The reality television and online hit show “Rock Star: Supernova” has been well and truly over since September.
But that didn’t deter fans who trekked out to the Everett Events Center on Sunday night to see and hear their winner, Lukas Rossi, give back to those who voted and ultimately chose him to be lead singer of the band called, guess what, Rock Star Supernova.
Before Rossi and his band mates got started, the happy crowd was treated to other rockers, some of whom had also appeared on the show.
Runner up Dilana delighted the audience with her strong and powerful vocals, colored dreadlocks, and determined energy. She had as much fun onstage as the crowd did watching her.
Guitarist and show judge Dave Navarro played a set with his band, The Panic Channel. Navarro, one of the founding members of ’80s band Jane’s Addiction, played shirtless, displaying a toned torso covered with tattoos and piercings. Lead singer Steve Isaacs tried hard to give the audience a good show. But this reviewer was left with the impression that The Panic Channel belongs to Navarro and that Isaacs needs to take the power back from the guitarist so that the singer can be noticed more. He has a good voice but lacks a superstar quality that Navarro oozes.
“Make No Mistake” was one song where Isaacs shined. It suits his voice and he gave the crowd what they wanted to hear.
A good sport, Isaacs worked his way through the crowd to almost the back of the hall where a lucky fan got a hug from him.
The best song of the set was the AC/DC cover “Highway to Hell,” when Dilana came back onstage for a duet. It was a rockin’ good end to The Panic Channel’s performance.
The audience was buzzing and waving Canadian flags a few minutes before Rock Star Supernova burst onstage. The maple leaf sign was for Rossi who is from Canada.
With his blond-tipped Mohawk, sunglasses, and three-quarter coat with a huge crucifix on the back, Rossi pounced onstage amid bright lights and strobes looking like an unfurling iguana.
Along with him came Tommy Lee, drummer for Motley Crue; guitarist Gilby Clarke onetime Guns N’ Roses band member; and bass player Johnny Colt of The Black Crowes fame.
Rossi’s voice is a rock star voice. He has the ability to make it rough and harsh as well as smooth and strong. He has the moves and the charisma but he tries too hard to be a rock star. He needs to relax into it more and stop whipping about like Jim Carrey’s version of The Grinch.
Highlights from the set included “It’s All Love,” a song that most of the audience belted out along with Rossi; the Don Henley tune “The Boys of Summer”; and the Verve hit “Bittersweet Symphony,” which included four black-clad women playing violins and cello. Lee, with his black spiky hair and shirtless, lanky body stood playing keyboards just inches from the women who could have just been beamed in from Carnegie Hall. The rocker and the classical girls made for a stark contrast.
Lee later delighted the crowd by handing a bottle of Jagermeister into the audience so some willing participants could have shots. It was clear he was having a lot of fun.
Another cover came in the form of “Personal Jesus,” a Depeche Mode song that was well suited to Rossi, who sung it with the passion of a believer.
With only one album out, it’s understandable why Rock Star Supernova would do so many covers.
But since Prince played a fantastic version of his own hit “Purple Rain” at this year’s Superbowl, there’s no reason that any singer or band should think about playing it onstage. It’s one of those songs that when other people start to play it, some of us automatically wince. Rock Star Supernova played “Purple Rain” for their encore. It was a noble effort.
Without a doubt, the fans attending Sunday night’s concert were, for the most part, followers of the television show and had come to see Rossi do what he won the privilege to do: sing his heart out. He did that, and fans were not disappointed.
If the band Rock Star Supernova survives, Rossi will be a stronger and more mature rock star in years to come and will likely settle into superstardom.
Christina Harper is a Snohomish County freelance writer. She can be reached at harper@heraldnet.com.
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