by Brenda Turner

Amaaaazing….  is how I would describe the show at Sokol Auditorium in Omaha, NE recently featuring John 5 and The Creatures with support by Jared James Nichols and The Reverend Jack.  The second leg of the North American Invasion Tour in support of John 5’s new album Invasion, released July 2019, started in February and runs through most of November. The last show in the US is currently scheduled for 11/24 in Rochester, NY so hurry, only a few shows left to catch this lineup.

Reverend Jack, a 4-piece hailing from Madisonville, Kentucky, kicked off the night with their Southern hard rock style, playing songs from their debut, Not Playing Games on the Resurgence America label.  The band’s energetic set was well appreciated by the fans crowding up to the stage. These guys know how to put on a rock show and bring the audience into their music. 

Jared James Nichols, straight from hosting a guitar clinic earlier in the evening at local music store Dietz Music, hit the stage next with his blues rock-style riffs and his well-known pick-less playing style.  As he recently recited on his social media page, he’s been on the road for 285 days and counting touring with not only John 5 on both legs of the Invasion tour but also Fozzy, Living Colour, L.A. Guns and several solo dates along and special events.  Jared’s touring companion, rarely seen without each other, is his signature single-pickup Gibson Les Paul Custom P90 named Old Glory. Concert goers were drawn in by the bluesy style with underlying grit, the tasteful riffs and soulful vocals. A true master at his craft. 

Immediately following Jared James Nichols set, we could soon see the inflatable monsters and haunted castle archways filling with air on stage along with the addition of the four video screens that would later show snippets of every memorable horror movie made.  The crowd was feeling the anticipation of a fun and entertaining show about to happen. Once the lights were dimmed and the stage full of fog, we knew it was time to rock. John 5 and The Creatures did not disappoint.    

We all know John 5 as an exceptional guitarist, working with many internationally renowned acts including David Lee Roth, Rob Halford (2wo), Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie where he’s been part of headlining some of the largest venues in the world.  Putting on your own headline show where not only the sheer talent is displayed but also ensuring the audience is consistently entertained, whether they are guitar nuts or not, is a feat in of itself. Not being a guitar player myself or one that is obsessed with the details of the many different playing styles John 5 was able to pull off in one set, I did very much know I was in the presence of incredible talent.  This was definitely a blast to watch.  

In addition to the phenomenal talent shining through from John 5 himself, the rock solid and every bit talented bassist Ian Ross and drummer Logan Miles Nix rounded out the set and helped bring the songs to life.

Whether it was teeth picking the Star Spangled Banner, glow in the dark or LED lit guitars, switching gears to a banjo, the LED mouthpiece that ended up as one fan’s show souvenir, the face makeup or stage props, all added to a very uniquely visual show that drove you to keep your eyes glued to prevent missing anything.  Even with all this, it was the quality of music that most impressed the crowd.  

The fans were over the top with the jam-packed medley that featured very distinctive riffs from an amazing number of songs and artists including Rush, Nirvana and Van Halen, solidifying the fact that John 5 can truly “play anything”, and play it spot on.  

JOHN 5 has released nine solo albums to date, as well as a remix and a live album.  In 2020, John 5 and The Creatures will be heading to Australia, for the first ever solo shows in the country and also joining the Verdict Tour alongside Queensryche that kicks off January 17 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  All dates scheduled so far are listed below. Definitely worth your time to catch one of these shows!

Check out more shots from this show:

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ALL PHOTOS BY: BRENDA TURNER PHOTOGRAPHY

DATES:

11/18 – Charlotte, NC @ Amos Southend

11/20 – Greensboro, NC @ Blind Tiger

11/21 – Annapolis, MD @ Ram’s Head on Stage

11/22 – Philadelphia, PA @ Voltage Lounge

11/23 – Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon Club

11/24 – Rochester, NY @ Montage Music Hall

w/Queensryche

1/17 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room

1/18 – Tampa, FL @ Jannus Live

1/19 – Jacksonville, FL @ Florida Theatre

1/22 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s

1/23 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues

1/24 – San Antonio, TX @ Aztec Theater

1/25 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues

1/26 – Lubbock, TX @ Jake’s***

1/27 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launch Pad***

1/28 – Phoenix, AZ @ Marquee

1/29 – San Diego, CA @ Music Box

1/30 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues

1/31 – San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s

2/1 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades

2/3 – Redding, CA @ The Dip***

2/4 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom

2/5 – Seattle, WA @ Neptune

2/7 – Denver, CO @ Ogden

2/8 – Kansas City, MO @ Knuckleheads

2/11 – Milwaukee, WI @ Shank Hall***

2/12 – Grand Rapids, MI @ 20 Monroe

2/14 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Roxian Theatre

2/15 – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland

2/16 – Boston, MA @ Big Night

2/18 – Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance***

2/19 – Glenside, PA @ at Keswick

2/21 – North Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues

2/25 – Huntsville, AL @ Von Braun Center

2/27 – Orlando, FL @ Plaza Live

***JOHN 5 headline show – No Queensryche