Music

Alice Cooper Shock Rock Show An Amazing Spectacle

Alice Cooper is more than a shock rock institution, a name to check off when listing iconic rock acts of yesteryear. He is arguably, the architect of the rock music spectacle and Thursday night’s sold out show at Thebarton Theatre was not only a testament to his legacy, but a living demonstration that classic hair metal vibes can still enthrall an audience, albeit an older one.

Original KISS lead guitarist Ace Frehley and band opened proceedings for the night, which perhaps accounted for the sell out show. Whilst Frehley doesn’t get the accolades that his former bandmates in KISS do, he still retains significance for many old school rock fans and has plenty of impressive guitar chops in his arsenal.

Flanked by three world class lead guitarists, an amazing bassist and a killer drummer, Alice Cooper’s live show not only lived up to the hype, but had some extra surprises thrown in like huge puppets, fake guillotine executions and a host of drama and theatrics, with actors, dancers, and a jack in the box in the middle of the stage providing all the props. Cooper’s show really resembled a theatrical production with the sum of all its parts far more significant that the legend’s musical repertoire which was on show. Cooper, always in character throughout the show, had the audience eating out of his hand as he strutted up and down the stage, going through more costumes than Beyonce, throwing around props like fencing swords, canes and huge dolls. His voice was still pretty solid, although his range isn’t unbelievable, but his stage presence was significant.

The hits kept coming with Woman of Mass Distraction, Department of Youth, and Mr Nice Guy which generated singalongs amongst the audience, but Poison and the final number School’s Out for Summer were clearly standouts on the night. Special mention should really go to Cooper’s band, fantastic lead guitarists Nita Strauss (an actual descendant of the composer), Ryan Roxie, Tommy Henriksen, and the ridiculously talented rhythm section of Glen Sobel on drums and Chuck Garrick on bass.

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