The atmosphere was right, but the timing and planning proved to be fatal at the 1st NIKSTOCK West 2006 concert held at Irvine Lake in Silverado, CA. The lake was beautiful and wide open with plenty of space, with a sunny grassy area welcome mat. The campgrounds included showers and playground equipment, perfect for all ages and four-legged friends. People were fishing, and there were boats in the water, tents, motor homes, SUVs, and vans.

Irvine Lake might have been the perfect place if it didn't include SPIT along with the Frisbees flying in the air! The spit was courtesy of the obnoxious behavior of a sponsor from RCN, who was asked to leave the festival on Day One shortly after his arrival. A BIG thanks to Island Strongman security for their assistance and quick response. Their professionalism and dedication kept things running smoothly for the remainder of the concert.

But where were all the fans Friday and Saturday? There were a total of 37 bands, falling just 3 short of the projected 40. Since 3 slots weren't filled on Day One, the party was running a couple of hours behind schedule as the anticipated crowd of a couple thousand never came. Promoter Nick Fuoco (Nightmare-Alice Cooper tribute band, Tempter), started the festival on a workday…and ended it right before Mother’s Day…on the same weekend as the KROQ Weenie Roast…and the Renaissance Faire! His sponsors included Kristine’s Travel, Beverly Heels.com, Source 1 (SourceOne Office Products), and RCN—better known as “The SPITTER.”

I must say, promoter Nick Fuoco gave a whole new meaning to the words “Pay to Play.” As a disappointed band member’s father stated, “I was promised my son’s band would perform in front of at least 2,000 people if I paid for them to play.” Tickets were sold for $30/$40 at the gate, a little steep considering most people had to work Friday and only could make it up on Saturday.

There were two stages with good backline, but complaints from many bands about the sound. One band would play while the other band at the opposite end of the wide-open field would set up. Then a Kelly Osbourne look-alike, a “Poison Apple girl” would yell at people to come down to the other end of the field as the new band would start and the other would finish.

NIKSTOCK celebrated their 20th year recently in New York with 60 bands in 3 days. But the formula that has worked in New York for years had the California promoter stating, “I'm losing my ass.”

The talent at NIKSTOCK ranged from beginners and newly formed bands to national acts. Most of the bands had their instrumental skills down, but clear vocals seemed to be a problem for many of the hardcore bands that couldn't be understood.

Band members and fans ran to be stage front for the bikini contest, the contestants all sweet-looking girls. But when prompted by promoter Nick Fuoco to show some skin, the girls lifted their bikini tops. This included the first runner-up, who happened to be only 16 years old, oops!

Neil Turbin’s Death Riders captured the crowd day one. Other crowd favorites were the principal bands of Night Two, WOOD and Mandy Lion’s WWIII, the best dark band. These are three bands that could easily compete with the bikini contest in crowd attendance, turning heads, and commanding attention. A ballad for the ladies, “Something On My Mind,” proved that WOOD, usually an old-school, in-your-face metal band, has what it takes to grab the attention of any age crowd. After WOOD’s set a ton of new fans rushed up to WOOD’s merch table, signing up on their email list to get their free CD sampler that included this song as a bonus track.

Mandy Lion and WWIII gave the best stage show, with dancers and special effects, bringing along many fans and capturing hearts as well. The self-proclaimed “homicidal lover” Mandy Lion, originally from Germany, sent chills up his fans’ spines with his deep haunting vocals that proved he’s a first-class act with a powerful presence.

Neil Turbin (original Anthrax lead vocalist) amazed us with his outstanding performance with the Death Riders. Turbin looked great and proved that he’s still in the game as he has mastered Led Zeppelin tunes with excellent seasoned musicians backing him up. Turbin also has a promising solo career in addition to his band heading off to a Swedish festival in a couple of weeks.

Speaking of Europe, Day One opened up with Vann Gunn, a hot, talented new import from The Netherlands that made it in Sweden before arriving in Hollywood. Martin, High, Boy, Bert, and Ward were also very supportive of other bands, attending over two dozen shows. With the right attitude, charm, and talent, these college-age kids will take the Hollywood club scene by storm as they “Pull the Trigger.” The best Orange County band and instrumental band was Ronny North, who has played with several national acts. Legendary guitarist Ronny North gave a brilliant performance joined by Nick Horn on drums and Mike Munez on bass. Ronny North is playing mid-July in the NAMM show this summer in Austin, Texas. Look for Ronny North’s upcoming album.

Dave Jones Experience was another strong instrumental band that featured Dave Jones on guitar and Bernie Castaneda Sheesh-Naz on drums (who are also members of Mistaken Identity). Joe Walla and T.F.B. dazzled the audience with his good ole American rock-n-roll. The crowd loved his “Crack Whore” finale. However, it was an embarrassment for Joe Walla that “The SPITTER” from RCN exploded during his otherwise pleasantly entertaining, set causing unnecessary distractions. An apology is owed not only to the victim, but to Joe Walla and T.F.B. for this outrageous assault that pulled away a portion of the band’s otherwise attentive audience.

Dead End Jane, an international hard rock band that came to play with strong instrumentals and heavy vocals, has members from four different countries: Germany, Sweden, Norway, and Malibu, CA, U.S.A. The band got together during their music studies at LA Music Academy in Pasadena, CA. Dead End Jane has smoking pink lips as their logo, and have a song coming up in an independent movie, along with planning an August tour in Germany. Their debut album “Nicotine Queen” was just released. Punk band Scarred had passionate vocals with material like “Pain of the Lost” and “Rage Within” that was entertaining and meaningful.

The Iron Maidens (The World’s Only Female Tribute to Iron Maiden) used special effects and provided a fun, high-energy show that drew the audience in with excellent musicianship and loud, deep vocals. Many Iron Maiden shirts were spotted, proving that they know how to draw—even at a concert had overall low attendance. Tempter closed Day One with a solid performance but not with the same spark as Nightmare (tribute to Alice Cooper) that closed out the festival with a big bang.

National Dust gave an outstanding performance, a southern rock band that proved they’re ready for touring and bigger and better things. National Dust also had a good draw considering the circumstances of the event. Otto’s Daughter’s was a talented pop/metal band with JVB, a strong female vocalist backed by solid instruments. With material like “Mars” and “Losing You,” Otto’s Daughter is off to a great start.

Peppermint Creeps are a punk band with fancy punk hairstyles and elaborate clothes that had great basic raw lyrics such as, “I don’t like you…I wish you would die.” The only problem was that this was an all-ages show—G-rated! The talented alternative rock band Rainshine had a powerful sound with Dee Dee (Dionne Corona) and Donna Lynn debuting with the band as backup dancers. Rainshine has already toured as far away as South Africa. They are tailor made to perform in wide open spaces but also sound great at venues like the Viper Room. Rainshine was the best rock band from the East Coast at NIKSTOCK, being Boston natives who have relocated to Hollywood. Several bands came from New York, but Rainshine outshone them all. Hard rock bank Silversteel held its own sandwiched between Rainshine and WOOD, which is a difficult position to be in.

Josh “Zig Zag“ was a most popular player at NIKSTOCK, performing in five bands. Hollywood Phil was a close second, playing lead guitar in three, sometimes behind his back, neck, and with his teeth. On Day One, Zig Zag drummed and sang backup for The Buzz, which was the ultimate party band for Day One with the Buzz on lead vocals and bass. Hollywood Phil was on lead guitar, Cedric Ross rhythm guitar, and Dee Dee (Dionne Corona) and Donna Lynn did an excellent debut in their new role as backup vocalists. With material such as “Pizza and Beer” and “My Monkey and Me,” The Buzz got people in the spirit to celebrate. On Day Two Josh “Zig Zag” woke Lake Irvine up with his hilarious new band Drunk in the Garage’s tribute to beer, “Bud Light.” This time, Zig Zag was the frontman and The Buzz was on bass and backup vocals, with Hollywood Phil back on lead guitar joined by Johnny Gerard on rhythm guitar, Chris on keyboard, and Casey on drums and doing backup vocals. Free beer was given away, and Drunk in the Garage was a fun wakeup call for Lake Irvine.

Following Drunk in the Garage was Trace Devai, a talented rock band that featured Trace Devai on lead vocals, Zig Zag on drums, Hollywood Phil on lead guitar, J.G. on rhythm guitar, and Neil Carlson on bass. Later in the day, the band Calahan was also blessed with having Zig Zag as a drummer. Alternative rock band Calahan sounded great, as did Trace Devai, in a wide-open field. Calahan also featured Thom on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Brannon on lead guitar and doing backup vocals, and Kyler on bass and also doing backup vocals.

Zig Zag also helped to end the night as the monster with Nightmare (tribute to Alice Cooper). Nightmare put on an amazing stage show with a magnificent presence to close out the night and event in an upbeat fashion.

ALL ACCESS appreciates the 37 bands who put so much time and energy into playing NIKSTOCK despite the event's many flaws, and sends a special HUGE thank you out to the fans who made the trip to Lake Irvine: It was your enthusiasm that kept the bands motivated.