Buckcherry caps crazy night at the Wedge

More shows are coming to the location.
By GUY D'ASTOLFO
VINDICATOR ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
AUSTINTOWN -- The nightclub in the corner of Wedgewood Plaza has had many incarnations over the years. Now known as the Wedge, the space got its shakedown cruise as a rock concert hall Tuesday night when a sold-out crowd of 900 packed in to see Buckcherry.
The raucous Los Angeles-based band gave the joint a barebacked baptism by fire.
To say that the tandem of lead singer Josh Todd and lead guitarist Keith Nelson are reminiscent of Axl and Slash, or even Steven and Joe, is to state the obvious.
Like Guns N' Roses and Aerosmith -- hard-as-nails and sex-soaked -- Buckcherry purveys full-throttle rock like it's 1969. Even after their extended take on runaway hit "Crazy B****" at midshow ("I think you're gonna like this next song," Todd teased), the show didn't fade into a post-climax lull. In fact, it seemed to get even crazier.
Starters
Damone played a 45-minute set before Buckcherry. The four-piece is fronted by 20-year-old Noelle on guitar and vocals. A diminutive cutie clad in biker leathers, she cemented the Joan Jett-Donnas-Runaways girl-group sound, even though she's the only girl in the group.
Blackstone Cherry opened the evening, and they also helped close it with a "Full Monty"-style dance on the Wedge's elevated stage during Buckcherry's last song. Much of the crowd hadn't made it through security during their set, but anyone who missed them will get another chance Sept. 12 when the band does a warm-up stint for Staind at Chevrolet Centre.
Promoter Corey Ward of Austintown, who was pleased with the Wedge's rock debut, will announce next week his second show at the Wedge. It will be in early November and will feature two name acts.