ADAM D & JESS P @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 11/30/09
With Bad Daze Rob under the weather, Monday night live music at Pellegrine’s was handled by the duo of Adam D & Jess P (NOT “Jeff B,” as she was tagged in the Altoona Mirror).
With the extended duty this night, Jess showed that her song catalog is expanding quickly, as she sung and strummed her acoustic guitar on renditions of Blondie’s “Call Me,” Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man,” Social Distortion’s “Ball and Chain,” Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time,” and Starland Vocal Band’s “Afternoon Delight” among others. Keyboard virtuoso Adam D pulled out a few surprises along the way as well, breaking out versions of Kansas’ “Hold On,” Pearl Jam’s “Better Man,” Red Rider’s “Lunatic Fringe” and more.
The pair welcomed one musical guest up to perform this night, as Don Osborn performed a short solo set featuring renditions of “Spooky,” Eric Clapton’s “Change the World,” the Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down,” a Graham Nash number and the Allman Brothers’ “Sweet Melissa.”
Pelly’s Monday night barkeep Natalie takes a closer look as the hired talent, Adam D and Jess P, perform.
ERNIE HALTER @ SLEP CENTER, PENN STATE ALTOONA 12/1/09
Penn State Altoona’s Student Activities Board again presented some live music at the campus’ Slep Center, in the form of Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter and guitarist Ernie Halter.
Strumming between acoustic guitar and ukulele, Ernie sang several of his own original songs, along with some select covers and audience requests. Ernie sang with a versatile voice that quickly shifted between octaves, and he showed an ability to coax different sounds and flavors from his guitar. Ernie’s style was pleasant and lighthearted; and he provided insight and inspiration behind his songs, including the ukulele ode to his girlfriend “Come Home to Me,” the South Africa-inspired “Lighthouse” and his closing number, “Cyclone.” Ernie admitted to being a big Bonnie Raitt fan, and related an experience from a Bonnie concert before doing a version of “Nobody’s Girl.” He also did several audience requests, including the Beatles’ “Blackbird” and Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven,” as well as a version of Squeeze’s “Tempted.” Toward the end of his set, Eric welcomed to the stage his tour accomplice, Atlanta-based singer and songwriter Tim Brantley. Tim performed one of his own songs, “Worth the Wait.”
After his show, Ernie stuck around and chatted with students and other fans, and he told me about the differences in how original music goes over in different college towns. Some nights like this night at the Slep Center, attendance can be sparse; but other schools can pack the house, depending on the atmosphere for live music in a given area.
Ernie gave a good, fun performance, and demonstrated ample talents as singer, songwriter and guitarist. And although not many were present to witness his performance, at least a few folks bought CD’s, and he won some new fans in this part of the world.
Ernie Halter.
Playing ukulele, Ernie Halter.
Again, Ernie Halter.
Ernie’s tour accomplice, Tim Brantley.
Again, Tim Brantley.
One more time, Ernie Halter.
RHINO BUCKET/GANISTER @ ROADHOUSE ON 747, MOUNT UNION 12/4/09
It’s not too often, if ever, that a national recording act shows up in Mount Union, so I wanted to mark the occasion when one did show up. Rhino Bucket, who flirted with MTV exposure and notoriety in the early ’90s, was on the slate at Roadhouse on 747.
I got there as Ganister was playing their opening set. Folks were still arriving as singer Ken Gray, lead guitarist Eric Smith, bassist Dan Lukens and drummer Randy Wilson fired off modern rock favorites. Ganister’s song arsenal this night included tunes from Green Day, Theory Of A Deadman, Saving Abel, Maroon 5, All-American Rejects, Puddle Of Mudd, Black Label Society, Buckcherry, Collective Soul and more. They also did two of their originals, “Villain Inside” and “Saving Grace.” Ken and Dan frequently ventured off stage to mix it up with the dance floor crowd, and Ganister delivered what the doctor ordered, a rousing set to heat things up for the headliners.
Ken Gray of Ganister.
Eric Smith of Ganister.
Randy Wilson of Ganister.
Opening the night, Ganister.
I had never seen Rhino Bucket perform live before, and actually wasn’t familiar with much of their catalog other than their first album. I remembered that their sound was derived from Bon Scott-era AC/DC, and that they had about 15 minutes of attention in the early ‘90s. The roster of singer/guitarist Georg Dolivo, former Kix guitarist Brian Forsythe, bassist Reeve Downes and drummer Anthony “Tiny” Riuso opened with the title track from their latest album, The Hardest Town, and followed with a set of tunes from throughout their career. The played the fast-paced “Welcome to Hell,” the popular “Beat to Death Like A Dog,” their early ‘hit’ “One Night Stand,” rowdy rockers like “She Rides,” “Bar Time,” the new “Street to Street” and the popular “She’s A Screamer,” and ended their set with a tune I remember from the first album, “Ride the Rhino.” Georg’s polecat howl was in good form, and Brian’s guitar work was clean and on the mark. When the Roadhouse crowd demanded more, Rhino Bucket responded with the Wayne’s World movie-popularized “Ride With Yourself”; and when the crowd demanded still more, the group finished the night with “Hey There.”
The sound was loud and thunderous, but the production was wreaking havoc on the house power, as the lights and sound went out a few times during the performance. It reminded me of the first time I set foot in this room in 1986 while managing Tommi-Gunn, and drove soundman Jeff Rittenhouse crazy by tripping the breaker while running lights.
Turnout had to be disappointing, with maybe 60 people in the Roadhouse this night. This crowd was rowdy and into both bands, but the venue had to lose money this night. Hopefully it won’t discourage Gary, and he’ll be able to continue to keep live rock happening in this room for a while to come.
Commencing their set, Rhino Bucket.
Georg Dolivo of Rhino Bucket.
Brian Forsythe of Rhino Bucket.
Again, Brian Forsythe.
Again, Rhino Bucket.
The Roadhouse crowd looks on as Rhino Bucket performs.
Anthony “Tiny” Riuso of Rhino Bucket.
Again, Brian Forsythe.
Again, Georg Dolivo.
Reeve Downes of Rhino Bucket.
More of Georg of Rhino Bucket.
Once again, Brian Forsythe.
Again, Reeve Downes.
Again, Anthony Riuso.
Once again, Georg Dolivo.
Once again, Anthony Riuso.
More drum fireworks from Anthony.
One more time, Brian Forsythe of Rhino Bucket.
HARD DRIVE @ BELMAR HOTEL, ALTOONA 12/5/09
First order of business this Saturday night was to check out a new band on the ‘Toona scene, Hard Drive, playing an early evening show at the Belmar.
Hard Drive is Ryan Clark’s new electric band project that took flight after the dissolution of Rock & Rye. Ryan and Dan Simpson sing and play guitars, Chad Weidley plays bass and Paul Merkle plays drums.
I got there just before Hard Drive started their second set. With Ryan and Dan swapping lead vocal duties, Hard Drive kicked up the rock from names like Lenny Kravitz, Steve Miller Band, Kid Rock, Van Halen, John Mellencamp, Tom Petty, Eddie Money and more. This group was solid on their instruments, and their vocals were decent as well. The most pleasant surprise of the night for me closed out the set, when Hard Drive broke out a strong rendition of Eric Clapton’s “The Core.”
After an intermission, Hard Drive returned to do several more songs. This time, the crowd was reading to cut some rug, and the small Belmar dance floor area in front of the band quickly filled up as the group did songs from Collective Soul, Ramones, Puddle Of Mudd, Bush, Billy Idol and Neil Young. Their version of Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” brought the show to a close by midnight.
Hard Drive showed they are a worthy rock’n’roll force to spend a Saturday evening with, and they will be making more frequent appearances around the area in 2010.
Hard Drive rocks the Belmar.
Dan Simpson of Hard Drive.
Chad Weidley of Hard Drive.
Paul Merkle of Hard Drive.
Again, Hard Drive.
DRAIN THE SORROW @ ALDO’S, ALTOONA 12/5/09
After the end of Hard Drive’s show, I headed to Aldo’s to finish the night witnessing the return of local hardcore rockers Drain The Sorrow.
Back in action following a several month hiatus, Drain The Sorrow was well into their set as I arrived. I had missed openers The Side Effects, but several members of the group were still in the house and cheering Drain The Sorrow on.
The roster of lead voice Troy Mort, guitarists Shaun Barr and Tom Noel, drummer Andy Hicks and Joe Neary (of This Calling fame) on bass brought the full fury with bristling original numbers, including “Sweet Home Pennsylvania,” “25” and “You Will Fall.” For their last song, “NSC Anthem,” Troy went behind the drum kit while Andy came out front to bark the lead vocal, and dedicated the song in memory of his brother, Michael “2-Fists.”
I only got to see a few songs, but it was throttling and powerful. I detected a looser vibe this night; Drain The Sorrow seemed more at ease and having fun.
This night reaffirmed that Drain The Sorrow is back in action and bringing the hardcore once again.
Troy Mort of Drain The Sorrow.
Tom Noel of Drain The Sorrow.
Again, Troy Mort.
The crowd looks on as Andy Hicks takes over lead mic for Drain The Sorrow.
Andy Hicks and Joe Neary of Drain The Sorrow.
GANISTER @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 12/6/09
It was one of those occasional weird nights at Pellegrine’s. Small crowd, several weirdos. And a fight.
The fight happened shortly after I got there. It had nothing to do with me. A “likes-to-fight guy” from Beantown went ballistic on somebody over near the pool table, and had to be forcibly jettisoned from the premises.
Outside of the fisticuffs, the rest of the excitement was emanating from the stage, as Ganister was again playing hard modern rock from Buckcherry, All-American Rejects, Puddle Of Mudd, Nickelback, Breaking Benjamin, Seether, their own originals and more. An interesting highlight during the group’s last set was drummer Randy Wilson’s ‘hokey-pokey’ interlude with two dance floor ladies during Big &Rich’s “Save A Horse Ride A Cowboy.” And when Ganister called it a night at 1:30, they quickly learned that the Pelly’s custom is to play until 2, with some audience members approaching the stage and demanding more. The group soon relented and did two more tunes, finishing the night with Weezer’s “Beverly Hills” and their modern rock send-up of Cameo’s “Word Up.”
As said, it was one of those ‘twilight zone’ nights that anyone that frequents Pelly’s Sundays on a regular basis is likely to see from time to time.
Ganister finished out the weekend at Pellegrine’s.
Ken Gray of Ganister.
Randy Wilson of Ganister.
Eric Smith of Ganister.
Again, Ken Gray of Ganister.
Eric Smith and Ken Gray.
Again, Randy Wilson.
Dan Lukens of Ganister.
