What better way to kick off the summer and my concert series but with the WMMR-B-Q show at the Susquehanna Bank Center. It’s always their traditional show to kick off the season. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was nearly full already; fans starting the partying early for the long day ahead. As I walked to the venue, it just amazed me how some of these people will even make it to the end of the show judging by the partaking I see. With gear on my shoulders, I head into the pit for the Jim Breuer Band. Breuer, actor, comedian and soon-to-be rock star, took the stage with his 3-piece heavy metal band and rocked their 6-song, 30-minute set with a mix of comedy and rock. "It's 4 A.M. and I'm All Banged Up" and "Sugar Rush" had everyone in the house rolling with laughter.
        Fuel hit the stage next. Their 8-song, 30-minute set brought out all the favorite hits opening with "Empty Spaces" and just rolling through "Jesus or a Gun", "Shimmer", and closing with "Hemorrhage (In My Hands). With all set changes taking just 30 minutes, up next was Dropkick Murphys. I have heard of these guys but it was the first time I covered a show. Their 13-song, one-hour set once again was much an all favorite set list but at the MMR-B-Q a lot of the bands will throw a cover or two in there. Their two latest hits off their recent album were the opener "The Boys Are Back", "Prisoner's Song", and a little later in the set "Rose Tattoo". They closed with a cover of Bachman-Turner Overdrive's "Takin' Care of Business".
        The venue was just about full at this point with all the tail-gaters now in for the evening, Up next is Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience, where Jason Bonham and his 3-piece take the stage for the 9-song, one-hour set paying tribute to his father John Bonham's legacy and opening with "Rock and Roll", and all Led Zeppelin songs including "Black Dog", "The Ocean", "Since I've Been Loving You", "Kashmir", and closing with "Whole Lotta Love". Another quick set change and out comes Volbeat, another band I have not covered before but quite a crowd pleaser with most everyone standing and singing along to all their songs. Their 13-song, one-hour set, like most of the previous bands, played a fan fav set opening with "Doc Holiday", "Radio Girl" and throwing in a cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" and Young the Giants "My Body", before ending with "Heaven nor Hell/A Warriors Call" and "The Mirror and the Ripper".
        With the final act on the bill, it begins to pour down rain with gusty winds which clears most of the people on the lawn; but a few die hards stayed for headliner Rob Zombie. He and his 3-piece band hit the stage for their 14-song, one-hour set opening with "The Star-Spangled Banner," before throwing in a cover of Grand Funk Railroad's "We're an American band". I have heard before he likes to play quite a few covers in his set. And also, as I now I have seen, the horrible lights that he displays during his show are terrible for us photogs. Next was "Superbeast", "Living Dead Girl", his old band White Zombie's "More Human Than Human" and "Thunder Kiss '65". After a drum solo and a guitar solo it was time to bring out the surprise guest of the evening that we had been told might happen tonight. Out rolled another drum kit and the one and only Peter Criss from KISS jumped behind the kit for a one-song cover of KISS's "God of Thunder," before exiting along with Rob Zombie and his band.
        After a quick break they returned and played "Dragula"  and thanked the crowd for coming out and saying they hoped everyone had fun. I'm not sure about the remaining fans, but I know I was ready to get in the car and head back to Wilming, Del., to spend the night at my family’s. This was one long day of music with a most unusual lineup; but I was very satisfied that I had attended. Now that the 2014 concert season is up and running, check back soon to see where I go and who I shoot. Always a great and enjoyable time.
– Gary Crouthamel, Concert Photojournalist