Jim Price
Moderator
Joined: 07 Dec 2002
Posts: 4817
Location: Altoona, PA
|
 Posted: Tuesday Dec 30, 2008 |
|
|
WEEK/WEEKEND RECAP 9/29/08 PT. 1
Yet another two-parter, with too many bands and photos to fit into just one post. Part 2 will follow shortly…
SHARK BITE @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 9/22/08
This Monday quickly lived up to the tradition given to Mondays over the years…it sucked.
I learned this about 90 minutes after the clock radio got me up, so I could attend a meeting at my radio workplace I was notified about the day before. The meeting, as it turned out, was to notify me that I was being let go. As has been documented on Rockpage, the decision wasn’t totally unexpected, given the way things had been going at the station in recent months. But it still sucked, and had me in a funk for the rest of the day.
Fortunately, Mondays often do have a uplifting side; wing night at Pellegrine’s. And even the termination of my employment of the past 14-plus years couldn’t overcome my wing appetite, as I feasted on Pelly’s wings while taking in the antics of Shark Bite.
Armed with keyboard and acoustic guitar respectively, Adam D and Big Jim provided their usual blend of music and humor, welcoming guests and honoring requests along the way. During the first set, the pair honored requests for Harry Chapin’s “Cat’s in the Cradle” and the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil,” and welcomed some audience guests up to sing on Poison’s “Talk Dirty to Me” and “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.” They also performed tunes from Dr. Hook, Live, Styx, Cat Stevens and Buckcherry.
Shark Bite’s second set featured tunes from Steppenwolf, Violent Femmes, Bad Company, CCR, Gin Blossoms, Marcy Playground, Audioslave, 3 Doors Down and more. Two more guests were welcomed up to chime in; Eric Wertz, who played Adam D’s electronic drum set-up on Jimi Buffett’s “Margaritaville,” and yours truly, to do the Robby Steinhardt violin parts on kazoo during Kansas’ “Dust in the Wind”…scary!
Shark Bite finished with a short third set, doing the Doors’ “Love Me Two Times,” Guns N’Roses’ “Used to Love Her,” Black Crowes’ “She Talks to Angels” and Kid Rock’s “All Summer Long.”
Given the bad news I had experienced earlier in the day, Shark Bite was just the tonic I needed to lift my spirits, along with Pellegrine’s delicious wings! Thanks Adam and Jim!
Guest Eric Wertz provides some rhythms alongside Big Jim and Shark Bite.
Again, Eric Wertz.
Again, Shark Bite with Eric Wertz on percussion.
One more time, Shark Bite.
FELIX & THE HURRICANES @ 30 SOMETHING, ALTOONA 9/25/08
After three days of unemployed life, there were a few lights beginning to appear on the horizon. I decided this night that a dose of Thursday Hurricaning at 30 Something would do me well.
I arrived at 30 Something shortly before the Hurricanes started into their first set, and ran into a few other friends in the house, including Bad Daze Rob. We hung at the bar and celebrated the joys of Jager, while watching Oregon State knock off USC on the college gridiron and taking in the Hurricanes’ impressive musical displays.
The Hurricanes opened the night with their own bluesy “On the Bottom Again,” commencing a blend of original blues-rock numbers and classic rock, blues and country favorites. This set also included Hurricanes numbers such as “Just Had to Play the Blues,” “Hurtin’ People” and “Icy You,” as well as renditions of Fleetwood Mac’s “Oh Well,” The Animals’ “House of the Rising Sun” and more.
A day or so following my layoff, I received word that vehicles were seen driving through Altoona with signs painted on the windows expressing support for me and protesting my former employer. During the first intermission, the owner of one of those vehicles arrived at 30 Something. I went outside and admired Bobbi’s handiwork on her car – BIG THANKS to Bobbi and Danette for their support and having my back – it is much appreciated!
Soon the Hurricanes launched their second set, doing so with another of their originals, “Issues.” This set featured other original tunes such as “Talk About Love” and their ode to my – at this point in time, former – local music radio show, “Backyard Rocker Rocks.” The group also did smoking versions of ZZ Top’s “I Thank You,” Robin Trower’s “Day of the Eagle,” Ted Nugent’s “Free for All,” the Allman Brothers’ “Whipping Post,” and Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and “Cold Shot,” which closed the set.
As expected, the Hurricanes were sounding strong thus far, all three musicians again playing at the top of their game. Although not crowded, there were at least some people in the house, and more arriving – including a few musicians such as Big Jim, Rich Piccerillo and more.
The Hurricanes’ own “La La Land” started off the nightcap set, followed by the Allman Brothers’ “Soulshine” and “No One to Run With.” After Blackfoot’s “Train Train” and Johnny Cash’s “Cocaine Blues,” the Hurricanes finished out the night with three of their own tunes, “Walking a Straight Line,” “Black Widow” and a repeat of the song that began the night, “On the Bottom Again.”
It was a fun night of Hurricaning, and it was good to be surrounded by friends. It was just the type of evening I needed – thanks to all!
Felix of the Hurricanes.
Jeff Clapper of the Hurricanes.
Bob Watters of the Hurricanes.
At the end of the night, this lady took Bob’s drum kit for a spin.
Bad Daze Rob and one of the 30 Something gang.
LOVERBOY/FLIGHT 19 @ RAILROADERS MUSEUM, ALTOONA 9/26/08
Altoona’s Railroaders Museum was closing out its concert season this night with a well-known national act, bringing 80’s hitmakers Loverboy to town. Although rain was in the forecast for this night, the show must go on, and I would be there to see it.
Despite the wet conditions, some folks were already on the concert grounds as I arrived, and as the openers, Flight 19, took the flatcar stage. Having won a battle of the bands in August to earn the opening slot for Loverboy, Flight 19 fired up the crowd with a spirited set; although they had to battle sound issues through much of the set to do so. The sound was brash and distorted early on, and the vocals were cutting out of the mix. It took a while for the bugs to be worked out. Fortunately, the sound issues didn’t noticeably impact either the band’s or crowd’s enthusiasm, as Flight 19 received good response on their selection of original songs, current and 80’s rock favorites. Singer Brian Thomas, guitarists John McKelvey and Scott Imler, bassist Tim Kelly, keyboard man Phil Steele and drummer Darin Hand did original songs such as the bluesy “Unlock,” the new “The Game,” their update of John’s Front hit “Girl Like You,” and their two anthemic rockers “Hands” and “Crank It Up,” which closed the set. They also performed their 80’s new wave dance medley, and favorites from Finger Eleven, Styx, Seether, Poison, Gary Numan, Honeymoon Suite, Kid Rock and more.
Tim Kelly and Scott Imler of Flight 19.
John McKelvey of Flight 19.
John McKelvey and Brian Thomas of Flight 19.
Flight 19, opening for Loverboy.
Again, Scott Imler of Flight 19.
Brian Thomas and Scott Imler.
Once again, Flight 19.
One more time, Brian Thomas of Flight 19.
More fans arrived and began congregating in front of the stage in anticipation of Loverboy’s performance. Not unexpectedly, a lot of that audience was female and somewhat older, as fans who swooned over this band back during their 80’s heyday were eager to see them now. The current edition of Loverboy; singer Mike Reno, guitarist Paul Dean, keyboardist Doug Johnson, drummer Matt Frenette and bassist Ken “Spider” Sinnaeve (replacing original bassist Scott Smith, who died in 2000) soon arrived on the flatbed railcar stage to perform many of their hits and classics. Loverboy obviously weren’t spring chickens any more, with two members showing ample gray in their mops, one a far-receded hairline, and headband- and sweater-clad Mike Reno – fitting since he was in a railroad museum yard – sporting a boiler. But looks were deceiving, as these guys brought some energy and enthusiasm as they opened their set with “Notorious.” Loverboy proceeded to pick from their catalog of hits, doing “Lucky Ones,” “Take Me to the Top,” “The Kid Is Hot Tonite,” “When It’s Over,” “Turn Me Loose” and “Working for the Weekend” and more, plus a few numbers from their new CD Just Getting Started. A surprising highlight of this performance was Loverboy’s overall musicianship; besides getting the ladies excited with their hits, these guys could play their instruments! A highlight from their set was when Loverboy shifted into a surf-rock jam coming out of “Hot Girls In Love,” including a hot rhythm section duel between Matt and Ken! The energy level continued to escalate throughout the performance, with both band and audience feeling it more with each song. When the ecstatic audience demanded an encore, Loverboy resurfaced onto the stage and responded with “Lovin’ Every Minute Of It,” which incorporated portions of Don Nix’s “Going Down,” Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” and the Beatles’ “Come Together.” The group then closed the night with one more song off their new CD.
Despite the wet weather, this was a fun evening, and capped another successful season of concerts at the Railroaders Museum. Following the show, Scott Studdard of In2It Marketing took the stage and told the crowd that more marquee concert events are likely for the 2009 season. I’ll be eager to see who comes to town in the summer of ’09!
Mike Reno of Loverboy.
Again, Mike Reno of Loverboy.
Matt Frenette of Loverboy.
Again, Matt Frenette.
Loverboy, rocking the flatcar stage.
Doug Johnson of Loverboy.
Again, Loverboy.
Again, Doug Johnson of Loverboy.
With light rain glistening against the spotlights, Ken “Spider” Sinnaeve and Matt Frenette of Loverboy.
Matt Frenette towers over his kit as the rain falls behind him.
Again, Matt Frenette.
Yet more of Matt Frenette and the rain.
Paul Dean of Loverboy.
Again, Paul Dean.
Once again, Mike Reno of Loverboy.
Once again, Paul Dean of Loverboy.
Mike Reno and Spider Sinnaeve of Loverboy.
Enjoying the show from backstage, Michelle.
LOSE THE NAME/THE UPSET VICTORY @ ALDO’S, ALTOONA 9/26/08
After the Loverboy concert ended, I headed to Aldo’s to check out a double-bill featuring Lose The Name and The Upset Victory.
Opening the show, Cincinnati’s The Upset Victory was just under way as I arrived. Five members strong and disclosing that they were not Bengals fans, The Upset Victory did a fast-firing variety of progressive melody-geared punk/metal. The group did tunes from their two EP’s, their self-titled and their latest, Between the Walls and the Worlds That Sleep. Singer/guitarist Frank Hammonds, guitarists Stephen Campbell and Jeremiah Kramer, bassist Spencer Vanderzee and drummer Frank Harrison displayed rapid fire chops on detailed song arrangements, as they did such numbers as “The Genius of Water,” “My Turn to Play Villain,” “Small Space Between You and the Sun,” “Keep Your Left Up,” “The Recovery Process,” “Bombs Away,” “Pavement” and more. The Upset Victory was tight and on the mark instrumentally, and they were competent on the vocal end as well.
From Cincinnati, The Upset Victory.
Frank Hammonds of The Upset Victory.
Again, The Upset Victory.
With sticks a-flying, Frank Harrison of The Upset Victory.
Main man Aldo was clearly excited by The Upset Victory’s performance.
With former Camino Sky drummer Dave Wessels staffing the kit this night, local progressive punk foursome Lose The Name finished the night with their own high-velocity sounds. The group did several new compositions, as well as material from their recently-issued Fells Point EP. From their earlier CD under the Signal Lost monicker, the group also did “My Heart Beats in Sixteenths.” Dave’s drumming was volatile and driving, and provided the powerful beats for singer/guitarist Brandon Kane, guitarist/singer Jimmy Skinny and bassist Brad Davis to launch their tense, aggressive sounds.
A mid-sized crowd of fans was in attendance to cheer on both bands, and it appeared to be another good night of hard-hitting original rock at Aldo’s.
Brandon Kane of Lose The Name.
Dave Wessels of Lose The Name.
Brandon Kane and Jimmy Skinny of Lose The Name.
Again packing the beats for Lose The Name this night, Dave Wessels.
Again, Brandon and Skinny of Lose The Name.
Again, Jimmy Skinny.
Once again, Brandon Kane.
Brad Davis of Lose The Name.
POTATOFEST, EBENSBURG 9/27/08
Another marker in the regional schedule as the seasons change had arrived; the 17th annual Ebensburg Potatofest, a celebration of all things spud. Although I couldn’t spend the whole day here as in past years, I was able to arrive early on and log at least some time at this year’s Potatofest.
Since I only had a limited amount of time to do Potatofest this year, I decided to take my chances and try to park closer to downtown, instead of parking at Lake Rowena and riding the school bus shuttle into town. Fortunately, I found a parking space just three blocks from Potatofest, and was quickly able to indulge in potato-based foodstuffs and music.
The first performer I came across was John Stiffler, performing at the South Center Street tent. Armed with his acoustic guitar and MIDI backup, John played a variety of popular rock and country hits. I stuck around for about half a dozen songs, hearing John doing renditions of Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” Elton John’s “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire,” Big & Rich’s “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy” and more.
John Stiffler, entertaining at Potatofest.
Again, John Stiffler.
After heading up to High Street and running the gauntlet of elbow-to-elbow crowd, food and craft vendors, I stopped to grab a slice of potato pizza (but put too damned much garlic salt on it, grrrr!), and headed to the Penn Eben Park gazebo stage to check out Pittsburgh-based Elvis impersonator Jamie Harris, doing his “Shadows Of The King” show. This is the same Elvis impersonator I wrote about a few years ago, who did the “Shadows Of The King” show in the bar atmospheres of City Limits and Pellegrine’s (and handily dealt with hecklers at the former). Decked in red sequined outfit and shades and emulating the 70’s-period Elvis, Jamie sang The King’s classics as he strode around the gazebo area, serenading old ladies and musing about Elvis in between songs. Some of the songs I witnessed Jamie do included “C.C. Rider,” “Daddy,” “In the Ghetto,” “Love Me Tender,” “How Great Thou Art,” “Hound Dog” and “Teddy Bear.” As Elvis impersonators go, Jamie does have The King’s voice down quite well, although he looks a little more muscular than later Elvis probably looked (well, the guy is a body builder in Pittsburgh when he isn’t doing the Elvis thing).
Elvis has arrived at Potatofest.
Jamie Harris emulating Elvis.
Elvis serenades the ladies.
Again, Jamie Harris’ tribute to Elvis, Shadows of the King.
After a few minutes of Shadows Of the King, I was again on my way, and was realizing just how huge Potatofest has become over the years. This thing now takes up most of downtown Ebensburg – soon, they’re going to have to close off all the streets in the town to hold this thing! (Although rumor has it they do want to make Potatofest a two-day event.)
I soon came upon the next band I would see, Rosie & the Jammers, performing at the Memorial Park tent. I stuck around to watch a few songs, as namesake Rosie Sida on keys, Jim Mosey on guitar and vocals, Brian Anater on sax and Eric Furfari on accordion did a selection of standards, hits and polkas. I watched as they did “In the Mood,” the “Oo La La Polka” and Tracy Byrd’s “Keeper of the Stars.”
Rosie and the Jammers.
Jim Mosey of Rosie and the Jammers.
Brian Anater and Eric Furfari of Rosie and the Jammers.
Three ladies line-dance to Rosie and the Jammers.
Band namesake Rosie Sida.
I then returned to the Main tent at the corner of High and Center Streets to catch some of Flood City Brass’ performance. A large crowd was gathered to watch as group played their brand of horn-driven classics. I watched as the group did versions of “Hey Bartender,” Bruce Springsteen’s “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out,” Chicago’s “Beginnings” and K.C. & the Sunshine Band’s “Shake Your Booty.”
Tom Pavic, Jim Bilitski and Josh Covert of Flood City Brass.
Entertaining Potatofest for the second year in a row, Flood City Brass.
Andy Heinze of Flood City Brass.
Again, Tom Pavic of Flood City Brass.
Getting horny with Flood City Brass.
Josh Covert of Flood City Brass.
I wanted to stick around longer, but I had a benefit show to emcee not too far away, a few miles down the pike in Loretto…
(Continued in Part 2)
_________________
http://pamusician.net |
|
