In between selling out arenas when touring with the Bret Michaels Band, Pete Evick [vocals/guitar], Dean Cramer [vocals/guitar], along with Chad Stewart [percussion/ vocals] of Faster Pussycat, are performing their Ultimate Acoustic Rock Show across the US.
On January 15, 2026, at Dingbatz in Clifton, New Jersey, the trio turned an intimate room into a full-blown party, reworking some of rock’s greatest hits and party jams. The show was part storytelling, part laughter, and all kick-ass Rock n’ Roll.
For anyone who’s ever picked up an acoustic guitar, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as playing a song and hearing those clean, bright chords ring out. It’s often said that if a song can stand on its own with nothing more than an acoustic guitar, it’s a hit. The majority of the songs performed tonight were bona fide platinum hits, and it was fascinating to hear them stripped down to reveal their hidden musical nuances and lyrical emotion that often get lost in original band arrangements and live performances.
Don Jamieson from That Metal Show, with his perfectly coiffed hair, was on hand to introduce the band and even played a little AC/DC while the band was setting up! With Pete, Dean, and Chad all longtime Kiss fans, the trio opened their 75-plus-minute set with “Love Gun,” a song that first inspired them back in 1977 to pursue life as musicians. From there, they moved through the set in a loose chronological order, spotlighting how other bands like Van Halen and Def Leppard shaped and influenced them.
Each member took a turn on lead vocals: Pete Evick (vocals/guitar) delivered a warm, soulful rendition of John Cougar’s “Little Pink Houses,” and a thunderous version of “Cold Gin,” joined by PJ Farley [Trixter/Fozzy] on background vocals. Dean Cramer took vocals on “I’ve Done Everything for You” by Rick Springfield/Sammy Hagar. Throughout the night, their three voices blended in tight harmonies, bringing songs like Tommy Tutone’s “867-5309/Jenny” to life.
Dean and Pete worked in seamless tandem on guitar, delivering each song with precision and feel. They rarely mirrored the same lines, instead weaving around one another with fills and solo runs while Chad drove the night bare-handed, pounding his acoustic kit from start to finish.
The crowd sang along to every song, riding the musical rollercoaster of the 80s, not knowing what twist or turn might come next, and just excited to hear them play. Pete, Dean, and Chad created a sound that was both powerful and nuanced, a testament to their innate chemistry.
Follow them on Facebook to see where they are playing next: The Ultimate Acoustic Rock Show | Pete Manassas Evick
