Feast of Michael Schenker Fest shreds through guitarist's career

When Michael Schenker renamed the latest incarnation of his solo band the Michael Schenker Fest, he wasn't kidding about the Fest part. But he could've also called it the Michael Schenker Feast.

Describing himself as a "trend-maker" when he spoke prior to the gig with Alamo True Metal (watch here), Schenker took to the stage last Saturday night at Vibes Event Center accompanied by seven other musicians. Celebrating his 40-year career that has spanned Scorpions, UFO and various factions of the Michael Schenker Group, the man behind the Flying-V guitar dazzled and delighted a packed house with a 30-song, 2-hour and 40-minute performance.

Playing chronologically with each of his solo vocalists over the years, Schenker opened with his traditional instrumental "Into the Arena" before welcoming the first of those singers, Gary Barden. From there, the assembly line of voices continued to churn out with Graham Bonnet, Robin McAuley and Doogie White. Also backed by bassist Chris Glen, keyboardist/guitarist Steve Mann and drummer Ted McKenna, the Michael Schenker Fest unloaded a slew of classics but also a good share of debut album Resurrection under the Fest moniker, which dropped March 2 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Barden, who was Schenker's original vocalist when the guitarist left Scorpions and UFO in 1980, and returned to MSG in 1983, danced and pranced his way through "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie" and the catchy "Cry for the Nations," plus "Attack of the Mad Axeman." 

Bonnet, McAuley and a very under-the-weather White graciously went "Into the Pit" with ATM before the concert on the third-to-last show of a month-plus tour. Bonnet, fired by Schenker after recording 1982 MSG album Assault Attack when he failed to make it through the first song of that tour's initial gig, reunited with Schenker in time for the Fest's DVD "Live Tokyo International Forum Hall" in 2017. A very candid Bonnet spoke about his past and present with Schenker during the interview, then went out and mesmerized vocally on three tracks from that album, particularly "Desert Song," which followed Schenker's lone Scorpions contribution of the evening, "Coast to Coast" (ATM footage of both here). Bonnet, also known for his time in Rainbow, Alcatrazz and Impellitteri, joined his vocal cohorts on new single "Warrior" (watch below).

McAuley had the best and most consistent pipes of the night, as well as the most diverse contributions. As the frontman of the late '80s and early '90s McAuley Schenker Group, his time with Schenker was known as the guitarist's most commercially MTV-driven portion of the mad axeman's career. But that doesn't mean they didn't have songs that rocked, particularly on the somewhat surprising inclusion of "Bad Boys" that kicked off McAuley's portion of the night. Following with "Save Yourself" and "Anytime," McAuley then let loose on the new album's opening track "Heart and Soul," the studio version of which includes a guest appearance from Metallica's Kirk Hammett, which Schenker also discussed pre-show. That segued into 1987 hit "Love is Not a Game."

From there, it was White's turn. Suffering immensely from a head cold that made him sound as if a pair of frogs were in his throat, White nevertheless gave it his all on new single "Take Me to the Church," which featured Mann's skills on the keys before Glen and McKenna began the rumbling on bass and drums, respectively. White, who also spoke of his time with Rainbow and Yngwie Malmsteen with ATM, offered up Schenker's dedication to Ronnie James Dio with "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" from their Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock band.

After the entire cast united for "Warrior," McAuley led the way on the part that always takes the audience back -- Schenker's slate of UFO songs. As usual, the highlight was Schenker's extended guitar solo on "Rock Bottom" (watch below), though McAuley's favorite "Shoot Shoot" wasn't far behind. The printed setlist actually had 32 songs on it, but the Fest ended with "Lights Out" and omitted the pre-planned "Only You Can Rock Me" and "Too Hot to Handle."

Schenker told ATM that San Antonio would be "one of the cities we would consider" shooting for his next DVD, given that his three most recent concert films were filmed overseas. In a classic rock city Schenker has revisited virtually every other year and throughout most of his career, that's about the only thing left for Schenker to accomplish as far as the Alamo City is concerned.

The only question remaining would be, who will be in Schenker's band by then?

Michael Schenker, a fixture in San Antonio for nearly four decades, brought his Michael Schenker Fest to the city for the first time last Saturday night at Vibes Event Center.

Schenker prepares to welcome the first of his four vocalists, Gary Barden, to the stage.

Click the appropriate link within to watch ATM's exclusive pre-show interview with Schenker, to which he also brought along this Dean Flying-V guitar.

Singers Gary Barden (from left), Graham Bonnet and Robin McAuley join drummer Ted McKenna in performing one of 30 songs on the night.

Schenker rips into a solo.

Chris Glen oozed fun and humor throughout the show on bass.

Schenker showcases his Flying-V on opening instrumental "Into the Arena."

Barden takes to the stage for "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie."

Schenker salutes the crowd, but in truth, the fans were not worthy to a 2-hour, 40-minute performance that spanned his Scorpions, MSG and UFO career.

Glen lays down the low end.

Schenker literally stays in touch with his fans.

The Michael Schenker Fest band rocks out on a track from new album Resurrection, which dropped March 2.

Schenker shreds.

Barden and Schenker give it their all on "Cry for the Nations."

Prior to the gig, Schenker discussed with ATM about how he could've joined Ozzy Osbourne's band and Aerosmith back in the day but chose to forge his own path.

Steve Mann manned the keyboards, and some guitar work, all night.

Schenker was making his first visit to the Alamo City since 2015, but he also made visits in 2012 and 2010 with his Temple Of Rock band.

Glen and Schenker join forces.

Schenker was a nearly three-hour bundle of fun and energetic wizardry on guitar.

McAuley sings one of his 1989 tracks with McAuley Schenker Group, "Bad Boys," while McKenna provides the drum work.

Schenker checks his rigs.

Glen gazes at the crowd.

Schenker up close.

Click the appropriate link within for a pre-show interview with vocalist Doogie White, who persevered despite a bad head cold.

Schenker does his thing on the Flying-V.

Barden was Schenker's original vocalist when the guitarist formed the Michael Schenker Group after he left UFO in 1980.

Schenker's Fest setlist spanned his entire career, but new album Resurrection proves he's not living off of his past.

McKenna pounds away on the kit.

Schenker stands tall like few others on guitar.

Click the appropriate link within to watch McAuley sing the Fest's new song "Heart and Soul" segueing into his 1987 MSG hit "Love is Not a Game."

Schenker shines in black and white too.

Glen rocks the bass.

Click the video link at the bottom of the article to watch Schenker's extended guitar solo on UFO cult classic "Rock Bottom."

Barden provides vocals on "Cry For the Nations."

Schenker showcases his signature style on guitar.

Click the appropriate link within to watch ATM footage of White and McKenna on new track "Take Me to the Church."

Schenker continues to play Dean guitars, which he joined in 2004, but now also does so in honoring the memory of Dean CEO Elliot Rubinson.

Barden and Schenker rock the Vibes Event Center.

Schenker spent a vast majority of the night set up on the audience's right-hand side of the stage.

Glen does his thing on the bass.

Schenker only played one Scorpions track on the night, his 1979 instrumental "Coast to Coast," ATM footage of which is contained within.

Barden was the sole vocalist of the Michael Schenker Fest who declined to be interviewed on camera by ATM prior to the show.

Schenker shreds on the six-string.

Glen and Barden perform "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie."

A packed Vibes Event Center was treated to nearly three hours of Schenker's influential career on the guitar.

Barden recorded his MSG comeback album with Schenker, In the Midst of Beauty, in 2008.

Schenker's previous visit to San Antonio in 2015 featured former Scorpions drummer Herman Rarebell and bassist Francis Buchholz, but the Fest marks a completely new lineup.

Schenker told ATM he would "consider" shooting his next concert DVD in the Alamo City.

Barden and Schenker perform another Michael Schenker Group classic.

Schenker utilized this guitar for most of the evening.

"Attack of the Mad Axeman" was another Barden/Schenker favorite performed.

Schenker was able to get Metallica's Kirk Hammett to guest on the new album's opening track "Heart and Soul."

Schenker referred to himself as a "trend-maker" when he spoke to ATM prior to the show.

Barden also joined Schenker on new track "Messing Around."

Schenker's performance this time around marked the third-to-last gig of a month-plus U.S. tour.

The Michael Schenker Fest ended with UFO classic "Lights Out," cutting out the final two printed options "Only You Can Rock Me" and "Too Hot to Handle," but still played 30 songs over 2 hours and 40 minutes.