The Answer
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
US Airways Center/Phoenix, AZ

Review by Jim Simmons, Arizona State University

Maybe The Answer should be wearing t-shirts saying “We’re huge in Japan” or “I’m a big deal in Europe.” Perhaps then the band could convince American audiences that they really are a big deal. Though earning the highly coveted slot as an opening act on tour with AC/DC is a good way to win over skeptics, how does one go from being just “that band that opened for AC/DC,” to an act people remember for its explosive The Who/ Led Zeppelin-esque live show. Front man Cormac Neeson even persuaded Americans firsthand, dedicating a song to “the people who go home and don’t forget who we are.”

Opening for AC/DC on the Black Ice Tour, could be the answer (no pun intended) for this explosive rock and roll band from Belfast, Ireland. For the first time ever, the stage has been set in a huge way for The Answer to prove that after years of entertaining fans worldwide, it’s time for the Americans to embrace its amplification. Outside of being the band’s first ever tour through American soil, this year also marks its debut Stateside EP Never Too Late, with a full length album expected in early ’09.

While fans were still pouring in to see quite possibly one of the greatest rock and roll acts of all time, The Answer was loudly proclaiming why its should be remembered for bluesy guitar shredding, huge drum and bass combos and vocals that would knock on Robert Plant’s door. Fans cheered in mild fashion until the end of the set when they had finally warmed up to who the hell they were and gave the guys a warm response as they exited the stage. After experiencing these newcomers live, it’s apparent that The Answer’s explosive live show cannot be contained on compact disc and that Americans would gladly invite them back for another round in the not so distant future.