Pride & Glory

with Roadsaw at The Paradise
by review and photo by Rich Rodichok

First, I’d like to thank the woman behind me in line for getting me in to the show – something our oh-so-lovable Editor occasionally neglects to do. But that could have been my fault, since we both had Jaegermeister on the brain when we discussed the show. She was a local rep for Geffen, Pride & Glory‘s label, and invited me backstage after the show to meet Zakk Wylde – an invite that I reluctantly declined, lest I miss the T.

By the look of the crowd before Roadsaw started their set, I somehow knew I was in for a night of ’80s style pop/metal, lots and lots of hair. After listening to the first few songs of Roadsaw’s slightly funky, head-banging kind of thing, I realized that I hadn’t outgrown this type of music, but merely forgotten why I used to like it. These are three real musicians playing well together, not a coupla jerks groaning over bar chords. Highlights were “Bummer,” and another song that sounded like a cross between AC/DC’s “Have a Drink On Me” and something by Dokken. Nicely harmonized vocals throughout the set.

I was never a big Ozzy fan, but I did enjoy Zakk Wylde’s guitar playing on “No More Tears.” On this tour promoting Pride & Glory‘s self-titled debut, Zakk has teamed up with a super-funky bassist and a machine-gun drummer, both out of Berkelee. They know his songs well and add their own styles when needed.

Although the songs are, of course, influenced by his time with Ozzy and other bands of that genre, many of Zakk’s riffs come from years of listening to the Allman Brothers (and even playing with them once or twice), Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the like. In fact, during a few measures of one of his solos, I distinctly heard a Dicky Betts line, played with Zakk’s heavy hand and signature squelch harmonics. The songs “Sweet Jesus,” “Machine Gun Man,” and “Cry Me a River,” showcase these Southern influences. He’s a New Jerseyan by birth but a Southern man in his heart. He may have played one too many ballads, but the crowd didn’t seem to mind because they got what they’d been waiting for. Zakk’s rendition of Sabbath’s “War Pigs” really got the Long-Hairs’ heads a-bangin’. After that it was time to leave – like I said, I really didn’t want to walk home.

For some even wylder stuff from Zakk, check out the instrumental “Farm Fiddlin'” from the compilation CD, Guitars that Rule the World on Metal Blade Records.