http://qconline.com/archives/qco/sections.cgi?prcss=display&id=312376 Journey, Def Leppard win over 8,000 concert-goers at The Mark Posted online: October 28, 2006 12:44 AM Print publication date: October 28, 2006 By Sean Leary, sleary@qconline.com MOLINE -- It's no secret the Top 40 chart heydays of Journey and Def Leppard are long in the rear-view mirror. While both bands have had brushes with invading the zeitgeist again recently -- Journey with its associations with the 2005 White Sox and the Fox TV show "The OC"; Def Leppard with a successful Greatest Hits CD last year -- neither is making MTV's flavor of the month sweat the Sunday song countdowns. However, in the concert arena, it's quite another matter. Both bands proved they've still got the goods during a high-energy, three-hour plus show Friday night at The Mark of the Quad Cities. Girded by a bevy of familiar smashes from Reagan era, still performed with the vitality of yesteryear, the groups thrilled a crowd of roughly 8,000. Journey jump started the night, taking the stage to torrents of applause. In all honesty, I was never a big Journey fan back in the day. I liked some of their songs, but overall I was fairly ambivalent to them. After seeing them live, however, my estimation of them has risen quite a bit. The group attacked its familiar hits with amazing energy and its musicianship -- particularly the guitar brilliance of Neal Schon and the keyboard expertise of Jonathan Cain -- was incredible. Backed by a relatively simple stage set-up and gigantic video screen, the group put the onus on the music to excellent effect. Power-packed takes on "Ask The Lonely," "Wheel In The Sky" and especially the jazzy "I'll Be Alright Without You," had the feel of a good, old episode of "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert." "Chain Reaction" went into meltdown with atomic guitar solos. An army of lighters flicked upward and swaying fans joined in on "Lights." A nicely understated "Open Arms" garnered a well-deserved standing ovation. And the grungy, bluesy vengeance anthem "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'," likewise kept fans geared up. A montage of backstage clips encapsulating the band's career lent a warm touch to the uplifting "Faithfully" and seemingly everyone in the crowd was up and singing along with a one-two punch of "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Any Way You Want It," which ended the regular set on a volcanic high. The group's 90 minutes closed on an equally stellar "Separate Ways." Def Leppard, a group I've been a fan of since I was in junior high, and the act I'd really wanted to see, actually paled in comparison through the first half-hour or so of its set, which was heavy on ballads and mid-tempo tracks. However, once the group really cranked into rock mode, it quickly made up for any lost momentum. The act's evening started with a cheesy, fun video of speakers "going up to 11." A burst of flame erupted from the back of the stage and the group slammed into the heavy voltage "Let's Get Rocked." A stretch of slower songs was nicely done, but led to a pressure drop for the next 20 or so minutes. Nonetheless, there were some highlights. The ominous, jangling melody of "Foolin'" erupted into a thick forest of sinister guitars and the similarly structured "Bringin' On The Heartbreak" chugged into its chorus on bulging, choppy waves of sound. Appropriately enough, the set seemed to ignite with the launch of "Rocket." Slashing guitars and strolling rhythm leapt into a chorus that thundered throughout The Mark with the vocal addition of almost 8,000 strong. The same sonic effect electrified "Photograph." While the vocal mix was a little down, the blistering guitar riffs were killer and the audience's roaring accompaniment made it a highlight. Even a muddy vocal couldn't stop "Armageddon It," with its massive guitar attack, pesky hook and undeniable slam of percussion. And after lead singer Joe Elliot psyched up the crowd with an audience participation bit that got them screaming along, the band re-emerged for a whipped up "Rock Of Ages" that bashed through the arena, throwing the concert up to 11 with bruising guitars and a rowdy sing-along. Although deadline pressures precluded me from seeing the end of the show, what I took in impressed me, and likewise seemed to please the thousands of fans in attendance. So, let the kids dominate the pop charts. Journey and Def Leppard -- not to mention their fans -- are still happy with a success of greater resonance, the lasting ability to bring it on the live stage. Copyright © 2006 Moline Dispatch Publishing Company, LLC, All Rights Reserved