(Live Review) QUEENSRYCHE / GREAT WHITE / QUIET RIOT - Milwaukee, WI (08/03/25)
- Mark McQueen
- 8 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Greetings friends, fans, and followers, it is the Beard and Little Johnny with episode #70 of Beard Reviews. This time, our colorful duo took in the stylings of the Wisconsin State Fair and their main stage act of Queensryche, Great White and Quiet Riot.
Now, before I get into each act, allow me to offer a bit of a disclaimer. I understand that shows like these cause an unending debate as far as what people consider “authentic.” To give you an example, videos from this show that I posted on my TikTok site (available by searching thebeard0728 on TikTok), garnered over 70,000 views and six hundred plus responses. These ranged from internet trolls just writing “garbage” or some other more colorfully detrimental terminology, all the way to others who really enjoyed the show and had intelligent commentary about it.
Authenticity can be a tricky thing. Each of these bands finds their roots in the mid 1970’s or, at the latest, the early 1980’s. As such you would be hard pressed to call any 50-year-old band authentic if you are holding the word to mean just the forming members. While the Beard fully agrees that it can be sad to see a once great classic rock era act limping along on the glory of a single long-time member, in some respects there must also be a degree of acceptance for trying to keep the music alive.
The Beard's advice is that if for “you” the reader, “it ain’t Queensryche without Geoff Tate.” Or “It ain’t Great White without Jack Russell,” or “It ain’t Quiet Riot without Kevin Dubrow.” Then just stay home, spin your vinal LP’s and reminisce on the glory days of your youth. (Ed: Can I stay home and not spin any records from these bands?!) But for me, if someone on that stage had a hand in making the music that the band on the stage is playing, then I can afford to give them a pass and not just say they are a tribute band. Like many attendees to shows like these, I like revisiting the old songs and seeing grey-haired people just like me having a good time. Did I explain that correctly Johnny?
“Huh? I wasn’t really listening Beard. I know how you tend to go on and on and on. Listen, just tell people to get over themselves and have a good time at the show and if they can’t then they should quit pissing on the rest of us who can.”
Well put little dude. So then, let’s get to it. First up, ...
QUIET RIOT
Although in existence for fifty plus years, determining any legacy of authenticity for this band, (that broke out huge in 1983, first by covering English band Slade and then by having a few self-created hits), is completely dependent on who someone personally liked. (Ed: Hated 'em all. Heh, heh.)
Quiet Riot has had over thirty members come through its ranks since the 1973 formation of the band, but for most fans the recognized “classic era” consisted of vocalist Kevin Dubrow (deceased 2007), guitarist Carlos Chavaso, drummer Frankie Banali (deceased 2020), and bassist Rudy Sarzo. Of these, only Sarzo was on the stage. The other current members have been part of the later Quiet Riot releases (since 2010), but really had nothing to do with the biggest hits that the fairgoers came to hear.
The band’s opening set consisted of eight numbers including five from Mental Health, and nothing from post 1985. Still, fans enjoyed singing along with the band’s biggest numbers such as, “Mama We’re all Crazy Now,” “Come on Feel the Noise,” and “Mental Health.” Although the Beard was never personally a Quiet Riot fan even back in the glory days of 1983-85, it was still fun to hear the songs and see the show. I will award a solid 77/100.
What do you say Johnny?
“All those tunes were from before I was born Beard, but I like the part about banging your head. They were pretty cool.”
Next up we had another late 80’s band in the form of ...
GREAT WHITE
Once again, over their 45-year existence, Great White has run twenty-two different members through their main incarnation ... and that doesn’t count another dozen or so players that ran through the Jack Russell’s Great White spin off band.
For Great White, the lineup most fans remember would probably be Jack Russell vocals (deceased 2024), Mark Kendall (guitar), Audie Desbrow (Drums), Lorne Black Bass (deceased 2013), & Michael Lardie (Rhythm, keyboards & backing vocals.) Of that group three were on the stage making Great White the most classic era authentic band of the evening.
Newest member and lead singer, Brett Carlisle (2022), did a nice job emulating Russell especially on “Rock Me”, but his younger voice, (while better for the high-end stuff), lacked that world weary smoky blues sound Jack Russell placed on songs like “House of Broken Love.”
Great White also did an eight-song set which stuck largely to the 82-87 era but afforded me a better show than I had expected. Great White brought it, and while I did think “Once Bitten Twice Shy” was weak as a closer, it’s the one everyone expected, so no surprise there. I am going to say 85/100 because they were better than I expected them to be.
How about you Johnny?
Unfortunately, by this time the State Fair with its sights sounds, rides and foods had lured Johnny away, so I never got a review of Great White from him. He later emerged during the post show set change with a corn dog that was stuffed in a dill pickle, then breaded and covered with mustard, a giant cream puff and three deep fried Oreos. He looked at me and said, “What? I was hungry Beard. Want some?”
“I will pass little dude.”
QUEENSRYCHE
Finally, tonight’s headliner was Queensryche, a band that has drawn a ton of controversy since their messy split in 2012 from original vocalist Geoff Tate. For many fans, Queensryche without Tate is akin to Aerosmith without Tyler, Priest without Halford, or Maiden without Dickenson, but honestly, after four times seeing them over the last two years, I have to say I would pay to hear a set of Queensryche with just material from the last four albums. Todd La Torre is a damn good singer.
I am taking nothing away from Geoff Tate, who is a top ten all time metal vocalist, and the Beard loved seeing his tour this year. Unfortunately, this is the messy divorce that never heals. Fans have adopted their positions and camps ... and based on about six hundred plus comments those fans aren’t coming off the hill they have chosen to die on concerning what they think of Queensryche. Despite La Torre having a fantastic voice and giving great effort, for many he could emulate every note perfectly and they would still sneer and say, “He sucks so bad. Where’s Geoff?”
This is where people allow their personal feelings to color an abject judgement. Frankly, after four viewings of Queensryche and two of Geoff Tate’s solo project (all in the last two years), I have come to the conclusion that the current Queensryche performs songs from the first two albums better. Geoff Tate can do the songs from “Operation Mindcrime” & “Empire” better. As to my preference, it’s a split decision and I am okay with that.
Michael Whiton & Eddie Jackson are both originals and Todd La Torre has been filling the singer role for thirteen years now. I am not bothered that they keep the name and keep touring behind it, but once again I would enjoy hearing a set of Queensryche with just songs from 2013 and later to allow me to evaluate the Todd La Torre era material. I think so long as their sets feature “only” Geoff Tate era selections, La Torre will always be held to an impossible standard.
Since it was an all Tate era set, I will award Queensryche an 85/100 because I enjoyed the songs and that certainly beats the alternative.
What say you Johnny?
“That dude can scream Beard. I didn’t like all the delay and effects so much, but this was definitely a fun place to see a concert. Hey, what do you say to a steak sandwich and some cheese curds on the way out?”
“Good Lord Johnny, you are going to die on the way home.”
“Nawwww, I’m a growing boy Beard.”
So, this brings Beard episode #70 to a close. Be sure to check out my videos of the event on TikTok at thebeard0728, keep following the Beard on social medial, and of course keep tuning in right here to The Mighty Decibel for all your Metal education and shows from editor and chief Chris Tighe who continually braves the Canadian wildfires from his treehouse in the Yukon territory just to bring you the very best in real metal programming. (Ed: You Yanks used to think that us Canucks all lived in igloos. Now because of a little bit of smoke wafting your way you think we all live in treehouses. Return to your oversized lots and extra air conditioning will ya!)
Until we return again, this was the Beard and Little Johnny saying, “Live Life” “Stay Heavy” and “Horns Up.”