DAYTRIPPER: Trip #1: Dokken at The Vine in del Lago Resort and Casino

So it begins. This is the first of many “DAYTRIPPER” concert reviews that I will be writing here at Nippertown. Not only will I be reviewing the concert performances, I will be reviewing the venues as well. This past Friday night I took the 165 mile drive to del Lago Resort and Casino in Waterloo, NY to see 1980s Rock legends Dokken in concert. The drive from the Capital District is an easy one. The casino is right off of Thruway exit 41, a little west of Syracuse. The venue inside del Lago is called “The Vine.” This was my first time attending an event here, and I was blown away by just how nice this venue is. It is a cliché to say that there is not a bad seat in the house, but that cliché fits at The Vine. Opened in 2017, The Vine was expertly designed. From the tiered lower level and multiple balconies, to the state of the art audio and stage lighting systems, The Vine was designed to offer a premium concert experience. With a maximum capacity of 2,400, The Vine is a perfect venue for up-and-coming acts as well as established artists. There are multiple bars located throughout the room, making it easy to get a drink without having to wait for long.

Dokken was formed in Los Angeles in 1978. The band found huge success in the early to mid 1980s. Led by singer Don Dokken, the band rode the wave of MTV to multi-platinum record sales and Grammy nominations. The classic lineup of the band included lead guitarist George Lynch. Lynch’s incendiary guitar work set the band above many of their peers. When the band split an 1989, Lynch and drummer “Wild” Mick Brown formed Lynch Mob and released several critically acclaimed albums. Friday night’s concert was billed as a Lynch Mob/Dokken reunion. Both bands have had lineup changes through the years and both bands now only have one original member, Lynch in Lynch Mob and of course Don Dokken in Dokken. Lynch and Dokken have both assembled stellar bands.

First up was Lynch Mob. Anchored by the super tight, propulsive rhythm section of Jimmy D’anda on drums and Jaron Gulino on bass, Lynch Mob hit the stage like a house on fire. D’anda was a founding member of fellow 80’s metal band Bulletboys. Gulino has played in rock band Tantric as well as several other bands. He played at St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater with the L.I.F.E. Project in 2022 with Alice in Chains, Bush and Breaking Benjamin. Singer Gabriel Colon joined the band in 2022. His voice is a perfect fit for the band. He sounds so much like original singer Oni Logan. They ripped through a sixty minute set which highlighted Lynch’s otherworldly guitar prowess. They closed their set with their biggest hit, “Wicked Sensation.”

After a quick set change, the Dokken banner was lowered from the rafters. One by one the band took their places. Each member of the band is a veteran of the hard-rock/metal scene. Guitarist Jon Levin has been with Dokken for over 20 years. He had huge boots to fill when Lynch left the band, but he doesn’t miss a note. He injects the original arrangements with his own style. Drummer BJ Zampa has played with House of Lords. His solid, in pocket playing gave the music its backbone on Friday night. The secret weapon in this current version of Dokken is bassist Chris McCarvill. Dokken’s music has always been built on soaring, stratosphere high melodies. Singer Don Dokken still has great stage presence and it was a treat to see him on stage again, although he has lost a bit of his upper register. McCarvill handled the heavy lifting with the high notes. As I said, for me it was just a pleasure to see one of my favorite 80’s singers on stage again. Dokken isn’t alone. I have seen Whitesnake, Motley Crue and others from that era. Most of those singers have some difficulty. The setlist was heavy on the hits, or as I call it “all killer and no filler.” They closed the set with the anthem “In My Dreams.” George Lynch joined the band for a three song encore. To see these two legends together on stage again was a dream come true for an old metalhead like myself. Most people didn’t believe they would ever see it. Lynch and Dokken looked like they enjoyed sharing the stage again. Just a couple old friends reliving some of the magical music they created together.

I can’t wait to get back out to del Lago for another concert. They have brought some really big names into the room and they have some great concerts on deck. Check out their website and pick a show. The casino has a gorgeous hotel connected so you don’t have to drive home in the snow like I did on Friday night.

DAYTRIPPER STATS
Miles traveled for show: 330
Miles traveled year to date: 330
Red Bulls: 3
Next up… HARDY at The Dome at Toyota Oakdale Theater in Wallingford, CT

Photo Gallery of Dokken by Claude Sawyer

Photo Gallery of Lynch Mob by Claude Sawyer