Rockin' The Vault and "Busting Balls" - Eric Martin And Co.

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by Matman

LIVE MUSIC IS BACK, PEOPLE!!! We have been crying and complaining about how much we missed going to concerts and experiencing life again... well, last night was an incredible night of music, fun and friends with Eric Martin and Trixter's Steve Brown and PJ Farley plus Joey Cassata.

With a setlist pulled from the music of Mr. Big, Trixter and P.J. Farley's solo career (more on that in a bit), you would think it would be all about the music, and it was. BUT, to me it was more about the atmosphere the four musicians created, four friends just rocking, having a great time together and oh yeah, there were people watching and enjoying themselves.

From Eric we of course got "To Be With You", "Wild World" and "Just Take My Heart" and from the Trixter boys there was "One In A Million" and "Give It To Me Good". BUT, it was the other songs dropped in the set, like the greatest Trixter song ever, "Tattoos & Misery" (sung by P.J.) and two of my favorites from the world of Mr. Big, "Take Cover" and "Shine" that were not only great to see and hear live, but each had a different spark and feel. There was something (and I'm gonna use the word again) FUN about these songs played with this complement of players. If you follow Mr. Big and Trixter you know there can be (and is) a bit of tension in their history, but here the songs that we all know and love are being played by four guys who just like to 

My only disappointment was they didn't give Joey a spotlight to perform a Z Brothers classic or two. I've been a huge fan since the Bronstein party, maybe "Wheels On The Bus or the "Chicken Song"?" It would fit guys, trust me...

​People know me and listen to my shows already know what a huge fan I am of Eric Martin's career and my love and support of Steve Brown's Tokyo Motor Fist. Old listeners of The Secret Identity Podcast remember my weekly reviews of Z Rock (starring Joey Cassata), but (yes, another but) I have become a huge fan of P.J. Farley from just one song, "Chokehold", a track from his latest solo album, ACCENT THE CHANGE. Hearing that one song make me dive into his solo work, enough where I just bought the album. Full review coming soon...

On stage, the band really had a great time, joking with each other, making comments all over the place to what was going on. This didn't make the show sloppy or unprofessional, it made the entire event spontaneous and, well, fun! During the songs Eric wasn't singing he would sing back-up in support or would wander into the audience, freaking people out, dancing with them or in my case, came up to my table, sat down and told me how much he loved P.J.'s song, "Chokehold", that was being performed at that minute. A-Mazing stuff!!

I also need to give a major shout out to the Vault's staff working the kitchen. This time I had the Bat Burger, a delicious feast for the mouth... an 8 oz. burger, bacon, arugula, fresh mozzarella and something stick sweet called tomato jam! See picture below to and let your mouth begin to water!!!! 

Again, I cannot stress enough what an enjoyable show this was. No pressure to be Mr. Big and not trying to be Trixter, just four dudes playing great music and again... having fun doing so. Thanks guys for letting me/us be a part of it!