TANGO DOWN Live (Rock N’ Skull 2016 Spotlight)

Rock N’ Skull 2016 was a huge success for me. With so many amazing bands over the 4 days in Joliet IL, I needed a week to recoup. Overall, I thought the last day of the festival was not as exciting with the band line-up, compared to the other days. Stephen Pearcy was the headliner and he was amazing with the classic Ratt songs. The opener for the day was a band from Peoria IL – InnerSeige. Without knowing anything about them, I was very impressed. They sounded great and had me buying their CD and the only band shirt of the festival.

The next band after InnerSeige was the highlight for me the final day of the festival. I saw them last year for the first time and didn’t really know their music. They put on an amazing show last year and thankfully they were back for 2016. Tango Down stormed the stage with “Punching Bag” from their new album Bulletproof.

Last year was Chas West‘s first live gig with the band, and he came out owning the stage and showing us all what a great frontman he is. His powerful vocals are joined with the photogenic rockstar looks of the youngster Axel Gessner on bass. Original members Scott Rif Miller – lead guitars, and Keith Michaels – drums complete this pure, raw rock band.

Continuing with the new album – “Give Me A Reason”, “Bulletproof”, “Carry On”, and my favourite off the new album, “Going Under”. This was turning into one of my top performances of the festival as I love their new album from start to finish. With 5 new tracks in a row, it was time to go back to their earlier material (when David Reece was singing for Tango Down). “I’m Done Lovin’ You”, then a crowd favorite “Charming Devil”. Reece was a great asset in the band but I have to say that having West as the new singer, this band is going in the right direction, giving justice to these great songs from the bands’ earlier releases.

Next up is “Change My World” and “Hearts Catch Fire”. The band looked like they were having a great time and giving it all they got to entertain their fans. They did just that as many rock fans were there to see Tango Down on this day.

Next up – a cover of Lynch Mob “Wicked Sensation” in recognition of the days West used to sing for Lynch Mob. The biggest disappointment of hearing this song live meant not hearing another Tango Down song and that the set was coming to an end.

With leaving the audience in a trance of wanting more Tango Down, we all can only wait to hear about more dates to see this amazing band play live again.

Thanks to Justin Murr for his vision of Rock N’ Skull. Thanks to John Kivel of Kivel Records for putting this package of musicians together into what we know as Tango Down.

Shawn “Animalize” Irwin

Tango Down Facebook

Tango Down Setlist

Punching Bag

Give Me a Reason

Bulletproof

Carry On

Going Under

I’m Done Lovin’ You

Charming Devil

Change My World

Hearts Catch Fire

Wicked Sensation (Lynch Mob)

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