PART FIVE: SUNDAY 2/18
The 11th annual Millennium Music Conference wrapped up on Sunday. Shortly after the daytime conference concluded at 5 PM, a twelve-band showcase at the Radisson capped the weekend, sponsored by Harrisburg rock station 105.7 The X’s local music show, Under The Radar. I stuck around for the duration and witnessed all twelve bands.
It was again cool to see the youth movement recognized at this year's Millennium, with Pink Yard Flamingos and Black Plaid kicking off the action on the two respective stages. Both bands feature musicians in their middle teens, and both groups put on good performances. Next was Lancaster's Kheris; this foursome displayed an interesting sound that blended elements of modern and jam rock with a slightly more technically-geared edge. With their new drummer, Troy, making his official debut, Carlisle's Grandview fired off a spirited set of jangly modern-flavored rock; displaying catchy melodies and good vocal harmonies. With guns a-blazing, Harrisburg's Pistola Amore riddled the walls with loud, rowdy, in-your-face hard rock; I definitely enjoyed this band's vigor and vinegar! Another hometown band, Safari So Good, kept the energy level high with their punk-driven modern rock sounds. Seasoned Millennium veterans Negative Space then performed a fiery set which previewed songs from their forthcoming full-length CD, and mixed in a few established favorites. Guitarist Mark Reinmiller dedicated the group's closing song, "Anthem," in memory of the recently-departed Bob Brechbill, who used to run sound for them. Condition K then delivered their final performance under that name, as they have since morphed into Until We Rise. Their hard-hitting grooves appeared to take a deeper and heavier turn since I last saw them (at last year's Millennium). Disingaged then introduced an agitated and incendiary modern rock sound, with furious rhythms and guitar work, and the soaring voice of frontman Eric Musser. 40 Acres from Baltimore delivered more velocity with their set of fast-firing, adrenaline-filled rock'n'roll. Another veteran name to Millennium stages, Baltimore's Live Alien Broadcast, continued with their hard-hitting sounds, varying between slower, faster and funk-driven assaults. Then with something completely different, A Utopian Skyline introduced the audience to their unique world of complex, imaginative, and unpredictable rock; combining complex, technical song structures with soaring vocals, ambient passages and more. Slamming the lid on the evening and the Conference was 7th Layer, demonstrating their boisterous brand of urban-geared sounds. Their lively show featured coordinated rhymes and dialogue, lots of onstage movement, dancers, confetti, and a very crowd-friendly, fun vibe that kept the audience happy and grooving until the last note.
Here are photos from the showcase:
These two inflatable figures indicated who the first band on the stage this night would be: The Pink Yard Flamingos!
From Harrisburg, the Pink Yard Flamingos.
Playing his pink flamingo guitar, Justin Hahn of the Pink Yard Flamingos!
Once again, the Pink Yard Flamingos!
Also from Harrisburg, Black Plaid.
Austin Klucker of Black Plaid.
Eli Gibb of Black Plaid. Eli’s father is Deuce Gibb of popular Harrisburg roots-rocking band The Martini Bros.
Nick Fortini of Black Plaid.
Clint Allwein of Black Plaid.
Lancaster’s Kheris.
Steve Slesser of Kheris.
Again, Kheris.
Again, Steve Slesser of Kheris.
Once again, Kheris.
Aaron Gagne of Kheris.
From Carlisle, Grandview.
Bass player Bill Trego of Grandview.
Playing his first gig with Grandview, new drummer Troy.
Mitch Hood of Grandview.
From Harrisburg, Pistola Amore.
Jason Callais of Pistola Amore.
Again, Pistola Amore. These guys rocked the house with a driving style and sound reminiscent of The Cult and Stone Temple Pilots.
Bobby Williams of Pistola Amore.
Also from the Harrisburg, Safari So Good.
Singer Jeff of Safari So Good. This band travels to England to do a mini-tour in March.
Again, Safari So Good.
One more time, Safari So Good.
Rocking the crowd, Lancaster’s Negative Space.
Again, Negative Space rocks the audience.
Singer Josh Nice of Negative Space.
Mark Reinmiller and Britain Roda of Negative Space. Mark is the lone remaining member of the original Negative Space line-up that played the very first Millennium Music Conference in 1997.
Rick Lienhard and Josh Nice of Negative Space.
Again, Mark Reinmiller of Negative Space.
Harrisburg’s Condition K.
Manian Van Hacker of Condition K.
Jeremy Hummel of Condition K.
Again, Condition K. This would be the group’s final performance as Condition K, as they changed their handle to Until We Rise.
Again, Manian Van Hacker of Condition K.
Also from the Harrisburg area, Diningaged.
Eric Musser of Diningaged.
Ben Rider of Diningaged.
Again, Eric Musser of Diningaged. Like Condition K above, this would be one of Disingaged’s final appearances under that name; they have since changed their monicker to Drop of Grey.
From Baltimore, 40 Acres.
Singer and guitarist John Allen of 40 Acres.
Anthony Carrera of 40 Acres.
Once again, 40 Acres.
Another Baltimore-based band, Live Alien Broadcast. Like Negative Space, Live Alien Broadcast has showcased at several Millennium Music Conferences dating back to the 90’s.
Singer Jeff Jones of Live Alien Broadcast.
The drummer of Live Alien Broadcast.
Displaying rock with a technical, progressive edge; Harrisburg’s A Utopian Skyline.
Bradley Stackpole of A Utopian Skyline.
Aaron Miller and Thomas Hand of A Utopian Skyline.
Singer/guitarist Aaron Miller of A Utopian Skyline.
Thomas Hand and Teague Quinn of A Utopian Skyline.
Once again, Thomas Hand of A Utopian Skyline.
Ending the showcase and the Millennium Music Conference with a more urban musical flavor, Harrisburg’s 7th Layer.
With their drummer stepping from behind the kit to help with the rapping, 7th Layer.
The dancers join in the fun onstage with 7th Layer.
Again, 7th Layer.
Once again, 7th Layer.
Bringing some dancing ladies onstage, 7th Layer.
7th Layer’s drummer.
Again, 7th Layer. These guys bring a wild show!
One more time with feeling, 7th Layer.
Alas, my 2007 Millennium Music Conference experience had drawn to a close. I had a good time over the past three days and four nights, but it was now time to begin the roadtrip back home to Altoona. Fortunately, there were several strategically-located Sheetz locations along my routes back home, so at this late time of the night, coffee pit stops were in order.
Again, thanks to John Harris for again staging this year's Millennium Music Conference; it was again one of the highlights of my year, and a very rewarding weekend. Also thanks to my hotel room decoration committee, Rachel Rocks and Robin, for the aesthetically-pleasing, taste bud-refreshing "18 bottles (cans) of beer on the wall" motif!
JP’s HAIKU
MMC weekend
Bands, trade show, bands, networking
And did I say bands?
