A change of seasons…WINGER first played in Greece in 1990 opening up for legendary German rockers SCORPIONS (Peace And Friendship stadium - 15,000+ spectators capacity), they afterwards came back in 2006 at Gagarin205 Club (~1,000 spectators capacity) ending up in playing yesterday evening at Sin City Club (350 -fully packed - spectators capacity). Bad thing is seasons change and fans of 80s American Hard Rock should feel really worried 'bout what's next to come, but - on the other hand - the value of a Rock band is testified even if they're playing at your house's back yard. And - glad we feel - WINGER surpassed any obstacles and_or expectations.

Athenian rockers DANGER ANGEL hit the stage one hour late in regards to the announced starting time, feeling rather awkward trying to fit six guys into a petite area. Good thing is this bunch of hard rockers had a great mood and successfully created a buzz with their (in the very brief) VAN HALEN meets-TALISMAN dynamic music featuring fitting keyboards and kinda sleazy yet melodic vocals by their American_Greek singer. The sound was quite average and two stuffed guitars with pounding drums do not make it any better, but what's needed to say regarding DANGER ANGEL's set is that they created a good party - own tunes from their forthcoming debut CD plus cover takes on "Separate Ways", "You Really Got Me" and "Should I Stay Or Should I Go". The band showed its dynamics, no questions asked, and fans of pounding American Hard Rock with a modern - in some parts - smell should mark a note in their calendars for a January 2010 DANGER ANGEL CD release via Perris Records.

The Kip Winger-centered American band released a good album this year - "Karma" - and there were around 350 faces waiting to hear tunes off this new release plus the good ol' classics as soon as the quartet hit the lights with "Pull Me Under". The rumors that Kip's voice would not be in top notch condition - WINGER was forced to cancel a recent gig, due to some short of throat problem torturing Kip - went away listening to the mainman's screams during "Blind Revolution Mad", while - of course - it's an insult to even comment on Reb Beach's or John Roth's or Rod Morgenstein's performance; either you are aware of their mastery or you're reading the wrong report.

From the new album WINGER performed their most dynamic pieces ("Pull Me Under", "Stone Cold Killer", "Deal With The Devil") and did not escape any major hit from their back catalogue (setlist attached at the end of the report). The crowd's response was roaring during e.g. "Easy Come Easy Go", "Miles Away", "Can't Get Enuff" and "Seventeen" and there were times - the unsaid privilege of a packed small club - there was something quite sensational in the air. Kudos to WINGER for deploying a great sound - bearing in mind the venue's equipment - resulting in an excellent 90-minute performance (short individual Rod Reb solos included).

Wrapping up their set with "Hungry" and a take on THE BEATLES' "Helter Skelter" (a band favorite for American Hard Rock - AEROSMITH and MOTLEY CRUE have paid tribute to this classic, too) there were plenty of happy faces while running out for some fresh air. Maybe some people expected something more from WINGER but, thinking of the conditions this gig took place under, there's not much more we should be looking ahead to.

WINGER setlist:

01. "Pull Me Under"
02. "Blind Revolution Mad"
03. "Easy Come Easy Go"
04. "Stone Cold Killer"
05. "Miles Away"
06. "Rainbow In The Rose"
07. "Deal With The Devil"
08. "Down Incognito"
09. "Your Great Escape"
10. "You Are the Saint, I Am The Sinner"
11. "Headed For A Heartbreak"
12. "Can't Get Enuff"
13. "Seventeen"
14. "Madalaine"
15. "Hungry"
16. "Helter Skelter"

(photos by the 'hungry' guy)