By Christopher Crone

There is no better way to ring in the holidays than blowing your eardrums out the night before Turkey Day. On Wednesday, November 26th, the Opera House Saloon in Roseville hosted a massive All Star Jam, turning the historic venue into a revolving door of Northern California’s finest rock and metal talent.

For those uninitiated, the “All Star Jam” format is a logistical high-wire act—a mix-and-match lineup of guitarists, bassists, drummers, and vocalists swapping out every few songs. It requires serious chops to pull off, and the crew assembled for this 23-song setlist didn’t just pull it off; they crushed it.

The Sabbath Kickoff

The night opened with a heavy dose of doom. Joe Fraulob (guitar), Michael Spencer (bass), and Scotty Slam (drums) anchored the early part of the night, laying down the foundation for vocalist Carlos. They kicked things off with Black Sabbath’s “Children of the Grave,” immediately setting a heavy tone. The chemistry was palpable during an extended, nearly eight-minute rendition of “War Pigs,” proving that even in a jam setting, these guys play with the precision of a touring unit.

Shifts in High Gear

As the set progressed, the lineup shifts kept the energy fresh. We saw Craig Berhorst join Fraulob on guitars for a killer run of Maiden and Priest, including a crunchy version of “Wrathchild” and the dual-guitar attack of “Metal Gods.”

When vocalist Willie Seltzer took the mic, the vibe shifted to a high-octane Ozzy tribute, tearing through “Over the Mountain” and “I Don’t Know.” A standout moment in the first half was the inclusion of Mason Duran and Judd Wheeler, who helped turn “Heaven and Hell” into a soaring, nearly seven-minute epic.

The Mid-Set Shakeup

One of the coolest aspects of these jams is seeing different rhythm sections lock in. The “Cymbal Change” marked a shift as DJ Nicholson (bass) and Max Nicholson (drums) took over the engine room for a KISS block, laying down the groove for “Shock Me” and “Cold Gin” with Jim Estrella on vocals. It was a fun, party-rock detour before things got heavy again.

The Home Stretch: UFO, Metallica, and AC/DC

The final third of the night was an absolute marathon. Mason Duran took on the lion’s share of guitar duties, joined by Greg Williams for a stellar UFO block (“Too Hot to Handle,” “Lights Out”).

But the pit really opened up when the band dropped into the thrash zone. With Larry Hart on bass, Bill Hunting on drums, and Chris Duran screaming his lungs out, the crew delivered a blistering “Seek and Destroy.” Watching Guy Coker and Mason Duran trade riffs on the Metallica classic was a highlight of the night.

The evening capped off exactly how a bar gig in Roseville should: with high-voltage AC/DC. Mike Barnes took over vocal duties, bringing the rasp and attitude necessary for “Dirty Deeds” and the closer, “Highway to Hell.”

The Verdict

Clocking in at over three and a half hours of music, the November 26th All Star Jam was a masterclass in local talent. Special props go to Joe Fraulob and Mason Duran, who played absolute marathons on guitar, and the sound crew for managing the chaos of 20+ musicians swapping gear on the fly.

If you weren’t at the Opera House Saloon this Thanksgiving Eve, you missed one hell of a party.

Standout Tracks: “War Pigs,” “Heaven and Hell,” “Seek and Destroy”

Categories: All Star Jam, Concert Photography, Reviews