(Live Review) DORO / VIXEN / HAVRON - St. Charles, Il (9/6/25)
- Mark McQueen
- Sep 16
- 7 min read
Welcome friends, fans, and followers to Beard Reviews episode #80. When the Beard told Little Johnny this one was going to be a metal night, the lad perked up and said, “Cool Beard, who are we seeing?”
“Doro, Vixen and Havron.”
Johnny raised his eyebrows and said, “That old chick you proposed to last year at Milwaukee Metalfest?”
“Yeah. She’s had an entire year to think about it. Maybe she is tired of being single and on the road now.”
“Sure Beard. I bet that’s true. In fact, I think you should jump right on stage tonight and ask her again. I bet she would find that romantic.”
For the record, the Beard IS able to detect sarcasm, and since I suspected Little Johnny and my boss of secretly conspiring to get video footage of me being tasered by Arcada security. I told the lad no that won’t be happening. Johnny nodded and said, “Well think it over Beard.”
Realistically, this was just a wonderful opportunity to see some older bands rock out on the Arcada stage. Sadly, not a lot of other people felt that way. The Arcada seats about nine hundred and I am generous in saying it was two thirds full for this Saturday evening show. You know it isn’t a good house when head promoter Ron Onesti does not even personally show up for a Saturday night event and runs his promotional video instead.
At just after 8:00pm, the evening began with local Chicago act ...
HAVRON
Havron have been around since 2020 and had one full length release, Nomads Creed. They have been a Chicago area band since around 2022. Husband and wife team Josh & Lariyah Perrin handled the vocal and guitar duties with ex-Novembers Doom member Mike Feldmen on the bass. I am really not certain who the other three on the stage were.
Lariyah looked and dressed the part of a sexy leather clad inked up lead singer, and she certainly possessed a powerful voice (having been in several other bands.) That centerpiece aside, honestly, I felt the songs were overly busy and forgettable. There was just too much going on with six band members. I can see why the Perrin couple have been searching for the right vehicle. They are both talented and she can tap into that Lzzy Hale type vibe in the lead vocalist role, but I do not see Havron making the big jump as they stand right now. I am predicting that Havron reboots again with either new members or a new name before all is said and done.
Although I enjoyed her look, singing, and stage posturing, I am only giving the performance a 74/100.
What did you think Johnny?
“Hot chick Beard, but knowing she is married to that guitar dude, it takes something away. Plus, for having all those guys on stage, that band never really rocked out hard enough for my taste."
Next up was long time women’s glam metal Act ...
VIXEN
Part of the 1980’s scene, drummer and founding member Roxy Petrucci remains the only original on the stage. Guitarist Britt Lightning and touring keyboardist Tyson Leslie were next in tenure having joined in 2017. This would be the Beard's third time seeing Vixen and their third different lead vocalist as this time Rosa Laricchiuta would be handling the microphone.
For those who would say Vixen is a tribute band at this point, essentially I agree. They are a female Foghat. The original drummer and a bunch of other talented musicians playing songs that only one of them actually helped create.
Vixen played an eight song set sticking mostly with tracks off either 1988’s Vixen release or the follow up 1990’s Rev It Up, and including a mid-set medley containing pieces of “Running with the Devil”, “Perfect Strangers” “War Pigs” and “Still of the Night.” (Ed: Better than hearing any originals!)
A few positives about the Vixen set; Britt Lightning is an underappreciated guitar player. She does not get much press or mention, but she has been touring with various acts since the early 2000’s and can play adequate covers to most rock songs thereby making Vixen's medley portion rather good from the guitar aspect. (No doubt that is why they put it in there.)
Another fair assessment is that while Roger Earl, (Foghat’s original drummer), can barely play and often requires a second drummer on stage to pick up what he can no longer do, Roxy Petrucci can still deftly handle the Vixen numbers while still twirling the sticks, crashing through a tasty little two-minute solo, and looking like she still gives a %$^& about playing the songs correctly. The Beard gives credit to still caring about your craft even if it long ago became nostalgia with make-up.
Bassist Julia Lage keeps low key, but on that stage she was easily the best looking lady up there and while vocalist of just over a year Laricchiulta did her best, she is just the next in a long line of Vixen front women and nobody is going to truly replace Janet Gardner on those songs, (although Lorraine Lewis (2019-24) did have the attitude down pat and I enjoyed her performances.
Ultimately, I will give Vixen a 78/100. This was a mix between tribute act and a living jukebox type of set.
What did you think Johnny?
“I liked a couple of those songs Beard. Rocking chicks are fun to watch even if they are old.”
Headlining tonight was the Beard's dream girl (Ed: ... and Doro's nightmare)
DORO
At 61, Doro still looks surprisingly good (from an audience to stage viewpoint) and sings almost as well as in her glory days. It helps that virtually none of her songs are all that difficult to sing.
Although Doro does not perform under her Warlock moniker, her set had nine of sixteen songs culled from those 1982-88 era albums. I know those are the songs the fans want to hear, but Doro has released fourteen non-Warlock albums and once again I think she should play at least half her material from those. “Time for Justice,” “Warriors of the Sea” and “Fire in the Sky” from 2025’s Conquoress were all good songs, and Doro had a little extra fire when singing them.
Don’t get me wrong, the Beard loves “I Rule the Ruins”, “All we Are” and “East meets West” as much as anyone else, (no need to comment boss I know that doesn’t include you), but I would like to hear her play a few more from later albums. (Ed: Don't worry Beard, I understand that your love of hair metal is due to your hair follicle challenges. It just ain't your fault that your drawn to prissy metal.)
For me, Doro is not so much a great singer as a genuine personality. Watching her perform a set for only about 600 people, is to see the old adage “If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.” For two hours, Doro implored the crowd, shook her fist, banged her head and even during “All we Are”, went out in the crowd and chair walked all along the fifth row in order to let fans grab pictures and scream out the chorus along with her.
Even after the final number, and coming up on midnight, as the house lights were bright and the techs were clearing the stage, Doro remained bumping fists, smiling, waving, and refusing to just run off the stage to the dressing room and tour bus. Fans paid to see her, and she was going to let them for as long as she could. That kind of effort matters, and it is a big reason I have long been a fan.
Doro Pesch is a survivor. When the American audience became all about grunge, Doro just kept touring Europe and Japan and when the needle once again pointed towards a resurgence of American interest in classic metal, she and her long-time bandmates were ready to conquer the states all over again with her dogged perseverance and commitment to keeping her brand of metal alive.
Doro Pesch is genuine in her love of what she does and while I know her music is always around the low 80’s comparatively, her oversized personality is always mid 90’s so I am going 88/100 mostly for her energy and unbridled enthusiasm. (Ed: I'm sure you didn't take any other "oversized" elements into consideration for your grade, Beard!)
What did you think Johnny?
“That you were never going to stop writing about her. I actually agree with you Beard. She’s old, and up close she looks a little like the witch from that old fairy tale they used to read to me at the orphanage, but when she ran down the chairs and we got to sing together on that one song I decided she was pretty cool. Plus, she did turn you down for marriage so clearly, she has decent tastes.”
“Not really necessary to tell me that little dude, but I am glad you enjoyed her set this time.”
And this brings episode #80 of Beard Reviews to a close. Remember to check us out each and every Tuesday right here on Chris Tighes Mighty Decibel and be sure to check out Chris on his new radio show at Wild Dogs Radio every Saturday at noon. Just go to wilddogsradio.com. (Ed: Thanks for the plug!)
You can keep up with all the Beard Reviews episodes by just following the Beard (aka Mark McQueen) on social media and check out all the videos from all the shows on my TikTok page at thebeard0728. Until next time, this is the Beard reminding you to “Live Life” “Stay Heavy” and “Horns Up.”
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