Nita Strauss @ the Ritz in San Jose on November 22, 2021 (Photo: Kevin Keating)
Nita Strauss may not be a household name yet, but she’s well on her way to becoming one of the greatest rock guitarists in the leagues with names like Vai, Satriani and Wylde. For her ‘day job’ Nita’s been Alice Cooper’s lead guitarist since 2014, but she’s beginning to break out with her solo releases — her first in 2018, Controlled Chaos; and a new single Nita released last month featuring vocals from David Draiman of Disturbed, “Dead Inside”. That single’s already broken out into the top 10 rock singles here in the US and you may have already heard the track in rotation on radio and streaming services.
So when Nita announced a fall tour with a date in San Jose, you can bet we jumped at the chance to see her play live!
The show at the Ritz this past Monday night started with Phantom Witch, a local thrash metal act from Salinas — followed by Black Satellite out of New York. Both were impressive although it was unfortunate they were playing to only a few dozen people before the crowd began to swell for Nita’s arrival just before 10pm.
Nita Strauss @ the Ritz in San Jose on November 22, 2021 (Photo: Kevin Keating)
Nita’s hour-long show was not only an impressive display of her talents with the guitar, but a masterclass in showmanship. Nita gave each of her backing band members a chance to shine and interacted the crowd between songs with short stories and a complete appreciation of being back on the road and performing for all of us lucky enough to be in the crowd that night.
Nita Strauss @ the Ritz in San Jose on November 22, 2021 (Photo: Kevin Keating)
It’s only a matter of time before the famed guitar roadshow known as G4 becomes G5 and adds the Nita Strauss to the echelon of guitar gods that make up G4.
Don’t miss Nita if and when she comes to your town!
