Wow, what a night… You plan on going to a Slaughter show and end up somewhere completely different.
Opening for Slaughter, a band comprised of artists that have been playing for many years but never really found the right place, well I think they have and they call themselves Uncle Sam. With Larry Pascale on vocals and lead guitar – Larry belted out vocals that would make other singers pass out… and with a new bass player joining the band, Dave LaFaire (also plays with Machines Gone Mad – story coming soon) – ok time to take a second here and give the guy some props – if you were to ask me, “can the guy play bass?” the first thing I will tell you is he is left handed… no big shakes right… but here’s the thing… he strings his bass right handed… so can he play? Not only does the guy smoke on stage, his stage presence shows that he just loves what he does and has fun doing it, let alone sounding great.
With covers that only a few would even think about, songs like Gypsy Road (Cinderella), Comin’ Atcha Live (Tesla), Slither (Velvet Revolver) and others that really put Larry’s vocals on task, backing vocals, and guitar by Bill Abel, and percussion by Rob Chandler these guys warmed the fans up for the event later on. And I will say this, these guys rocked a show that brought the crowd out and off their butts to dance and sing along with Uncle Sam. This band is another must see around the northwest suburbs of Chicago.
Now here’s the part above, ya plan on going to a Slaughter show and end up somewhere completely different, right smack dab in the middle of Uncle Sam’s set, Nick "Evil Twin" Catanese – of Black Label Society jumps up on stage to play a song with Uncle Sam. Bill Abel and Nick Catanese rocked out to Mob Rules and really got the crowd roaring; playing guitar together and off each other. The “Evil Twin” playing since he was 12 years old, was in town for some meetings along with his father, (who I interviewed – come back to check that out) being down to earth and very approachable, just wailed in a jam session while Larry remained on vocals… and as they say the crowd goes wild!
Wait wait, don’t leave now… this night is only partially over… remember these guys opened up for Slaughter and I haven’t even given you the review on Mark and the boys. And not to take away anything from Mark Slaughter, but the show was a show up until that point, I almost forgot to take photos at one point just enjoying the moment.
The stage gets set, the band jumps up on stage, Jeff Bland – “Blando”, an amazing artist sporting a Washburn Guitar (Motley Crue, Vince Neil, Warrant, Saigon Kick), Pete Sisson on bass and again sporting a Washburn bass, and Tim DiDuro on drums and the down to earth charismatic Mark Slaughter. For me, and to be honest, not following Slaughter’s history it was refreshing to hear songs that I knew and to hear them not from a cover band, or radio, but from Mark and the band themselves. I will say and you will probably hear me say it in the future, lights, sounds play a huge part in a live show, and when you couple that together with a band and lead singer like Mark Slaughter, you end up just having to get into the show with your whole body and soul. There are reasons why professionals get to the level they are at, and Mark and the rest of the band showed us that with searing vocals, guitar riffs that you just wanted to pick up the ole’ air guitar and play like a rock star. Pete on 
bass made you feel like you were part of the stage… and Tim kept them all together with the drum kit. I have got to say this was more fun than I anticipated and all to end with Mark grabbing the bass, Blando sitting behind the drums, Tim working his vocals, and the Uncle Sam boys back on stage with Larry on guitar, and vocals, Bill on guitar, and all of them putting down a basement type jam session, forgetting for a second it appeared, that there were actually fans that couldn’t get enough.
Mark great show, not only did you sound great but your fan presence was true and heartfelt, Uncle Sam, you opened and got the crowd ready and Nick, keep it real and we will chat soon about t your new project coming up (or look for the interview I did with your father)
Uncle Sam is:
Larry Pascale – Guitar and Lead Vocals
Rob Chandler – Percussion
Bill Abel – Guitar and Vocals
Dave – Bass and Vocals
For upcoming shows with or without national acts like Slaughter, Vince Neil and others visit their myspace page at myspace.com/unclesam2007
Nick Catanese and information on upcoming events can be viewed at www.eviltwinhq.com or www.blacklabelsociety.net
Slaughter is:
Mark Slaughter – Vocals and Guitars
Jeff Bland “Blando” - Guitars and vocals
Pete Sisson – Bass and vocals
Tim Diduro – Percussion
Visit www.slaughterweb.com for future dates and information on where you can catch the next show.
