Jim Price
Moderator
Joined: 07 Dec 2002
Posts: 4817
Location: Altoona, PA
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 Posted: Tuesday May 31, 2005 |
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WEEKEND RECAP 4/18/05
GIN & JUICE @ CITY LIMITS, ALTOONA 4/14/05
When I first “Gin & Juice” listed on City Limits’ marquee for Thursday nights, I thought Claudio was offering up some sort of drink special for Thursdays. It was a few weeks later when I was informed by Kevin “ToonaRockGuy” Siegel that this was actually a band, that he and Banditos bassman Bill Nusom were sitting in with. So this Thursday night, I was off to City Limits to have myself a look…
Sure enough, Gin & Juice was a band, and had a decent-sized crowd for a Thursday night at City Limits. The group was short a bass player this night, and performed as a trio: Dustin Burley and Travis Dunn on guitars and vocals, and Kevin on drums.
The show was pretty informal, with the musicians deciding on what songs to try to do as they went along. Rob Bonsell of In stepped in behind the drum kit for a version of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man.” With Kevin back behind the drum kit, Gin & Juice finished the set with a Phish number, which brought several people up onto the dance floor to groove along.
After a brief intermission, an unidentified guest from the audience stepped up to sing Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Ballad Of Curtis Loew,” before Dustin got up and did two solo songs, including his original song “Broken Mirror.” The rest of the band then returned to the stage to perform some more, starting with a Latin funk/jam rendition of “All Along the Watchtower” with Travis singing lead. The group took things in a jam-geared direction, doing another number before performing the Grateful Dead’s “Sugaree.” The group continued with a few more jam-geared numbers before ending the night with their jam-flavored treatment of Snopp Dogg’s “Gin and Juice.”
Although minus a bass player, Gin and Juice did a decent job this night, having fun and stretching out on some jams. At least at this early phase, the group appears to be headed in the jam-band direction; it will be interesting to see how this group’s show evolves over the next few months.
Dustin Burley and Travis Dunn of Gin & Juice.
Travis Dunn of Gin & Juice.
Once again, Gin & Juice, kicking out the jam at City Limits.
GRINNING MOB @ PENN NATIONAL PONY LOUNGE, JOHNSTOWN 4/15/05
It was a “been there, done that” night on the ‘Toona side of the mountain for me (everybody in town I had recently seen or written about), and I hadn’t been to see a show on the Johnstown side of the hill since the Stone Krow reunion gig in November. And I hadn’t seen western PA jamsters Grinning Mob in action since their appearance at the 2001 Johnstown Folkfest. So I was due for a roadtrip to Johnstown and the Penn National Pony Lounge to see if the mob was grinning this night.
Attendance was a little on the light side as I arrived during the latter part of Grinning Mob’s next to last set. There was actually a mid-sized crowd present, but the way the Pony Lounge is set up, it still looked relatively empty. Moments after I entered, I ran into the Right Honorable John Charney, on hand to see what these jamsters were up to. Singer/guitarist Ed Skero, bassist/singer Brad Rhea and drummer Scott Mina mixed classic rock and original songs, finishing the number they were performing when I entered (“Heavy Mama?”), and kicking into Looking Glass’ 1972 hit “Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl).” The group continued with a song from their self-titled CD, “Black Walnut,” before ending the set with an extended jam rendition of the Grateful Dead’s “Uncle John’s Band.” Grinning Mob nicely heated this Grateful Dead song up into an intensified jam, before decelerating the song back into a mild-mannered finish.
After the intermission, Grinning Mob continued with their mix of original songs, classic rock and even blues, demonstrating sharp instrumental ability and the knack for strong, sassy grooves. Ed and Brad shifted lead singing duties during their set. I didn’t recognize too much of the song selection here, except for one of Grinning Mob’s original numbers, “Slacker.” Midway through the set, Grinning Mob invited two musical guests in the house to step up and take part; the aforementioned John Charney to fill in for Ed on guitar, and Wes Layton on harmonica. This adjusted line-up then did a scorching rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “The Lemon Song.” John remained to sing lead on some more Zeppelin blues, before Grinning Mob finished out the set with the Grateful Dead’s “Shakedown Street.” Although running short on time, Grinning Mob answered audience demands for an encore by offering their take on Waylon Jennings’ “Good Ol’ Boys,” with drummer Scott singing lead.
This was an impressive show. Grinning Mob demonstrated ample instrumental ability, from Scott and Brad’s tasty rhythmic backdrops to Ed’s stunning and tasteful guitarwork; and the group’s improvisational talents as they blended and played off one another, elevating their songs to exciting and intensified peaks. The group’s song and style variation kept the jams interesting and the show fresh; although their foundation is as a jam band, Grinning Mob never stayed in one place for too long.
Grinning Mob again proved why they are one of western PA’s top jam bands, and a Johnstown area favorite. The group and their guests presented an entertaining and varied musical journey, and made this show well worth the roadtrip.
Grinning Mob kicks out the jam at the Pony Lounge.
With guests Wes Layton and John Charney helping out onstage, Grinning Mob.
Guests Wes Layton and John Charney, assisting the jam.
Once again with their guests onstage, Grinning Mob.
Ed Skero of Grinning Mob.
Guest John Charney, ripping it up with Grinning Mob.
Brad Rhea of Grinning Mob.
CHOKING FAITH/SEVER/STICKER @ ALDO’S, ALTOONA 4/16/05
After experiencing jam-styled music the past two nights, a change of pace this night – metal! Three regional heavy-hitters were in the house at Aldo’s this night, and I was there to partake!
The first band of the evening, Dubois’ Sticker, was underway as I arrived. This was the first time I had seen this group since last summer, and they have changed! Sticker has added a fourth member since last year, picking up bassist Stephan Stump, thus freeing up Joseph Dedon to concentrate solely on lead vocals. Alvaray Kuhn continues to play guitar, and Scott Wilson drums. Sticker’s musical direction has taken a decidedly more metallic turn as well, as they mixed heavy-geared original tunes with select covers from Tool, Alice In Chains, Megadeth, Slayer and more. Sticker’s presentation was more intense than their earlier model, and delivered with more agitation, particularly Alvaray’s frenzied guitar shredding. Now as the official frontman, Joseph has stepped up the intensity and focus of his vocal delivery as well. The changes seem to have worked out for the better here, and Sticker’s focused and intense presentation is a step forward. Evidenced by their set this night, Sticker will be a band to keep an eye on.
Sticker, kicking off an evening of metal mayhem at Aldo’s.
During the first intermission, I noted the good-sized crowd of metal faithful in Aldo’s, including a good-sized contingent of area metal musicians representing – including members of House Of Cain, Dragon Fire, Suicide Switch, Chapter 5, I Enemy, 4 Days Dirty, Second Offense and Silver Sunday (not metal, but still representing nonetheless).
Next up was another Dubois entry, SeVer. It was also my second time witnessing this group, and again I was impressed as they unleashed a bristling, no-holds-barred set of metal originals. As they opened their set with “Beyond Misery,” lead throat Dave Harris immediately got onto the stagefront floor and mixed it up with the fans. Dave, guitarist Rich Emery, bassist Jason Geer and drummer Paul Butler continued their onslaught, mixing new songs with material from their self-titled CD. Highlights for me included “Gag Reflexx” and “Fall Away” from the album, a punishing new original called “Broken,” and for the finale, a pulverizing read of Flock Of Seagulls’ “I Ran.” SeVer executed their rampage with intensity and a sense of purpose; their overall presentation was tighter, and delivered with in-your-face tenacity and fury. This was not lost on the Altoona audience, as more people populated the stagefront floor and raged along as the set progressed. SeVer stated their case well this night, and likely won a number of new area fans for their efforts.
SeVer delivers their brand of dark, rampaging metal upon Aldo’s.
Paul Butler of SeVer.
Again, SeVer, bringing the metal onstage at Aldo’s.
Dave Harris of SeVer.
Again, Dave Harris of SeVer.
SeVer keeps Aldo’s stagefront floor filled.
Once again, SeVer.
Again, Paul Butler of SeVer.
Dave Harris of SeVer mixes it up with the fans on the floor.
Once again, Paul Butler of SeVer.
Jason Geer of SeVer.
The Underground TV cameras were in the house to record Choking Faith’s performance for a future program, and the group beckoned the Aldo’s audience to continue to move forward towards the stage to be a part of the filmed onslaught. Frontman Jason Mittan introduced a new song to launch the set, “F**k Your Enemy,” and proceeded to drill their mixture of original metal and select heavy covers. Jason, guitarist Dan Miller, bassist Steve Seymore and drummer Joe Richards resurrected past Choking Faith originals like “Porno Tongut” and “freedom In a Body Bag,” introduced another new original called “Train Wreck Of Life,” and blasted out renditions of Pantera’s “Walk,” the set-closing version of Motley Crue’s “Shout At the Devil” and more. Like the first two bands, Choking Faith too was a display of intensity, as frontman Jason howled and roared with all-out fury; Dan tenaciously executed his solos with surgical precision, and Steve and Joe maintained the heavy and explosive backdrop to it all. At set’s end, the Aldo’s metal faithful quickly demanded an encore, and mainman Aldo held off turning up the house lights to let Choking Faith do two encores. With Suicide Switch frontman Cheeze joining the group onstage, Choking Faith let loose with a feral rendition of Skid Row’s “Youth Gone Wild;” and for the second encore, came back to slam the night home with Sepultura’s “Roots.”
All-around, this was a very good show, allowing three of this region’s heavy hitters to make their musical statements onstage. Sticker, SeVer and Choking Faith demonstrated three more reasons why area metal is on the rise in 2005; all three bands had distinct, distinguishable styles and sounds, and all three groups showed progress with exciting new tunes and focused performances. Also impressive was the support shown to all three bands, not just by the area’s loyal metal fans, but the off-duty musicians in the house to support the scene as well. Metal again succeeded in bringing a large crowd to Aldo’s, boding well for this venue remaining the hub of live metal activity in this part of the world. In all, it was a very good night.
Dan Miller and Jason Mittan of Choking Faith.
Again, Dan and Jason of Choking Faith.
Jason Mittan of Choking Faith.
Steve Seymore of Choking Faith.
There were even onlookers from Aldo’s upper level taking in the metal this night.
Joe Richards of Choking Faith.
Once again, Jason Mittan of Choking Faith.
Again, Dan Miller of Choking Faith.
Suicide Switch frontman Cheeze joins Jason Mittan and Choking Faith onstage for the first encore.
Once again, Cheeze and Jason unleash their rage on Skid Row’s “Youth Gone Wild.
IN @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 4/17/05
Pellegrine’s again provided the conclusion of another weekend, with In providing the tunes.
This night offered further proof that In has arrived on area stages, as another large crowd populated Pellegrine’s for In’s latest adventure. Singer Greg Locke, guitarist Matt Day, bassist Adam Zimmer and drummer Rob Bonsell had the dance floor filled as I arrived late in their second set. The group was in the midst of their “medley from Hell,” before songs from The Clash, Tom Petty and Cheap Trick finished out the set.
During the intermission, I noted that the good-sized crowd included a number of musicians, including members of Vs the Earth, Opposition, CuCuPlex, Sound Driven and Gin & Juice representing. Shortly before In returned to the stage, a fight broke out near the main bar, providing for some excitement as the drunken participants attempted to put up some resistance as they were being hustled out the door by Pelly’s security. Local law enforcement was called in to deal with the two scofflaws in the parking lot.
In reconvened onstage for the third set, and quickly brought the party back up to speed with favorites from Jimmy Eats World, Harvey Danger, Snoop Dogg, Marilyn Manson, Smile Empty Soul, the Sweet’s “Ballroom Blitz,” Nirvana, Velvet Revolver and more. Greg was confidently working the front of the stage and rallying the dance floor masses to party; and Matt, Adam and Rob excecuted like a well-tuned party machine to keep the music constant and nonstop. At night’s end, with the Pelly’s crowd loudly demanding an encore, In saluted the U.S. Marines and armed forces, before closing out the night with Rage Against the Machine’s “Freedom.”
The aforementioned fisticuffs notwithstanding, this was another good party, as In further solidified their standing as one of this area’s crowd magnet party bands. Their presentation was lively and upbeat, the tunes nonstop, and the vibes fun and exciting. In has definitely evolved into the “in” thing on area stages.
In, keeping the dance floor happy at Pellegrine’s.
Adam Zimmer of In.
Matt Day and Greg Locke of In.
Adam Zimmer of In, styling and profiling a new piece of headgear.
The Iceman, pointing out that In is providing the party at Pelly’s.
Rob Bonsell of In.
Greg Locke of In.
Once again, In, partying down at Pellegrine’s.
Matt Day of In.
Once again, Greg Locke of In.
Once again, Matt Day of In.
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