The Bites debut record came out in early 2023.  I really loved that record and I played it non-stop for a couple of months.  I loved it so much that it landed on my 2023 best records of the year list at number three.  I swore if they came anywhere nearby, I would make sure I went to see them.  I almost broke that promise to myself.  When my wife and I go to see a show, it’s always at least an hour away from my little town.  Pretty much every show we attend is an event - hotel room, dinner reservation, Ubers, drinks, maybe a t-shirt or a record and the tickets themselves - and it usually adds up to a good $400 or more.  But I also like The 69 Eyes so it was a good bill.  Budderside is on the tour as well but I knew very little about them.  Although I struggled to convince myself to pull the trigger on the tickets, we caved in and even bought the VIP tickets because the venue (Tally Ho Theater, Leesburg, VA) has no seating except in the VIP area.  That area also has a private bar and bathroom, so it was worth the extra bucks.

With that introduction, I can report that my wife and I traveled the hour and a half to Leesburg on April 11, 2024 and witnessed a pretty damn good rock n roll show.  Here’s a rundown:

Pre-show:  4:30 p.m.  Checked into the local Hampton Inn, had a cocktail and called an Uber.  Dinner at Lightfoot Restaurant.  If you ever find yourself in Leesburg, VA, this is a must—great restaurant.  After a fantastic meal, we walked the one block to the Tally Ho Theater.

Doors:  6:30 p.m.  After about a five-minute wait, we went into the club.  It was early, but it was looking like the crowd would be on the light side.  Best seats in the house acquired.  We were in a front balcony portion of the upstairs VIP area with a nice 2-top table on the railing.

Budderside:  7:30 p.m.  As I said, I was not familiar with these guys and I didn’t find time to check them out prior to the show.  I now know that they are from Los Angeles, CA and they released their first record in 2016, as well as a follow-up in 2021.  The band brought a good vibe and I liked the lead vocalist’s banter and seemingly good nature.  There were a couple of songs I am going to revisit, but overall they just didn’t do too much for me.  The sound quality, for one thing, seemed a little off.  That was confirmed when The Bites came on and sounded far more crisp and not so sludgy.  The songs I liked best were “Joker” and “Ghostlighting.”  It was a solid - if not stellar - start.

The Bites:  8:30 p.m. (or thereabouts).  I was excited to see these guys.  The Bites came on to one of the best intro’s I’ve heard.  Over the P.A. came a booming voice that said “Leeeesburg, VA, are you ready to hear the greatest rock n roll band in the world?....  Well then, prepare to be disappointed.  It’s The Bites!”  I love a band that doesn’t take itself too seriously.  The Bites, also from Los Angeles, brought limitless energy with lead vocalist Jordan Tyler running and jumping non-stop.  They played just about every song from their debut record, with the highlight for me being my favorite song from the record, “Heather Leather.”  I guess if I could change one thing, the band did a lot of the stuff where they ask the audience to sing a part and the songs get dragged out from three-minute pop metal gems to longer, less satisfying versions.  There was even a drum solo, and I can always do without those.  But that’s just me.  Don’t get me wrong, I was not disappointed.

THE BITES ROCKING LEESBURG, VA            

 JCE W/ JORDAN TYLER OF THE BITES

The 69 Eyes:  9:30 p.m. The 69 Eyes are from Finland.  I should have found a way to mention these guys in my recent blog about Scandinavian rock ‘n roll.  This band has been around for a long time, having formed in 1989.  The vocalist has a deep haunting voice that puts them squarely in the gothic genre, but they are often described as goth ‘n roll because of the glam metal sound they also bring.  I have been aware of the band and liked them for many years, but I have to say that their most recent record, called Death of Darkness from 2023 is perhaps my favorite one yet.  The songs “Drive,” “California” and “This Murder Takes Two” are some of the best stuff they have done in my opinion.  “Drive” made the setlist, which was a highlight.  Two of my other favorites from their large catalog that were played included “Never Say Die” and “Lost Boys,” the latter of which closed out the 14-song set.  The band sounded sharp, the songs rocked, and they were the best band of the evening without a doubt.

THE 69 EYES

The show was over at a respectable time, so we headed out for a nightcap and hung out a bit with another couple who had been at the show.  They had come from Maryland, so I guess The 69 Eyes tour was not too extensive if they came all that way.  The night ended with an Uber back to the Hampton Inn.  Another show in the books…..

 BONUS VIDEOS:

JCE, or John to his friends, was born in 1963 in the Nation’s Capital.  He grew up in the VA suburbs of D.C.  He has a wife of 32 years, and a grown daughter.  He leads a bit of a double life, working by day as the chief administrative officer of a VA county, and spending as many nights as possible listening to live rock n roll with his wife at any club that has a decent band within 100 miles or so of their house.