(JP's note: Posted SAME DAY...BOOYAHHH!!!)
PENN STATE ALTOONA CHRISTMAS PARTY @ HERITAGE CENTER, ALTOONA 12/10/09
The first Christmas party of the season for me happened this night at Penn State’s Downtown Altoona Heritage Center. It was Penn State Altoona’s Christmas party for faculty and staff.
I wasn’t anticipating live music at this event, but there was one live performer. The theme of the party was “Viva Las Vegas,” and a Vegas-like entertainer was performing as I arrived…Phil McCaulley, doing his Elvis tribute. I only caught the last 3 or 4 songs, but Phil had Elvis’ voice down, and was also busting a few of “the King’s” dance moves and poses.
A deejay service provided the tunes afterward for the duration of the night. The upstairs portion of the Heritage Center featured gaming tables with roulette wheels, card decks, dice, and piles of “funny money.” The poker table seemed to have the biggest crowd, as well as the biggest collection of empty beer bottles.
The food spread was good, with Greek and Italian-themed buffets. I sampled a little of each. I think both countries duked it out in my digestive system a little later…
A good time, and in retrospect, a better choice than the alternative – staying home and watching the Steelers lose to Cleveland!
“NOYZ FOR TOYZ” TOYS FOR TOTS BENEFIT @ CASTLE PUB, EBENSBURG 12/11/09
Ebensburg was my destination this night, for the Castle Pub’s “Noyz for Toyz” benefit concert, with proceeds going to the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program to help out needy area kids and families over the holidays.
I started out a little too late and arrived just after 3 Broken Dolls’ set. According to frontman/guitarist Kevin Price, the set went well. I’ll catch up with the Dolls on an Altoona stage in January.
The second band of the night, As The Ashes Burn, demonstrated a sound blending elements of metal and hardcore. Their original songs mixed equal amounts of melody and singing with brasher “vo-kills” and aggression. I didn’t catch any song titles, but their songs sounded developed with discernable melody lines and choruses, and mixed tempos between aggressive uptempo assaults, slower funereal numbers and a lengthier closing tune that built intensity as it went along.
Something completely different was next, as As The Ashes Burn’s caustic maelstrom made way for the psychedelic and jam-oriented frontiers of Mysterytrain. Mysterytrain sounded in good form, and was well received by the Castle Pub audience as they played original song favorites such as “All The Way Home.” They finished by treating the audience to their expansive epic “Aries,” with drummer Chuck Bailey and hand percussionist Jacob Haqq-Misra lighting things up with a boisterous midsong percussion jam that fired the crowd up. Solegion drummer Nick Tercek was instantly in front of the stage and cheering on the percussion fireworks. Mysterytrain’s legion of passengers is growing, and this night likely expanded their Cambria County fan base.
Mysterytrain commences their set at “Noyz for Toyz.”
Brian McHugh of Mysterytrain.
Jacob Haqq-Misra of Mysterytrain.
Chuck Bailey and Jacob Haqq-Misra of Mysterytrain engage in a heated percussion jam!
Kevin Share of Mysterytrain.
Mysterytrain kicks out the jam at “Noyz for Toyz.”
Again, Kevin Share of Mysterytrain.
Brian McHugh and Kevin Share of Mysterytrain.
The night then ended with Solegion. These guys came out the gate blazing, and did not relent the energy level for the duration! Solegion riddled the audience with fast-firing new original song assaults from their forthcoming debut disc with Mortal Music, Evoking Something Sacred, which hits the streets in April. Drummer Nick is one of the most tenacious drummers around, this guy slams the skins with reckless abandon, yet keeps everything tight and concise! Kyle Cameron and Adam Getty sliced and diced on their guitars; I liked the effect Kyle used on the new original tune “The Horizon!” And singer Jarrod Bartock blended melody, intensity, grit and personality. It becomes clearer every time I see this group that Solegion is confident and focused; and I am anxious to see them hit the ground running when they unleash the new disc next year. Excellent set!
Jarrod Bartock of Solegion.
Kyle Cameron of Solegion.
Solegion, bringing the noise at “Noyz for Toyz.”
Again, Kyle Cameron.
Adam Getty and Simon Lieb of Solegion.
Again, Kyle Cameron of Solegion.
Again, Jarrod Bartock.
Solegion’s fireworks continue.
Once again, Kyle Cameron.
Nick Tercek of Solegion.
Again, Adam Getty of Solegion.
Again, Simon Lieb of Solegion.
Once again, Solegion.
One more time, Jarrod Bartock of Solegion.
The “Noyz for Toyz” benefit was a big success, judging by the huge stack of toys in the front of the Castle Pub’s main bar room. It was good to again see the generosity of the bands and music fans, and enjoy some great area music in the process!
The bottom line for the night, this nice big pile of toys, sure to make a bunch of needy area kids happy on Christmas morning…Good job everyone!
DRIVING SIDEWAYS @ DAVEY’S, HASTINGS 12/12/09
Having pretty much ‘been there, done that’ with everything onstage in the ‘Toona this Saturday night, another roadtrip was in order, to check in with Driving Sideways at Davey’s in Hastings. It had been too long since I last caught a band in this room; I always have a good time there!
This night was no exception. Driving Sideways brought the rock and delivered a good show over their two sets, performing a mix of classic and current rock. There was a lot to like about their performance, from their setlist to the individual talents that make up this band.
The setlist included a number of tunes I don’t ordinarily hear covered on area stages. One of the first I heard after my arrival was their version of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Gets Me Through,” highlighted by one of Paul Miller’s effects that makes his guitar sound like an organ; you could swear you were hearing a real keyboard! Some other highlights included their version of Dream Theater’s “The Big Medley,” which kicked off their nightcap set, renditions of Coney Hatch’s “Monkey Bars” and Four Horsemen’s “Rockin’ Is Ma’ Business” (nobody covers Four Horsemen any more!), and their convincing version of AC/DC’s “Hell Ain’t a Bad Place to Be.” Driving Sideways also did favorites from Stone Temple Pilots, Buckcherry, Nazareth, Green Day, Skynyrd, Theory Of A Deadman, Nickelback, ZZ Top and more.
As mentioned, Paul’s guitar work and use of effects was a performance highlight, as he masterfully could coax a range of sounds from his set-up. And singer Ed Somerville is one of the more underrated singers on this area’s music scene; this man has some vocal range, especially driven home during Dream Theater’s “The Big Medley” when he nailed the Steve Perry high notes on “Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin!’” He also did a very convincing Ozzy and Bon Scott on the respective Ozzy/Sabbath and AC/DC tunes. And Paul, guitarist Tracy Felton, bassist Troy Laney and drummer Jim Griffiths executed as a tight and powerful unit.
Driving Sideways succeeded in keeping Davey’s dance floor busy and the crowd happy. At night’s end, the group answered encore demands with a repeat performance of Ozzy’s “Crazy Train.”
A good show, well worth the roadtrip up the hill to check out.
Driving Sideways, rocking at Davey’s.
Again, Driving Sideways.
Paul Miller of Driving Sideways.
Ed Somerville of Driving Sideways. This guy can sing!
Ed Somerville and Troy Laney of Driving Sideways.
Tracy Felton of Driving Sideways.
Troy Laney of Driving Sideways.
Once again, Driving Sideways.
Paul Miller and Ed Somerville of Driving Sideways.
Again, Paul and Ed.
Jim Griffiths of Driving Sideways.
KUNY FAMILY BENEFIT @ 30 SOMETHING, ALTOONA 12/13/09
Mother Nature is always a factor when planning an event. During the warm season, rain is always a possible threat to outdoor concerts. And during the cold season, wintry precipitation can scuttle the best-planned concert or benefit.
Unfortunately, skating rink conditions on area roads during the first half of this Sunday sealed the fate for attendance at an afternoon benefit concert at 30 Something. The Kuny Family benefit was to raise funds for a local family facing hardship this holiday season following the death of their infant child. But the show must go on, and it did.
The ice problems delayed my arrival at the event until just after the first band of the afternoon, The Steam City Riders, performed. But I understand they represented well, and set a positive tone for the afternoon.
Ganister was next on the bill. I’m seeing a lot of these guys lately. And they’re sounding stronger every time I do. With soundman Zilly bringing forth their thunder, Ganister impressively rocked on their selection of modern favorites and originals. Singer Ken Gray, guitarist Eric Smith, bass player Dan Lukens and drummer Randy Wilson show more tightness and confidence with each performance, and it was all in good form this day. A growing highlight with each show is their version of Big & Rich’s “Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy,” with Randy usually hamming it up behind the kit with a funny lyrical line or two. Again, a strong set that further indicates that Ganister will indeed be a factor on area stages in 2010.
Ganister, rocking at the Kuny Family benefit.
Eric Smith of Ganister.
A new band then made their debut onstage appearance. Voice Of Chaos merges former members of FedUP and Assault Method, plus introduces some familiar musicians in new performance situations. Former FedUP guitarist Scott Bush is now playing bass and singing for the first time. Former FedUP bassist Roman Dell is now playing guitar. Former Assault Method bassist Nate Fickes is now playing guitar, and former Assault Method guitarist Chris Dell is now on the drums. Talk about musical chairs! Voice Of Chaos introduced a sound rooted in old-school thrash metal of the Slayer/Testament variety, powered by a modern metal engine and ferocity. They did a solid job on their five original numbers: “Crash Course,” “Two Fold,” “Thrill of the Kill,” “Echoes of War” and “Hellride.” Scott appeared to fit his new role as frontman well; his vocal style even reminded me a little of a fellow named Giornesto who used to operate the lead mic position in a few past area metal bands! It was a good first christening for Voice Of Chaos, and it will be interesting to observe this band’s progress on area stages in the New Year.
Making their onstage debut, Voice Of Chaos.
Scott Bush of Voice Of Chaos. Finally, since he now sings into a microphone, I can actually get photographs of Scott’s face without hair covering it!
Nate Fickes of Voice Of Chaos.
Roman Dell of Voice Of Chaos.
Chris Dell of Voice Of Chaos.
Again, Voice Of Chaos.
Again, Scott Bush.
Closing out the bill was show organizer Brian Stotler and his punk rocking mates The Side Effects. I’m liking this band more each time I see them; their brand of high-velocity, simple hardcore punk rock is infectious! Brian, guitarists Joe Schratzmeier and Pat Orr, bassist Sue Walter and drummer Justin Cuff let it fly with original punk assaults and some select old school covers. Their execution was tight and enthusiastic, and Brian has become quite the comedian in this new project as well. His build-up to “Let’s Get F**ked Up” was epic, as he introduced the song as one he had written about child sweatshops in Malaysia and Thailand! The extra clincher came after the song; when Brian started suggesting if he had a nickel for every song he wrote about child sweatshops, and Scott Bush in front of the stage chimed in that Brian would have 10 cents! My weekly appointment with “Homegrown Rocker” duties forced me to depart 30 Something midway through The Side Effects’ set; but what I saw was impressive, and I’ll look forward to witnessing more music and highjinks from this crew in 2010.
The Side Effects, from a young fan’s view.
Brian “Sanchez” Stotler of The Side Effects.
Joe Schratzmeier of The Side Effects.
Again, The Side Effects.
Sue Walter of The Side Effects.
More Side Effects.
“Sanchez,” singing to his daughter!
The lack of crowd resulted in only a small amount of money raised for the Kuny family. But the moral support counted, and it was still a fun afternoon for those in attendance. And a sponsor of this event, Just Us Girls Sisterhood (J.U.G.S.), expressed their thanks and appreciation for the bands and everyone involved in staging this benefit.
FELIX & THE HURRICANES @ SHAW’S, JUNIATA 12/13/09
Following “Homegrown Rocker” duties, I was Juniata-bound to finish up my weekend with some Sunday Hurricaning at Shaw’s.
Like the Kuny Family benefit earlier, attendance was light at Shaw’s this night, despite the ice having long since melted off the roads. But it was still a good time, as the Felix/Bob/Pat edition of the Hurricanes made music and had fun.
I arrived in time to catch the whole third set. Priscilla the Tambourine Lady graced the stage front area to do her thing, and the Hurricanes had fun doing songs from Johnny Cash, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cream and more. There were several musical and comedic highlights along the way. My favorite musical highlight was guest singer Biranda “Honey Brown” Goodman stepping up to demonstrate her powerful and soulful pipes on Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools,” with Hurricane Felix chiming in on backing vocals – smokin’! When Bob Watters started growling the lead vocal to ZZ Top’s “La Grange” behind the kit, Pope Felix began dangling a spotlight above Bob; it sort of resembled the Pope doing his thing with the incense canister! Another highlight was Felix ‘choking the chicken’ with his guitar on the playful version of “Sic ‘em on a Chicken” (or whatever the hell it's called, Hurricane enlighten me!). The group also honored some audience-hollered requests during this set, including the Grateful Dead’s “Alabama Getaway,” Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower,” and for the finale…get ready now…“Free Bird!” Felix started this Skynyrd classic off solo, and then the band kicked in for the hard-driving finish to end the night.
It was fun and chicanery as only the Hurricanes can deliver it, and it provided a fun close to the weekend.
The Hurricanes, with guest Biranda “Honey Brown” Goldman.
“Honey Brown,” belting out some soulful voice!
Again, “Honey Brown.”
Priscilla the Tambourine Lady, keeping time with the Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes and Priscilla.
“Pope Felix,” dangling the holy spotlight above drummer Bob’s head.
Shaw's Christmass tree.
