BIG JIM & BAD DAZE ROB @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 10/20/08
Adorning Pellegrine’s Monday wing night with their musical presence this week were Big Jim & Bad Daze Rob.
I arrived for my weekly wingfeast in time to witness the pair’s latter two sets. Jim and Rob entertained with a variety of favorites, spanning Nirvana, Metallica, Queen, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Beatles, Counting Crows, Glenn Frey and Dobie Gray during the second set. The third set featured tunage from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Neil Diamond, Jimi Hendrix, Garth Brooks, Eagles, Bon Jovi, Doors, Violent Femmes and more.
Mixed in along with the music was the duo’s wit and humor. Big Jim made a reference to “scratch-n-sniff pants” along the way. And of course, there was lots of banter back and forth between the two musicians, crowd and Natalie behind the bar.
Fun times and good wings…
Big Jim & Bad Daze Rob – not necessarily in that order left to right – at Pellegrine’s.
SHARK BITE @ SHAW’S BAR, ALTOONA 10/23/08
After logging some time in the broadcast workplace this night, I headed to Shaw’s in Juniata, where Shark Bite was doing some entertaining.
A nice-sized audience was gathered around Shaw’s main bar and tables as I arrived, and the duo of keyboard ace/singer Adam D and Big Jim on guitar were entertaining that audience with their musical variety mix. For the remainder of their second set, Adam and Jim performed tunes from Cheap Trick, Rick Springfield, Lita Ford, Buckcherry, Cat Stevens and more. Shortly after my arrival, Adam tried to “stump the Professor” with a Zebra number. He failed.
The nightcap set featured an interesting selection of numbers, including a few surprises. Among favorites from Poison, Nirvana, CCR, Doors, Led Zeppelin, Glenn Frey, Harry Chapin and Steppenwolf, Jim sang on a version of Marcy Playground’s “Sex and Candy,” and Adam performed a Soundgarden-geared take on Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” The group also did versions of Triumph’s “Lay It On the Line” and Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”
It all amounted to some satisfactory music to sip brew and shoot the breeze with friends to.
Shark Bite, entertaining at Shaw’s.
An unidentified guest singer from the audience joins Big Jim and Adam D.
WHITE WITCH/44 MAG/DOWNTYM @ THE ANGUS INN, HUGHESVILLE 10/24/08
Since I was writing their cover story feature for the December issue of Pennsylvania Musician Magazine, I hit the road this Friday afternoon to journey to the Angus Inn in Hughesville (just northeast of Williamsport) to interview and see Williamsport rockers White Witch, headlining a triple-bill along with special guests 44 Mag and Downtym.
As I arrived at the Angus Inn, White Witch lead singer Jeff Pittinger was anxious and sweating a few bullets. He had learned just minutes prior to my arrival that his bandmate, guitarist Doug Lehman, en route to this night’s show from his home in West Palm Beach, Florida, was stuck at Philadelphia International Airport; his connecting flight to Williamsport wasn’t being allowed to depart due to a security problem that had the airport on lockdown. Jeff and White Witch were facing the prospect of having to perform this night’s show without a guitar player.
Since Doug does live in Florida, White Witch regularly rehearses without him; and Jeff informed me that he vocalizes the guitar solo parts in Doug’s absence. So if worst came to worst and Doug wasn’t available to perform, Jeff said this show would go on and White Witch would play as a trio, and like in practice, he would vocalize the guitar solos. Fortunately for the group, though, it never came to that. Some 15 minutes later, Doug called Jeff to report that the airport security situation had been resolved, and that his flight out of Philadelphia would depart shortly. Jeff, drummer Carl Berry and bassist Bill Zimmerman all heaved sighs of relief.
As all of this was unfolding, I ate supper at the Angus Inn, and would interview White Witch once Doug arrived from his flight. A crowd started to trickle into the venue in advance of the bill; and Chris, Lori and Stacy from The Underground Television soon arrived to film White Witch this night as well.
Soon the show got under way. Featuring Gary Strickland on lead vocals and guitar, Scott Barret on bass and vocals and Ken Ackley on drums; Downtym started things off with a sturdy set of southern, classic rock and blues. I missed the latter half of their set while I was conducting my interview with White Witch in the rear of the venue, but heard Downtym do good work on numbers from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rufus Thomas, Allman Brothers, ZZ Top, Bob Dylan, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Steppenwolf and more.
Downtym kicks off the night at the Angus Inn.
Scott Barret of Downtym.
Gary Strickland of Downtym.
Serving up 44 complimentary whiskey shots to audience members before their set, Williamsport’s 44 Mag then unleashed a scathing display of power metal originals and covers. Singer Chad Warren, lead guitarist Josh Welteroth, rhythm guitarist Drew Lomison, bassist Jason Miller and drummer Jesse Roedts ignited the packed house crowd with renditions of Metallica’s “Four Horsemen” and “One,” Pantera’s “Cowboys From Hell” and Iron Maiden’s “The Trooper;” and also did original tunes from their Past Sins CD such as “Devil’s Harvest,” “Disgust,” “Bloodwork” and more. This group served up the tenacity and aggression, but kept the set fun for their fans as well, with Chad slapping high-fives with fans in front of the stage and maintaining constant contact with the audience.
Bringing the metal, 44 Mag.
Jesse Roedts of 44 Mag.
Josh Welteroth of 44 Mag.
Chad Warren of 44 Mag.
Jason Miller of 44 Mag.
Again, 44 Mag.
Again, Jesse Roedts of 44 Mag.
In your face, Chad Warren of 44 Mag.
Once again, 44 Mag.
Again, Josh Welteroth of 44 Mag.
Once again, Jesse Roedts of 44 Mag.
More metal with 44 Mag.
Again, Jesse Roedts.
One more time, Josh Welteroth of 44 Mag.
Two-fisted Rolling Rock pony drinker Stacy from The Underground Television.
Rested and recovered from their guitar player scare earlier on, headliners White Witch capped the night with their own heavy-rocking firepower, mixing original numbers with classic hard rock and metal from Ozzy and Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper and Judas Priest. Singer “Uncle Jeff” Pittinger confidently belted his voice on such White Witch anthems as the title song “White Witch,” “The Power,” “Game That I Play” and more; as well as Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid,” Ozzy’s “Crazy Train,” Alice Cooper’s “No More Mr. Nice Guy” and others. Doug Lehman’s guitar work was again sharp and precise, and the rhythm battery of drummer Carl Berry and bassist Bill Zimmerman provided the ample thunder behind it all. White Witch kept the crowd up front and jubilantly rocking ‘til the end.
It was a fun night that made the two-hour roadtrip worth while. And once again, when White Witch throws a party, they do it up big time and make it count.
“Uncle” Jeff Pittinger of White Witch.
Doug Lehman and Bill Zimmerman of White Witch.
Doug Lehman of White Witch.
Again, Jeff Pittinger of White Witch.
Again, Bill Zimmerman of White Witch.
More of “Uncle Jeff” of White Witch.
Once again, Bill Zimmerman of White Witch.
Once again, Jeff Pittinger of White Witch.
Again, Doug Lehman of White Witch.
More of White Witch’s Doug Lehman, working the strings.
Yet again, Jeff Pittinger of White Witch.
Carl Berry of White Witch.
Yet again, Doug Lehman and Bill Zimmerman of White Witch.
Again, Carl Berry of White Witch.
Again, Jeff Pittinger.
More of White Witch.
One more time, Jeff Pittinger of White Witch.
“HALLOWEEN HAVOC” BENEFIT w/S.O.L./FAYTED @ BEDFORD ELKS CLUB, BEDFORD 10/25/08
This year’s Halloween season officially got under way this night, with the Halloween Havoc benefit concert at the Bedford Elks. Proceeds from this concert helped the Bedford Chapter of U.S. Military Mothers & Friends, who collect supplies to send to local troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Bill “Hawk” Hocherl was traveling to this show to shoot some video, and offered to let me ride along this night (Thanks!). We arrived shortly before the start of the show, and only a few people were present. The benefit did have some heavy competition from the local sports world, though, as Penn State was trying to keep their undefeated record alive this night on the road against Ohio State. But the show must go on, and it was hoped that more folks would arrive as the night progressed.
Opening the evening was Everett’s S.O.L., playing two sets of hard-edged rock from the 70’s to now. Lead singer/guitarist Jeff Eaton, guitarist Aubrey Hurst, bassist/singer Stacy Dunkle and drummer Gus Robinson mixed it up with songs from AC/DC, Stone Temple Pilots, Jet, Def Leppard, Weezer, Steve Earle, ZZ Top, Puddle of Mudd, Black Sabbath, Jackyl, Metallica, Buckcherry, Kid Rock and more. Jeff and Aubrey both demonstrated sharp guitar work, with Jeff unleashing a furious solo during the group’s original song, “The 4th of July,” which closed their second set. Although the crowd was somewhat low in number through much of S.O.L.’s two sets, the group did inspire some dancing along the way, including slow-dancing couples on AC/DC’s “Ride On.” Other highlights included strong versions of Def Leppard’s “Nine Lives,” Black Sabbath’s “Electric Funeral,” and a spirited read of the Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues.”
Kicking off Halloween Havoc, S.O.L.
Jeff Eaton of S.O.L.
Aubrey Hurst of S.O.L.
Again, Jeff Eaton of S.O.L.
Stacy Dunkle of S.O.L.
Again, S.O.L.
Again, Aubrey Hurst of S.O.L.
S.O.L. continues the party.
Again, Jeff Eaton and Stacy Dunkle of S.O.L.
Uh Oh! Somebody’s not having a good time at Halloween Havoc!
A Halloween costume contest took place between bands, with prizes awarded in the female, male and couple divisions; determined by audience response. A Dolly Parton look-alike won in the female competition; a Skelator outfit won in the male division, and the pairing of a devil and pirate wench won the couple costume contest.
As the night progressed, I found myself paying more visits to the bar area in the back of the room; not in the quest to consume alcohol, but to learn what was happening in the Penn State-Ohio State football game, which was being shown in the adjacent private bar area of the Elks facility. The bar staff kept updating us on the score, and both “Hawk” and I slapped high-fives when Penn State took the lead with just a minute left in the game. The Lions won, 13-10.
Fayted soon made their grand entrance, arriving onstage in orange prison garb with an officer of the law unlocking singer Josh Lockard’s handcuffs; freeing him and the group to perform Thin Lizzy’s “Jailbreak” to launch their current and classic rock party. Josh, guitarist Scott Diehl, bassist Larry Bishop and drummer Zac Grace quickly triggered dance action with their succession of tunes from Lit, the Ramones, Buckcherry, Kid Rock, Black Crowes, AC/DC, Pink Floyd, Theory Of a Deadman, Nickelback, Finger 11, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Beastie Boys, Fuel, Green Day and more. Larry and Josh frequently ventured into the crowd to fire folks up, and eventually returned the favor during their nightcap set by letting fans dance alongside them onstage towards night’s end.
In the end, a good time was had by all who attended, and at least some money was raised for the Bedford chapter of U.S. Military Mothers & Friends. And Penn State won. Life this night was good.
In orange prison outfits, Josh Lockard and Larry Bishop of Fayted.
Josh Lockard of Fayted.
Larry Bishop and Scott Diehl of Fayted.
Josh and Scott of Fayted.
Again, Josh Lockard of Fayted.
Uh oh…Law enforcement officials have arrived to apprehend the escaped jailbirds in Fayted. With arresting officers like these, I might be tempted to start leading a life of crime...
Fayted, rocking Halloween Havoc.
Zac Grace of Fayted.
Scott Diehl of Fayted.
More of Fayted.
Once again, Scott Diehl.
Once again, Josh Lockard.
Larry Bishop of Fayted scales the tables at the Bedford Elks.
Again, Larry Bishop.
Fayted sheds their prison outfits.
Late in the show, some ladies join Fayted on stage.
FELIX & THE HURRICANES HALLOWEEN BLUES CRUISE @ LAKE RAYSTOWN 10/26/08
It was late October and the fall chill was deepening, marking the end of another outdoor season for live music. In this neck of the woods, one more outdoor live music event remained, and it was the year’s only installment of Felix & the Hurricanes’ Blues Cruise on board the Proud Mary riverboat at Lake Raystown. It was the annual Hurricanes Halloween Blues Cruise, and I was there to partake.
The weather in late October can often be questionable for this event. But against a backdrop of sunshine, colorful lingering fall foliage and mild temperatures, a large contingent of “Hurricaniacs” and costumed crazies showed up to enjoy this party. An excellent food spread greeted visitors under one of the pavilions just inside the entrance of Lake Raystown Resort; including chili, haluski, wings, veggies, pasta, meatballs, chips, pretzels, beer and soft drinks. A number of visitors dressed in their Halloween finest, and costumes included the likes of Snoopy, JoePa with crutches, Presidential candidate Obama, a Philadelphia Phillie, several police women and more.
Soon this gathering of folks made their way down to the dock area and boarded the top deck of the Proud Mary; and the Cruise was soon under way. Once the boat hit the high seas of Lake Raystown, the music commenced as Felix & the Hurricanes played nonstop southern, classic rock, blues, country and original songs. The musical menu for the Cruise included tunes from The Outlaws, Hollies, ZZ Top, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Lynyrd Skynyrd, George Thorogood, Ted Nugent and more; along with Hurricanes original song favorites like “Cut That Line,” “Walking A Straight Line,” “La La Land” and more. Along the way, guest singer Artie Burtnett stepped up to join Felix Kos, Bob Watters and Jeff Clapper on Badfinger’s “No Matter What.” Fans, costumed crazies and Hurricaniacs moved and grooved in front of the band on the boat’s upper deck throughout the Cruise’s two-hour duration.
After the boat returned to dock, a post-Cruise picnic took place; with hot dogs, hamburgers, snacks and leftovers to complete the day before Hurricanes and revelers headed back home and closed the book on outdoor good times for another year. It was again a grand time; here’s hoping The Hurricanes have more of these in store for 2009!
Shortly before boarding the Proud Mary, Obama displays an AFSCME T-shirt supporting his presidential bid.
Senator Obama appears alongside Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno. Paterno was walking with a crutch this day, but confided, “I’m so old, I don’t know which hip is supposed to be hurting me!”
The Blues Cruise sets sail…err…paddles…on Lake Raystown.
Policewomen and Snoopy make their rounds aboard the Proud Mary.
More festivities aboard the Proud Mary.
Jeff Clapper of the Hurricanes.
Felix Kos of The Hurricanes.
A wig-clad Artie Burtnett sings with the Hurricanes.
Candidate Obama enjoys his first Hurricanes Blues Cruise.
On board the Proud Mary, Senator Obama tries on a blonde wig in front of jubilant fans.
The presidential hopeful poses for a picture with a potential voter, while a lady of law enforcement keeps watch in the background.
With no Secret Service agents aboard the Proud Mary, these policewomen kept vigil over the Blues Cruise to protect the presidential candidate.
Obama poses in front of Felix & the Hurricanes.
Former Philadelphia Phillies player Scott Rolan showed up on the Blues Cruise this year, representing while the rest of the team vied for the World Series title.
A good-sized crowd enjoys the music and remaining fall foliage during the Hurricanes Halloween Blues Cruise.
No, she’s not having an epileptic seizure, she’s just doing her “turtle” display for Felix & the Hurricanes!
FELIX & THE HURRICANES @ SHAW’S BAR, ALTOONA 10/26/08
After the Hurricanes’ Blues Cruise festivities wound down, the after-party took place at the group’s weekly Sunday night shindig at Shaw’s in Juniata.
A good-sized crowd of Cruise revelers, other Hurricaniacs and Shaw’s regulars was in the house as Felix, Bob and Pat McGinnis on bass picked up where the earlier Raystown party left off. The Hurricanes again showed a slightly different dynamic with Pat’s presence, and he fronted the group on songs by Al Green/Roy Buchanan’s “I’m a Ram,” Jerry Jeff Walker’s “Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother,” Van Morrison’s “Brown-Eyed Girl” and more. Frequent flyer Hurricaniac guest Colton Fouse joined the Hurricanes to start off the second set, wielding a guitar on renditions of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall” and Eric Clapton’s “I’ve Got a Rock and Roll Heart,” and engaging lead Hurricane Felix in a heated guitar jam on Marshall Tucker Band’s “Can’t You See.”
After the clock passed midnight, and satisfied that the Hurricanes had this party well in hand, I exited Shaw’s to take in one more musical party happening in the town this night.
Colton Fouse plays some guitar with Felix & the Hurricanes.
SLACKER THEORY @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 10/26/08
From Shaw’s, I headed to Pellegrine’s to catch what remained of Slacker Theory’s weekend-closing festivities. I thought this might be the night of Pellegrine’s annual Halloween party and costume contest, but discovered I was wrong as I arrived; Pelly’s official Halloween festivities would occur the following Sunday.
Slacker Theory was just under way with their nightcap set. Singer/guitarist Steve Danfelt, bassist Ryan George, guitarist Dalton McDonald and drummer Rob Bonsell entertained a good-sized contingent of fans with hard-hitting tunes from Breaking Benjamin, Flock Of Seagulls, Alice In Chains, Weezer, Bon Jovi, Finger Eleven, Nickelback, original songs and more. Several female fans partook in a limbo contest along the way.
From what I witnessed, a good time appeared to be had by all.
Slacker Theory stages a limbo contest.
Another limbo contestant gives it a try.
More limbo moves with Slacker Theory.
Steve Danfelt and Dalton McDonald of Slacker Theory.
Slacker Steve of Slacker Theory.
Dalton McDonald of Slacker Theory.
Slacker Theory and the crowd.
A busy dance floor parties down with Slacker Theory.
The Great Pumpkin makes its appearance.
Slacker Theory rocks the Pumpkin!
Ryan George of Slacker Theory.
JP’s HAIKU
Halloween Blues Cruise
Hurricanes rock Lake Raystown
Obama on board!
