Words by Alex Zander
For as long as I’ve had a love affair with rock n roll I’ve also enjoyed a great appreciation and affection for the guitar players. My first guitar heros were of course Cheap Tricks Rick Neilson which was also my very first concert, followed a few months later by KISS and the impeccable stylings and flare of Ace Frehley, and of course Ted Nugent when he could shut the fuck up. It was the lates 70’s and with Edward Van Halen of the mighty band that boasts his last name guitar playing was about to change in many ways and usher in a new breed of player. Soon Slash, John Sykes, Tracii Guns , John Frusciante, Michael Schenker, and more invaded hard rock in the ’80s, moving it further from its blues-rock origins. But it was Edward in early ’80s saw his band reach the heights of popularity, resulting in a wave of guitarists who raised the bar for technique, speed, and virtuoso shredding.
With the breakup of Van Halen and the formation of vocalists David Lee Roth’s solo band that we were formally introduced to Steve Vai who till then I only knew from the movie “Crossroads” which was released a few months before DLR’s “Eat and Smile” LP. It was right around then that we really felt the change. And I would be happy enough to be along for the ride if only as fledgeling writer trying to find his voice.
Satriani, Vai, MacAlpine and company.
G3 is a concert tour organized by guitarist Joe Satriani featuring him alongside two other guitarists. Since its inception in 1995, G3 has toured most years and has featured many guitarists, including Steve Vai (Satriani’s former student), Eric Johnson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Yngwie Malmsteen, John Petrucci, Robert Fripp, Paul Gilbert, Steve Morse, Steve Lukather, Uli Jon Roth, Michael Schenker, Adrian Legg, Phil Collen and many other special guests, including Tony MacAlpine, Johnny Hiland, Keith More, Chris Duarte, Andy Timmons, Neal Schon, Gary Hoey, Brian May, Billy Gibbons, Johnny A, George Lynch, Patrick Rondat, Guthrie Govan, Alejandro Silva, and Eric Sardinas.
This would bring us a wave of guitar virtuosos that each owned their own impressive stylings and unique personas. My personal favorite has become John Lowery who is most well known as John 5. I first heard John’s playing on Rob Halford’s underrated 2wo project, an album I hold in very high regard.
From Wikipedia:
In 1996, Lowery heard that Marilyn Manson was looking for a guitarist and attempted to cold-call the studio Manson was working with to request an audition, but was hung up on, as the guitarist role had already been given to Zim Zum. Lowery teamed up with then-former Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford, along with Sid Riggs (drums), James Woolley (keyboards), and Ray Riendeau (bass) to work on an industrial metal-inspired album, under the band name of 2wo (Two). The subsequent album (Voyeurs) was recorded at Trent Reznor’s New Orleans studio and was released on Reznor’s Nothing Records label, under the parent company Interscope Records (Universal). The album was not a commercial hit but did produce one video, made by director Chi Chi Larue, for the first single “I am a Pig”.
It featured some S&M scenes and so was not widely broadcast, but the video was not banned as has been previously rumored. The band embarked on a world tour and were part of the Ozzfest lineup, but the tour was pulled and 2wo disbanded.
After that John 5 played lead guitar on former Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth’s 1998 release DLR Band. And just like that came Ozzfest and the invite to join Marilyn Manson’s band from 1998–2004 amd another perfect opportunity would rise that really fit John’s campy horror film tastes, a gig with Rob Zombie which would be an impressive run from 2005–2022.
In 2022 he replaced a founding member lead guitar player for another Los Angeles based rock band. A waste of his talent in my opinion as well as the opinion of a lot of others. In fact a wiser choice would have been Tracii Guns but I’m glad that didn’t happen. I love LA GUNS too much.
So having had seen John in Manson and Zombies bands I would eventually discover John 5 and the Creatures thanks to to indie filmmaker and musician Matt Zane who had worked on several of Johns videos as director. That is what sold me on his solo act. His unique guitar playing, fun horror sci fi movie themes and his particular style. John 5 had only been playing in the burbs lately which is where I do see a lot of hard rockin bands but there was always a conflict not to mention taking time off work, hotel expenses etc.
That changed when I got an email rom The City Winery June 14, 2024 announcing the shows (2 in one night lucky for me it was an early night). It would be months of anticipation before the magical evening, and it finally arrived.
I’ve been to the venue on 3 previous occasions. To see Alicia Witt on Oct 17, 2021 and more recently Robby Krieger on June 24, 2024 so I was already accustomed to the venue which i really enjoy and hope to more in the future.
John came out right on time 6 PM for what I would call and intimate show. It was a small set up for a smaller stage than he’s used to I’m sure but his video effects, clips and samples throughout the set made for a BLAST. He went from song to song with a very busy guitar techs who I discovered is David Vela that takes away one guitar from our hero and promptly replaces it with another. As far as players they really didn’t need many and mostly it was just John and drummer Alejandro Mercado. On occasion Vela played bass and at one point J5 referred to him as Richard Ramirez which made me laugh my ass off. He does look like the “night stalker” as a matter of fact.
It was song after song with exciting visuals and a few funny stories but all in all this was a showcase for a fine guitar player, my current fave wh didn’t take a break and took about 90 minutes to entertain a group of very loyal concert attendees.
Thanks to publicist and columnist Selena Fragassi for the accommodations, Max Bravo for witnessing this miraculous performance, Karin in the Barrel Room you were entertaining and our new friend the author Kurt Stone.
If you’ve missed John 5 and the Creatures live please don’t put it off. Who knows what happens after the next “stadium tour”. But really if good guitar is your cup of tea you’ll want to see this one in person.
John 5 Setlist at City Winery Chicago, Chicago, IL
Season of the Witch
Que Pasa
Six Hundred and Sixty Six Pickers in Hell, CA
Howdy
Crank It – Living With Ghosts
Cactus Flower
I Am John 5
How High the Moon
A Hollywood Story
The Black Grass Plague
Creepshow
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Medley – Smells Like Teen Spirit / Georgia on my Mind
The Ghost
Land of Misfit Toys
Live Wire (intro)
Too Fast (intro)
Shout at the Devil (intro)
Looks That Kill (solo)
Home Sweet Home (intro/solo)
Live Wire (intro)
Girls Girls Girls (intro)
Same ‘Ol Situation (solo)
Dr. Feelgood (intro)
Kickstart My Heart (intro)
