Photo of Alter Bridge by Chuck Brueckmann
w/ Mammoth WVH & Pistols At Dawn | 6:00pm | 17105 North Outer 40 Rd. | All ages | $42.50- 52.50
Alter Bridge has been an unwavering force in rock music since their debut, and Tuesday the band returns to St. Louis venue The Factory on the heels of their newest album release, Pawns & Kings. Forming in 2004, the band packs a powerhouse lineup. Frontman Myles Kennedy touts an impressive résumé, including lead vocals for Guns ‘n’ Roses guitarist Slash’s backing band—dubbed Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators—and even subbed in for Axl Rose during GnR’s 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony when the singer failed to show. There is no shortage of talent to be found in Alter Bridge, with Kennedy being supported by former Creed members Mark Tremonti (guitar/backing vocals), Brian Marshall (bass), and Scott Phillips (drums). Following the breakup of Creed, the trio united with Kennedy and embarked on a journey that has produced 7 albums with over 5 million copies sold worldwide. Alter Bridge has set themselves apart from Creed by performing as a cohesive band instead of a vocalist with track backing. Where Creed was decent for what it was, they lacked the guitar solos and vocal range that has put Alter Bridge at the forefront of rock music. Beastly riffs by Tremonti show the skill he has with his instrument, check out “One Day Remains“ and “Bleed it Dry“ for an example of this if you are new to the band. Tremonti also has an eponymous band—Tremonti—that has seen commercial success in recent years and can often be heard on SXM radio. Fun fact: Tremonti’s former bassist Wolfgang Van Halen is the vocalist for Alter Bridge’s opener Tuesday—Mammoth WVH.
Pawns & Kings, released in October 2022, is the bands seventh studio album, and climbed up to #2 on the Billboard Top Hard Rock charts rapidly. It has been described by critics as remaining true to the band’s classic form, with big choruses and heavy guitar riffs. The title track is an impressive six minutes long, with vocalist Myles Kennedy displaying his incredible range backed by Tremonti, who adds depth and thrashing guitar riffs to the album. The fifth song on the record, “Stay,” is a standout, with Tremonti’s vocals and memorable bass support by Brian Marshall. Drummer Scott Phillips makes himself known in the albums third song, “Silver Tongue,” which is arguably the best song on the album.
Alter Bridge is being supported on tour by Mammoth WVH and Pistols At Dawn. Mammoth WVH is fronted by Wolfgang Van Halen, who follows musically in his late father Eddie Van Halen’s footsteps in terms of vocal and instrumental talent. Mammoth WVH began as a solo project while the younger Van Halen was still active in his father’s band Van Halen with his first single, “Distance,” being released in November 2020. Wolfgang has cited music as a therapeutic for him while watching his late father battle lung cancer and eventually a stroke. The band’s name is a tribute to his dad, with Mammoth being the name of Eddie Van Halen’s first band. Mammoth WVH showcases Wolfgang’s talent as he performs lead vocals, guitar, bass, drums, and piano in the band. Currently he has added touring artists Frank Sidoris (backing vocals, guitar), Jon Jourdan (guitar, vocals), Ronnie Ficaro (bass, vocals), and Garrett Whitlock (drums) who will be present at Tuesday’s show. | Erica Vining
Alter Bridge on tour:
03.10 | QUAPAW, OK | Downstream Casino Resort #
03.11 | KANSAS CITY, MO | Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland #
03.14 | CHESTERFIELD, MO | The Factory #
03.15 | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | The Criterion #
03.17 | HOUSTON, TX | 713 Music Hall #
03.18 | DALLAS, TX | South Side Ballroom #
03.20 | DENVER, CO | Mission Ballroom #
03.21 | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | Union Event Center #
03.23 | SEATTLE, WA | The Paramount Theatre #
03.25 | AIRWAY HEIGHTS, WA | Northern Quest Resort & Casino ^ (Sold Out)
03.26 | AIRWAY HEIGHTS, WA | Northern Quest Resort & Casino ^
03.28 | ANAHEIM, CA | House Of Blues #
03.29 | TEMPE, AZ | Marquee Theatre #
03.31 | RENO, NV | Silver Legacy’s Grande Expo Hall #
04.01 | HIGHLAND, CA | Yaamava Theater at Yaamava Casino Resort ^
05.06 | GREENSBORO, NC | Piedmont Hall (7)
05.07 | MYRTLE BEACH, SC | House Of Blues (7)
05.09| CHARLOTTE, NC | The Fillmore (7)
05.11 | LOUISVILLE, KY | Palace Theatre (7)
05.13 | CHEROKEE, NC | Harrah’s Cherokee
05.14 | CHATTANOOGA, TN | The Signal (7)
05.16 | PENSACOLA, FL | Saenger Theatre (7)
05.17 | NEW ORLEANS, LA | The Fillmore (7)
05.19 | DOTHAN, AL | The Plant (7)
05.20 | DAYTONA BEACH, FL | Welcome To Rockville Festival
^ w/ Mammoth WVH
* w/ Mammoth WVH – Red
# w/ Mammoth WVH – Pistols At Dawn
(7) w/ Sevendust
