My band opened for SIMO on Friday night. Amazing show (video inside)

[tapeworm]

I was able to get SIMO booked in my city and had the pleasure of meeting and opening for JD Simo this past Friday night. They were fresh off recording at The Big House. What a great guy! He was real kind to me and nice to chat with about gear and music. Also got to hold and play the 1960 Les Paul a bit. The guitar was much more lightweight than I expected but super resonant and a beautiful example of a vintage LP. Of course, it sounded great when he played it.

SIMO left people amazed. Literally blown away. Faces melted all over the place. Everyone was coming up to me saying it was the best show they had seen at this venue, which books a lot of national touring acts.
I was blown away as well. I knew JD was a great player, but he is much better than that. The band backing him was top notch as well. His drummer, Adam Abrashoff was on fire all night and new bass player Elad Shapiro was sounding like a perfect mix for the band.

Posted some low light video from the show below, Audio sounds great though.

 

[jtindle]

I saw him last year and I agree, they were great!

 

[Bluesful]

Damn mate I'm jealous! Would be a great experience opening for JD.

Saw him play when he was with Don Kelley and he floored me.

 

[Seegs]

I'm sure it was a great concert but the video you posted started with a 10 minute guitar solo which even included some BB Kingisms at around the 8 minute mark...

I had to turn it off after that as without being loaded 10 minute guitar solos bore the crap out of this old guy...

I used to love them in the Cream era days but sadly I no longer have the patience to listen to anyone soloing for that long...

 

[Drowned Rabbit]

He's amazing for sure. Does he own that 'Burst or is it on loan?

 

[Gas-man]

Did somebody forget the lights?

 

[tapeworm]

He's amazing for sure. Does he own that 'Burst or is it on loan?

I didn't think to ask that. Man I wish I had someone to loan me some cool guitars though if that is the case!!

 

[Lost_Cause]

I have seen him twice this year and he is nothing short of amazing. I never saw the chest hair though. He had a full Marshall stack going the night he played our small town. Melting faces is right.

He was supposed to be playing some shows with Greg Koch who is leading a band for a tribute to Les Paul in Waukesha and St Paul?.

On a side note, there is an add on Indianapolis CL for an early 90s Vox AC-30 and cabinet that were supposedly JD's at some point before he went into Marshall territory where he currently resides.

 

[HoboMan]

He's playing a free show tonight in Madison WI at Atwood Fest.
It's an annual block party on the east side.
Maybe I'll head on over.

 

[Cream]

JD Simo is a having a huge influence on my playing at the moment. Saw the Don Kelley vid of him doing Folsom Prison Blues and it floored me. Made me decide to take the plunge and buy a Tele actually.

 

[HoboMan]

Just got back from the block party.
GREAT Show.

Simo really rocked the place. I was right up front. He played a Les Paul thru a Marshall half stack and was blistering loud.
I don't know if it's an original burst but maybe some of you Les Paul experts can tell.

 

[Bluesful]

I think it is an original '60, but I'm not sure if he owns it.

Maybe others with more knowledge can chime in.

 

[fataxeman]

Great pictures HoboMan! He came within 45 minutes of my town last fall but I was feeling poorly, it was a weeknight and had no one to ride shotgun with me.....should have gone any way, dammit.

I did make it to Chattanooga this past Friday night for Nightfall. I caught The Band of Heathens, all for free. Great show! Walked away (and I mean purchased) with one of their albums.

 

[tapeworm]

Just got back from the block party.
GREAT Show.

Simo really rocked the place. I was right up front. He played a Les Paul thru a Marshall half stack and was blistering loud.
I don't know if it's an original burst but maybe some of you Les Paul experts can tell.

Same guitars and setup he played at the show we opened. The LP is a 1960, but I'm also not sure if he owns it. I got to play it a bit and it felt like a very special LP. One of those you know immediately upon playing the first few notes just has IT.

Same one from this video

 

[MrX]

Great stuff.

 

[skip]

sounds good

 

[HoboMan]

Great pictures HoboMan! He came within 45 minutes of my town last fall but I was feeling poorly, it was a weeknight and had no one to ride shotgun with me.....should have gone any way, dammit.

I did make it to Chattanooga this past Friday night for Nightfall. I caught The Band of Heathens, all for free. Great show! Walked away (and I mean purchased) with one of their albums.

Here's a couple of more pics.
Video coming soon.

 

[HoboMan]

Shot with my cel phone so not the greatest quality.
At around 1:34 I got closer up and in front of the PA so at that point you're only hearing stage volume of the instruments.
Lost all the vocals at that point.