[Jim Price]

WEEK/WEEKEND RECAP 3/3/08

D’n’A @ 4D’S LOUNGE, ALTOONA 2/27/08

For some midweek live music relief, I headed to the 4D’s upstairs Schnappes Shoppe this night, to check in with Dwane Edmiston and Adam D, known as D’n’A.

The Dees wasn’t especially crowded as I first arrived during the pair’s second set. With Adam on keys and Dwane on guitar, and both singing; D’n’A mixed current and classic rock favorites. The pair did a varied selection; continuing through their second set with renditions of David Essex’s “Rock On,” Buckcherry’s “Crazy Bitch,” Alice In Chains’ “Man in the Box,” Fuel’s “Hemorrhage” and The Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”

During the intermission, more people arrived at the Dees, including a wild contingent from Claysburg that’s usually not seen in the ‘Toona during midweek. It must have been a really dead night in Claysburg…

Dwane kicked off the nightcap set with a solo rendition of Men At Work’s “Down Under.” The pair then continued with Great White/Ian Hunter’s “Once Bitten Twice Shy,” Violent Femmes’ “Blister in the Sun,” the ZZ Top double-shot of “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs,” Pearl Jam’s “Black,” Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” and Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell” to close out the night.

Overall, D’n’A did a respectable job, and kept the late crowd entertained. Their song selection was varied, and their execution was good. My only complaint was the sound system they were using, which sounded tinny and muddy, like they were playing through a cheap stereo system. Perhaps it sounded better in front of the stage than halfway back the room along the side wall where I was; but from my vantage point it didn’t sound clear or clean.

But sound notwithstanding, D’n’A’s performance still provided a good way to unwind after a Wednesday night at the workplace.

ECHOBURN @ THE SALOON, STATE COLLEGE 2/28/08

With the weather cooperating this night, I did the roadtrip up the new stretch of I-99 to State College to catch a band I wasn’t able to witness during the recent Millennium Music Conference, Harrisburg’s Echoburn, playing their weekly Thursday show at The Saloon.

The Saloon was busy as I arrived right around midnight, and a good-sized contingent of festive folks were up in front of the stage and having a good time. Singer/guitarist Joey Dalto, guitarist/singer Greg Folsom, bassist/singer Shane Moore and drummer Chris Anderson had a happy and imbibing college-aged audience partying down to a rendition of Fuel’s “Shimmer” as I arrived, and continued with Buckcherry’s “Crazy Bitch” and Queen’s “Fat-Bottomed Girls,” before introducing one of their own original songs, “All for You.” Greg then sang lead on Green Day’s “Holiday,” and the group continued through their set with Spin Doctors’ “Two Princes,” a singalong rendition of Guns N’Roses’ “Sweet Child O’Mine,” and John Mellencamp’s “Jack & Diane” to finish the set.

J.P. Mills provided the intermission entertainment by spinning tunage through the house sound and video system. The Saloon was definitely in party mode, evidenced not only by the happy and buzzed crowd, but by the sticky floor. A piece of advice if you frequent this room (actually, any State College venue) on a busy night – move your feet every 5 seconds, so they don’t get cemented to the floor!

Soon Echoburn was back for the finale set, kicking off with Fallout Boy’s “Dance Dance,” followed by a Foo Fighters number. During the group’s version of the Gin Blossoms’ “Hey Jealousy,” Greg and Shane swapped instruments. Next was The Darkness’ “I Believe in a Thing Called Love,” which went into Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin.’” The group then introduced another of their own originals, “Shaken,” before Greg fronted Echoburn’s rendition of James’ “Laid.” The group then sent the set down the homestretch with renditions of Oasis’ “Wonderwall” and Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer.” When the Saloon partiers demanded an encore, the group responded with another of their own, the groove-geared “Make Me Crazy,” to end the night.

Echoburn executed like a well-oiled machine, and kept the music and action constant. These guys were strong on their instrumental performances, and displayed good voices as well. And they maintained constant contact with the crowd, encouraging singalongs and other audience participation to keep them involved in the show. Echoburn again showed that they have evolved into a sharp and focused party machine that keeps the pace constant and the music nearly seamless. This show provided ample proof of why their schedule on the regional music scene is steadily becoming busier. A good, fun show!

Ladies’ hands are in the air as Echoburn brings the party at The Saloon.

Shane Moore of Echoburn.

Again, Echoburn.

Greg Folsom of Echoburn.

Joey Dalto of Echoburn.

Once again, Echoburn.

Shane Moore and Joey Dalto of Echoburn.

The Echoburn party continues.

Chris Anderson of Echoburn.

Once again, Shane and Joey of Echoburn.

One more time, Echoburn with a busy Saloon dance floor.

SOLEGION/CHOKING FAITH @ ALDO’S, ALTOONA 2/29/08

Although two of winter’s worst maladies – a snowstorm and illness – impacted this night’s original rock fest and Leap Day Party at Aldo’s, they couldn’t stop it.

But they did affect it. The “Alberta Clipper” system, that was originally forecast to drop just an inch or two of snow on our part of the world because, according to the Weather Channel, “it didn’t have enough moisture,” sure found moisture somewhere, as it deluged the Altoona area with a half-foot of the white stuff, and even over a foot in parts of Cambria and Somerset counties. Although Indiana’s Solegion had to traverse over the mountains and through the worst of it to get to Aldo’s, it was McConnellsburg’s Way Down East who ran into the travel problems due to the weather and had to cancel, changing the show from a triple- to a double-bill.

Solegion was in the late stages of their performance as I arrived, after dealing with slick driving conditions in the Altoona area. Solegion underwent some line-up changes since I first saw them a couple of years ago. Jarrod Bartock still sings lead voice, and Adam Getty plays guitar. The rest of the band has changed. Kyle Cameron recently joined from the ranks of The Alluminati. Nick Tercek plays drums, and Simon Richard plays bass. I only got to catch two songs, but Solegion seems to demonstrate more velocity and a sharper metal dynamic than before, while retaining their melodic sense and Jarrod’s charismatic vocal delivery. What I heard sounded good; I wish I could have arrived sooner to see more from them.

During the latter stages of their performance, Solegion.

Again, Solegion.

Jarrod Bartock and Solegion.

The illness malady impacted the other band this night, Choking Faith, as frontman Jason Mittan was battling bronchitis, and was experiencing more difficulty howling out his savage voice as the group’s first set progressed. Fortunately, some fellow frontmen came to the rescue to help Jason out with vocal duties; Slacker Theory frontman Steve Danfelt, Suicide Switch lead throat Cheeze, and a third throat named Adam. Choking Faith played two sets; the first featuring blistering original assaults such as “Porno Tongue,” “Wait,” “Fall Away,” “Six,” “The Devil Is My Shepherd,” “Oblivion,” “My Bloody Valentine” and “The Trainwreck of Life.”

During the nightcap set, with the guest vocalists playing a greater role, Jason and Choking Faith pulled out some older original songs and a few select covers, starting with Pantera’s “Walk.” The group also broke out Devildriver’s “I Dreamed I Died,” resurrected their early original song “Freedom in a Body Bag,” and ended the night with community singalong renditions of Skid Row’s “Youth Gone Wild” and Slayer’s “South of Heaven.” The band sounded tight and powerful, with drummer Joe Richards, bassist Steve Seymore and guitarist Dan Miller offering capable metal firepower, as Jason and his corps of assistant vocalists brought sufficient throat to make it sound respectable.

The show went on despite the attempted problems winter threw in the way, and for the midsized crowd that braved the elements to attend, it was a good, hard-rocking time.

Despite bad wintry weather and illness, Choking Faith brings the metal at Aldo’s.

Jason Mittan of Choking Faith.

Again, Jason Mittan.

Steve Danfelt of Slacker Thoery was one of several guests who assisted Choking Faith’s Jason Mittan with vocal duties this night.

Again, Steve Danfelt and Jason Mittan.

Fans cheer on Choking Faith and their cast of guest vocalists.

Guest singers Steve and Adam help out Choking Faith.

More metal mayhem with Choking Faith and their guests.

One more time, Jason Mittan of Choking Faith.

THE BOOMERS @ FAMILY PIZZA & PUB, ALTOONA 3/1/08

This night I did a tripleheader, starting out at Family Pizza & Pub to finally catch my first look at The Boomers (formerly C.K. & the Boomers).

My lesson about this place was learned a few weeks earlier, when I tried to go see White Shadow. Their start time was 9 PM, and I arrived at 9:30, to find the parking lot 100% full! There weren’t even any parking spaces at Burger King! So I had to abandon the attempt that night; but I learned my lesson about getting to this place early.

I arrived at 8:30 this night, and the lot was again full! But this time, 99% full, and my car pushed it to 100%. Somehow, though, I was still able to procure a seat inside at the main bar and order up some food (one of the appealing aspects of this venue, it does serve food well into the night on Saturdays), and watch the band when they got under way.

This place was packed, and the bar and wait staff were visibly stressed as they tried to keep the crowd served, while thwarting an underage drinking attempt (the manager stepped out to deal with this personally) and more. I thought I might witness a catfight or two behind the bar before the night was over; this was almost more entertaining than the band!

But the band was what I was here for. The Boomers feature several familiar names who have been bumping around the area music scene for quite a while. Bob and Patty Helbig of RPH fame both sing; Bob plays bass and Patty plays some acoustic guitar and percussion. Former Stillwater keyboardist/singer John Koeck does likewise in this band. Dave Nichols plays guitar, and John Stevens (NOT Rockpage’s bluegrassin,’ wisdom-spewing sage songsmith) plays the drums.

With Bob and Patty singing dual lead, the group opened up their first set with Eddie Floyd’s soul classic “Knock on Wood,” and followed with the Temptations’ “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” Patty then demonstrated her rangeful voice on Quarterflash’s “Harden My Heart,” before the group returned to the Motown catalog for the Four Tops’ “I Can’t Help Myself.” John (Koeck) then sang lead on Van Morrison’s “Brown-Eyed Girl,” and Bob sang the lead on Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” The Boomers then broke out some blues-geared sounds, performing Floyd Dixon’s “Hey Bartender” into Robert Johnson’s “Sweet Home Chicago.” The group followed with the Eric Clapton/Don Williams-popularized “Tulsa Time,” before John again sang on a pair of songs, The Stray Cats’ “Stray Cat Strut” and Billy Joel’s “You May Be Right.” The tunes continued with Robert Palmer’s “Bad Case of Loving You,” Lipps Inc.’s “Funkytown,” ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man” and the Commodores’ “Easy,” before the group closed the set with Bob and Patty singing the Ike & Tina Turner spin on “Proud Mary.”

I had expected more of an oldies flavor from this group, so I was pleasantly surprised by the musical variety these Boomers brought to the stage. And this seasoned cast of musicians handled their wide variety of musical flavors well, mixing things up along the way and swapping lead vocal duties back and forth between Bob, Patty and John.

During the intermission, I continued to observe the ongoing drama behind the bar, as the Family Pizza staff struggled to keep up with the steady onslaught of customer orders without killing each other in the process. I heard what appeared to be a sound effect of glass breaking from John’s keys; this seemed to freak the staff out even more!

The Boomers soon commenced their second set, with Patty singing Alannah Myles’ “Black Velvet.” After Bob sang Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues,” keyboardist John took the lead on a Hall & Oates’ number, “Kiss on My List.” The small Family Pizza dance floor quickly filled up as The Boomers broke out the B-52’s “Love Shack,” and continued with Redbone’s “Come and Get Your Love,” Tommy Tutone’s “867-5309/Jenny,” and Patty singing a country number. The mood then shifted funky as the group did the Commodores’ “Brickhouse,” Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music,” Hot Chocolate’s “You Sexy Thing” and the Temptations’ “Get Ready.” The group welcomed a special guest up to the stage area to close out the set, as Jerrone Barnes lent his soulful falsetto on the Miracles’ “Ooh Baby Baby.”

Business was definitely booming at the venue and on the dance floor as The Boomers continued to mix it up with their bright variety of sounds. It was all sounding good, with all three singers doing well on their respective song material. Bob was showing a soulful edge on the Motown material, Patty was displaying excellent vocal range, and John Koeck also showed soul and his own falsetto on a few tunes along the way. Dave’s guitar work was clean and tasteful, and the rhythm battery of Bob and John Stevens showed flexibility and versatility in being able to power this wide mix of sounds.

I stuck around for a few more songs as The Boomers started into their third set. John sang lead on the set-opening pair of tunes, Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl” and the Beatles’ “I Saw Her Standing There,” and the group followed with the Eagles’ “Heartache Tonight” and the Patty-sung rendition of Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me with Your Best Shot.” After versions of Tom Petty’s “Listen to Your Heart” and Dobie Gray’s “Drift Away,” I departed Family Pizza as I had another show or two that I wanted to attend this night.

I was again impressed with my first look at The Boomers and their wide variety. It’s no mystery why this band is doing a booming business on area stage, they do it all, and they do it all well!

The Boomers entertain at Family Pizza.

Again, The Boomers.

Bob Helbig of The Boomers.

FACE DOWN PRESLEY @ ALDO’S, ALTOONA 3/1/08

After departing Family Pizza, I made my way to Aldo’s, where I was hoping to get my first look at Pittsburgh roots rockers The Legendary Hucklebucks, scheduled to play here this night.

But upon arrival, a punk band was performing onstage, and they soon announced that they were filling in for the Hucklebucks, who had to withdraw from the show due to a family emergency. It took me a little while to find out who this punk band was (actually, until the end of the night), but I eventually did learn their identity – another Pittsburgh-based band, Face Down Presley. Their drummer’s bass drum head hinted at the name, with a picture of the King’s face with X’ed-out eyes. I also found out that I had missed an opening band, Candy Apples & Razorblades.

Featuring Mean Gene on vocals and guitar, Face Down David on bass guitar and Couch on drums, Face Down Presley played slamming, punk-fueled rock; including numerous original songs such as “Squatters,” “Mexico” and “Shotgun Johnny;” as well as amped-up renditions of Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ’69,” Metallica’s “Motorbreath,” Supersuckers’ “Rock-N-Roll Records” and more. Face Down Presley had fun, slamming out their tunes with reckless abandon and never taking themselves too seriously; and it appeared that their fill-in appearance won them a few new Altoona area fans, and likely a few who were there to see the Legendary Hucklebucks.

While I was a little disappointed that I would have to wait for another opportunity to see the Legendary Hucklebucks in action, I was glad to discover Face Down Presley this night. And as their show ended before 1 AM, there was still time to catch the tail end of another live band show in the ‘Toona vicinity.

Face Down Presley.

Mean Gene of Face Down Presley.

Face Down David of Face Down Presley.

Couch of Face Down Presley.

Once again, Face Down Presley.

BAD DAZE @ 30 SOMETHING, ALTOONA 3/1/08

With still the better part of an hour remaining before standard bar time expired for another Saturday night, I departed Aldo’s and headed across the railroad tracks to nearby 30 Something, to catch the latter stages of Bad Daze’s 5th anniversary party.

A good-sized crowd was in the house to help Bad Daze mark the five-year milestone. The group soon started their last set of the night, launching with Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name,” which quickly drew a crowd of celebrants onto the dance floor. The rocking party force of singer Rob Carolus, guitarist Kenny Murdick, bassist Paul Rainey and drummer Eric Wertz continued the celebration with tunes from Godsmack, Fallout Boy, Bon Jovi, My Chemical Romance and Nickelback, before ending the set with Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” With the crowd demanding an encore, Bad Daze responded with a tune I hadn’t heard them do in a while, Overkill’s “Old School.”

As expected, it was a feisty Bad Daze party, with the excitement level escalated above normal by the occasion of the group’s 5th anniversary. It was a happy-go-lucky good time, and I was glad to be able to witness at least part of it.

With a Bad Daze picture board positioned in front of his drum kit, Eric Wertz of Bad Daze.

Kenny Murdick of Bad Daze.

Bad Daze, celebrating 5 years as a band at 30 Something.

Again, Eric Wertz of Bad Daze.

Paul Rainey of Bad Daze.

Kenny Murdick of Bad Daze.

Once again, Eric Wertz of Bad Daze.

Again, Paul Rainey of Bad Daze.

A commemorative 5th anniversary picture board of Bad Daze.

FELIX & THE HURRICANES @ SHAW’S BAR, JUNIATA 3/2/08

After they helped me to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Q94’s “Backyard Rocker” on the air, Felix & the Hurricanes continued the party at their weekly Sunday night jam at Shaw’s in Juniata, and I headed there to continue the celebration and cap the weekend.

Although attendance was light, the small Shaw’s crowd included a number of loyal Hurricaniacs, who cheered as the Hurricanes performed classics and original numbers. Joined in action, the Hurricanes this night performed Los Lonely Boys’ “Heaven,” followed by another song and the original tune “Cut That Line.” After a country number, the ‘Canes did Marshall Tucker Band’s “Heard It in a Love Song,” before delivering another of their own, “Such a Fool.” Felix, Jeff and Bob next did the Allman Brothers’ “Whipping Post,” before giving their instruments a blues jamming workout that led into Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Couldn’t Stand the Weather.” It was then back to the Allman Brothers catalog for “Dreams,” before the ‘Canes sandwiched “Backyard Rocker Rocks” within their performance of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “ballad of Curtis Loew.” Felix then finished up the night performing solo, improvision his own lyrics on the Allman Brothers’ “Sweet Melissa” to close out the show.

While it wasn’t a packed house, it was still a laid-back good time as the Hurricanes entertained the people who were present. It was a friendly, low-key vibe as fellow ‘Caniacs and Shaw’s patrons enjoyed the Hurricanes’ sounds and the last few minutes of another weekend.

JP’s HAIKU

Boomers’ vintage sounds
Wide musical selection
Pizza shop mayhem
_________________

http://pamusician.net

[Jim Price]

...
_________________

http://pamusician.net