The Ultimate Shock Rocker

Alice Cooper is an artist who needs no introduction. His five-decade career of blending horror with metal has done that all on its own.

Being the first to incorporate these scary theatrics with heavy metal has made it fair to say that Alice Cooper is the first true shock rocker.

And guess what? He is making his way through the upper Dakotas on this summer’s tour.

Alice Cooper transcends his chronological age. Now 60 years old, he still puts on his scary trademark make-up, is still convincingly insane onstage.

He’s has tried on many different genres of rock throughout his career. With over 15 albums under his belt so far, Alice has done everything from garage rock, glam rock, industrial, metal, to you name it.
His newest album, entitled “Along Came A Spider,” which hit shelves July 29, takes Cooper back to his roots, which tends to be somewhere between garage rock and metal.

“Spider” does have some elements of his previous work. ” It’s an 11-song journey through the mind of a serial killer who is an arachnophobic psychopath who goes by the name of Spider, whose trademark is wrapping his victims in silk and taking a leg off the body.

It is as if Alice actually becomes Spider in the album, bringing a cold-blooded killer to life vocally. Not only that, folks, but the album has a twist at the end you will not see coming. I won’t tell you what it is.

The sound of this album has a very old-school feel to it. “People are going back to the classic bands these days. I just haven’t heard of anything better lately,” says Cooper. “Anyone from 15 to 50 can listen to classic rock.” And I must say he’s right. The classics never get old. They are Cooper’s specialty and what he knows best.

Not that you would even have to be familiar with anything from his new album to enjoy a Cooper show. Even those not completely familiar with Cooper would at least know a song or two if they attended a concert. Having many previous hits in the past, Cooper can most easily be called to mind with his 1971 ground-breaking hit “I’m Eighteen,” and his 1972 smash “School’s Out.”

Cooper plans to visit the Bismarck Civic Center in Bismarck, ND on August 5th in promotion of the new album.
Joining Cooper on tour is drummer Eric Singer, bassist Chuck Garric, and guitarists Keri Kelli and Jason Hook. This will not be the first time Cooper has visited the Dakotas. Don’t think he’s going to be playing it soft either.

“Think high power and high energy,” Alice told me.

Through 45 years of touring, Alice and the band are still proud to be the bad boys. Even my parents still shudder when they hear the name “Alice Cooper,” which shows just how much of an impact Cooper has had in the rock music world.
When Alice first started his career it was “a world of Peter Pans - where’s the Hook?” Guess who became Captain Hook.

Even the name Alice Cooper has its own cold-hearted effect. “To me it sounds like a sweet old lady that would poison you,” Cooper said. The name stuck instantly.

Alice has always been a fan of striking fear into people’s hearts. That’s what people love, or hate, about a Cooper show. Many people and many towns have feared Cooper in the past. Alice will forever be known as the “anarchy to everything.”’

If you plan on attending the Bismarck show, which I highly recommend, drink an energy drink and throw on some old clothes. Cooper shows have been known to leave the audience somewhat filthier than when they arrived. I would almost be disappointed to leave the show in clean shape.

And the energy is in unimaginable. It is a show you will never forget. Hope to see you there!

If You Go

What: Alice Cooper
Where: Civic Arena, Bismarck
When: August 5, 2008, 7:30 p.m. (Doors: 6:30 p.m.)
How Much: $32.50/ $37.50 (All ages)
Info: (701) 222-6487