Zebra, Angel at the Arcada Theatre (3/18/2022)

Of all the 70s and 80s bands who achieved superstardom, I can think of equally as many who should’ve reached the same heights. If you were to ask me to name two examples off the top of my head, I very well could say Angel and Zebra. Both bands, while stylistically different, had the talent and potential to be equally famous as their peers. For whatever reason or another, this was never to be. The closest Angel had to a hit was a cover of The Rascals’ “Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore”, which bubbled under the Top 40 at #44. Zebra meanwhile fared slightly better, scoring a handful of rock radio hits and a gold album in their self titled debut. But by the time thrash and glam took charge in ’86, the party was over.

Fast forward some four odd decades later. While Angel and Zebra’s aforementioned arena headliner peers limp around the nostalgia circuit, mere shells of their former glory, these two bands are still playing like they’ve got something to prove, pleasing their cult fanbases all across the country. So when the two bands took the stage this past weekend at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois, it was a battle of hard rock heavyweights for the ages. Here’s how it all went down.

Angel

The evening started a little after 8:00 with a no nonsense hour long set from Angel. Knowing they were short on time (I’ve seen past Angel sets go over an hour and a half), the band wasted no time with unnecessary banter or theatrics, the latter of which they’re best known for. No, Frank, Punky, and the gang went straight for the jugular, unleashing classic after classic upon the crowd of adoring fans. If you closed your eyes, you would’ve sworn you were at the International Amphitheatre circa 1978 (a reference for the Chicago old schoolers). Who am I kidding? If you kept your eyes open, you would’ve sworn you were at the International Amphitheatre circa 1978!

My biggest takeaway from this particular set is how underrated Angel are as musicians. I assume this went over peoples heads 45 years ago due to their over the top stage presence and show. However, I think metal historians should really revaluate the individual talents of Frank DiMino and Punky Meadows. Despite being in his 70s, DiMino can still flawlessly reach his upper range, boasting both power and bombast akin to Dennis DeYoung and Freddie Mercury. Meanwhile, I’d be willing to argue Meadows is as prolific a guitarist as Ritchie Blackmore and Michael Schenker, or at the very least equally as talented. Yet we never hear him mentioned in the discussion of “all time great guitarists”. That changes today.

Setlist

• “On the Rocks”
• “Can You Feel It”
• “Mirrors”
• “Wild and Hot”
• “The Fortune”
• “We Were the Wild”
• “Don’t Leave Me Lonely”
• “Got Love If You Want It”
• “Feelin’ Right”
• “Rock and Rollers”
• “The Tower”

Zebra

The last time Zebra came to town was in 2018. Before that was 2001, and before that was 1983. In other words, at the rate things were going, I didn’t think I’d see another Zebra show in the Chicagoland area until roughly 2036. Thankfully, this turned out not to be the case, as Zebra triumphantly returned to the Arcada stage four years later. Although much as changed in the past four years, one thing that hasn’t is Zebra’s dedication to peak musicianship and pleasing their audience. The band played a lengthy setlist that consisted of their entire debut album, save for their cover of “Slow Down”, as well as selections from No Tellin’ Lies, 3.V, and IV.

As if that wasn’t enough, they rounded the evening out with a 45 minute Led Zeppelin tribute set. For those unaware, Zebra got their start in the 70s as a Zeppelin tribute band, before penning their own originals. And as a diehard Zeppelin fan, let me just say that I’m convinced if Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones reunited right now, they still wouldn’t sound half as good as Zebra did playing their songs. It’s definitely a sight that needs to be seen and heard to be believed! If Zebra ever comes through your neck of the woods, or even within a few hours distance, do yourself a favor and check them out. Bands of this caliber are an endangered species.

Setlist

• “As I Said Before”
• “When You Get There”
• “Wait Until the Summer’s Gone”
• “Light of My Love”
• “Arabian Nights”
• “Don’t Walk Away”
• “Better Not Call”
• “Time”
• “Who’s Behind the Door”
• “The La La Song”
• “Bears”
• “One More Chance”
• “Take Your Fingers from My Hair”
• “Tell Me What You Want”

Encore – Led Zeppelin Set

• “Rock and Roll”
• “The Ocean”
• “Over the Hills and Far Away”
• “Immigrant Song”
• “Heartbreaker”
• “What Is and What Should Never Be”
• “Kashmir”