Nine lives? Think again. Aerosmith have pulled off more comebacks than any other band could or should be able to get away with. And clearly, they’re not done yet.
As a warmup for their upcoming Las Vegas residency, the band just played their first show in over two years — and their first gig since Steven Tyler went back to rehab for the zillionth time. And damned if they didn’t knock it out of the park, if these fan-shot videos from their Bangor performance are anything to go by.
The version of Mama Kin above is worth the price of admission alone, and the other four songs — the fitting opener Back In the Saddle, along with the Nine Lives standout Full Circle and their cover of The Shangri-Las’ Remember (Walkin’ In The Sand) — aren’t far behind. Tyler in particular sounds stronger than he has in years, while Joe Perry, Brad Whitford and Tom Hamilton don’t seem rusty in the least.
But I also think a ton of the credit has to go to drum tech Jack Douglas, sitting in for Joey Kramer while the drummer takes a leave of absence following the death of his wife in June. My major complaint about Aerosmith shows lately has been that Kramer plays far too slow — but Douglas picks up the pace and gives the band the kick in the ass they sorely need. Almost makes me wish I had a ticket for one of those Vegas shows. Anyway, check out the songs. Back in the saddle indeed.
