Special report by Mark Gromen

Anyone who has ever met DORO bassist Nick Douglas says the same thing: he's a mild mannered gentleman who loves to play music, regardless of financial concerns, and looks out for everyone but himself. Thus BraveWords.com decided to give his solo effort some props, not that he'd want us to do so! Working on his second solo release, despite nearly two decades with Germany's metal queen and forays with BLAZE BAYLEY, the left-handed bassist has assembled friends and Doro alumni Johnny Dee (drums, ex-BRITNY FOX) and Joe Taylor (guitar) to help manifest his solo rock (ie. not-metal) pursuits.

On April 3rd, they headlined the Pennant East, in New Jersey, a mere stones throw away from where a young Douglas cut his teeth in DEADLY BLESSING. In fact, many of that band's fans were in attendance, as well as singer Ski and guitraist Tom Umba, who joined everyone onstage for a rousing version of JUDAS PRIEST's 'Breaking The Law'. Expressing nervousness, despite having played in front of 70,000 at Wacken, the pressures of being a frontman, even in a club of a couple hundred friends, threatened to take its toll. During the main portion of the set Douglas sang nine tunes from his two albums, including the opening 'Like Dreamers Do', 'Seven Years' and a slower 'Soul Your Keep', the band remaining on the riser behind Douglas. 'Oh Carol' was dedicated to former Doro guitarist Mario Parillo, who co-wrote said track with the bassist. 'Away' and 'You're a Miracle' were the final tracks from the first album (Through The Pane), followed by newbies like 'You Break'.

Once again local promoter Bullwinkle Entertainment brought together the best of the future and the past. The evening kicked off with TANGIER vocalist Bill Mattson joining local act Tagg for three old-school relics, as well as covers of BAD COMPANY and ZEPPELIN. Formed from the remnants of the DEAD END KIDS, Mattson and Tangier were the house band at The Galaxy on nights when CINDERELLA didn't headline, ultimately releasing an independent eponymous disc and two for Atco/Atlantic, although the Stranded swansong ('91) didn't feature Mattson. In trademark all-black attire, boots and cowboy hat, the aging singer might have looked like your grandfather, but once his pipes got fired up, they offered 'Ripchord', and bluesy 'On The Line'. Not bad considering there was just one rehearsal before this show!