CJ RAMONE PLAYING AT THE CHAMELEON CLUB IN LANCASTER, PA, AND AT WEBSTER
HALL IN NEW YORK IN JULY, 2011
BACK
Line-up in this USA tour in July 7 - August 7, 2011 (See details of 25
shows here.):
CJ Ramone: vocals and bass.
Daniel Rey: guitar, back vocals and in two songs main vocals.
Michael Stamberg: drums.
Text written by Dan Roepke and photos taken by his
brother John Roepke.
On July 7th (2011), I went to a CJ Ramone concert at the Chameleon Club
in Lancaster, PA (USA) and I also saw him in The Studio at Webster Hall
in New York City on July 9th. In Lancaster, after 3 opening bands, CJ
started playing at 8:50pm. This was an all ages show, so there were kids
there as young as ten years old or so.
About halfway through the set, CJ introduced the band. He said: "Chicago
born, the only guy that deserves to play the Johnny Ramone guitar parts,
he has been with the Ramones longer then I have, Daniel Rey."
(Jari-Pekka's note: Daniel has produced many Ramones albums and also
their solo albums, co-wrote around 20 Ramones songs like with Dee Dee
songs
Pet Sematary, Poison Heart, I Believe In Miracles and many more.).
CJ introduced the drummer, from his Long Island, NY hometown:
"My good friend Michael Stamberg."
At the NYC show, before CJ started playing at 10pm, CJ introduced a
special guest and said my good friend Monte Melnick. Ramones road
manager Monte went up on
stage and said: "Many years ago, upstairs, this place was called The
Ritz. The Ramones had many great shows here. Joey lived around the
corner on 9th street."
Monte also said he was happy that CJ Ramone was keeping up the legacy of
the Ramones. Monte then introduced the band starting with Michael on
drums. Then: "An old friend on lead guitar, vocals and an old Ramones
producer, Daniel Rey." Then he introduced: "The one and the only CJ
Ramone, the American Punk."
During the show, CJ said that he has been working on a new CD for about
a year and has already finished up on some tracks. He is hoping that the
CD will come out sometime in the fall. He played a new song from this
album called Three Angels On My Shoulder and said it is a tribute song
to Johnny, Joey, and Dee Dee, our fallen brothers. Before playing the
song, CJ said that this will be the first time that this song is being
played live in U.S.A.
The Lancaster crowd was very good, but the NYC crowd was great. A lot of
slam dancing and both crowds were really into the shows. CJ played the
same songs for both shows, except that in NYC, he played a 2nd encore,
Teenage Lobotomy, that he didn't play at the first show. When CJ came
out for the 2nd encore, the crowd was going crazy so CJ said: "You're
not gonna let us go, we have to drive to Pittsburgh tonight for our next
show. We were hoping you'd be quiet and just go home." Then he said he
was just kidding, and started playing Teenage Lobotomy.
Daniel Rey sang lead on Pet Sematary and Poison Heart. He also did a
really good job playing guitar. Michael Stamberg was also very good
banging on the drums. CJ looked great, played great, and sounded great.
It looked like he hasn't really changed too much in the last 15 years.
CJ seemed happy to be back playing and singing Ramones songs, especially
back in NYC.
Both shows were awesome. The spirit of the Ramones was alive and well
with CJ at both of these shows. I think CJ said it best towards the end
of both shows when he said, Ramones Forever!
Set list for Webster Hall show in New York
City:
Blitzkrieg Bop
Judy Is A Punk
Beat On The Brat
Cretin Hop
Endless Vacation (CJ said this one goes out to Dee Dee Ramone)
Pet Sematary
Sheena Is A Punk Rocker
My Back Pages
I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend
Glad To See You Go
Poison Heart (CJ said this one goes out to our buddy Joey Ramone)
Strength To Endure
Listen To My Heart
Wart Hog
Swallow My Pride
I Wanna Be Sedated
Commando
Pinhead
1st encore:
Three Angels On My Shoulder
California Sun
Do You Wanna Dance
R.A.M.O.N.E.S.
2nd Encore:
Teenage Lobotomy
Thanks again of writing great review Dan Roepke, and
you John Roepke sending photos.