Jim Price
Moderator
Joined: 07 Dec 2002
Posts: 4817
Location: Altoona, PA
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 Posted: Friday Feb 19, 2010 |
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WEEKEND RECAP 2/15/10
FAT GIRL SLIM @ 30 SOMETHING, ALTOONA 2/12/10
Last weekend, it was “Snowmageddon” throwing a wrench into my live music and other weekend plans. This weekend, it was my annual winter cold.
I had been planning to host Rapid Fire’s first ever “Playboy Mansion Party” event at the Osceola Hotel in Osceola Mills. However, my annual winter cold – I usually only get one each winter season – hit me Wednesday and Thursday, and like most colds, quickly focused its attack on the one part of my body I earn my paycheck from…my throat. With a short-lived sore throat followed by a raw strep-throat-like condition, I figured that prolonged exposure to cold air wouldn’t be a good thing, nor would a lot of extra talking, nor the possibility of cigarette smoke. So I reluctantly withdrew from emceeing Rapid Fire’s event. Perhaps another time.
By Friday night, though, the cold had let up some, and since 30 Something was only 5 minutes from my house and a non-smoking venue, I was up to stopping in to check out the first Altoona visit of State College party band Fat Girl Slim.
A few people were in the house, including members of the 3 Broken Dolls, Kitty Whip, Represent The Lie and Silver Sunday organizations representing and supporting their fellow musicians.
Fat Girl Slim was just under way, and the clear highlight of this band that set the tone throughout the night was the voice of frontlady Chrissy Miller. She demonstrated a clear, powerful, high-ranging and sustaining voice; blended with an energetic and vibrant stage personality that made audience members feel at home and part of the party. Chrissy’s bandmates were rock solid as well; including husband Al Miller, who demonstrated exciting and precision guitar solo work throughout; keyboardist and backing singer Carole Backman, who often and subtly set the mood and tone of each song with her keyboard accents; and the sturdy rhythm contingent of bassist Bill Brickley and drummer Mike Hohnka.
Fat Girl Slim performed a crisp blend of classic and current rock and country hits, with a lean toward the female side of the spectrum. During the first set, Chrissy led the group on songs from Blondie, Madonna, Sublime, Kelly Clarkson, Melissa Etheridge, and even versions of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” and Guns N’Roses’ “Sweet Child Of Mine.” But the clincher as far as I was concerned was the Pat Benatar triple-shot of “Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” “Heartbreaker” and especially “Promises in the Dark”; on the latter, I got excited anticipating Chrissy reaching for that super high note in the middle of the song, and she NAILED it! She probably sings Pat better than Pat can probably do these days!
Chrissy and Fat Girl Slim started their second set with Evanescence’s “Bring Me to Life,” and by the second song, Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl,” a few dancers appeared on 30 Something’s dance floor. This set also contained tunes from Cheap Trick, Journey, Joan Jett, Outfield, AC/DC, Romantics and Bon Jovi. A guest singer from the audience, Lori, did a decent job singing the lead on Gretchen Wilson’s “Redneck Woman.” And Chrissy blew the crowd away with her voice once again, this time on the Heart medley of “Magic Man,” “Alone” and “Barracuda.”
The small 30 Something audience loosened up, dance floor activity became more constant as the night continued. And Fat Girl Slim maintained a friendly and upbeat stage personality that kept everybody happy.
With a birthday in the house, the third set turned into a party from the get-go, with Fat Girl Slim honoring a request from the bar for Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee.” Dancers remained on the floor as the group continued nonstop through renditions of Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music,” Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama,” Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ‘69” and Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” to end the night.
Fat Girl Slim’s first foray into Altoona was a fun one, and hopefully once word of this band and their talents spreads, future visits will yield bigger crowds. This band was clearly a good time!
Fat Girl Slim parties down at 30 Something.
Chrissy Miller of Fat Girl Slim.
Carole Backman of Fat Girl Slim.
Again, Fat Girl Slim.
Al Miller of Fat Girl Slim.
Audience guest Lori sings with Fat Girl Slim.
Guest Lori with Chrissy and Fat Girl Slim.
More fun with Fat Girl Slim.
Mike Hohnka of Fat Girl Slim parties down at 30 Something.
Chrissy and Carole of Fat Girl Slim.
Once again, Fat Girl Slim.
Again, Mike Hohnka.
Al and Chrissy Miller.
Once again, Chrissy Miller.
Fat Girl Slim keeps 'em dancing.
Yet again, Fat Girl Slim.
One more time, Al Miller of Fat Girl Slim.
I ENEMY @ ALDO’S, ALTOONA 2/13/10
The name I Enemy has been brought back to life on area stages. The initial edition of this band, featuring brothers Erick and Matt Karlson, guitarist Rich Johnson and drummer Matt Popp, enjoyed a strong run on area stages in the late ‘90s with their nu-metal and grunge-geared sound, but eventually split apart.
The Karlson brothers returned with a highly-publicized but short-lived second edition in 2005, which introduced an elaborate and visual stage show.
Officially launched on area stages this past November, the new edition of I Enemy features Rich Johnson and Jody Earnest on guitars, former Moxie frontman Ryan Dibert on lead vocals, former Rocaine singer/bassist Jim Stephanic handling bottom end duties, and Dave Russell on drums. I decided to investigate what this new incarnation of I Enemy was about this night at Aldo’s.
A large crowd was already in place as I first arrived. I Enemy was clearing up some soundcheck issues, and finally got under way at 11, opening with Soundgarden’s “Spoonman.” The group impressively tore through hard-hitting fare from Tool, Audioslave, 3 Days Grace,Godsmack, System Of A Down and more.
Ryan sounded very solid and comfortable at the lead mic for this group, and the rest of the band executed tightly and forcefully. The production contingent of Keith Reynolds and Billy Wolfe was helping I Enemy achieve full thunder and electricity this night.
The second set picked up where the first left off, opening with a throttling read of Tool’s “Aenima.” After Rage Against the Machine’s “Freedom,” the group welcomed a special guest, former Broken Neck guitarist/vocalist Peen, up to play some guitar on Godsmack’s “Keep Away.” The group continued with more hard-hitting fare, including Tool’s “The Pot,” the Korn double-shot of “Falling Down on Me” and “Freak on a Leash,” Slipknot’s “Psychosocial” and more.
The third set featured more heavy-hitting fare, including a number of songs I didn’t readily recognize, plus some more Korn and others. Admittedly, I think the sinus cold drained some of my energy, I was nodding off during part of this set. But the crowd was clearly digging it, and I Enemy’s powerful execution and enthusiasm kept things exciting throughout.
This performance showed me that I Enemy mach 3 is a potential force to be reckoned with on area stages, and I’ll be following this group’s progress to see what direction this inception of the group takes.
I Enemy mach 3
Ryan Dibert of I Enemy.
Jody Earnest and Jim Stephanic of I Enemy.
Again, Jim Stephanic.
Rich Johnson of I Enemy.
Again, I Enemy.
More I Enemy fury.
Guest Peen (left) with Jim Stephanic of I Enemy.
Again, Peen with I Enemy.
Again, Ryan Dibert of I Enemy.
Again, Jody Earnest of I Enemy.
MIA MANIA @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 2/14/10
Valentine’s Day…love and hearts and chocolates and…throwing down!
That was at the end of the night, after Mia Mania had finished playing. A slobberknocker broke out in Pelly’s main dance room, apparently serious enough to warrant cameo appearances from numerous Altoona Police Department squad cars and one AMED ambulance. I had already retreated to the rear door entrance room area by this point, and didn’t see the melee firsthand. I did witness one participant being briskly escorted and jettisoned through the rear entrance by Pelly’s security. When all was said and done, some six people were arrested, including one participant who assaulted a cop.
If this follows local tradition, the brawl may have been good news for Mia Mania, a rite of passage indicating that they have been accepted by the Altoona crowd. Usually when a new band sees their first brawl in this town, it means that they have achieved a level of popularity and should now continue to see brisk attendance at their shows. We’ll see if this trend holds up for Mia Mania.
Likely due in part to the Valentine’s Day occasion, a good-sized crowd was in attendance at Pellegrine’s this night, and Mia Mania did their part to provide a good time to the crowd. I arrived near the end of Mia Mania's first set, and managed to pull myself away from the rear-room DVD of the week – appropriately enough, My Bloody Valentine – to watch as singer Brian Storm, guitarist Chris Lee, bassist Jason Dumm and drummer Justin Betz kept Pelly’s dance floor busy. (After seeing the first ten victims get pickaxed to death by a deranged miner, it started to get a little old...)
The group's second set kept the dance floor fairly active as well, as the group did tunes from Sublime, Violent Femmes, James, Deadeye Dick, Puddle Of Mudd, Wheatus, Green Day, Presidents Of The United States Of America and more.
Mia Mania's nightcap set commenced with an acoustic version of Deep Blue Something's "Breakfast at Tiffany's," and continued with favorites from Third Eye Blind, Cars, Pat Benatar, the Beatles and more. When the group closed out the set, the exuberant dance floor crowd wanted more, so Mia Mania responded with a three-song encore featuring Michael Jackson's "Beat It," Bon Jovi's "You Give Love a Bad Name" and Lit's "My Own Worst Enemy."
That ended the happy part of the night. Then the tough guys started showing their version of Valentine's love in the room. Boys will be boys...
Mia Mania gets them dancing at Pellegrine's.
Chris Lee of Mia Mania.
Jason Dumm of Mia Mania.
This gang is having a good time!
Justin Betz of Mia Mania.
More Mia Mania.
Brian Storm of Mia Mania.
Mia Mania packs the dance floor.
Chris and Brian of Mia Mania.
Again, Chris Lee.
Again, Brian Storm.
Mia Mania partying down.
One more time, Mia Mania and a happy dance floor, while it lasted.
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