Two disclaimers before I get started…First, due to the number of photographs I took this particular weekend, I’ve divided this recap into two parts so I could fit everything in. This half covers everything through Friday night.
Second…THIEVES SUCK! While I was enjoying the Metal Masters concert inside Post Gazette Pavilion, a thief or thieves ransacked the trunk area of my friend’s jeep, which we rode to the concert in. Among the items the scumbag(s) made off with were our cooler with beer, one friend’s backpack containing $70 worth of blood pressure medication he had just purchased the day before, and my notebook and notes of shows I had seen within the past couple of weeks…Who the hell would have a use for that notebook besides me? Bottom line, the reviews you are about to read were pieced together mostly from my recollection (or lack thereof), as the fine details of what I wrote down about each show (at least until the Metal Masters Tour) were lost when the thieves made off with the notebook and other items.
SHARK BITE @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 8/11/08
Without notes, I don’t recall a whole lot about this particular night at Pellegrine’s with Shark Bite, except that the wings were good, and Adam D and Big Jim did a good job keeping the wing-eating crowd entertained; including Guv’nor Jesse, who got to hear Big Jim sing his request for “THE KISS MY ASS SONG” (translation: Glenn Frey’s “Partytown”).
AEROFORCE (AEROSMITH TRIBUTE)/BIG DADDY BANGERS @ RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM, ALTOONA 8/13/08
The latest installment of the Railroaders Museum’s Alive @ Five Summer Concert Series featured Canadian Aerosmith tribute band Aeroforce. I was there!
A nice-sized crowd had already arrived by the time I got there, midway through the opening band, The Big Daddy Bangers. Based in Bellefonte, The Big Daddy Bangers were a trio featuring drummer/singer Jeff Rackovan, guitarist/singer Doug Covin and bassist/singer Eric Dove. These guys mixed up hard-rocking favorites mostly from the 70’s and 80’s, with a few newer numbers thrown in. Their performance ran hot and cold. They were strongest on the southern and bluesier rock, including Lynyrd Skynyrd favorites like “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Gimme Three Steps” and Marshall Tucker Band’s “Can’t You See” (sung by drummer Jeff as I recall, he had the stronger singing voice). They also did numbers from Bon Jovi, Poison, Weezer, Finger Eleven, ZZ Top, John Mellencamp and more. On the minus side, I wasn’t impressed with their AC/DC numbers; trying to do “You Shook Me All Night Long” and “Have a Drink on Me” without a Brian Johnson-like polecat howl usually doesn’t work out well. And their renditions of Def Leppard’s “Rock of Ages” and “Pour Some Sugar on Me” would have brought a tear to Victor Synn’s eye (and not in a good way). But the Railroaders Museum crowd was gracious and applauded the Big Daddy Bangers’ efforts, and the group succeeded in warming the crowd up for the main event.
The Big Daddy Bangers.
Jeff Rackovan of The Big Daddy Bangers.
Doug Covin of The Big Daddy Bangers.
Eric Dove of The Big Daddy Bangers.
Again, The Big Daddy Bangers. I wonder how that name would go over at a venue like Streekers?
And the main event was pretty impressive. Aeroforce celebrated the Boston bad boys with a show that encompassed tunes from throughout their career, as well as a stage presentation that largely captured the mood and swagger of an Aerosmith show. “Tyler” Bob Gregory had the look, costumes, mannerisms, and most importantly, voice and delivery of Steven Tyler; while Lou Perry was a capable protégé of Aerosmith lead guitarist Joe Perry. The rest of the group included guitarist Genero Whitford, bassist Doug Hamilton and drummer Paul G. Kramer. Aeroforce opened with “Eat the Rich,” and played such Aerosmith classics as “Big Ten Inch Record,” “Same Old Song and Dance,” “Pink,” “Livin’ on the Edge,” “Dream On,” “Rag Doll,” “Love in an Elevator,” “Walk This Way,” and for the encore, “Come Together.” Aeroforce quickly had the Altoona crowd fired up, with a steadily-growing crowd assembling in front of the stage. A youngster was brought onto the stage to play a shaker at one point; and as the party progressed, some rowdy ladies began dancing alongside the band members onstage. (One lady, who we dubbed “Drunk Girl,” actually started doing some stripper-styled moves in front of Lou Perry late in the show!) At one point, “Tyler” remarked that he envied us here in Pennsylvania, because Canadian laws prohibit outdoor alcohol consumption (most places here in the States prohibit it as well, except by special permit like the Railroaders Museum has).
I have seen both good and bad Aerosmith tribute shows during the years, and this one ranked up there among the better ones, along with Draw the Line (who I saw in Harrisburg two summers ago).
Bottom line, it was an excellent party, and Aeroforce did the mother band proud. And since chances of the real Aerosmith coming to Altoona are about as likely as the Pope visiting, Aeroforce offered up the next best thing…a fun show!
“Tyler” Bob Gregory of Aeroforce.
Canadian Aerosmith tribute Aeroforce.
Genero Whitford of Aeroforce.
Lou Perry of Aeroforce.
Again, “Tyler” of Aeroforce.
Again, Lou Perry of Aeroforce.
“Tyler” and Perry welcome a youngster onstage.
Doug Hamilton of Aeroforce with a young special guest.
Lou Perry and the youngster.
Paul G. Kramer of Aeroforce.
The youngster gets to wear “Tyler’s” hat.
Once again, Aeroforce with their young guest.
With ladies dancing behind him, Lou Perry of Aeroforce.
Again, Lou Perry.
An elated youngster salutes the audience before exiting the stage.
Again, Aeroforce.
Doug Hamilton of Aeroforce.
Donning his tophat, stars and stripes, “Tyler” of Aeroforce.
Once again, “Tyler” Bob Gregory of Aeroforce.
Once again, Lou Perry.
With some more ladies and kids onstage, Aeroforce.
Yet again, “Tyler” of Aeroforce.
Genero and Doug of Aeroforce.
One woman gyrates wildly in front of the stage to “Tyler” and Aeroforce.
Moments later, she’s on the stage and giving Aeroforce a show!
Again, Genero Whitford of Aeroforce.
Again, the wildwoman, giving Aeroforce a show to remember Altoona by.
More ladies join Aeroforce onstage.
Doug Hamilton of Aeroforce gets some Altoona love.
Lou Perry gets a hug as well.
BEDLAM @ LAKEMONT PARK WING-OFF, ALTOONA 8/14/08
This was a bit of a bittersweet night. The final Lakemont Park Wing-Off of 2008 was upon us. Time had flown by so fast! I would get to enjoy the fun and festivities of one more Wing-Off, yes; but this marked the beginning of the slide down the hill to the end of another summer season. It was downhill to colder temperatures and everything eventually heading back indoors (and ultimately, yecch, winter) from here.
But for the moment, it was still abundant wings, brews and live music on the agenda for one more night. I arrived midway through the first set of this week’s band, Bedlam, and was promptly informed by sound engineer Rick Claar that I already missed the fireworks – literally – as one of the speakers caught fire early on! Rick said that’s the first time this has happened to him in his years of running sound.
Bedlam would provide musical fireworks to match a little later on in the show. Singer/guitarist John McKelvey, singer/bassist Denny Frank and drummer Duane Young played through an upbeat selection of classic, modern and blues rock numbers. Some of the songs played this night included the John-fronted rendition of Jimmy Thackery’s “Cool Guitars,” Jonny Lang’s “Lie to Me,” plus favorites from Weezer, Cheap Trick, Tom Petty, Black Crowes, Van Morrison, Clash and more.
The biggest highlight of the evening, though, happened during the third set. John provided some sheer electricity on his fretboard, doing a scorching Jimmy Page bow-across-the-strings display on Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love!” This captured the attention of a number of onlookers, and Bedlam had a steady contingent of fans paying attention to the stage for the duration.
Burning speakers, burning guitar work, hot wings (I sampled 30 Something’s spicy barbecue and Italian parmesan, plus The Cantina’s hot and butter garlic), cold brew and nice weather provided a fitting close for the 2008 Wing-Off’s. And given that the weather was nice for most of this year’s Wing-Off’s and the PLCB didn’t throw any monkey wrenches into this year’s edition, hopefully this event will be back again next year. I only wish they would start them after Memorial Day and run them every Thursday through Labor Day!
Bedlam, helping close the book on the 2008 Lakemont Park Wing-Off’s.
John McKelvey of Bedlam takes bow to guitar strings on Zep’s “Whole Lotta Love.”
Again, Bedlam.
Duane Young of Bedlam.
Denny Frank of Bedlam.
The evening’s only casualty, the speaker that caught fire.
HOLY SMOKE BLUES @ CURTIN MALL, ALTOONA 8/15/08
Although workplace duties got me out the door later than expected, I still had time to head over to the Curtin Mall for the latest installment of the Summer Sounds of Jazz concert series, this night featuring Happy Valley’s Holy Smoke Blues.
I arrived shortly before the start of the group’s final set. And although I arrived a bit late, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Michael’s Café stand still had roast beef sandwiches available (they had run out before I could obtain them in weeks before); and as others had told me, this was good eating!
Holy Smoke Blues provided some good tunes to enjoy the sandwich to, as they fired up blues, boogie and classic rock. Singer and lead guitarist Anthony Stauffer, rhythm guitarist Darryl Carter, keyboardist Doug Whitfield, bassist Kevin Sliman and drummer Bennett Hoffman fired up the third set with a pair of upbeat blues-meets-funk instrumental numbers that got some audience members up and dancing in front of the stage. Anthony then introduced the next number, the slow blues original “Covenant,” and sent it out to his wife, Lori, who he penned the song for. A rousing rendition of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Gimme Three Steps” followed, before the group closed out their performance with their established set-closer, the original “No Mojo,” which featured solo spotlights on each individual member of the band.
As I had witnessed during their Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts performance weeks before, Holy Smoke Blues again displayed some impressive chops. Anthony Stauffer again showed some hot guitar work, and he and the rest of the group clicked on all cylinders, providing instrumental fireworks while blending their talents into a cohesive whole effort. I liked the variety of their song selection, which never stayed in one style or tempo for too long. And the audience apparently liked it as well, as they stuck around, applauded and even danced until the end.
Although I wish I could have arrived sooner to hear more, what I did witness from Holy Smoke Blues was enjoyable.
Holy Smoke Blues, entertaining at the Curtin Mall.
Darryl Carter of Holy Smoke Blues.
Anthony Stauffer of Holy Smoke Blues.
Again, Holy Smoke Blues.
Bennett Hoffman of Holy Smoke Blues.
Doug Whitfield of Holy Smoke Blues.
Doug Whitfield and Darryl Carter of Holy Smoke Blues.
Again, Anthony Stauffer of Holy Smoke Blues.
ECHOES @ COSMOPOLITAN (RAMADA), ALTOONA 8/16/08
After departing downtown Altoona, I headed out to the Altoona Ramada, where Ebensburg’s Echoes was performing at the Cosmopolitan Lounge.
I arrived to find activity and table displays in the Ramada hallway, and a large crowd of folks inside the Cosmopolitan. I soon learned that the Kiwanis was holding a convention at the Ramada this weekend, and Echoes was in the early stages of entertaining this crowd. I arrived just as the group was wrapping up a set, leading the audience in a rousing singalong rendition of the Beatles’ “Hey Jude.”
Thanks to Crystal at the bar, I quickly had a bar side seat, a bottle of brew and a small bowl of peanuts to consume, along with the Beijing Olympics on a nearby widescreen television to keep me occupied during Echoes’ intermission. I was set!
Echoes soon returned for their next round, and this young band was more than up to the challenge of getting this crowd of conventioneers and patrons fired up and into party mode! The group kicked off at full strength with their horn section, doing feisty renditions of Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke” and Chicago’s “Saturday in the Park.” Singer Marianne Kokus’ voice was in good form, and the instrumental corps of keyboardist Mike Kokus, Nick Kokus on trumpet (and guitar), Michelle Kokus on sax, Jeremy Colbert on bass, Ryan Skiles on percussion and keys, and Seth Reighard on drums was bringing their ‘A’ game, quickly earning cheers and some dance floor activity for their efforts. Those cheers and dance floor activity grew in frequency as the group continued with rock and pop hits of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Some of Echoes’ wide selection included such favorites as the Foundations’ “Build Me Up Buttercup,” Three Dog Night’s “Joy to the World,” James Brown’s “I Feel Good,” Buster Poindexter’s “Hot Hot Hot,” Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba,” Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” and many more.
Several band members swapped instruments and duties during the course of the performance, with Nick going between sax and guitar, and Jeremy venturing between guitar and bass. Marianne handled most of the lead singing duties, but went behind the second keyboard and deferred singing duties to Ryan a few times during the show. Echoes’s pacing was tight and near seamless, and they kept the music, smiles and enthusiasm constant; and it was infectious, with the crowd feeding off the positive vibes to dance, cheer, laugh and sing along.
For this type of multi-aged crowd, Echoes was in the perfect setting, and the result was a good-time party. Hopefully we’ll be hearing more Echoes resounding through the Ramada Cosmopolitan as a result.
Echoes gets ‘em partying down at the Ramada Cosmopolitan.
Echoes and a busy dance floor.
Jeremy Colbert of Echoes.
Seth Reighard and Ryan Skiles of Echoes.
Taking his turn singing lead, Ryan Skiles of Echoes.
Marianne and Nick Kokus of Echoes.
Again, Nick Kokus of Echoes.
Mike Kokus and Ryan Skiles of Echoes.
(This recap continued in Part 2...)
