THEORY OF A DEADMAN/SKILLET/SAINT ASONIA – FOXWOODS CASINO

By Joe Perusse

Rock Resurrection Tour- Theory of a Deadman, Skillet and Saint Asonia at Foxwoods

I was supposed to go see the show when this lineup came around earlier in the year. Work got in the way and I had to sell my tickets. The bands were nice enough to swing through the area again and even though it was a school night I wasn’t going to miss it again. I’m glad I decided to forgo some sleep for a great night of music.

Saint Asonia led off the night with a strong 8 song set. Coming out with “Better Place”, “Above it All” and “Devastate” the crowd was really into it. Next, lead singer Adam Gontier (Rhythm Guitar) went back to his days with former bands Three Days Grace for “Never Too Late” and “I Hate Everything About You” and Apocalyptica with “I Don’t Care”. This had the crowd out of their seats as the new single “Wolf” and “Let Me Live My Life” closed out the set. Saint Asonia also features Mike Mushok (Lead Guitar), Cale Gontier (Bass) and Cody Watkins (Drums).

Skillet took to the stage next and it seemed to me this is who the majority of the crowd was here to see on this night. Right from the start as Jen Ledger hit the drums for “Feel Invincible”, in what was a powerful performance all evening, along with her co-lead singing, the crowd was up on their feet and remained so throughout the 15 song set. “Rise” followed and then John Cooper (Lead Vocals/Bass) brought out the hand held fog machine for “Surviving the Game”. “Legendary” was up next and then Tate Olsen (Cello) made his first appearance of the evening for “Awake and Alive” and Korey Cooper (Rhythm Guitar) jumped on the keys.

John Cooper dedicated “Hero” to Jesus, Skillet is a Christian Rock Band after all. “Not Gonna Die”, and “Whispers in the Dark” preceded current radio hit “Psycho In My Head”. A Eleanor Hull cover “Be Thou My Vision” followed by “Comatose” were next and then Adam Gontier from Saint Asonia returned to the stage to help out on “Finish Line”. “Monster”, “Rebirthing” and “The Resistance” ended the set and led to a very happy crowd, quite a few who exited out to the casino floor before the headliner took the stage. Seth Morrison (Lead Guitar) fills out the lineup.

Theory of a Deadman came out to close off the evening and the people who headed out early missed a great show. A crowd sing along to a recorded version of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” led right into the first live riff of “Dinosaur” and had the crowd back up on their feet. I will say even the crowd that stayed was a little more subdued during the set, sitting at times, maybe tired form all the energy spent for Skillet, who knows? 

“Bitch Came Back” was next and then Tyler Connolly (Vocals/Guitar/Keys) said his hellos to the crowd and let everyone know the new album was available out in the lobby. “Two of Us (Stuck)” and “Not Meant to Be” led into “Lowlife” which had the crowd clapping their hands high in the air and a good smoke show too. Connolly asked the crowd if they were still having a good time and after a reassuring roar took it back to 2005 ripping the lead guitar intro into “Santa Monica”.

Connolly sat at the keys alone on stage to start “Wicked Game”, a Chris Isaak cover, and then the band joined him to finish as the lighters/ flashlights lit up the arena. A snippet of “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey turned into “All or Nothing”. Lights, sirens, and a smoke show encompassed the stage for “Ambulance”. The crowd joined in singing “Friends in Low Places”, a Garth Brooks cover and Dave Brenner (Guitar) gave a yelp review of 11/10 for our effort. “Angel” had the crowd clapping along.

Before “Hate My Life” Connolly threw T-shirts out in the crowd and let us know the bun is his favorite part oh Thanksgiving because he can make sandwiches the next day. “RX (Medicate) was followed by quick snippets of “Paradise City”(Guns N’ Roses), “Walk” (Pantera) and “Song 2” (Blur) as Connolly thanked the openers. “Bad Girlfriend” finished the show and left this fan glad he was out rocking on a school night. Dean Back (Bass) and Joey Dandeneau (Drums) complete the group who has had the same lineup since Dandeneau joined in 2009.

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