THE DEAD DAISIES

"We're in the zone right now," cried forcefully by David Lowy, founding member of the Australian-American rock cotillion, THE DEAD DAISIES. Considering the number of players housed under this band's moniker over the past five years, that's not merely a bold claim, it's substantiated. You're talking esteemed alumni such as John Tempesta, Richard Fortus, Jon Stevens, Tommy Clufetos, Alex Carapetis, Darryl Jones, Dizzy Reed and Charley Drayton, to tee off a good handful of names, and that's not covering everyone since the band was founded in 2012 who's played in THE DEAD DAISIES.

Last year, Lowy and the DAISIES welcomed legendary guitarist Doug Aldrich to the fold. This after John Corabi replaced Bernard Fowler and former INXS vocalist Jon Stevens before him. Already flanked by bassist Marco Mendoza and everywhere drummer Brian Tichy, Lowy's refurbished lineup dropped 2016's hefty "Make Some Noise" album, the band's fifth release in a three-year span. Thus, last year stands at this point—barring any future personnel maneuvers—to be the formative year for THE DEAD DAISIES.

If there's any rock band out there right now shadowed by the "supergroup" tag carrying the potential to strike with some of the commercial impact of AUDIOSLAVE or CHICKENFOOT, it's THE DEAD DAISIES. All that's eluding the latter is the pivotal major label deal to take them to the upper echelon. THE DEAD DAISIES enjoyed a stint supporting KISS last year, but is otherwise making its killing in the rock club circuit, which is not to downplay things. THE DEAD DAISIES has earned its reputation as a professional power player in a rock market that needs bands possessing both passion and maturity to survive at-large.

With three albums and two EPs to the group's credit, it should be no surprise a DEAD DAISIES live album is immediately upon us. With the strength of the current lineup, it's also no surprise "Live & Louder", capturing the band on their UK and European tour from last fall, is stuffed half with "Make Some Noise" cuts. Positively, it's pretty much a winner; assuming you don't mind a heavy dose of covers—and if you follow this band, you're plenty used to those.

"Long Way to Go", "Song and a Prayer" and the pump-'em-up title cut becoming immediate fan favorite singles from "Make Some Noise", there's also "Mainline", "We All Fall Down", "Last Time I Saw The Sun" and the covers "Join Together" and "Fortunate Son". From 2015's "Revolucion", there's "Mexico", "With You and I", "Something I Said" and the cover of Alex Harvey's "Midnight Moses". As the band is hardly shy about its love of saluting rock 'n' roll's past, there are also covers of THE BEATLES's "Helter Skelter" and GRAND FUNK RAILROAD's ""We Are An American Band".

What to say about John Corabi making the most of the position he's in? Looking a bit these days like a beard-bombed Steven Tyler, Corabi possesses all the confidence he's long exhibited. As a result, he carries the set on "Live & Louder" not so much with a swagger, but as a sage elder statesman given a proper station in which to succeed. Doug Aldrich is the perfect addition to THE DEAD DAISIES, not merely complimenting David Lowy but completing the thickness this band requires. While Marco Mendoza's bass provides all the density to band, the familiarity Aldrich has with Brian Tichy from their time together in WHITESNAKE pays off here. The gifted Doug Aldrich accents both the lead and rhythm sections, making him a remarkable asset.

The story of breaking Aldrich in to the band is told inside the bonus features on the DVD, along with the gripping account of two fans braving a hard trek from Kuwait to catch THE DEAD DAISIES play. What rings loudest aside from the unit's music and Marco Mendoza's endearing "attitude of gratitude" when he takes the stage is how modest these guys are. There's no question love and respect prevails amongst David Lowy and his past associates in THE DEAD DAISIES, but what one takes from "Live & Louder" is something that rings of brotherhood with staying power.