Concert Review: Detroit’s, Wilson Live in Chicago at The House of Blues

Dec 06, 2016 James Currie Features, Music News, Reviews 0

By Fred Peth

Wilson tore up the stage at House of Blues opening for Steel Panther. For people being introduced to them for the first time, they are five awesome dudes from Michigan. Jason Spencer (Lead Guitar) started the band back in college as a way to have fun and get free beer. As the band developed, they became more serious about it and decided to bring in guys who loved to play and wanted to see the band continue to grow. Along with Jason are Chad Nicefield (Lead Singer), Matt Puhy (Drums), James Lascu (Bass) and Kyle Landry (Rhythm Guitar). Each one of these guys brings their own fun personality to the stage each and every show. Their humorous antics and creative sense can be seen in their music videos for “College Gangbang”, “If You Ever Leave Me I Will Find You”, “Give ‘Em Hell”, “Snake Eyes”, “Right To Rise” and their latest “Windows Down”.

The first time I saw them perform they opened up for Jason Newsted’s band in 2013. Hearing that Jason Newsted personally picked them to open up on the tour I knew that this band was going to be great. Over the years, I have seen them play to a group of a dozen people to crowds in the hundreds. Their excitement is always consistent since they want to put on a great show for each person who came out. Not only has Newsted noticed their greatness, but so have the bands Motörhead, Megadeth, Halestorm, Sevendust, Crobot, Avatar and many others that they have been on tour with.

After their first European with Halestorm in 2015, they did a headlining tour in the UK the following year, which accumulated a whole new fan basis. Their drive and fans keep on coming from the various music cruises and festivals they rock at. While they are on the road they constantly write music. On their first album, Full Blast Fuckery, Jason and Chad wrote the music. They changed it up on their second album, Right To Rise, as the whole band wrote and essentially showed their diversity to work together.

Wilson’s set started on a high note with their new song, “Masters Of Ceremony”, raising the anticipation that a new album could be coming out in 2017. Chad quickly got the crowd into it as he shouted “Yea, yea, yea” and threw his fist in the air. The crowd responded with their own screams as some were banging their heads. Wilson turned up the intensity jumping next into “Give ‘Em Hell”. The first cover of the night by the band was Rage Against The Machine’s song “Sleep Now In The Fire”. A perfect song for the heavy metal crowd getting them moving around on the floor. The song can also be found on Metal Hammer’s 30^th Anniversary covers cd. The second new song of the night was “How Do You Sleep At Night?”. The audience could be seen enjoying this one too as they screamed for more raised their arms over their heads.

Not missing a step, Wilson gave us the title track “Right To Rise” of their latest album. The song is about anyone who is struggling in their life and what they have to do to overcome it. The song is filled with strong drumbeats and awesome guitar riffs. The band showed that is one of their favorites to play as they moved and sweated under the hot stage lights. Jason got the crowd clapping to begin their final song “Susan Jane”. During the song Chad came out wearing a marching bass drum. He pounded on it and screamed to the crowd as we sang along with him to end the night.

In three years I have seen them 11 times and I do not intend to stop after hearing their new material. It has been great to see them develop their sound and watch them change up their set list depending on if they are opening for a band or headlining. They clearly know how to rock the stage while they are a great bunch of guys off of it. I believe that has to be attested to their devoted Midwestern values. They definitely rock like it is a big party on the last Friday night on Earth! Catch them when they rip through town again hopefully sooner than later next year.

For more on Wilson, click here

For photos from the show, click here

For a video from the show, click here

Setlist: Wilson live in Chicago at House of Blues 12-04-16