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98 WOOF, Wilmington, DE (2024)

01/06/2024

98 WOOF's Concert of the Day 1.6.23.

January 6, 2006 I saw Anthrax at Rams Head Live in Baltimore, along with some other bands I didn't know, or follow. Joey Belladonna was back in the band and it was simply amazing! I got a hotel room so I could get a little tipsy, so I didn't have to drive back to Delaware with a buzz.
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12/31/2023

98 WOOF's Top 25 Albums of 2023.

1. 72 Seasons - Metallica

No surprise here, although Extreme gave them a run for their money to take the #1 spot. Definitely the two most listened to albums for me this year, but 72 Seasons won out. This WHOLE album kicks my @$$!, but the title track, 'Shadows Follow', 'Lux Æterna', 'Chasing Light', 'If Darkness Had A Son', and 'Too Far Gone' are my faves on this one.

12/31/2023

98 WOOF's Concert of the Day 12.31.23.

On New Years Eve in 2002 I saw Creed at the First Union Spectrum in Philadelphia. This was a neat concert, the opening act was good (Virgos Merlot I think), Creed were really good, we were all buzzed for the New Year countdown. Fun show!

12/30/2023

98 WOOF's Top 25 Albums of 2023.

2. Six - Extreme

It's been 15 years since we last heard new music from Extreme. SIX was definitely well worth the wait. Right out of the gate, 3 rocking tunes that hit hard! 'Rise', ' ', and 'Banshee'. Then comes 'Other Side Of The Rainbow', showing Nuno's chops on guitar. The beautiful harmonies on 'Small Town Beautiful'. 'The Mask' was a little hokey at first, but grew to like it. 'Save Me' rocks, 'Hurricane' with vocal by Nuno and Gary, with its harmonies, it's such a beautiful song. I also like 'Here's To The Losers' which is kind of an anthem for those who didn't quite get the job done. The other tunes are just as good. It's good to have them back!
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12/29/2023

98 WOOF's Top 25 Albums of 2023.

3. In Times New Roman... - Queens of the Stone Age

Here's another one that deals with the loss of a great friend, a terrible divorce, having and beating cancer. Josh has a some rough years since the last QOTSA album and alot of it you'll hear on this album. Every song on here is great, and they got better the more I listened and knew about the songs, as he discussed in interviews. This is what art is my friends. Being able to spill your guts and make it really hit home, is a gift. Josh has many gifts!
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12/29/2023

98 WOOF's Concerts of the Day. 12.29.23.

On December 29, 2007 at the Recher Theater in Towson, MD I saw Crack The Sky again, and I believe this was the last show I saw. Incredible show, as usual.
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Also on this date in 1989, I saw The Ho***rs at the beloved Tower Theater in Upper Darby, PA. I went to this one by myself...I think.
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12/28/2023

98 WOOF's Top 25 Albums of 2023.

4. Mammoth II - MammothWVH

No sophomore slump here folks. Wolfgang Van Halen has given us another killer album! This whole thing is a banger, but my faves are 'Right?', 'Like A Pastime', 'Another Celebration At The End Of The World', 'Miles Above Me', 'Take A Bow', well damn, they all kick @$$!
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12/27/2023

98 WOOF's Top 25 Albums of 2023.

5. (tie) Rumours Live - Fleetwood Mac / Closure/Continuation Live - Porcupine Tree

Fleetwood Mac were HUGE after the Rumors album was released in 1977. This concert was from the August 29, 1977 show at The Forum in Inglewood, California. Sheer perfection is how I describe this live album. I'm sad I never got to see this tour, however I did see the Tusk tour in 1979.
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I admit I was a little underwhelmed when Porcupine Tree released Closure/Continuation last year, but in a Live setting, the songs come across different, on stage. This album is SOOO F***ING GOOD! Nice selection of older songs that slay LIVE!
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12/26/2023

98 WOOF's Top 25 Albums of 2023.

6. But Here We Are - Foo Fighters

WOW! This record really pulls at your heartstrings. The first release after the death of his Mother and his beloved drummer, Taylor Hawkins, you can hear the hurt and grieving in almost every song. The best Foo Fighters record since 'Wasting Light'. Every song is just incredible.
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12/25/2023

98 WOOF's Top 25 Albums of 2023.

7. Hackney Diamonds - Rolling Stones

The greatest rock and roll band has released their first album of new material since 2005's 'A Bigger Bang', and it's jolly good, as they would say over there. It's the best Stones album since 'Tattoo You', I believe. Every song is great IMO.
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12/24/2023

98 WOOF's Top 25 Albums of 2023.

8. Relentless - The Pretenders

The 12th studio recording from the band is one of their stronger releases going back to the 80's. They usually have a spot on the countdown when they put stuff out. The singles off it so far are 'Let The Sun Come In', 'I Think About You Daily', and 'A Love'. I'm also fond of the lead off track on the album, 'Losing My Sense Of Taste', 'Domestic Silence', 'The Copa', 'Merry Widow', and 'Just Let It Go'. Even though all tracks kept my interest, those were standouts.
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12/23/2023

98 WOOF's Top 25 Albums of 2023.

9. (tie) From The Wood - Crack The Sky / i/o - Peter Gabriel

No surprise that Crack The Sky land on this list, and usually in the Top 10. This time is no different except they have to share the spot with Peter Gabriel.
What can I say about Crack The Sky, a lot actually. This, their 20th album called "From The Wood", they took an acoustic turn on the clever, witty songs this time around. Highlights here are 'I Get High', 'The Lady In The Lake', 'Fun In Isolation', 'Don't Close Your Eyes' (a hit for the band Kix, co written by John Palumbo of CTS), 'Outside of Me', 'Don't Feed The Tigers', and 'The Circle of Life'. Always great to hear new music from one of my favorite bands.
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The 10th studio album and first in 21 years was well worth the wait. Starting in January of 2023, he released 1 song, the 1st of each month. It killed me, but I refrained from listening to any of it, till it was fully released on DEC. 1st. For just a few listens, it shoots to spot 9 on the countdown. Every song I love.
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12/22/2023

98 WOOF's Top 25 Albums of 2023.

10. Back To The Water Below - Royal Blood

The duo has matured a bit, as this album isn't as hard as previous efforts. 'Mountains At Midnight', 'Shiner In The Dark', and 'Pull Me Through', are bangers, but the other songs are good too, just not as bangin'.I Still LOVE this band no matter what direction they go.
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12/21/2023

98 WOOF's Top 25 Albums of 2023.

11. Can't Find The Brakes - Dirty Honey

I hoped this bands second album would catapult them to the big leagues, but for me, it didn't quite have the impact the first LP and the EP before that had. Sure it has some good riffy tunes on it like, 'Don't Put Out The Fire', Won't Take Me Alive', Dirty Mind', 'Get A Little High', 'Can't Find The Brakes', Ride On', and 'Rebel Son', but nothing really stands out to be that one or two songs that would get the world's attention. I still love this band though, this one just came out a month ago, it'll grow on me I'm sure.
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12/20/2023

Last one that comes to mind is when Royal Blood opened for the Foo Fighters. They were loud and just KILLED it for just a duo.

12/20/2023

98 WOOF's Top 25 Albums of 2023.

12. III - The Winery Dogs

The aptly named III, is the 3rd album from these guys. Great musicians playing kick ass rock and roll.
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12/19/2023

98 WOOF's Top 25 Albums of 2023.

13. Starcatcher - Greta Van Fleet

The bands 3rd album was a little disappointing after the incredible 'The Battle at Garden's Gate' sophomore release. Still really good, but again, there are a lot more albums that deserve more spins this year. People hating the Zeppelin references attached to this band rages on. I personally love Led Zeppelin, so it's neat if a little riff or a vocal raises its head now and then.
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12/19/2023

98 WOOF's Concert of the Day. 12.17.23.

On December 17, 1983, I saw George Thorogood & The Destroyers at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. My one and only time seeing them. He was HUGE at this point, with 'Bad To The Bone', and I do believe he sold out the place, or came close to it. Delaware musical royalty, selling out the Spectrum!
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12/19/2023

98 WOOF's Top 25 Albums of 2023.

14. Rocking & Swing - The Ho***rs

Extremely happy one of my favorite bands from the 80's put out new material in 2023. Its a few old tunes, a few new tunes and a LIVE early 80's flashback of 'Man In The Street'. Going back to their reggae/ska roots on this one!
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12/18/2023

98 WOOF's Top 25 Albums of 2023.

15. Terra Firma - Nick Perri & The Underground Thieves

Nick Perri, formerly of the awesome band Silvertide, released his 2nd album and its a double album. This is a really great collection of songs. A little bit of everything. Check it out for yourself.
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12/16/2023

98 WOOF's Top 25 Albums of 2023.

16. The Long Goodbye - Candlebox

Another band who claims this will be the last album. It's a shame, because I really love these guys. This album is a rocker and I highly recommend it.
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12/16/2023

98 WOOF's Concert of the Day 12.10.23.

December 10, 2005, at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, PA, I saw an incredible Genesis tribute band called The Musical Box. They focus more on the earlier tours, exactly as they were done. It was mind blowing how good they are. Note for note, every stage prop, and antic. If you like early Genesis, they are a must see!
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12/16/2023

98 WOOF's Concert of the Day. 12.6.23.

Never got a chance to see Guns N' Roses in their heyday, so I thought I'd check em out. So I did on December 6, 2002 at the First Union Center in Philly. Mixmaster Mike the DJ for Beastie Boys and CKY opened. They both were really good. Mike seemed to be playing for a really long time, and it was evident that Axl was late. Eventually, the guy notified us that a band member was ill, and they won't be performing. RIOT! Not me, but all around us, seat cushions flying like Frisbee's, drinks, pretzels, you name it. It started getting really bad, so we went into the tunnel. Bad idea. They were aiming for the tunnels. We wound up getting outside and back to the car. There never was a 2nd show either. Google gnr riot Philly. Held a Guns N Roses boycott for a long time, that's how upset I was about not seeing them.
Mixmaster Mike 🔷️🔷️🔷️🔷️🔷️
CKY 🔷️🔷️🔷️🔷️
GUN'S N ROSES - Zero

12/15/2023

98 WOOF's Top 25 Albums of 2023.

17. Light Up The Sky - Godsmack

Love this band to pieces, but the last couple of albums haven't been my favorites. Still great to see live though. This is supposedly their last album of new material. 😢
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12/15/2023

98 WOOF's Concerts of the Day. 12.2.23.

Finally saw Bon Jovi for the first and only time at the Wachovia Center in Philly on December 2, 2005. I must say, I was a bit surprised by how awesome this band is live. Most memorable moment was when Richie was getting ready to do the incredible solo on 'Wanted, Dead Or Alive' and his guitar crapped out. I had binoculars and the look of sheer frustration was in his face. Finally got it back and KILLED the rest of the solo.
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Same date, but this one was in 1989 at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, PA. Billy Squier, who I've been a fan of since 1981, scaled down his big arena rock show and put on an intimate evening of memorable classics. This was the last concert of his I saw. Still a favorite!
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12/15/2023

98 WOOF's Concert of the Day. 11.30.23.

On November 30, 1987, I saw my first YES Concert at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. Touring behind their ''Big Generator" tour, they played mostly from that album and 90125. As far as classic Yes, there was 'Heart Of The Sunrise', 'Yours Is No Disgrace', 'And You And I', 'Starship Trooper', 'I've Seen All Good People', and 'Roundabout'. Trevor Rabin filled the slot of guitarist quite well, although I LOVE Steve Howe...I thought it was a great show and I had fun. All my tall friends who I went with, handled the floor seats with no problem. I went to exact back of the Spectrum lower level and found a seat and jammed TF out! Perfect view, and had binoculars.
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12/14/2023

98 WOOF's Top 25 Albums of 2023.

18. Sonic Mojo- Foghat

Been a Foghat fan for what seems like forever, and was happy when they decided to record another album. Excellent blues based rock and roll. I recommend highly.
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12/13/2023

98 WOOF's Top 25 Albums of 2023.

19. Rockstar - Dolly Parton

Newly inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Dolly felt weird being there, so she decided to do a rock album. Some of the songs are killer, while some just leave me scratching my head. Either way, Dolly Parton is a national treasure and glad she put this record out.
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