Oregon Music News

Photos by Jon T. Cruz

UFO have re-established a loyal following in the Portland area since they introduced Vinnie Moore as the replacement for the departed Michael Schenker in 2004. Since that time the Vinnie Moore UFO era has produced three highly acclaimed albums; You Are Here in 2004, The Monkey Puzzle in 2006 and The Visitor in 2009. Not to mention a live album and a best of collection. So great is the demand for the band in the area that they added Portland as their only Northwest date for this leg. The rest of the shows on the itinerary are California and the Southwestern United States; they skipped Seattle. “The promoter asked us to come here–so here we are. We always draw a good crowd in Portland and we really like playing here.” Vinnie Moore said in a pre-show conversation with Oregon Music News.

The intro music kicked in and the band appeared on the stage. Phil Mogg the slender 63-year-old singer dressed like he was an extra for a movie based on the California gold rush than a rock star; looked his age for sure. “We’re ready when you are” Mogg said to the audience with his dry British sense of humor. The highly enthusiastic audience replied back immediately and UFO broke into opening track “Mother Mary.”

In addition to Moog and guitarist Moore, the band consists of drummer Andy Parker, keyboardist/guitarist Paul Raymond who is the unsung hero of the band, and touring bassist Rob De Luca who has toured with the band before. You can’t ignore the fact that De Luca over the course of the past tours has been taking on the stage personality of Pete Way. He plays a Gibson Thunderbird like Way, and he has Way’s stage move down. The only thing missing is the trademark tank top and white with black striped pants. “I haven’t talked to Pete in a long, longtime. He’s not in UFO anymore. It’s public knowledge that Pete has had health issues and a drinking problem for years now. Those issues have led to him not being involved with the band,” stated Moore about Way’s future involvement with the band.

UFO guitarist Vinnie Moore

UFO played the ballad “Saving Me,” and the commanding “Hell Driver” from their latest effort The Visitor. The rest of the set consisted of the usual suspects from the band’s back catalog among them “This Kids,” “Only You Can Rock Me,” “Too Hot To Handle,” “Love To Love,” “Lights Out,” followed the show stoppers “Rock Bottom” and “Doctor Doctor.”

Phil Mogg isn’t known for his vocal pyrotechnics; he can carry a tune and has a great sense of melody. He continues to display his lyrical genius and for this he is heads and shoulders above his contemporaries. The addition of Vinnie Moore brings in a bluesy influence to the band that wasn’t there before his arrival. Moore’s interpretation of the classic UFO material is done in a respectful manner while allowing him to add his unique style to the songs. The tour ends on October 8th in San Antonio, Texas after that the band will continue recording the follow up to The Visitor.

“We hope to have the new album out by February of 2012. We signed a one album deal with SPV who will release the album and then we’ll hit the road again. We’ll go to Europe first then we’ll be back in the United States,” says Moore of the plans for the upcoming year.