By Jon Pikus
Polydor U.K. rockers Inhaler arrived at The Roxy 11/14, and delivered an inspired set of guitar-driven jams. The young band is fronted by singer/guitarist Elijah Hewson, who happens to be the son of Bono, singer of U2.
The Dublin-based band is on Interscope here in the States, and their team was out in force to support the new addition to their roster. Spotted in attendance were Interscope chairman and CEO John Janick, Interscope SVP Head of Pop/Rock Marketing Matt LaMotte, a very-pregnant Spotify Head of Rock Allison Hagendorf, ubiquitous Sirius XM DJ/VJ Matt Pinfield, WME agents Marc Geiger and Kirk Sommer, We Are Hear's Nanci Walker, Bright Antenna Records' Braden Merrick, and Elijah's sister actress Eve Hewson along with a gaggle of her supermodel friends.
The show started with ace barn-burner "It Won't Always Be Like This," progressed mid-set to current single "Ice Cream Sundae," and crescendoed with standout sing-along "My Honest Face." There was a sense at times that the young lads were still feeling their way through the audience and media attention that comes with being the offspring of a superstar, in this case one who definitely lives up to the hype. But the potential for arena-sized greatness was palpable and very evident. Hewson was an affable frontman, engaging in good-natured banter between songs and, most importantly, he can sing and play his arse off. There were even shades of U2's Boy-October era in some of the introspective jams and breakdowns, reminiscent of stripped-down instrumental interludes off those early U2 albums.
We also thought we noticed Billy Corgan and Steve Jones in the crowd grooving to the beat, but we might have been hallucinating due to inhaling fumes from the historic velvet stage curtains, which have seen their share of face-melting guitar rock over the years.
Photo: Jon Pikus
Dio Cancer Fund co-founder Dr. Sandy Kapoor tells the crowd about Dr. David Wong's research for early cancer detection (l to r): Dr. Kapoor, Dio Cancer Fund co-founder/President Wendy Dio, Jason Belmonte, Eddie Trunk and Dr. Wong.
The fifth annual BOWL FOR RONNIE Celebrity Bowling Party, benefiting the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, was held 11/7 at PINZ Bowling Center in Studio City. Once again sold out, the event raised more than $50k for the music-based cancer charity.
Over 300 rockers, bowling enthusiasts, Dio fans and Dio Cancer Fund supporters made up the capacity crowd at the event hosted by broadcast personality Eddie Trunk, who is heard on SiriusXM's Volume channel and whose TV series TrunkFest airs on AXS-TV. Also joining the festivities this year was the number one bowler in the world, Professional Bowling Association world champion Jason Belmonte, who bowled a ceremonial strike to open the competition.
This year's attendees included: Steven Adler (Guns N' Roses, Adler's Appetite), Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath), Gilby Clarke (Guns N' Roses), Damon Fox (The Cult), Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Sirius XM Liquid Metal host Jose Mangin and many more.
The Dio Cancer Fund presented Dr. David Wong, whose research team at the UCLA School of Dentistry is closing in on a simple, non-invasive saliva swab test for early cancer detection, with a check for an additional $25,000 toward their research.
Highlights of the 2019 BOWL FOR RONNIE can be viewed here. The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund will host a 10th Memorial Awards Gala on February 20, 2020 at The Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles. For updates and ticket info go here.
The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund was founded in memory of the legendary rock singer Ronnie James Dio, who lost his life to gastric cancer in 2010.
Photo: Sharon Weisz
In all the hubbub regarding The Black Crowes reunion, one fact got buried in the news: CAA has signed The Black Crowes for representation worldwide.
Managed by Mark DiDia at Red Light, the Crowes will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of Shake Your Money Maker, playing the record from start to finish between the 6/17 tour opener in Austin and the finale at The Forum on 9/19. The album was released 2/13/90.
Photo credit: Josh Cheuse
