SHARK BITE @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 10/13/08
The week again kicked off with Monday wing night at Pellegrine’s, and the latest round of shark bitten entertainment courtesy of Adam D and Big Jim…and as it turned out, a special guest. The guest was Doug from Doug’s Italian Restaurant fame, who played Adam D’s digital drum pad several times during the course of the night. Doug also sang lead once, during Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville.”
Otherwise, it was pretty much business as usual for Adam and Jim, as they mixed it up with a variety of hits and favorites. This night’s setlist included tunes from the Eagles, Kid Rock, Dr. Hook, Poison, Buckcherry, Doors, Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, Guns N’Roses, Marcy Playground, Elton John, Audioslave and more. Adam played a round of “stump the Professor,” and caught me in a brain-fart moment when I couldn’t remember the Boomtown Rats as the group who did “I Don’t Like Mondays” (I had just remembered their name days before, too!). Other highlights included Adam’s tackling of Styx’s “Suite Madame Blue” by request, and his Elton John double-shot of “Somebody Saved My Life Tonight” into “Bennie and the Jets.” And this was the night that I became the “Keith Emerson” of kazoo, as Adam and Jim recruited me to do the synth solos of Emerson Lake & Palmer’s “Lucky Man” on kazoo. Cheap thrills…
Monday boredom was again avoided, and more copious amounts of Pellegrine’s chicken wingage were consumed…
Shark Bite, with special guest Doug.
Adam D of Shark Bite.
Big Jim of Shark Bite.
AHRT’S “TOMMY” @ CRESSON LAKE PLAYHOUSE, CRESSON 10/17/08
I was running into local musical adventurer John Charney a lot lately. I had seen his solo performance and John with The Chi the week before; and this night, I would witness John as musical director and guitarist of the backing band for Allegheny Highlands Regional Theatre’s production of The Who’s classic rock opera Tommy, staged the final two weekends of last month at the Cresson Lake Playhouse.
John, bassist Scott Jeffreys and drummer Paul Turner set the hard-rocking backdrop to a stripped-down presentation of Tommy that was consistent with the spirit of The Who’s original. The cast brought this classic to life with inspired performances; featuring Michael McClure as Tommy and Stevie Moses as young Tommy, Katie Kensinger as Mrs. Walker, director Will Jones as both Captain Walker and the Pinball Wizard (offering a convincing Elton John edge on the latter), Dave “tornandfrayed” Moses as a convincingly demented Uncle Ernie, Parris Cromer as the Acid Queen, Clarence Banks as the Hawker, Elaine Long as the Nurse, Bob Mattio as the Lover and Specialist, and Chelsea Moses as Sally Simpson.
As this presentation of Tommy unfolded, I found myself quickly bobbing my head and tappiung my toe, and soon rocking out in my seat. This didn’t only attest to the strength of the cast’s and band’s performances, but also to the power of The Who’s original work as well. For the remainder of the weekend, various songs from Tommy bounced around in my head.
The cast did a very good job of bringing Tommy to life in the theatrical setting, and it was again a successful merger of rock and local theatre that resulted in a memorable show.
Thanks to John Charney for inviting me to join him and members of the cast for a celebratory after-show get-together at PJ’s Tavern. It was enjoyable to hear the cast members reflect on this night’s performance and critique themselves. I could sense the enthusiasm they had for bringing the Who’s classic to life. And Parris had the table howling with her various “double-take” facial expressions. I guess you had to be there…
Will Jones as the Pinball Wizard (Elton John style) sings in front of the stage band during the Cresson Lake Playhouse treatment of Tommy.
Michael McClure as Tommy.
GREEN EGGS @ 4D’S LOUNGE, ALTOONA 10/17/08
After the post Tommy get-together dissipated after midnight, I trekked back down the hill to the ‘Toona to check in with Green Eggs, stirring up the dance party at the 4D’s Lounge.
I arrived as the group was just under way with their nightcap set. Singer/keyboardist Brian Nicarry, singer/bassist Brad Nicarry, guitarist/singer Matt Day and drummer Doug Black had the party well in hand, with a good-sized dance floor contingent churning as the group performed various hits. Green Eggs was all over the place musically; at one stretch during this set, the group played in succession: Big & Rich’s “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy,” John Mellencamp’s “Hurts So Good” (with Matt singing lead), the Foundations’ “Build Me Up Buttercup,” Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl,” Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” (sung by Matt, I didn’t know Matt could sing Neil!), Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues,” Abba’s “Dancing Queen,” Bloodhound Gang’s “Bad Touch,” Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” and Billy Idol’s “Dancing with Myself” – talk about all over the map! But Green Eggs managed to fuse it all together into a cohesive set, underscoring it with a constant, driving uptempo beat that kept the dance floor masses continually moving. Songs by Blur, Finger Eleven and Buckcherry finished the set; but encore demands quickly prompted the group to break out one more song, Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” to close out the night.
As I have witnessed so many times before during Green Eggs’ visitations to the ‘Toona vicinity, this band conquered another mass of dance floor fans, and generated the party. ‘Nuff said!
Brad Nicarry of Green Eggs.
Again, Brad Nicarry.
Green Eggs entertains a busy dance floor at the 4D’s.
Doug Black of Green Eggs.
Brian Nicarry of Green Eggs.
Again, Brian Nicarry.
Again, Green Eggs.
Matt Day of Green Eggs.
Again, Matt Day.
Again, Doug Black of Green Eggs.
Once again, Matt Day of Green Eggs.
PENN STATE VS. MICHIGAN HOMECOMING TAILGATE SOJOURN @ BEAVER STADIUM, UNIVERSITY PARK 10/18/08
This Saturday, during Penn State Homecoming weekend, over 100,000 people descended upon Beaver Stadium to watch the 3rd-ranked Nittany Lions clobber Michigan 46-17.
I was in attendance at Beaver Stadium this day on a different mission. Sure, I was there to enjoy the pageantry and festivities and cheer on the Nittany Lions from afar, as I didn’t have a ticket for the game. But as a live music-aholic, I was also there to sample the live music happening at various tailgate parties in the parking areas surrounding the stadium. And on this bright, crisp fall day, live music was not hard to find.
I actually rode to Penn State and Beaver Stadium with cohort Sparky D’Engineer, who is the outdoor broadcast engineer for Penn State’s radio network coverage before and after the game. I actually helped Sparky with some of the set-up this day at the broadcast center outside the Bryce Jordan Center; including running cables from the speakers to the main console, connecting the phone line cable, hanging the radio station’s banner behind the table and microphones, and more. Once the set-up was complete, I was off to see what live music I could discover.
I first followed the sounds of a live band to the Penn State Tailgate Association tailgate party, near the corner of Porter Road and Park Avenue. The band was Clearfield County’s Loudmouth, firing up a good-sized contingent of Penn State alumni and students. Featuring bassist/singer John Cimino, guitarist/singer Brandon Giuffre, drummer Michael Hughes and part-time keyboardist/singer Billy Moore; Loudmouth fired the folks up with a mixture of rock favorites from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Their setlist included numbers from Maroon 5, Phish, The Clash, Pearl Jam, the Doors, White Stripes, Weezer, Rush, Kansas and more. A medley of 80’s hair-band tunes sparked some spirited dancing, and the group’s rendition of Gary Glitter’s “Rock and Roll Pt. 2” rallied the troops to cheer on the Lions. The food spread was divine here as well, with hot and barbecue wings, sloppy joes, baked beans, potato salad, hoagies and more. And it was cool chatting with Glenn Walstrom from Kyx, in attendance to cheer Loudmouth and the Nittany Lions as well!
Loudmouth entertains at the Penn State Tailgate Association tailgate party.
Brandon Giuffre of Loudmouth.
John Cimino of Loudmouth.
Again, Loudmouth.
JoePa and a guest get their drunk on before the game.
More dancers bust their moves during Loudmouth’s performance.
Michael Hughes of Loudmouth.
Departing that tailgate, I walked back past Beaver Stadium along Porter Road, and soon heard more live band sounds emanating from the Medlar Field area. It didn’t take long to find the source, Penn State favorites Velveeta, entertaining under a large tent for the Penn State Alumni Association tailgate. I witnessed only the last few songs, but the Velveeta roster of singer/guitarist Brian Kriley, singer/keyboardist/guitarist Brent Martin, bassist John Matthews and drummer John Harper satisfied the audience of alumni, families and friends with their 80’s-geared mixture of “cheesy” rocking favorites.
Velveeta finishes up their performance during the Penn State Alumni Association tailgate.
The next live music tailgate I happened upon was taking place among the RV parking area behind the Bryce Jordan Center. I followed the sound of an amplified acoustic guitar to the site of a special benefit tailgate being presented by the Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation. Jointly presented by both Penn State and Michigan alumni, this tailgate featured food and live music, while collecting donations to battle Tay-Sachs disease. Performing acoustic rock’n’roll and country sounds at this tailgate was Penn State music professor Chris Mincer, who wrapped up the performance a half-hour before game time with a singalong rendition of Don McLean’s “American Pie.”
Chris Mincer entertains at the Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation tailgate party.
Again, Chris Mincer.
One performer I expected to encounter this day but did not see was Altoona’s one-man band, Zupe. Zupe is often hired to entertain the alumni of the Nittany Lions’ opponents; and he had initially been booked to entertain the Michigan alumni this day. But I heard no signs of music when I walked by the Michigan tent area. I later learned that the Michigan alumni had changed their minds, and wanted to go with an Oktoberfest theme before the game, opting instead to go with a German oom-pa band.
Although I didn’t have a ticket for the game itself, I did get to witness the second half of the game in a special environment, arriving at the HUB building on the Penn State main campus and joining a gathered group of students and alumni watching the game on the large-screen lounge televisions. The mood was festive here as well, as Penn State staged their second half rally to win the game.
As huge and festive as this population at Beaver Stadium was on this day, I’m sure there were other live music tailgates happening that I did not get to. And even after the game, as I returned to Beaver Stadium, I observed the tail end of a bluegrass/jam group performing at a post-game tailgate as the mass of traffic and humanity cleared out of the Beaver Stadium lots.
After the fun I had catching live music at this year’s Penn State homecoming tailgates, I expect to return for more at next year’s Homecoming!
Sparky and Jason Lord inflate the Nittany Lion.
The inflated Nittany Lion, looking like he’s flipping the bird.
The Lion gets a little tipsy.
Discussing the upcoming game on the air: (L to R) Jack Ham, Steve Jones, Roger Corey and Jeff Tarman.
Once again, the on-air cast discusses the upcoming game.
The crowd outside of Beaver Stadium as game time nears.
Again, the crowd outside of Beaver Stadium.
Penn State’s Beaver Stadium just before game time.
Two F-18 jets after passing over Beaver Stadium.
During the postgame broadcast, Sparky holds the microphone while one of Penn State’s weight room staff serenades the broadcast crew on guitar.
The serenade continues.
ALL THE HYPE @ 4D’S LOUNGE, ALTOONA 10/18/08
Since I had ridden to Happy Valley with Sparky D’Engineer, I had to wait until the Penn State radio broadcast was completely done before we could break down equipment and start to make our return to the ‘Toona. Since our departure point was from the 4D’s Lounge parking lot, the Dees was where I spent the remainder of my bandwatching after my return. This night was the debut performance of a new local party band, All The Hype.
I arrived midway through All The Hype’s second set, and discovered that this was a five-piece band, and four of the five members were familiar faces. Playing guitars and singing backing vocals were Brandon Kane and Jimmy Skinny of Lose The Name fame; former House Atlantic bassist Pat Lang was providing bottom end in this new band, and former Hello Vixen/Third Standard drummer Steve Holtz. Singing lead was a frontlady named Crystal.
A good-sized contingent of revelers populated the dance floor in front of the stage as All The Hype performed hits from the Beastie Boys, Kelly Clarkson, The Clash, Ramones, No Doubt and more.
The nightcap set started off with the Gin Blossoms’ “Hey Jealousy,” before All The Hype welcomed former Hello Vixen frontman Mark Simanski – celebrating a birthday this night – to sing lead on Lustra’s “Scotty Doesn’t Know.” The group continued with more modern and ‘80s era hits, including songs from Loverboy, The Outfield, Mr. Big, Blur, Tom Petty, Fallout Boy, Chumbawumba and more. All The Hype also broke out a tune I hadn’t heard in a long time, Weezer’s “My Name Is Jonas.”
The review was mixed for All The Hype this night. Instrumentally the group was fairly tight and generated a lot of energy, and the group maintained a fun vibe through the course of the night. Vocally, though, Crystal was hit or miss, depending on the song. (As it turned out, she exited the band days after this performance.)
But it was at least a starting point for All The Hype, and with a little fine-tuning and more shows under their belts, this group should be on their way…
Jimmy Skinny of All The Hype.
Steve Holtz of All The Hype.
Crystal of All The Hype.
Again, Steve Holtz.
All The Hype gets the Dees’ dance floor crowd moving.
Brandon Kane and Pat Lang of All The Hype.
Crystal and Steve Holtz of All The Hype.
All The Hype and all the crowd.
Again, Pat Lang of All The Hype.
BAD DAZE @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 10/19/08
Pellegrine’s again served as the terminus for my weekend, with Bad Daze striking up the party.
After wrapping up “Homegrown Rocker” duties, I arrived shortly after midnight, and about halfway through Bad Daze’s second set. This would be my first opportunity to witness the group with their new drummer, former My Turning Point singer and Stept On/Wake Up Screaming/Blue Skye Mourning drummer Jim Bagrosky. Jim, frontman Rob Carolus, guitarist Kenny Murdick and bassist Paul Rainey launched into Buckcherry’s “Crazy Bitch” as I procured my first brew of the night; and they continued with tunes from Nirvana, Megadeth, Staind, Rage, Eminem, Jimmy Eats World and more.
Bad Daze again kept the stagefront crowd happy during the nightcap set, as they performed tunes from Poison, Nickelback, Danzig, Godsmack, Drowning Pool, Static X, Seether and more. Among the highlights during this latter set was the group slamming forth Metallica’s “Seek and Destroy.” When the Pelly’s audience demanded an encore, Bad Daze capped the night with Pantera’s “Walk.”
Bad Daze kicked it on all cylinders, and new drum man Jim fit into his new band surroundings quite comfortably. Bad Daze hasn’t lost a step in the transition, and were sounding as good this night as ever.
Two fans look on as Rob Carolus of Bad Daze performs.
The new guy behind Bad Daze’s drum kit, Jim Bagrosky.
Paul Rainey of Bad Daze.
Again, Jim Bagrosky.
Kenny Murdick of Bad Daze.
JP’s HAIKU
Penn State – Michigan
Hundred thousand rowdy fans
Witness end of curse!
