Here are his remaining dates scheduled for 2014:
JUNE
June 12 TAILGATE TAVERN & GRILL, Parker, CO CHEAP THRILL w/Troy Patrick Farrell
June 13 TAILGATE TAVERN & GRILL, Parker, CO CHEAP THRILL w/Troy Patrick Farrell
June 14 BISTRO AL VINO, Centennial, CO CHEAP THRILL w/Troy Patrick Farrell
June 17 SIDELINES, Ashland City, TN Brandon Gibbs
June 20 SHOVELHEAD LOUNGE, Longwood, FL CHEAP THRILL w/John Corabi
June 21 BOURBON STREET, New Port Richey, FL CHEAP THRILL w/John Corabi
June 27 LIVE WIRE MUSIC & SPIRITS, Kewanee IL CHEAP THRILL (formerly That 1 Place)w.John Corabi
June 28 L TREYNS, Keokuk, IA CHEAP THRILL w/John Corabi
JULY
July 3 TAILGATORS, Cedar Rapids, IA (outside show) CHEAP THRILL w/John Corabi
July 4 FIRE OVER THE FOX FESTIVAL, (Rockerchix Rock Stage) Green Bay, WI CHEAP THRILLw/JC
July 5Â PHATHEADZ, Green Bay, WIÂ CHEAP THRILLÂ w/John Corabi
July 19 I WIRELESS CENTER, Moline, IL w Firehouse and Night Ranger, CHEAP THRILL
July 25 BRAUNS, Akron, NY CHEAP THRILL
July 26 MINESHAFT, Ashland,  PA CHEAP THRILL
July 27 PRIVATE EVENT, Akron, NY CHEAP THRILL
AUGUST
August 9 SOUTHPORT BAR & GRILL, Indianapolis, IN CHEAP THRILL
August 21 OLD SETTLERS DAYS, Hillsboro, IL CHEAP THRILL
August 22 DUBUQUE, IA More details coming
August 23 RIVERSIDE CASINO, Riverside, IA CHEAP THRILL
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 12 SHOOTERS, Hermitage, TN w/Troy Patrick Farrell
Sept. 27 80’S IN THE PARK Melbourne, FL CHEAP THRILL w/Troy Patrick Farrell
NOVEMBER
Nov. 22 L TREYNS, Keokuk, IA CHEAP THRILL
Nov. 28 GIBBS BROTHERS REUNION SHOW, THE CAPITOL THEATRE, Burlington, IA
DECEMBER
Dec. 5 TOYS FOR TOTS, Nashville, TN CHEAP THRILL