Instrumental, theatrical and even some playful X-rated chaos were on the same stage Friday night as a guitar hurricane swept through the Rock Box. “Hurricane” Nita Strauss, one of Alice Cooper’s guitarists who also spent time in global all-female Iron Maiden tribute band The Iron Maidens and the all-female modern-day version of ‘80s rockers Femme Fatale, made her San Antonio solo-band all-instrumental debut in support of Controlled Chaos.
New York rocker Kore Rozzik and his band, who like Strauss released their debut full-length album in 2018, also played the Alamo City for the first time and arguably stole the show with their energy, delivery, ability to entertain, quality of originals and even choice and delivery of covers. And in the end, they got punked by Strauss and her bandmates for their efforts in an affectionate farewell between the two national acts on the final night of their tour as Kore Rozzik attempted to close with “Spellbound” (ATM footage below).
A trifecta of locals warmed things up led by the Pup Zenabi Instrumental Project along with The Steel Soldiers and openers Wulfholt (see 76-photo slideshow below).
Strauss’ quintet dazzled with their own energy, headbanging and hair-whipping. While Jennifer Lopez was shaking her booty at the AT&T Center, the blonde guitarist struck a few sultry poses of her own and shred many more electrical riffs. Offering up “Alegria,” “The Stillness at the End,” “Lion Among Wolves” and “Mariana Trench” from her solo effort (setlist in slideshow), Strauss brought Rozzik on stage to sing Cooper’s classic “Eighteen.” She then went into an instrumental version of “Aces High,” consenting to the crowd afterwards, “I’d be lying to you guys if I said I didn’t miss playing Iron Maiden songs every night.” From there, Strauss returned to her solo record with “The Quest” (ATM Facebook Live footage here).
Strauss stuck to her planned ending of solo tracks “The Show Must Go On” and “Our Most Desperate Hour,” but that wasn’t good enough to conclude the tour in Texas. By default. Strauss took to the mic and reminded all in attendance that the following day marked the 1-year anniversary of the death of Vinnie Paul, as her band broke into some heartfelt Pantera riffage on “Domination” (ATM footage below).
Rozzik, meanwhile, captivated the onlookers in a variety of ways. The self-proclaimed “Bastard child of New York City” unveiled concept album Vengeance Overdrive last summer, a record that speaks to those who put him and his dreams down, and how he responds in kind. The hard-hitting record ratcheted up on stage as Kore Rozzik blazed through the title track, immediately showcasing an energetic difference in intensity between what it takes to land a national tour versus the three local predecessors continuing to hone their skills, chase their dreams and/or be content with playing for their friends and family.
Kore Rozzik’s album contains all-original material, but there’s an interlude on there where the frontman says, “I’m not like everybody else.” He proved as much, along with guitarists Andrei, Lynxx and drummer Louie — and no bass player — by raising eyebrows not only with a second-song cover, but the choice of cover. Backed by a TV screen set up next to Louie’s drum kit, Kore Rozzik used his Cooper influence while touring with Cooper’s guitarist to shock and awe his own way by performing Rockwell’s 1984 pop smash “Somebody’s Watchin’ Me,” as the video for the song that featured Michael and Jermaine Jackson played.
While the venue was cool and mostly comfortable for the patrons, it was anything but on stage for those working the hardest. Each of the five acts made some sort of reference to the lack of cool air flowing in their direction, which also was devoid of fans on a typical muggy June night. While Strauss doused herself with water, Rozzik took a more humorous approach: “This is probably the only time you wouldn’t want to get in my pants,” Rozzik said. “Man, it’s sweaty down there. . . . We have this thing in New York. It’s called air conditioning. You guys should try it.”
Kore Rozzik also delivered the goods on arguably the album’s best tunes “Bitter Rat” and “Mistress” (ATM footage of the latter below), then played a more conventional cover. He dedicated “Hangar 18” to Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine’s announcement earlier this week that he’s battling throat cancer, and the band shined on its version as the video played. But Rozzik received his vengeance comeuppance on finale “Spellbound” as Strauss’ band took over the stage and ended both groups’ touring partnership in style before they each met with fans and posed for photos. Strauss will return to the area when Cooper headlines the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park on Monday, July 29, with Halestorm and Motionless In White (tickets here).
Pup Zenabi Instrumental Project fit right in to Strauss’ non-vocal theme on the local front. Guitarist and band leader Tony Astarita, as is his custom, took to the stage and joked, “If you know the words, sing along,” as he, bassist James Graham, guitarist Andrew Goodline and drummer Kris Ardolino performed tracks such as opener “Trip Wire” and finale “Slaying the Dragon.” They also debuted forthcoming track “Swept Away” (ATM Facebook Live clip here). The band gets tighter with every appearance, and Pup Zenabi will be returning to the Rock Box on Saturday, Sept. 14, opening for L.A. Guns in a show that should be officially announced in the coming days.
The Steel Soldiers, a more rock-oriented band, made a rare appearance at the Rock Box as the second artist on the program. Vocalist Supe Steele frequently made his way into the crowd to spice things up as the quintet played the likes of “You’re Not Foolin’ Anyone” and “Starburn” (ATM Facebook Live footage here) off their EP Starburn Chronicles; Vol. 1.
Wulfholt, which opened for Sacred Reich on the same stage May 25 when it debuted new bassist Elijah Raein, kicked things off with the likes of “Shattered Crown” and “Truth Shrouded” in a short but heavy-hitting set.
