Las Vegas Mixtape v31: Rock’s Agelessness, an In-Town Getaway, and 90’s Vintage Threads

1. Track #1: Cheap Trick @Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino

Everyone wants to feel as young as possible—and for as long as possible. Which no doubt accounts for the enduring appeal of rock and roll. Taking the stage at the packed Westgate, Cheap Trick triumphantly celebrated the notion of a prolonged adolescence, as expressed in the immortal lines of their 1978 classic “Surrender”: “…when I woke up, Mom and Dad/Are rolling on the couch/Rolling numbers, rock and rollin’/Got my KISS records out.”

It helps of course that the three original members of Cheap Trick—lead vocalist Robin Zander, guitarist Rick Nielsen, and bassist Tom Petersson—have a built-in “assist” to sound so convincingly young.

Nielsen’s son Daxx energetically fills the role of drummer, the most athletic spot in any rock band. Zander also benefits from having his son, guitarist Robin Taylor Zander, double his vocals throughout the show, especially on the high notes. The two sons have given these Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees an extended life as a touring band.

Bless Cheap Trick for keeping rock and roll’s fire burning brightly. (Image: courtesy of David Plastik)

Cheap Trick’s best album remains 1978’s “Heaven Tonight”—with its power-pop-on-steroids mix of Beatles and Who influences—and tonight’s set included six of the album’s songs. It was hard not to fall for “Surrender” as well as two other tunes with sexually playful lyrics, “Stiff Competition” and “On Top of The World.” Judging by the loud response, the audience went home feeling satisfied and, well, eternally young.

2. Track #2: Cottonwood Station @Blue Diamond

Looking to have a perfect getaway day in Vegas without “going away”? Start by visiting Red Rock Canyon, or the free Red Rock Overlook Scenic Stop, and then drive a few miles to Cottonwood Station. It’s a charmingly decorated, excellent fast-casual eatery in the historic tiny village of Blue Diamond (population: 268).

While enjoying a first-rate chicken panini and latte on their sprawling outdoor balcony with a mountain view in front of a fire pit, I kept asking myself: how did it take five years of living in Vegas to first discover this gem?

Immerse yourself in the restaurant’s many artsy charms. (Image: Vegas 411)

Join the locals here as well as hikers and mountain bike riders in the know for Cottonwood’s artisan pizzas, sandwiches, and salads, plus beer, wine, and cider on tap.

Be sure to view Cottonwood’s history wall outside with archival photos and background about the area. The restaurant was built on the site of the village’s workshop and, according to their website, the interior incorporates “wood from the original workshop and garage.”

You can walk off Cottonwood’s pork belly fig pizza, cauliflower bites, and pretzel sticks  by wandering around the park, private pool, library, and the general store that was built in 1942, catering to residents who were miners at the Blue Diamond Mine.  All in one afternoon, you can enjoy smartly curated food options and wonderful views—and get a history lesson, too.

3. Track #3: A 90’s Kind of Vintage @Ferguson’s Downtown

Welcome A 90’s Kind of Vintage to Fergusons Downtown, an artistic haven that was created via the revitalization of the historic ‘40s Fergusons Motel on Fremont Street East. Walking into this relatively new Black-owned women’s clothing store, an outgrowth of owner Sandra Robinson’s e-commerce business, you’re instantly bombarded by bold and colorful threads that stand apart from black-and-gray high fashion looks.

“Our shop primarily caters to 80’s and 90’s fashion,” says Robinson. “The 90’s was all about oversized clothing, as well as cool prints and patterns. The 80’s and 90’s also had a strong emphasis on beautiful craftsmanship and fabrics. We love the silks and tweeds that were so common back then.”

The store’s current big sellers are genuine leather and suede jackets. “And now that the weather is warming up, I am expecting dresses and skirts to start flying off the shelves.”

Style comes in many colors here. (Image: Vegas 411)

Robinson describes herself as “a champion of sustainability” who says “our target customer is someone who enjoys looking fly while helping save the planet— sustainably fly, if you will.” Our clientele, she adds, “enjoy all the unique prints and patterns, as well as the affordability and inclusive sizing. They know they can always swing by for a game of Pac-Man and jam out to Montel Jordan and TLC.”

Next to the store is Tofu Tees, owned by Kumei Underwood. She’s a teenage Black student, social activist, and daughter of progressive parents who designs T-shirts with messages like “Social Issues Are Not Trends.” Robinson says that “I couldn’t have asked for better neighbors.”

4. Track #4: Tinnitus @Count’s Vamp’d

A friend of mine, Vegas-based author Lonn Friend (“Life On Planet Rock,” “Sweet Demotion”), sometimes jokes that one day the world will be filled with only tribute bands since all the members of classic original groups will have died off.

If that’s the case, then Vegas-based Tinnitus—a sonically pulverizing tribute band who deploy artful props onstage and diverse instruments like electric violin and cello, plus flugelhorn—will be at the top of the heap, as they proved at Count’s Vamp’d.

Formed in 2008, Tinnitus is anchored by Blue Man Group drummers Jeff Tortora and Todd Waetzig and features top-shelf players like bassist Phil Soussan (Last In Line, Ozzy Osbourne). Tortora’s frontman charisma and aggro vocal style (he growls, shouts and screeches) light up skillful performances of songs by Korn, Marilyn Manson, Pink Floyd, Nirvana, Muse, and Slipknot (hell, they even cover Neil Diamond).

Since Tinnitus chooses mostly deep cuts by those artists, you sometimes might get the feeling that you’re hearing original songs, a strategy that works in Tinnitus’ favor. The band generally performs four times a year, and they’re on track to return to Vamp’d in late June (exact date TBA).

5. Track #5: Around Town Medley

There are several ways to honor the history of rock in Vegas. You can see the Raiding The Rock Vault classic rock show at the Hard Rock Café, salute a musical revolution at The Punk Rock Museum, or immerse yourself in the glow-in-the-dark KISS World Mini Golf adventure inside the Rio Hotel & Casino.

This creatively conceived shrine to one of rock’s most successful bands—who’ve also made an art out of cleverly merchandising themselves—includes a museum, an arcade, gift shop, and a wedding chapel.

KISS alumni Bruce Kulick and Eric Singer (both Vegas residents) were on hand at the space for The Musical Beginning Foundation celebrity fundraiser. The newly created organization aims to provide musical instruments to children in underserved communities and is headed by two new Vegas arrivals: Grammy-winning musician Micki Free and fashion designer Heather Roberts.

There was a strong showing by the Vegas rock community at the mini-golf tournament including Slash’s band members Todd Kerns and Brent Fitz, Alex Grossi of Quiet Riot, and many more.

An essential stop in the Arts District is the provocative gallery/store Recycled Propaganda, which is also the nom de plume for award-winning artist Izaac Zevalking. Since opening in 2018, it’s been the home of artists whose works capture the paranoia and express the outrage of existing in a corporate-controlled society.

Stopping in recently, I had to give this compelling piece by metal sculpture artist David Fay a good look.

It’s titled  “On Second Thought” and described as “a contemporary reimagining of ‘The Thinker,’ created by French sculptor Rene Rodin. Comprised of over 600 decommissioned gun parts, ‘On Second Thought’ seeks to stimulate thought and dialogue concerning our nation’s cultural and spiritual relationship with guns, especially in the wake of recent deadly mass shootings.”

Cheers to Zevalking for advancing social consciousness in Vegas by showcasing “resistance art.”