LIVE NATION PRESENTS: THEORY OF A DEADMAN
LIVE AT HARD ROCK LIVE IN WHEATLAND, CA ON 2/20/25
Theory of a Deadman is on their ‘Unplugged’ tour with a stop at Hard Rock Live in Wheatland, Ca. Through time I’ve learned that great songs can be played either electric or acoustic because it means the song has a strong melody. Most rockers remember when Guns n Roses released an EP entitled ‘Lies’ at the end of 1988 with this having an A side that was electric and a B side that was all acoustic songs (the days of vinyl folks). Tesla released the ‘Five Man acoustical Jam’ as a full acoustic album in 1990 and this crossover did extremely which helped give us MTV:Unplugged for several years following. It’s great to see Theory carrying on the tradition.
Tyler Connolly of Theory of a Deadman
It seams that Theory knew their songs were strong enough to hold up on their own as they started 2025 off with an unplugged tour. Theory of a Deadman have written several songs that are high energy rock anthems that are in your face with attitude and the band has also grown and changed through their career so going acoustic for this tour seems fitting.
Now onto the show. The band had a cleaver stage set up with an image of a house above the stage with a staircase in the back of the stage for them to walk down as if they were going into a basement from the house above. The set looked like a 70’s room with stools, mismatched chairs, beer signs, a bar, an old tv set and other furniture. This would have been a perfect place for a group of guys to get together and jam.
Dave Brenner of Theory of a Deadman
Vocalist/guitarist Tyler Connolly, guitarist Dave Brenner, bassist Dean Back, drummer Joey Dandeneau, were joined this time with touring musician Walter Ino. When I recently saw Theory perform, they had a hard hitting sound with a very energetic live performance. It’s easy to say that stripping the band down to the basics musically was a refreshing change since seeing them in 2024. Songs like “World Keeps Spinning, “Two of Us”, and “Angel” were so smooth as acoustic songs. I wasn’t sure how “Bad Girlfriend” or “Bitch Came Back” would come across but they worked because they a strong songs with great melodies.
Dean Back of Theory of a Deadman
Tyler would talk between songs giving little back stories into the band members lives and inspirations behind many of the songs. Being acoustic made for a fun and memorable show. It was as if they invited you into their basement to listen to them and the original of the band. I will say that I was hoping to hear how an acoustic rendition of “By the Way” would have sounded but that was not to be on this evening.
Joey Dandeneau of Theory of a Deadman
I will say that photographing an acoustic show is dramatically different. I’m use to band members being all over the stage performing as most move from one spot to other locations. As an acoustic show, it’s way more laid back as they stay in their area on a stool or chair. Then it comes to working around the mic stand and getting different angles as I move to capture the best image possible. You also have to be respectful of the crowd since the show was a seated event with no photo pit.
I still had a great time listening to Theory of a Deadman in a stripped down show and I recommend catching them as the tour as the “Unplugged” tour continues. Thank you to Theory and to Hard Rock Live for supplying great music and a fantastic place to see the band.
THEORY OF A DEADMAN Photo Gallery Click HERE
Theory of a Deadman Setlist 2/20/2025