Firehouse (with Steelheart) – Medina Entertainment Center – Medina, MN – March 21, 2026

Firehouse (with Steelheart) – March 21, 2026 at Medina Entertainment Center, Medina, MN

Review and photos by Jim Zons

Hairbands of the 80s and 90s … I love ‘em!  On Saturday evening, March 21, 2026 some rockers from my favorite era of music rolled into the Medina Entertainment Center for a great evening of glam metal rock and roll!

First up, a band I should know, but didn’t:  Steelheart.  Steelheart came together in Norwalk, CT in 1990 and made their way onto the album charts with their self-titled album, Steelheart, which was certified gold in 1991. Since then, the band has gone through several lineup changes, with original vocalist and founder Miljenko Matijevic the only original member.

At the Medina, Steelheart filled the venue with their unique blend of glam metal and alternative metal sound through an hour and 20 minute opening set (fairly long for an opening band!) There were definitely some Steelheart fans in the crowd since they were singing along with a lot of their set. A crowd favorite was their biggest chart topper, the power ballad “I’ll Never Let You Go” which hit #23 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1991.  Lead singer Miljenko Matijevic toured with Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of the Doors in 2010 so Steelheart performed a hard rock version of Roadhouse Blues as a tribute to Manzarek as part of their set.  Another surprise:  hearing the song “Stand Up and Shout” from the 2001 movie Rockstar (featuring Mark Wahlburg in the fictional band Steel Dragon).  Matijevic actually sang that song (and others) in the movie (not Mark Wahlburg’s character!)

Next on stage was FireHouse.  FireHouse has been around since 1984, originally calling Richmond, VA home. Their self-titled debut album FireHouse was critically acclaimed and went double platinum in 1990, catapulting their career with several singles scoring high marks on the charts. Today’s line-up which took the stage at the Medina Saturday night consists of original bandmates Michael Foster on drums and Bill Leverty on guitar. Joining them were bass player Allen McKenzie who has toured and recorded with FireHouse since 2004 and new lead vocalist, Nate Peck, who replaced original lead vocalist and keyboardist C.J. Snare who passed away from colon cancer in 2024.

FireHouse hit the stage with a scorcher from their first album, “Overnight Sensation” and then kept their foot on the gas for the next 90 minutes.  FireHouse fans would have recognized most of their set; glam rock songs like “All She Wrote (Bye Bye Baby Bye Bye),” “Ought to be a Law” and “Shake and Tumble.” One of the things I love about this band is they maintain that awesome guitar sound unique to the 1980s and early 90s, before grunge took over everyone’s sound.  Bill Leverty’s guitar playing and sound reminds me so much of Dokken’s early 90s work … I was transported back to high school at the Medina!  FireHouse continues to record new music, so they played a few newer tracks, including 2025’s “Mighty Fine Lady,” and brand spanking new single “Midnight Gasoline” released just this month!  New leader singer Nate Peck has amazing range (you may remember him performing Dokken on American Idol) and he did a fantastic job playing tribute to original lead vocalist C.J. Snare.  Peck dedicated 1990’s “Home is Where the Heart Is” to CJ’s memory.  The night wrapped up with two of my favorite FireHouse songs: “Reach for the Sky” and “Don’t Treat Me Bad” and that was a fantastic way to conclude a great evening of 90s rock and roll at the Medina!  If you haven’t seen FireHouse yet, make sure you add them to your calendar next time they return to the Twin Cities area, or a venue near you!