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One Of The Top Guitar Players Out There – John 5 – Deliver’s A Gem Of A New Album! Read Our Review Of “It’s Alive”

John 5 and The Creatures (bassist Ian Ross and drummer Logan Miles Nix) newly released live album titled It’s Alive came out January 25, 2018.  For anyone that knows of John 5, knows that he is an absolute guitar virtuoso.  Truly hands down one of the top players in the guitar universe.

JOHN 5 says about the recording of It’s Alive!, “I remember pulling up to a beautiful venue that we played in Sellersville, Pennsylvania and before we were unloading the equipment, the soundman said, ‘Hey guys, would you like to record the show?’ We said, ‘sure that would be amazing!’ I always wanted to have a really great recording of the show. We were a few weeks into the show so we were really well rehearsed, so I said, ‘Alright guys, let’s not jump around. Let’s just really try to get a great performance because we only have one shot – no other shows if we mess up!’ So, we explained to the crowd that we would be recording. You can hear that on the recording of the album, which makes it very magical. It came out amazingly! That’s the magic of live albums to me – capturing the performance.”  JOHN 5 adds, “I’m so proud of it that I wanted to put it out and also tour it like bands used to tour live albums back in the 70s. I thought that was so cool! I’ve put out a lot of records, so I thought – goddammit, I’m going to do it!”

 

This extensive seventeen track album covers quite a bit a territory from John’s catalog. My personal favorites actually cover most of the album.  Six Hundred comes in for the jugular and doesn’t let up til the end and you’re left feeling dizzy.  This Is My Rifle beginning riff reminds me men marching down the line ready to fight til the death. Season of the Witch has a sinister sound that oozes witchery across the fretboard and guitar.

 

I could go on an on about how good this album is and how unbelievable a musician John is and it would all be true.  Once you pick up this album, do yourself a favor and turn it up to 11!

 

It’s Alive! track listing:

  1. Guitars, Tits and Monsters
  2. Flight of The Vulcan Kelly
  3. Six Hundred and Sixty Six Pickers In Hell, CA
  4. Here’s to the Crazy Ones
  5. This is my Rifle
  6. Jiffy Jam
  7. Hell Haw
  8. Season Of The Witch
  9. The Nightmare Unravels
  10. Portrait of Sydney Sloan
  11. Triple D
  12. Black Grass Plague
  13. Behind The Nut Love
  14. Making Monsters
  15. Beat It
  16. Now Fear This
  17. Medley

 

JOHN 5 and The Creatures will begin an extensive tour of the United States in February for a first leg, and will pick back up in late March for a second. The tour will start in Orlando, FL on February 1 and come to an end in Tacoma, WA on April 21. Tickets will become available very soon, and VIP packages will be available exclusively at www.john-5.com/store. See below for a full listing of dates.

 

JOHN 5 and The Creatures It’s Alive! tour dates:

2/1 – Orlando, FL @ The Social

2/2 – Jacksonville, FL @ 1904 Music Hall

2/3 – Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn

2/5 – Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel

2/6 – Greensboro, NC @ Blind Tiger

2/7 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Shaka’s

2/8 – Richmond, VA @ Broadberry

2/9 – College Park, MD @ Milkboy

2/10 – Sellersville, PA @ Sellersville Theater

2/11 – Stanhope, NJ @ Stanhope Theater

2/12 – New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom

2/13 – Boston, MA @ Middle East

2/14 – Syracuse, NY @ Lost Horizon

2/15 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Hard Rock

2/16 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland

2/17 – Westland, MI @ Token Lounge

2/18 – Chicago, IL @ Reggies

2/20 – Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews

2/21 – Indianapolis, IN @ Vogue

2/22 – Newport, KY @ Southgate House

2/23 – Lexington, KY @ Manchester Music Hall

2/24 – Chattanooga, TN @ Songbirds

3/29 – San Antonio, TX @ Rock Box

3/30 – Dallas, TX @ Trees

3/31 – Houston, TX @ Scout Bar

4/2 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad

4/3 – Tucson, AZ @ 191 Toole

4/4 – Mesa, AZ @ Club Red

4/5 – San Diego, CA @ Brick by Brick

4/6 – Los Angeles, CA @ Whisky A Go Go

4/7 – Las Vegas, NV @ Vamp’d

4/8 – Fullerton, CA @ SlideBar

4/11 – Ventura, CA @ Discovery

4/12 – San Jose, CA @ Ritz

4/13 – San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge

4/14 – Fresno, CA @ Full Circle Brewery

4/15 – Sacramento, CA @ Harlows

4/17 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex

4/18 – Boise, ID @ Neurolux

4/19 – Bend, OR @ Volacanic Pub

4/20 – Portland, OR @ Hard Rock PDX

4/21 – Tacoma, WA @ Tacoma Dome – Tacoma Guitar Festival

 

You can find John 5 Online at the following:

www.john-5.com

www.facebook.com/John5official

www.twitter.com/john5guitarist

www.instagram.com/john5official

Review written by Rene Botello for Rock All Photography Music Magazine

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