It really says something about an artist when they can command the stage in a packed arena or festival but can also strip away all the production and own the stage in an intimate club. Jeff Scott Soto and Jason Bieler have played those huge arenas and festivals and still hit the road playing small venues with a show that is part concert, part comedy, and one of the most entertaining nights you could ask for.
Jeff Scott Soto and Jason Bieler are true rock veterans. Soto, perhaps best known for his time with the West Coast touring version of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, has played with everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to Journey. Jason Bieler once ruled the MTV airwaves as guitarist and vocalist for the band Saigon Kick and has now released 2 fantastic, prog-tinged solo records. A few years back, the two old friends teamed up to create a show that includes material from Saigon Kick, Soto’s various bands, and random, singalong covers of songs we all know and love.
The tone for the evening is set immediately. The two take their seats and launch into the evening’s first cover, no, not a rock or metal classic, but “Water Me” from pop star Lizzo. In addition to Lizzo, this night also saw the pair cover tracks from the Grease soundtrack, Neil Sedaka, Carpenters, Wall of Voodoo, Barry Manilow, Young MC (yes, you need Bieler’s version of “Bust A Move” in your life), and others. While some were done tongue-in-cheek, others sent chills down your spine. An example of the latter came as a tribute to two fallen Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, the beginning verse of Tina Turner’s version of “Proud Mary” into an absolutely perfect version of the Foo Fighters’ “Times Like These”, dedicated to Taylor Hawkins.
Roughly a third of the set was dedicated to Saigon Kick tracks. The blending of vocals between the pair breathed new life into these songs, while the sparse, guitar-only arrangement really helped songs like “God of 42nd Street” and “Water” shine. Speaking of the guitar-only arrangements of the night, Bieler stakes his claim as one of the best of his generation. Effortlessly switching from the campy and fun to the sublime and beautiful, all with a tone that would make Hendrix jealous.
Soto also shows that he can literally sing anything. From a stripped-down version of Sons of Apollo’s “Alive”, to “I Am A Viking” sung to the music of “More Than Words”, to Harry Styles’ “Watermelon Sugar”, Soto proves again and again that he is one of the best to ever grab a mic.
The broad range of music is just one part of the evening. The friendship between these two leads to pure comedic gold. They don’t think twice about stopping in the middle of a song to express a random thought and the between-song banter had them laughing as much as the audience. Thanks to the intimacy of the venue, the audience becomes part of the show. Both men regularly interact with the crowd, including Soto leading a standing ovation as one audience member exited the men’s room.
It’s refreshing to see your musical icons as real people. These two friends could be doing anything they wanted, and they choose to hit the road, play music, and tell funny stories in a small club and create a night you don’t want to miss. Being a small club, tickets are very reasonable so I strongly suggest the VIP option. Both men come out and spend actual time talking to fans, taking photos, and letting you sit in on soundcheck. These two aren’t doing these shows for the money, they are out there because they love playing together and appreciate every fan that shows up to enjoy the amazing night.
