[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the July 25 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.

Every so often, Q94 presents a “Fast Forward Weekend,” during which pairs of songs are played from various bands and artists; the first song is an early song, and the second song is a recent song by the same band or artist. We applied that premise to this week’s edition of the “Backyard Rocker” during the program’s first ever “Fast Forward Special.” For the entire two hours, we showcased ‘then and now’ double-shots from area bands and musicians. We included early and recent songs from various area bands, and we also heard tunes from area musicians as they sounded in a prior band/project, followed by what they sound like in their present project. Along the way, we debuted new songs from Pork McElhinny, Homer’s Army, Halestorm and John Stevens.

Here is this week’s playlist, including brief explanations on how the two songs are tied together:

HOUR ONE:

BAD LEE WHITE – “The Deal (Goes Down)” (1988)
THE BADLEES – “Hindsightseeing” (2002)

(Bad Lee White was the band that evolved into The Badlees. Guitarists/singers Jeff Feltenberger and Bret Alexander, and drummer Ron Simasek performed on both songs. Jeff left the Badlees earlier this year, and has formed the band Sweet Pea Felty.)

INSIDE OUT – “She’s No Angel” (1993)
INSIDE OUT – “Next To You” (2003)

(Johnstown’s Inside Out debuted in the early 1990’s as a five-piece band. The early 1993 line-up was singer Jason Riek, guitarists Tim Frick and Dave Cost, bassist Ron Gallucci and drummer Ben Frick. Ten years later in 2003, Tim was the only remaining original member of Inside Out, these days joined by bassist Larry “Lars” Phillip and drummer Mark Gindlesberger.)

4 ON THE FLOOR – “You Walked In” (1997)
PORK McELHENNY – “Slow Me Down” (2004)

(In 1997, George “Pork” McElhinny was the singer and guitarist for northwestern PA-based blues rockers 4 On The Floor, who issued the album “Both Sides Against the Middle.” Nowadays, Pork McElhinny is a solo artist, who earlier this year released his first solo album, “The Boy In The Man.”)

NEVERMORE – “Sea Lullaby” (1999)
VS. THE EARTH – “Psycho” (2003)

(When Nevermore first surfaced on the Altoona area music scene in 1999, the line-up was singer Adam Marino, guitarist Mike Ritchey, bassist Kris Civils and drummer Jarrod Campbell. Along the way, the group added a ‘u’ to their name, bassist Big Dawg and drummer Shawn Hocherl entered the fold, and last year the group changed their name to Vs. the Earth.)

FANTASY AIRLIFT – “Open Invitation” (1980)
HOMER’S ARMY – “Travelin’ Band” (2004)

(24 years ago, singer/guitarist Tim Homerski and drummer John Homerski Jr. played together in the band Fantasy Airlift. This year, those two musicians have formed a new band project with guitarist Keith Homerski and bassist John Baker, called Homer’s Army.)

BLAZ-ON – “Feather In a Halo” (1991)
EMILY’S TOYBOX – “Acappella” (2002)

(Singer/bassist Mike Wise, guitarist Frank White and drummer Wade Corbin were the Huntingdon County based power trio Blaz-On in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Mike and Frank formed Emily’s Toybox in the mid-90’s after Blaz-On’s demise, and Wade eventually rejoined his former bandmates behind Emily’s drum kit. Frank eventually left Emily’s Toybox, and guitarist Todd Sensenich and bassist Leon Karpovich have since joined Mike and Wade.)

HOUR TWO:

DEAD RECKONING – “Mr. Blonde/Rancor” (1993)
DRUGMONEY – “I Know” (2003)

(John Fleming sang and played bass for Altoona’s Dead Reckoning in the early 1990’s. A decade, two bands and a name change later, John – now known as Fisher Meehan – sings and plays guitar with Chapel Hill, NC-based Drugmoney. John – err..Fisher – and Drugmoney were featured in an issue of “Spin” magazine this past spring.)

FELIX & THE HURRICANES – “Way Behind” (1997)
FELIX & THE HURRICANES – “Grow” (2003)

(Altoona area favorites Felix & the Hurricanes have seen several changes over their 14 years on stage. Singer and guitarist Felix Kos has remained the constant. In 1997, Bill Nusom played bass and John McKnight played drums and sang. The current line-up features Jeff Clapper on bass and vocals, and Bob Watters on drums.)

ASK A STRANGER – “Eve of Destruction” (1991)
PROJECT TWELVE (34) – “Terminal Torque” (2004)

(In 1991, guitarist Dave Buzard was a member of Clarion-based hard rock quintet Ask A Stranger. After Ask A Stranger’s demise, Dave took a decade off from performing, but started dabbling in industrial and techno sounds. His current solo project, Project Twelve(34), was born; and issued the debut CD, “Small Eternity,” this past spring.)

WHISKEY HIGH – “Stand Tall (1995)
SKELL – “No Solution” (2003)

(Guitarist Mike Palone, drummer Rich Palone and bassist Michael Ekis formed Whiskey High in the early 1990’s with singer Scott Boyd. The group’s early sound was more 80’s metal geared, but the sound grew progressively heavier and more aggressive throughout the 90’s. After Scott left the band and new singer Chris “Scooby” Dittman came aboard in 2001, Whiskey High transformed into Skell. Chris left the band after the self-titled Skell debut CD came out last year, and has been replaced by Pat “Bones” Bono.)

HALESTORM – “No Clue” (1998)
HALESTORM – “Pieces of Change” (2003)

(Elizabeth Hale was 15, sang and played keys; and her brother, drummer Arejay, was 12 when their first CD, “Don’t Mess With the Time Man,” started receiving airplay on this show in 1998. Now 20, “Lzzy” sings and plays guitar; and Arejay is 17. And as this double-shot shows, these two musicians have evolved from charming child musicians to professional-caliber, young career rockers.)

THIN ICE – “Born to Rock” (1985)
JOHN STEVENS – “About October” (2002)

(Back in 1985, John Stevens was rocking and rolling as singer of the Huntingdon-based metal band Thin Ice. Now, John is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player who performs on area stages as Strummer Acoustic Show. And his musical style dabbles in acoustic rock, folk, blues and country.)

This Sunday night, we’ll be joined in the studio by Cambria County heavy hitters Ever Since Yesterday. We’ll meet the band members, learn about their music and career to date, and hear tracks from the group’s forthcoming debut CD. Ever Since Yesterday, this Sunday night on the “Backyard Rocker!”

Other forthcoming guests and specials include:

AUG. 8 – Cover Song Special
AUG. 15 – Soundrive
AUG. 22 – Guitar Heroes of Local Rock Special
SEPT. 12 – Vs. The Earth
SEPT. 19 – White Witch
OCT. 3 – Acoustic Jam Special
NOV. 7 – Michael Reich
DEC. 12 – Fat Vinny & the Wiseguys

For regular updates on what is happening on the area music scene, pay a visit to Rockpage (www.rockpage.org). 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, 4000 5th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602; 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 six 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
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http://pamusician.net