By: Robert Cavuoto
Jake E. Lee
Red Dragon Cartel featuring Jake E. Lee blasted into New Jersey with a sense of purpose and fury to perform for a packed sweaty crowd at Mexicali Live on December 5, 2014.
Though it was a cold and rainy December evening outside, the fans inside were boiling over with anticipation of seeing their guitar hero in action.
The band has been touring relentlessly for the past year in support of their debut CD last February. With new edition of Greg Chaisson of Badlands fame on bass, the band rounds off with Darren James Smith on vocals and Jonas Fairley on drums.
Regardless if the crowd of guitar enthusiasts knew Jake from his legacy with Ozzy Osbourne, Badlands, or Red Dragon Cartel they were all there to see him perform. A few fathers were in attendance with their young sons ready to show them what a “Guitar God” sounds like.
Jake played like he made a deal with devil, as his playing was on fire from the opening song of “The Ultimate Sin” to the encore of “Bark at the Moon.”
The band was in great form and like a well tuned machine, they pumped out their own tunes, as well as classics by Ozzy and Badlands, like “Now You See it,” “High Wire,” and “In a Dream.” Hands down fan favorites that brought down the house were “Bark at the Moon” and “Rumblin Train.”
Jake was visibly humbled by the crowd’s reaction of cheers and clapping as he “high-fived” and fist bumped fans from the stage. Someone in the back of the venue yelled “You Rule.” No truer words can be spoken!
Throughout the show, Jake assaulted his white Charvel in ways that most people would never think possible; bending pitches with his fingers above the nut, [as he doesn’t use a tremolo], finger tapping, and neck bending. All of that was combined with blazing riffs on songs like on RDC songs like “Wasted,” “Feeder,” and “Shout it Out.” His dexterity was amazing with fingers stretching the course of 7 or 8 frets like on the ending lead of “Bark at the Moon”. His smoking guitar tones were all rich in texture due in part to his touch and two EVH 5150 amps and cabinets.
It was awe-inspiring to witness these complex guitar techniques coupled with pure emotion driven playing for over 90 minutes. His solos always stretch the boundaries of rock, jazz, and the blues; and sometimes all in the same song.
If his mission tonight was to dazzle all the guitar teachers and their students in attendance, mission accomplished!
I had the pleasure of seeing Red Dragon Cartel three times in 2014 and like a fine wine they continue to get better. The band sounded tighter than this past April and seemed to work more as a cohesive unit with plenty of interaction between the members.
DJ really took command of the stage and is really coming into his own as a solid frontman. Turns out it was DJ’s 49th Birthday and Eddie Trunk of VH1 That Metal Show was on hand to intro the band and the lead the crowd in a round of “Happy Birthday” along with some cake.
Greg provided some really nice bottom end to the band without over powering Jake’s guitar sound. The band was tight and the sound was crystal clear.
I spoke to Jake briefly about the status of the next CD and he mentioned, “They don’t have any plans as of yet for a second CD but when it happens, it will be an organic writing process.”
I’m hoping in 2015 we see Red Dragon Cartel open for, or co-headline with, established rock acts as he truly ready for larger venues.
GALLERY
