The Details: There are many who referred to Cactus as “The American Led Zeppelin” and those are some seriously big words to stand with if you are a band but when you consider the fact that this powerhouse quartet that came to be with members of The Vanilla Fudge, Mitch Ryder’s Detroit Wheels and The Amboy Dukes. The original lineups presence upon the music scene was not that long but their power and sound would resonate for decades to follow and find them influencing the likes of Van Halen, The Black Crowes, Montrose and even the mighty Anvil. In 2013 we find the band featuring two original members with Carmine Appice and Jim McCarty who are joined by the talented Jimmy Kunes (vocals), Pete Bremy (bass) and Randy Pratt (harmonica) and thanks to the fine folks at B.B. King’s, we are going to put some lucky PiercingMetal fans into the show for free. Read below on how to participate.
When and Where: Wednesday, September 14th at B.B. King Blues Club 7:30pm (237 West 42nd Street NYC)
To Participate: In one of my reviews of the bands concerts I am pretty sure that it was mentioned how we were latecomers to the Cactus sound ourselves but really what we were seeing. I’ve caught them numerous times right here at the B.B. King’s venue and I want you all to take a chance in this contest so you can also get with the program. Of course if you are a lifer to their stuff this one will be easier for you. Tell me three reasons you enjoy what this band is all about if you are aware of them or three reasons that you need to be at this show if you are still in need of a schooling. If you need to merely discuss the various members (hint hint Carmine Appice should be a whole lot of stuff to say) you can do that. You can name your three favorite albums and tell me a little about why each is a favorite or perhaps a few past concert recollections. You can add what we are all in store for if we attend here in NYC. Just make it a little interesting. Make them solid to read more than just a plain old “because he rules man” because that is just too un-original and boring and this stuff remains as good site reading going forward. I’ll be responding to the comments that I like most right below their answer. Please note this is for a single ticket only and no plus one requests will be honored. Sorry. Hey if you win you can always help your friend pay for a ticket or buy them something to drink inside the venue.
– Enter only enter once. The comments are moderated and will not appear immediately after submission.
– Number them for ease of knowing if you followed the instructions or not if I’ve asked for a list.
– Please enter your full real name in the comment form along with an email address that you can be reached at if you win. This is necessary for listing purposes. Please do NOT put this information in the comment itself out of privacy concerns.
– Only enter if you can and will attend the show should you win and it’s logistically possible for you to do so. Essentially if you live a couple of hundred miles away we don’t think you’re coming here for a show in NYC.
– Subscribe to the comments and check back to see the responses so you know if you won or not.
– Make sure you are entering a NEW comment and not replying to another contestant’s entry as that makes notifying you difficult should you be marked as a winner.
Bring it on as this one will close by noon on day of show or when allotment has been depleted.
Restrictions: PiercingMetal.com contests are open to all of our regional site readers but we do look at new responders first in order to give everyone a fair shot at enjoying a show on the provider and us. We still encourage all to respond because you never know just how many tickets we are offering or when the most recent folks actually won if there is no one new. Please also be aware that Guest and Anonymous submissions while likely approved are not eligible to win.
If You Win This Contest: If you are marked as one of the winners for this contest, here is how to claim the ticket. On the night of the show go to the venue podium and ask for the House Guest List. Please bring proper identification (driver’s license, passport, NYC ID card) and your name will be checked off that list for you to enter. If you encounter any difficulty, please politely ask for an onsite manager and cite how this contest was done in coordination with venue Marketing and PiercingMetal.com. You can also expect an email to the provided address reminding you of the win so make sure that @piercingmetal.com is listed as a safe domain to receive notes from.
Check out these videos that were shot during the bands 2012 appearance at this same venue. I know that they will pique your interest all the more.
Official Link: Cactus – http://www.cactusrocks.net
Here are some links to Cactus music that you can order up on Amazon.com
The legendary Cactus. What more needs to be said!!. One of the few bands from the greatest era of rock n roll, to still make quality albums. . I discovered them while digging thru my mom’s record collection. Great songs, Oleo, You Can’t Judge A Book, One Way Or Another,Evil,etc,etc. The new album ,Black Dawn, kicks ass!!! Carmine is one of the best drummers ever, IMHO, Jim Mcarty is an unsung guitar hero.No Tim Bogert, but the new guy is good & Randy Pratt from the Lizards on harmonica Doesn’t get much better than this band. R.I.P Rusty Day, the orignal lead singer
I totally hear what you are saying Seth and let’s get right to the point shall we? Congrats on winning one of our tickets to see the legendary Cactus on Wednesday at B.B. King’s. Please refer to the “If You Win This Contest” part of the post for the full details on how you claim this.
3 reasons I should go to see Cactus:
1. I was in a band a few years ago that covered the song “Evil”. Although it was originally a Howlin’ Wolf song, we covered the Cactus Version.
2. There’s a tricky bass lick that he plays during the guitar solo. I need to watch it live to see if I got it right when I copied it.
3. It’s like attending a master class in Rock awesomeness!
Hey Ron it sounds like this is also going to be your first time seeing Cactus and wow we have to make that happen so congratulations as you have won a ticket to see them rock the stage at B.B. King Blues Club this Wednesday night. Please refer to the part of the contest post marked “If I Win This Contest” as the full details on how you claim it are lined out.
1. I have never seen Cactus despite them playing a handful of times in the past 10 years or so. I have seen pre-Cactus band Vanilla Fudge numerous times. VF is always impressive live but i personally like the recordings of Cactus a lot more. Cactus are definitely a lot heavier. I’m assuming that a couple of these guys were taking notes when Led Zeppelin were opening for Vanilla Fudge.
2. Cactus are undoubtedly proto-metal. Its really a shame that they never really got full credit for their brilliance. Their first four records are criminally underrated.
3. I hate to say this but these older bands are not going to be around forever. It seems that every week we are losing music legends as they get up there in age. We really have to appreciate these musicians now while they can still perform. THis may be the last time Cactus plays in the area (i hope not). I cannot miss this opportunity to see these hard rock legends.
Hey George, you said some truth right in this submission and I should share that Cactus was referred to as The American Led Zeppelin, but I digress. Congratulations because you have won a ticket to the show on Wednesday. Please refer to the part of the contest post marked “If You Win This Contest” because I have lined out all the details in that section.
This show looks awesome, so here are my three reasons:
1) I met/saw Vanilla Fudge when I was 3 and I have a really cute photo with Carmine Appice. When I was old enough to really appreciate music, I found the photo and asked my dad who he was and looked him up. I thought that he was one of the most talented drummers in rock-n-roll! I would love to see him at an age that will allow me to remember the show!
2) My hometown is Detroit, MI and the guys are legends there. With as much as I’ve heard about them, I need to be able to see them live!
3) I watched the videos you provided here and love the bluesy sound! I think this will be a fantastic show and is a bit different from what I have been listening to recently, so it will be nice to have a fresh sound of great music.
Wow Katherine this was a super awesome response and I hope you’re smiling because you are going to see Cactus tonight at B.B. King Blues Club. Please refer to the section of the post marked “If I Win This Contest”. It has all the relevant details for you to know.
1) I’ve heard that BB King’s is a great venue to have a show. From what I understand, the atmosphere is always great, New Yorkers are interesting people, and this band seems to read and interact very well with the crowd.
2) This will be my first rock concert. I’ve never been to a rock show, and I listened to Cactus and would be ecstatic to have them as my first rock concert!
3) You are very right about their sound! They remind me a lot about Led Zeppelin and some other related acts. My friend showed me some of their live footage and I think they have a great guitar sound and I’ve heard a lot about how amazing Carmine Appice is as a drummer, so I need to see him with my own eyes.
Wait a second did you say your “first Rock concert”???? If that is the case then PiercingMetal has to make an important moment in your history come true so congratulations Dave, because you are going to see Cactus tonight at B.B. King Blues Club. Please refer to the section of the post marked “If I Win This Contest”. It has all the relevant details for you to know. By the way did you know that you have the same last name as the guitarist for the band this evening. How cool is that.
Okay my friends that is it for the Cactus contest, this is 100% officially closed and no other submissions can be honored as the winning names have been sent over to the venue for processing. Congratulations to all of our winners who were each notified right below their entry. That was some great stuff and its surely going to be a rocking show. This appears to be a seated event so you might want to arrive early and get the best spot. I like to go down to the main floor in the center when I have to do that. Be sure to check the “If You Win This Contest” portion of the post to know the skinny and I will see you there. If you should recognize me running about please don’t hesitate to say hello.