[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the January 23 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.

It was a bittersweet edition of the “Backyard Rocker” this week. Why, you ask? By the time the show took to the airwaves at 8 PM, the Pittsburgh Steelers already trailed the New England Patriots at halftime in the AFC Championship Game, 24-3. Thanks to this week’s guests, John Baker and Sherry Lender – also devout Black and Gold fans – for providing me with company during the misery of the Steelers eventual 41-27 loss to the Patriots. I guess the karma of kicking off the show with two local music Steeler fight songs didn’t reach Pittsburgh. We suffered together.

But despite what was happening at Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field, it still was a fun show. John and Sherry introduced some music from their forthcoming new album, tentatively entitled “Va Va Voom,” which should be released later this year. Plus John brought his guitar, and he and Sherry performed several songs live on the air, including an unplugged rendition of Black Sabbath’s “N.I.B.,” and even a song written about yours truly, called “The Professor!” Thanks much!

Along the way, we checked on Local Music News, and reviewed Sterling Koch’s new solo album, “How I Spent My Summer Vacation: The Sacred Steel Sessions, Vol. 1.” Plus, we debuted a new song from Altoona-based studio project Bloody Fingers.

Here is this week’s playlist:

HOUR ONE:

GYPSY & THE CRAZYMOON – “Steeler Fan Boogie”
GROOVE JUNKIES – “Steelers Fan Song”
JOHN BAKER & SHERRY LENDER – “Ramona”
MATT WAGNER – “Cycle”
JOHN BAKER & SHERRY LENDER – “Creation Song”
VS. THE EARTH – “Carolina Sky”
JOHN BAKER & SHERRY LENDER – “N.I.B.” (performed live on air)
BLOODY FINGERS – “My Reflection”

HOUR TWO:

THE NIGHTCRAWLERS – “African Echo”
JOHN BAKER & SHERRY LENDER – “Just to Fly” (performed live on air)
JOHN BAKER & SHERRY LENDER – “Terminal”
STERLING KOCH – “The Down Low”
JOHN BAKER – “The Professor” (performed live on air)
JOHN BAKER & SHERRY LENDER – “Crazy On You” (performed live on air)
SILVER SUNDAY – “I Know”

This coming Sunday night, we explore the electronic soundscapes of our in-studio guests, False Icons. False Icons is the current band project of former Prong and Fear Factory collaborator John Bechdel, and it also features Altoona’s Mark Panek on drums. We’ll get inside the band and their music, and hear recorded tracks from them. False Icons, this Sunday night on the “Backyard Rocker!”

Other forthcoming guests and specials include:

FEB. 6 – Super Bowl Widow’s Special (hosted by Q94 2005 Calendar Girls)
FEB. 13 – Sterling Koch
FEB. 20 – Rick Ramsey & friends
FEB. 27 – 4 Days Dirty
MAR. 6 – Felix & the Hurricanes (7th Anniversary Special)
MAR. 13 – Acoustic Jam Special 3
MAR. 20 – Pivot (tentative)
MAR. 27 – Milkshake Jones
APR. 10 – A Broken Union
APR. 17 – Dustin Burley
APR. 24 – The Nightcrawlers
MAY 8 – Hierosonic
MAY 15 – The Flame Sky (tentative)
MAY 22 – Shades Of June
MAY 29 – Memorial Day Special
JUNE 5 – Third Standard
JUNE 12 – Millennium Music Conference Preview
JUNE 19 – Fathers & Sons/Daughters of Local Music Special
JULY 3 – Millennium Music Conference Recap

The “Backyard Rocker” is happy to announce its partnership with “The Underground TV,” the new local/regional music television show airing on WWCP-TV Fox 8 Saturday evenings at 6 PM. 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.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

In Local Music News…

In has parted ways with drummer Josh Hetrick due to Josh’s recurring health problems. Former Saucemonster/Mad Dog Kool drummer Rob Bonsell has been announced as In’s new drummer. Randy Sciarrillo will take over the drum duties in Mad Dog Kool. Both drummers were introduced by their new bands at area shows this past weekend.

Citing health reasons, guitarist Don Shiner has stepped away from Axum to perform closer to his home base of Harrisburg. The parting is on friendly terms. Don is reportedly assembling a new band project with former members of Harrisburg’s Adrian Blitzer. In the meantime, Axum is seeking a replacement for Don; interested guitarists can email the group at theband@axummusic.com to schedule an audition.

In addition, after five years of nonstop touring on the road, Axum has announced that they are taking a break. The group will continue to perform shows in select areas such as Altoona, Cleveland and State College. Axum plans to focus on writing and recording a new CD, which may be packaged with a DVD. And since the group has sold out of their merchandise, Axum also is making a large amount of their music available for download from their website, www.axummusic.com.

Guitarist Punkinhead has announced his departure from the Johnstown-based heavy metal band Martyrdom, citing personal differences. Martyrdom will reportedly continue on with another guitarist. Punkinhead plans to do studio work with several other artists, and record instrumentals for some upcoming compilation CD’s. He is also continuing work on a classical instrumental album.

The Harrisburg-based band Vicious Cycle has announced their farewell. The split is a friendly one, and the band members are pursuing other interests.
_________________

http://pamusician.net