THOMAS S. ORWAT, JR.
Niagara Falls, NY — The Fell—a hard rock supergroup featuring bass legend Billy Sheehan, guitarist Mike Krompass, vocalist Toby Rand, and drummer Nick Chiarore—performed to a full house at the Evening Star Concert Hall on Wednesday night. This show marked the third date of their short East Coast run, supporting the band’s official relaunch after first releasing music in 2017. As Krompass noted during a recent Rock Interview Series conversation, the timing finally felt right to bring The Fell back. Their return is anchored by the five‑song EP Killswitch, released in October 2025.
The Fell hit the stage sharply at 9:30 p.m., and the anticipation in the room was unmistakable. With Buffalo‑born music legend Billy Sheehan performing just a short drive from his hometown, fans at the Evening Star were eager to welcome him back. Seeing Sheehan in such an intimate club setting felt almost like stepping back to the early ’80s, when his band Talas played Buffalo clubs on a weekly basis. For many in the crowd, watching him perform from only a few feet away was both nostalgic and surreal.
But although much of the spotlight naturally falls on Sheehan, the truth is that The Fell is a dynamic, well‑rounded band with undeniable onstage chemistry. Vocalist Toby Rand is a powerful veteran frontman, delivering high energy and impressive vocal ability throughout the set. Mike Krompass proved once again that he’s an elite guitarist, firing off wild, complex leads that elevated each song. Drummer Nick Chiarore brought a heavy, old‑school John Bonham–style attack—thunderous, in‑your‑face, and perfectly suited for the band’s sound. All of this was immediately evident on the opening track, “Trippin’,” and the band powered through a tight 90‑minute set that never lost momentum.
The highlights of the night included an out‑of‑this‑world Billy Sheehan bass solo midway through the set, reminding everyone why he remains one of the most innovative players in rock. Across their 90‑minute performance, the band delivered all five tracks from their Killswitch EP along with several new songs, keeping the crowd fully engaged—even though many were hearing these tunes for the first time. The standout moment came with the track “Dancing on a Glass Floor,” a ridiculously catchy, modern rock masterpiece that perfectly showcases what The Fell is all about. The band closed the evening with “Elephant Gun” from David Lee Roth’s Eat ’Em and Smile album, a fitting nod to Sheehan’s history as a member of that iconic lineup.
In summary, it was great seeing Billy Sheehan back in town again—Buffalo really does love this guy. From Talas to Niacin, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, The Winery Dogs, and Sons of Apollo, his bands have always had a strong following here, and The Fell is certainly one of the best projects he’s been part of in recent years. Wednesday night’s performance showed a group with real chemistry, fresh material, and the kind of musical firepower that makes their relaunch feel genuinely exciting. If this show was any indication, The Fell has a bright road ahead, and Western New York fans will no doubt be ready for their return. I know I certainly am.
Opening the show was The Thomconde Project, followed by Loveboxx, and then a short set by Buffalo Music Hall of Fame member Jim Crean with his Hair Nation band. The set also featured additional Buffalo Music Hall of Fame alumni Jessie Galante-vocals and Bobby Lebel-guitar, who joined them for two songs, giving the evening a strong local flavor before The Fell took the stage.
The Fell – Setlist – 03/25/2026
Trippin
Carousel
Descendants
Colorblind
Face Out
Bird in a Storm
Girl Can’t Be Sold
Alibi
Dancin’ Glass Floor
Sing!
Wallflower
Footprints
The Way I Love You
Killswitch
Elephant Gun
,
Thomas S. Orwat Jr.
RockMusicStar.com 
Leave a comment