[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the August 5 edition of Q94's weekly local music program, "The Backyard Rocker," which airs every Sunday night from 8 to 10 PM on WBRX 94.3 and WBXQ 94.7. The show is brought to you by The Altoona Curve (www.altoonacurve.com), “Everybody’s Hometown Team!”

This week was our Cover Song Special. It is generally accepted that most bands have to perform cover songs to get booked to play on most area bar stages. While many musicians consider this a "necessary evil" in the local music business, it doesn't mean that bands can't be creative with the cover material they perform. During the course of this week's program, we heard some interesting and imagiinative arrangements of cover songs, from established favorites to more obscure material. We heard hard-rocking takes on 70's bubblegum favorites from Tony Orlando & Dawn and Abba; a punk rock spin on the Beach Boys; a comedic regional spin on a Lynyrd Skynyrd favorite, two completely opposite interpretations of Madonna hits, plus songs from Johnny Cash, Sam & Dave, Lou Reed, the Misfits and more. We also included cover songs from Pittsburgh rock icons Donnie Iris and Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers, both performing at Altoona's Railroaders Memorial Museum for the Alive @ Five Summer Concert Series this Wednesday night! We also updated Local Music News. An interesting two hours!

Here is this week’s playlist:

HOUR ONE:

VELVEETA – “Just What I Needed” (The Cars)
SHADES OF JUNE – “Walk Like an Egyptian/I Want Candy” (Bangles/Bow Wow Wow-Strangeloves)
VICTORY IN HEAVEN BAND – “Hold On” (Sam & Dave)
MICHAEL REICH – “Heart of Gold” (Neil Young)
KEYSTONE – “Candida” (Tony Orlando & Dawn)
STRONGHOLD – “S.O.S.” (Abba)
JUSTIN MACK – “Long Black Veil” (Johnny Cash)
FAT VINNY & THE WISEGUYS – “Folsom Prison Blues” (Johnny Cash)
RUSTY GUN REVIVAL – “Tell Old Bill” (traditional)
SHERRI MULLEN – “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” (Harold Arlen)
3 HOTDOGS & A DONUT – “Sweet Home Schuylkill County” (Lynyrd Skynyrd)

HOUR TWO:

DONNIE IRIS – “Soul Man” (Sam & Dave)
JOE GRUSHECKY & THE HOUSEROCKERS – “Brand New Cadillac” (live) (The Clash)
J. D. STRUM – “Borderline” (Madonna)
BACKSTREET LAW (TIL DECEMBER) – “Like A Virgin” (Madonna)
PROJECT TWELVE(34) – “Walk on the Wild Side” (Lou Reed)
ICARUS WITCH – “S.A.T.O.” (Ozzy Osbourne)
THE MARAUDERS - “Astrozombies” (The Misfits)
THE SCRAPS – “Then I Kissed Her” (Beach Boys)
ANGEL BLUE & THE PROPHETS – “Stormy Monday” (T-Bone Walker)

This coming Sunday, our in-studio guest will be Bedford-based singer/songwriter Jackson Monsour. Jackson has just released his second CD, July 5th. We will hear tunes from the album and get Jackson's insight on his music, plus he'll bring an acoustic guitar and play a song or two live for us as well! We'll also hear some new tunes from area bands and artists, plus review Lowjack's new self-titled CD in "The Professor's CD Corner!" Jackson Monsour returns to the “Backyard Rocker,” next Sunday night!

Forthcoming guests and specials include:

AUG. 26 – Ron Carnevali (Johnstown Folkfest preview)
SEPT. 2 – Spirit Lost
SEPT. 9 – Tony Mollick Project
SEPT. 16 – Fayted
SEPT. 23 – Chapter 5 (tentative)
SEPT. 30 – The Alluminati
OCT. 7 – Justin Mack
OCT. 14 – Acoustic Jam Special 8
OCT. 28 – White Witch (Halloween Special)
NOV. 4 – Acalasia
NOV. 11 – Our Broken Silence
NOV. 25 – Way Down East

The "Backyard Rocker" is happy to announce its continued partnership with "The Underground TV," the local/regional music television show airing on WWPC Fox 8 Sunday and Monday mornings at 1 AM. Check out "The Underground" as it features different unsigned local and regional bands every week; and watch for "Backyard Rocker" updates on the show each week as well!

For regular updates on what is happening on the area music scene, pay a visit to Rockpage (www.rockpage.net). Rockpage features band links, a message board, "Backyard Rocker" updates, the online 'zine publication "The Final Cut," and other local music scene information.

Bands and artists interested in having music aired on "The Backyard Rocker" are invited to send their broadcast-quality recordings to: WBXQ Radio, 1417 12th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16601; ATTN: Jim Price. Or drop the recordings off at the station during regular business hours, Monday-Friday 9 AM - 5 PM.

Q94’s “Backyard Rocker” has been introducing listeners to the region’s best musical talent for over nine years, and we plan to do it for many more. Help guarantee the program’s future, and consider becoming an advertising sponsor of the “Backyard Rocker.” If your business involves music, a “Backyard Rocker” sponsorship can get your message in front of listeners interested in music. To inquire about becoming a sponsor of the “Backyard Rocker,” call Diane Boslet during regular business hours at (814) 944-9320, or email diane@wbxq.com.

Jim Price

In Local Music News…

Some key changes for some prominent regional bands…Pittsburgh heavy metal rockers Skell have yet another change on the lead vocal front, as Tim Kopelic has exited the group, and his predecessor, Pat “Bones” Bono, has replaced him.

Lancaster-based party juggernaut Green Eggs also has a change in their roster. Longtime guitarist Steve Nelson has left the band to devote more time to his family. Former Badwrench/Stept On/In guitarist Matt Day has replaced him.

The Bethlehem-based band Spitshine is seeking a new bass player once again. Anybody interested in trying out for the position can get more information by visiting Spitshine’s Myspace website, www.myspace.com/spitshine.

Two new bands have announced their formations in the past week. First, from the remnants of 4 Days Dirty and Saucemonster comes Slacker Theory; featuring singer Steve Danfelt and bassist Paul Greiner from 4 Days Dirty, Steve’s former Saucemonster bandmate Rob Bonsell on drums, and former My Turning Point guitarist Dalton McDonald. Slacker Theory is currently working on song material and should surface on area stages within the next few months.

Also forming is a new mostly female rock group called Kitty Whip. The line-up features Crystal on lead vocals, Dawn on guitar, Kimi on bass and Justin on drums. Kitty Whip will be making their first appearance on area stages shortly.

Due to a schedule conflict at the venue, recent “Backyard Rocker” guests The Scraps had to move the official date of their CD-release party at Aldo’s back two weeks. The official release party for the group’s new CD, Therapy for Retards, has been moved to Saturday night, August 18.

A group from Happy Valley music scene past is reuniting for a special show. The State College-based band Wentle Trap is getting back together for a reunion show next Saturday night, August 11, at The Brewery in State College. Lowjack will also be on the bill.
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