The Dokken Reunion is Happening (in Japan)

Why, it was just yesterday that we were discussing Dokken’s monumental contribution to the cinematic arts, and now we’ve received this (very awkwardly written) press release:

“After years of intense speculation and recent rumors, it can now be confirmed that Dokken will indeed reform its classic lineup for 6 shows ONLY! Don Dokken, George Lynch, Jeff Pilson and ‘Wild’ Mick Brown will return to the stage together, in Japan – for the first time in 21 years. Dubbed Unleashed in the East, leader Don Dokken explains why now.  ‘I am very excited to come back to Japan and play with the members of Dokken that I spent so much time with. Being that its only 6 shows, we are going to make as spectacular as possible.’”

If we take the band at their word that these will be the only reunion shows, then we have to assume that it’s because they didn’t get any decent offers in other parts of the world. I saw Dokken once, in the summer of 2000, when they had Winger’s Reb Beach instead of George Lynch on guitar, and it was fucking terrible. Like, terrible to the point where having Lynch there really wouldn’t have made one iota of a difference (even if you hate Winger, you can’t deny that Reb Beach can friggin’ play). The problem, really, was Don Dokken himself, who was visibly going through a McDonald’s Diet phase. I dunno, maybe he’s cleaned himself up since then.

ANYWAY, dates are below, in case you live in, or would like to take a trip to, Japan. I’ve also included the somewhat hilarious tour poster, which has opted to use silhouttes of the band’s members rather than go the Di’Anno/Bayley “Just pretend we have access to a Fountain of Youth” route. I’ve also also included a bunch of old Dokken videos, because I’m guessing anyone born after 1985 has never fucking heard of this band.

Oct 5 – Osaka, Japan (Namba Hatch)
Oct 6 – Fukuoka, Japan (Fukuoaka Civic Hall)
Oct 8 – Tokyo, Japan (Loud Park Festival)
Oct 10 – Hiroshima, Japan (Blue Live Hiroshima)
Oct 11 – Aichi, Japan (Zepp Nagoya)
Oct 12 – Tokyo, Japan (Zepp Divercity, Tokyo)