Jim Price
Moderator
Joined: 07 Dec 2002
Posts: 4817
Location: Altoona, PA
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 Posted: Thursday Feb 27, 2003 |
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WEEKEND RECAP 2/27/03:
Sorry this week’s report is a bit late. Pennsylvania Musician deadlines and last week’s extensive Millenium Music Conference coverage pushed things back a little bit. But now, I’m getting caught up…
WEDNESDAY NIGHT 2/19: How the State Legislature and Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board can screw things up…Before the new chaperone amendment went into effect, my game plan for this night was to get my first look at young Altoona band The Uprise, who were slated to headline an all ages show at Peter C’s. Alas, the new amendment went into effect, Peter C’s was forced to curtail their all ages shows, and The Uprise – whose fan base is prominently under 21 – pulled out of their scheduled bill. While Wednesday shows are still taking place at Peter C’s, the shows are now over-21 shows and have been moved back to the standard bar time of 10:30. In lieu of The Uprise, Suicide Switch instead set up gear and performed. But it was different. The room was relatively empty, at least compared to the all ages Wednesdays. Suicide Switch made the best of it, but eventually proclaimed the night a practice session. The group played for the better part of an hour, mixing new and old metalcore originals and one cover song, a version of Hatebreed’s “Last Breath.” Among the songs Suicide Switch performed was “Cold,” which will appear on a Lifeless Records compilation CD later this spring; also “Blind Rage,” “Bitch,” “Truth,” “Unscarred,” and the group’s set-closer favorite “In The Wake.” Suicide Switch did an admirable job, but it just wasn’t the same without the group’s core fan base there to support them.
Danny Mort of Suicide Switch.
Jay Mosey and Tom Noel of Suicide Switch.
Jay mosey of Suicide Switch.
Shaun Barr of Suicide Switch.
THURSDAY NIGHT 2/20: I caught the last set of Lost Ledny’s show at City Limits. PnEumatic opened. Lost Ledny did a solid job on their mix of modern metallic original songs and favorites from System of a Down, Godsmack, Pantera, Slipknot, Coal Chamber and more. Frontman Matt and the Ledny gang demonstrated some good energy and enthusiasm; and though small in number, the audience was large in spirit and supportive of the group’s efforts.
Lost Ledny onstage at City Limits.
Ryan Long and Matt Cherry of Lost Ledny.
Matt Cherry of Lost Ledny.
Dave Hildebrand of Lost Ledny.
Lost Ledny, rocking a light crowd at City Limits.
Ryan Long of Lost Ledny.
FRIDAY NIGHT 2/21: I checked in with Electric Blue at Aldo’s. It’s been over half a year since I last caught Electric Blue live, and the group has implemented some changes since last time I saw them. The biggest change is how the group has expanded outward from their blues base to perform a wider range and style of material. Blues is still at the center of what Electric Blue does, but the group now also mixes in a current rock edge, performing select songs from Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stone Temple Pilots, even versions of Alice In Chains’ “Rooster” and Rage’s “Killing In The Name.” This expansion of repertoire shows in the group’s newer original songs, too, which are more wide open and experimental. But Seanson, Jim and Jimmy still embrace the blues, evidenced by sharp versions of Led Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused,” plus familiar earlier original songs like “Shades of Blue,” “Working Man” and “Summertime Love.” This trio continues to develop as players, too, especially drummer Jim Barry, who has really developed his skills behind the kit. Funny moment of the evening for me was watching the expressions on Seanson’s face as Electric Blue’s loyal and inebriated Tyrone “Bluehead” cheering section tried to sing the vocals on Red Hot Chilis’ “Under The Bridge” and missed (the band was instrumentally dead on, at least). This show was sparsely attended in the early going, but picked up audience members as the night progressed, including members of The Flame Sky and more.
Sean “Seanson” Johnson of Electric Blue.
Sean and Jim of Electric Blue.
Jim Barry of Electric Blue.
SATURDAY NIGHT 2/22: This night started off with the first of two shows by comedian Sean Morey at Altoona’s Eldolyn Terrace, sponsored by Q94. A packed house (both shows were sold out) was on hand to witness Sean doing his best stand-up routines plus many of his popular comedy songs on banjo, including favorites like “The Man Song,” “The Woman Song,” “The Toddler Song,” “He Said She Heard,” “The Baby Song,” “That’s Annoying,” “The Man Who Doesn’t Exist” and more. Funniest moment for me was “The Little Altar Boy” – sick, but funny. Thanks to Danny from Xpendable for helping out with sound gear in a pinch, much appreciated.
Sean Morey and his banjo, making people laugh at the Eldolyn Terrace.
After the night’s humorous start, I headed back to Aldo’s for Skell’s CD release party, with special guests Choking Faith. Frontman Jason and Choking Faith got things off to an appropriately monstrous and heavy start, unleashing original tunes like “Freedom in a Body Bag,” “Listen for Death,” “Overdose” and “Porno Tongue;” plus crusher tunes from Pantera, Down, Slipknot, Static X, Machinehead’s “Davidian” (I mistakenly thought that was a Choking Faith original last time, my bad) and more. Jason was convincingly malevolent on the voice, and his bandmates were convincingly savage on the instrumentation. Pittsburgh heavy-hitters Skell celebrated their self-titled debut CD by unleashing the beast on numerous tunes from the album during their first set, including “Like A Mountain,” “Believe,” “Betrayal,” “No Solution,” “Ex,” “Slunk,” “Cellophane,” “False Reality,” “Dope” and “Spare Me The Fate.” During the nightcap set, Skell broke out modern metal favorites from Drowning Pool, Powerman 5000, Coal Chamber, Korn, Pantera and more. Scooby, the Palone brothers Mike and Rich, and bassist Mike sounded feral and lethal throughout. The new album pounds, clearly Skell’s transformation from their former Whiskey High incarnation is complete. Good to see a large crowd in attendance this night, especially given the Saucemonster swan song performance happening across the tracks at City Limits. Also cool to see Rhonda-Donda and the large Johnstown contingent making the road trip in as well. A good night of metal was had by all.
John of Choking Faith.
Punkinhead of Choking Faith.
Jason Mittan of Choking Faith.
Once again, Punkinhead of Choking Faith.
Once more, the evil presence of Jason Mittan of Choking Faith.
Mike Palone of Skell.
Mike Ekis of Skell.
Rich Palone of Skell.
Chris “Scooby” Dittman of Skell.
Once again, Mike Palone of Skell.
Once again, Mike Ekis of Skell.
Mike and “Scooby” of Skell.
SUNDAY NIGHT 2/23: My weekend wrapped up with a rowdy Juiced party at Pellegrine’s. Despite my best efforts to get there early, I arrived at Pelly’s mere seconds after openers Something Fluid finished their virgin ‘Toona performance. Bummer, but eyewitness reports were favorable, and I’ll get my chance to see Something Fluid again in a few weeks when they return March 9. Carrie and Juiced delivered the expected high-energy party, with nonstop modern rock and party favorites from House of Pain, Korn, Lit, Hives, Linkin Park, Ramones, Disturbed, Godsmack and more. Also included were Juiced crowd pleasers like the Carrie-enhanced version of Wheatus’ “Teenage Dirtbag,” Faith No More’s “Epic,” and a few surprises during the third set such as the old Dion chestnut “Runaround Sue,” Kim Wilde’s “Kids In America,” and – ulp – Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” (NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!). Good crowd in attendance, including lots of rowdy stagefront fans and Juiced regulars (or irregulars, as the case may be). Memo to Juiced, I’m waiting to hear more original tunes! In any case, a fun party, and an appropriate blast to slam the lid on another weekend.
Norm Marks of Juiced.
Rallying fans through thickness of fog, Carrie Rapaport of Juiced.
Again, Carrie of Juiced.
Beth Karpovich of Juiced.
The fog clears for Carrie of Juiced.
Doug Buch of Juiced croons Neil Diamond…oh, the horror!
Tenaciously booming the bottom end, Beth of Juiced.
Doug and Beth of Juiced.
Don Carr of Juiced.
One more time with feeling, bassist Beth of Juiced. |
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