I was recently reading an interview where a member of a prominent band (unfortunately I do not remember who it was) stated that there hasn’t been a great hard rock band that has hit the scene since the Foo Fighters in the mid-nineties. It’s apparent they overlooked Alter Bridge. Now touring on their fifth record, The Last Hero, the quartet has cemented themselves as one of rock’s bright stars in an otherwise dull genre. Powered by one of today’s best rhythm sections, Brian Marshall (bass guitar), and Scott Phillips (drums) lay the foundation for the amazing guitar/vocal duo of Mark Tremonti (lead guitar/vocals) and Myles Kennedy (lead vocals/guitar). With the release of The Last Hero in October of this past year, stateside we are starting to figure out what our European counterparts have known for over a decade: the band is amazing.
I was fortunate enough to pick up The Last Hero tour in Boston, MA, at the House of Blues on February 7th and again at the PlayStation Theater on February 9th in New York City. Supported by Weapons of Anew (WoA) and Nonpoint, headliners Alter Bridge are finding themselves playing to a growing audience packing in 2000+ seaters, a major jump from the clubs they were playing half this size just on their last touring cycle with Fortress. People are finally starting to catch on, and the resilience of the quartet is finally starting to pay off in North America.
Formed in 2004 Alter Bridge is the creation of three former members of the multi-platinum band, Creed. This has proven to be a blessing and a curse for the band. Stateside fans saw it as a new incarnation of the members’ former band. Overseas fans embraced Alter Bridge as a new hard rock band having not been overly exposed to Creed. What fans in North America didn’t do was take the time to soak in the obvious: Alter Bridge is a major departure from the early days of Tremonti, Marshall, and Phillips. By bringing on Myles Kennedy, they have a voice that couldn’t be more opposite of Scott Stapp (Creed lead singer) as well as adding the amazing skills of another guitar virtuoso in Kennedy.
As the tour approached the Boston date, things were looking bleak; mother nature was not on their side. With a Nor’easter slamming the area, my first thought was, would the show go on? When it was confirmed to move forward I then worried that the audience would be light due to the weather. As I entered the venue toward the end of Nonpoint’s set (coming from over an hour away the weather slowed my travel to the venue) I could see right away the weather had zero impact on the crowd, it was packed! The fans were then treated to a nearly two hour, 18 song setlist. Killer show!
Fast forward two days to NYC and guess what? Another snow storm this time delivering a major punch to The Big Apple. I couldn’t believe it. Fortunately, I ventured to the city prior to the storm, but once again, would the show go on? You’re damn right, it would! And would the fans show up? After making my way through the freezing cold and finally arriving at the PlayStation Theater my question was answered – the fans showed up in droves. On this night, a couple of rarities would make the set: “Broken Wings” from their debut release, One Day Remains, and “The Last Hero” would both make an appearance on the setlist, making for a special evening.
Like many of you out there my initially thoughts about Alter Bridge were dismissive. I think it’s reasonable to think with three of the four members being from Creed that it would contain similarities. It wasn’t until 2012 when I saw Tremonti’s solo band live that I decided to take another look at Alter Bridge; the first album I picked up was Blackbird. I hit play then proceeded to kick my own ass for waiting nearly a decade to give Alter Bridge a chance. I couldn’t believe I waited this long to discover the greatness that this band is. Now having seen them multiple times I’ve come to appreciate them so much more. They truly are one of today’s great live bands, with what I consider to be one of hard rock’s greatest guitar duos. Watching Tremonti hammer away his leads is like watching a power lifter giving it all he’s got and that’s exactly what Mark does. Scott Phillips, high above the crowd, is one of rock’s most underrated drummers around today. Marshall keeps things moving with a strong bass as he sits back and lets his playing do the talking. And then there’s Myles with his mesmerizing vocals and signature grin. If you’re not blown away by Alter Bridge live. then you better check your pulse. as you might be dead.
Not only that they are also one of the humblest group of rock musicians I’ve ever met who truly appreciate their fans. No egos, no rock star persona, just four guys who are thankful for their fans and enjoy what they do, and it shows when they hit the stage. If you’re looking for a great rock band, the search is over; go out and pick up any of Alter Bridge’s five albums (One Day Remains, Blackbird, AB III, Fortress, The Last Hero) or save yourself a trip back to the record store and purchase all five at once because I guarantee once you hear one of their albums, you’ll want to complete the collection. And be sure to catch them live; in my opinion there is no better live band out today, and just like me you will become an instant diehard fan. Check out Alter Bridge on tour today.
| Setlist Boston | Setlist New York City |
| The Writing on the Wall | The Writing on the Wall |
| Come To Life | Come To Life |
| Farther Than the Sun | Farther Than the Sun |
| Addicted to Pain | Addicted to Pain |
| White Knuckles | Ghost of Days Gone By |
| Ghosts of Days Gone By | Cry of Achilles |
| Cry of Achilles | My Champion |
| My Champion | Broken Wings |
| Ties That Bind | Ties That Bind |
| Crows On A Wire | The Last Hero |
| Waters Rising | Waters Rising |
| Watch Over You | Watch Over You |
| Isolation | Isolation |
| Blackbird | Blackbird |
| Open Your Eyes | Open Your Eyes |
| Metalingus | Metalingus |
| Show Me a Leader | Show Me a Leader |
| Rise Today | Rise Today |
