For some reason, I keep confusing the Lynch Mob with a rap group. Actually, it 's a hard rocking band built to highlight the playing of guitar god George Lynch. My buddy Don is an unknown guitar master who drags me to every show like this that comes to town. Fortunately, Lynch lives locally, so we see him often. This time was at the Roadhouse on 3/21/2003.

Most people know George Lynch from his days with Dokken. He played with that band through most of the 80's. They weren't as big as groups like Van Halen, but it wasn't for lack of great guitar work and steady rockin'.

The current line-up of the Lynch Mob is George on guitar (duh!), Robert Mason doing vocals, Anthony Esposito on bass and Fro plays drums. Yeah, I said "Fro". They are talented guys, but people show up to see Lynch and not the Mob.

My friend Don thought the band was sounding too modern. When Don says "modern", he means 90's rock. I didn't hear it. They sounded great, but there wasn't anything they played that would seem out of place in 1988. You know, steady rhythm with screaming vocals and regular guitar solos.

Nothing was unexpected or out of place, and to be honest, that's what the crowd paid for. About half of the audience were old enough to have been Dokken fans during the 80's, and the other half probably thought everything was so retro as to be "classic". Both parts got plenty of rock to keep them happy.

One more thing. Lynch will turn 50 next year. The man looks great, and I'm straight, too. He looks like he must live in a gym, but it has paid off. I thought it was a waste of time for someone my age (44) to worry about lifting weights, but I was wrong. Damn! Now I need to find another excuse for my growing waistline.