Again, this is a two-parter, due to numerous shows and bands this weekend, and too many photos to fit into one post. Enjoy...
SHARK BITE @ PELLEGRINE'S, ALTOONA 9/8/08
Monday night meant another round of Pellegrine’s delicious wings and the Shark Bite escapades of Adam D and Big Jim.
I arrived and ordered up my wing feast during the duo’s second set, arriving as Adam was belting out voice on the Eagles’ “Hotel California.” After tunes from Buckcherry and CCR, Big Jim flexed his vox chords on another Eagles number, “Tequila Sunrise.” The pair then did Kid Rock’s “All Summer Long,” before finishing the set with Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” and Stealers Wheel’s “Stuck in the Middle with You.”
Kicking off with the Gin Blossoms’ “Found Out About You,” the nightcap set featured more favorites, shenanigans and even a guest singer. Big Jim sang lead on the Allman Brothers’ “Sweet Melissa” and Glenn Frey’s “Partytown” (or as the Right Honorable Guv’nor Jesse calls it, “The Kiss My Ass Song”), and a guest singer named Dez stepped up to croon lead voice on Sam Cooke’s “You Send Me.” Also featured was a version of Live’s “I Alone” (after which Jim came up with the clever idea about doing a Live song, followed by a [Grateful] Dead song), plus tunes from Poison, Bad Company, Jimmy Buffett, Guns N’Roses and The Outfield.
The wings were good and the music was fun, and another Monday night’s boredom was vanquished.
Adam D of Shark Bite sports the duo’s unofficial new headgear.
A lady from the audience tries on Adam’s headgear.
Adam D and his headgear-adorning guest.
Perhaps a new name for folks who follow Shark Bite around…Sharkbiteers?
THE CLARKS/BILL DEASY @ RAILROADERS MUSEUM, ALTOONA 9/10/08
In a sequel to one of the most successful concerts from last year's inaugural Alive @ Five Concert Series, The Clarks and Bill Deasy returned to the Railroaders Museum this night.
I arrived just as former Gathering Field singer Bill Deasy opened the evening, and a good-sized audience had already parked their folding chairs in the railyard to take in his performance. Bill and his band performed a set that featured tunes from throughout Bill’s career. With a group featuring lead guitarist Chris Parker, bassist Scooter Tamulinas, keyboardist Skip Sanders, drummer Dave Throckmorton and special guest Rob James of The Clarks on guitar; Bill performed songs from his solo albums such as the title song and “All I Want” from The Miles, and tunes from his other albums such as “Something So Hard,” “Saint Jude,” “In My Head,” “It’s Alright” and more. Bill also did “Harder Than It Needs to Be” and “Tonight” from The Invisible Ocean, the debut CD from Thomas Jefferson’s Airplane, Bill’s new project with former Brownie Mary guitarist Rich Jacques. And Bill broke out three tunes from his Gathering Field past; “Rhapsody in Blue,” “Lost In America” and I’d Believe in God for You.” Bill was again personable and friendly with the crowd, and his band was strong behind him; I was especially impressed by Chris’ guitar solo and slide displays, and the triple guitar jams between Chris, Bill and Rob that evolved out of several songs. Again, Bill Deasy connected with the Altoona crowd, and it was again cool to see him getting good response from a large crowd in this town.
Bill Deasy and his band.
Bill Deasy.
With Rob James of The Clarks (on left) helping out once again this year, Bill Deasy and his band.
Again, Bill Deasy.
Rob James.
Chris Parker of Bill Deasy’s band.
Scooter Tamulinas of Bill Deasy’s band.
Once again, Bill Deasy.
Jamming on their guitars; Rob James, Chris Parker and Bill Deasy.
Again, Rob, Chris and Bill.
Again, Bill Deasy and his band.
Yet again, Bill Deasy.
Yet again, Bill and his band.
Dave Throckmorton and Bill Deasy.
After a changeover intermission, The Clarks took the stage and did what they do best, generating fun vibes from their catalog of original song favorites. The familiar cast of singer/guitarist Scott Blasey, guitarist/singer Rob James, bassist/singer Greg Joseph and drummer Dave Minarek Jr. introduced several new songs from their forthcoming next album, including “Trampoline,” “Inside,” “True Believer” and more; and kept the large Railroaders Museum audience happy with many of their crowd-pleasers. Opening with “Goodbye,” The Clarks did such favorites as “Caroline,” “Better Off Without You,” “Let It Go,” “Penny on the Floor,” “Hell on Wheels,” “On Saturday,” “Mercury,” “Snowman,” and “Help Me Out.” The group also included their rendition of the Beatles’ “Dear Prudence.” Again, The Clarks’ performance was strong and upbeat, and delivered with tight musicianship and poise. All four players looked happy to be on the stage and playing for the appreciative Altoona fans, who responded with enthusiastic cheers and applause after each song. It was no mystery that The Clarks would be called back for an encore at the end of the night; and for that encore, the group performed “Born Too Late,” “Shimmy Low” and an extended edition of “Cigarette” that was capped by Scott’s final words, “See ya next year!” – leaving the crowd with hopes that another Clarks Altoona visit was in the cards for 2009.
Kicking off their performance, The Clarks.
Scott Blasey of The Clarks.
Greg Joseph of The Clarks.
Again, Scott Blasey.
Again, Greg Joseph.
Rob James of The Clarks.
Dave Minarek, Jr. of The Clarks.
Again, The Clarks.
Once again, Scott Blasey.
Once again, Greg Joseph.
Playing mandolin during “Penny on the Floor,” Rob James.
Again, Rob James.
Yet more Rob James.
More Scott Blasey.
A large crowd looks on as The Clarks’ performance continues.
Rob James and Scott Blasey.
This youngster was taking in The Clarks’ performance from the flatcar’s wheel well.
Yet again, Rob James.
Again, Rob and Scott.
Again, Dave Minarek, Jr.
One more time, Rob James.
One more time, Scott Blasey.
One of The Clarks’ crates.
7TH GEAR @ 4D’S LOUNGE, ALTOONA 9/10/08
After The Clarks’ performance and a pizza supper pitstop at Pellegrine’s, I capped the night at the 4D’s Lounge’s Schnappes Shoppe, where 7th Gear was entertaining a good-sized crowd. I arrived as the group – singer/guitarist Brendon Burns, bassist/singer Kelly Montgomery and drummer/singer Randy Servello – were finishing out their second set with versions of the Doobie Brothers’ “Long Train Runnin’” and the Beatles’ “Twist and Shout.”
The group’s nightcap set was a pure rock’n’roll party, kicking off with their combination medley of Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ’69,” The Outfield’s “Your Love” and Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl.” 7th Gear elevated the energy level further with Buckcherry’s ever-popular “Crazy Bitch,” before introducing one of their original songs, “I Got Nothing.” After Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love,” 7th Gear did another of their own tunes, “Crazy Times,” before triggering some dance floor action with the Steve Miller Band’s “Swingtown.” The following rendition of Sublime’s “What I Got” turned into an audience singalong, and 7th Gear kept the singing and dancing party cranking ‘til the end with Violent Femmes’ “Blister in the Sun,” 3 Doors Down’s “Kryptonite,” Jet’s “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” and Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.”
7th Gear has clearly evolved into a tight and confident band, and they had the Dees crowd up and having fun this night. All three of these guys can carry a tune, and all three were nails on their respective instruments. 7th Gear has shifted it into high gear, and these weekly Wednesday night parties are steadily turning this group into one of Altoona’s steadiest draws.
Brendon Burns of 7th Gear.
Again, Brendon Burns of 7th Gear.
7th Gear, bringing the party.
Again, 7th Gear.
Once again, Brendon Burns.
Randy Servello of 7th Gear.
Dance action picks up for 7th Gear.
Again, Randy Servello of 7th Gear.
One more time, 7th Gear.
RED WHITE & BLUES CONCERT @ HERITAGE PLAZA, ALTOONA 9/11/08
On the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on America, the Blair County Community Action Agency again presented its annual Patriot Day activities, capped by this night’s Red White & Blues concert at downtown Altoona's Heritage Plaza.
I arrived as the first band of the night, The Hawks, was well into their set. A large crowd was already on hand as singer Brian Elliott, guitarist Mike Borstnar, bassist Harry Walter, keyboard player Harold Hayford and drummer Bill Hocherl closed their performance with a rendition of B.B. King’s “The Thrill Is Gone.”
Kicking things off, The Hawks.
Again, The Hawks.
Harold Hayford of The Hawks.
Mike Borstnar of The Hawks.
Harry Walter of The Hawks.
Concert emcee and Blair County Community Action Agency director Allan Robison introduced the next performer, young country singer Elaini, who sang a pair of Patsy Cline numbers. Next was Megan Ritchey, who sang Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.,” before being joined by Elaini to perform a duet. Dance and sign-language troupe Rod & Friends then did their routines to two songs, leading to the next band of the night, Big Mack & the Fries.
Young Elaini, crooning some country.
Featuring members of Prime Time Band, Square One, Pastime and Bedlam, Big Mack & the Fries played a set of classic rock and blues. This night’s edition featured John McKelvey, Don Osborn and Jeff Leeper on guitars and vocals, Bill Hunter on bass, Ken Civils on keys and Allan Robison on drums. The group did songs from Santana, Rolling Stones, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tom Petty and ZZ Top, as well as the John-penned and –sung original blues number “Heart Is in the Mind.”
Big Mack & the Fries.
Jeff Leeper of Big Mack & the Fries.
Again, Big Mack & the Fries.
More Big Mack & the Fries.
Bill Hunter of Big Mack & the Fries.
John McKelvey of Big Mack & the Fries.
Next up was John and Bedlam, performing their mixture of rock, blues and originals. John, singer/bassist Denny Frank and drummer/singer Duane Young performed tunes from Wilson Pickett, Jonny Lang, Black Crowes and more, as well as an original song, “Room for Rent.” Bedlam’s set was capped by a rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love,” featuring John with his fiery Jimmy Page bow-across-the-strings display.
Bedlam, performing during the Red White & Blues concert.
Again, Bedlam.
The Heritage Plaza audience takes in Bedlam’s set.
More Bedlam.
Duane Young of Bedlam.
Once again, Bedlam.
John McKelvey takes bow to guitar strings while Denny Frank looks on.
Again, John and Denny.
Once again, John McKelvey.
One more time, Bedlam.
Closing out the concert was Felix & the Hurricanes, with special guest Chuck Knepper helping out on guitar. The Hurricanes and their guest mixed classic rock, blues and originals; doing numbers by Eddie Rabbitt, ZZ Top and Dr. Hook, as well as original song favorites like “La La Land,” “The Feeling,” “Keep On Rockin,’” “Walking a Straight Line,” “On the Bottom Again” and more. Coming out of the set-ending rendition of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama,” lead Hurricane Felix Kos ended the evening with his guitar solo rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.”
With Chuck Knepper helping out, Felix & the Hurricanes.
Again, the Hurricanes.
Jeff Clapper of the Hurricanes.
Chuck Knepper and Felix Kos.
The Red, White & Blues Concert again served its purpose of using music to bring the community together, both to reflect on and honor the memory of Sept. 11, and to again move forward together as a single community and nation.
FELIX & THE HURRICANES @ 30 SOMETHING, ALTOONA 9/11/08
Following the Red, White & Blues Concert, I retreated to the workplace to finish up some production duties, before finishing the night with some more Hurricaning, this time at 30 Something.
I arrived during the ‘Canes’ third set, and joined a small audience of people in observing as Felix, Jeff and Bob did songs from Johnny Cash, the Allman Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, Blackfoot, and Ted Nugent’s “Free for All” to end the night.
The Hurricanes, continuing the party at 30 Something.
Hurricane Felix.
Jeff Clapper of the Hurricanes.
Again, Hurricane Felix.
Bob Watters of the Hurricanes.
(continued in Part 2...)
