JUST LIKE PARADISE: Paradise return to the Sunset Strip along with The Wild; Red Dragon Cartel get some redemption

JUST LIKE PARADISE
Paradise return to the Sunset Strip along with the Wild and Red Dragon Cartel get their redemption
By Gerry Gittelson
Metal Sludge Editor at Large

HOLLYWOOD — More than 20 years since last playing the Sunset Strip, Paradise and The Wild made their grand return on Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Viper Room, and results proved spell-binding, as a capacity crowd roared its approval.

Paradise particularly was really on, or at least singer Adam Gifford was – he’s the only original member, just like The Wild singer Johnny X has all new members, too – and Gifford was in fine form.

He sang nearly as well as ever, and he has kept in pretty good shape, too. But the best thing was the way the glam songs held up so well. A hook is a hook, and it doesn’t matter if it’s 1989 or 2014.

“You Make Me Wild” got things going, followed by a torrid version of “I Want More.” By this time, Gifford had total control of the room.

Adam Gifford of Paradise and Wagner who sang for local band Hysteria back in the day

Chris from Swingin’ Thing with a PBR and friend

Adam Gifford live at the Viper Room

Swedish Erotica

Like a time capsule, it was mostly females who lined the front of the stage, and amazingly a lot of them were singing along. “Ghost Town” and “I’m in Love With You” followed, and a little choreography was thrown in.

It seemed like time had really flown once Paradise found their way to the fifth and final song – yes, we know, a short set – as the concert ended with the raunchy “Satisfaction” and included Gifford performing a mid-air splits, just like the old days.

Everyone was cheering and having a great time.

After a short break, The Wild came on, and they were good, too. Johnny X doesn’t have the long locks of hair anymore, but the man can still sing.

The group opened with ”Whiskey,” an old Johnny & the Jaguars selection, followed by “U Fuk With Me,” the funky “Shake Baby Shake,” “Get Down Tonight” and “Thunderbird.”

Both bands plan to make this a permanent reunion, and they’re well on their way.

Johnny X has a capable new band, and he has the kind of attitude to succeed.

The show was a benefit for Rough Justice – though frankly, Metal Sludge doesn’t really remember them from back in the day – but we had to move on because Jake E. Lee and Red Dragon Cartel was playing across the street at the Whisky.

Johnny X of The Wild, live at the Viper Room

Swirl

Swirl kicked ass before Red Dragon Cartel, but then there was a very long wait before Lee and Co. finally took the stage past midnight.

The group opened with the Ozzy favorite “Ultimate Sin,” but then there was a lot of unfamiliar material before the closing “Bark at the Moon.” Not enough catchy songs is what we thought, plus it was VERY loud, but the crowd seemed to enjoy it, and that’s most important.

Jake E Lee is all smiles at the Whisky-A-Go-Go

One thing for sure was singer Darren James D.J. Smith did a lot better compared to the bands last visit in December 2013 at the Whisky, when Red Dragon Cartel was widely criticized for a performance so poor that the band issued an official apology.

You can read all about that fiasco HERE.

So in that sense, this was a big success. The group held the crowd for the duration, and the spectators responded well. No, this was not an arena-quality band – we’re not sure if Red Dragon Cartel will ever get there – but Jake E. Lee and particularly Smith were out to make amends, and they did so.

Then the party headed to the Rainbow, and it’s a blur from there. A good evening on the Sunset Strip. We’re on borrowed time as far as rock shows like these ones, so we enjoyed the proceedings as heartily as we could.

Jaime St. James of Black N’ Blue holding court at the Rainbow with Jelena Montana

A Whisky Dancer – Gerry G and Amy Warner at the Rainbow Bar & Grill

Viper Girl