ADAM D, BAD DAZE ROB, JESS P AND FRIENDS @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 1/11/10
When I first arrived at Pellegrine’s it looked like it might be a slow go this Monday night, and that live music might not happen. But enough people had showed up to prompt Adam D and Bad Daze Rob to set up gear. And before too long, it was clear they had made the right decision to go on with the show.
A birthday entourage showed up just as the pair started to perform. Pelly’s frequent flyer Amanda was celebrating a birthday, and had several friends in tow. Adam and Rob’s version of Prince’s “When Doves Cry” quickly had Amanda and a friend dancing in front of the performers. The party was then on, as the pair continued with another Prince tune, “Purple Rain,” before Pelly’s man in charge Harry Jr. announced over the house loudspeaker that Jerry “Gambino” Gamber had entered the house. Adam and Rob continued with tunes from Fuel, Van Morrison, Poison, Neil Diamond and Wild Cherry.
By then, Jess P had made her arrival, and the pair yielded the main mic to Jess, who strummed acoustic guitar and sang favorites from K.T. Tunstall, Social Distortion, 4 Non Blondes and more. Adam, Rob and a guest conga player named Shawn then joined in with Jess on hits from Sublime, Joan Jett and John Denver. After Jess stepped away from the mic, “Gambino” – to the cheers of “Jer-ry! Jer-ry! Jer-ry!” – stepped up to sing lead voice on Looking Glass’ “Brandy.” After tunes from Men At Work and Billy Joel, JP Kazoo was beckoned to buzz out the violin solo on Kansas’ “Dust in the Wind” (my childhood accordion teacher would have been proud of what became of my musical talents!). After tunes from Dobie Gray and Rick Springfield, and an Adam D, Bad Daze Rob and audience member trainwreck attempt at Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” Jess P returned to the microphone for some much-needed relief, doing songs from Johnny Cash, Peter Paul & Mary, Sublime, Jimmy Buffett and Cyndi Lauper. Jess was joined by Adam, Rob and conga player Shawn for the night-ending rendition of Poison’s “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.”
The combination of music, shenanigans and birthday party revelry made for an interesting and entertaining night. And the wings were again great as always!
Adam D and singing guest Jerry “Gambino” Gamber.
Birthday gal Amanda (far left) and a friend dance as Adam D and the Gambino perform.
Guest Shawn on percussion joins Adam D and Bad Daze Rob.
Audience member ‘Rupp’ has fun with Adam D and Jess P.
Jess P and guest percussionist Shawn.
JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE/JASON McINTYRE & DAN COLLINS/PHIL MASORTI & JUNIOR TUTWILER @ CAFÉ 210, STATE COLLEGE 1/14/10
I did a Happy Valley live music doubleheader this night, starting off with a night of Americana sounds at Zeno’s, presented by up-and-coming local Americana indie label Apache Music. Headlining this show would be Steve Earle’s son, Justin Townes Earle.
After commencing the night with a pleasant dinner at Rotelli’s (the Ziti Diavolo is kickass!), I arrived at Café 210 and was seated just before the first performers of the evening, Phil Masorti and Junior Tutwiler, took the stage. The duo opened with a five-song set of dark-flavored folk and blues. Phil sang with a deep, gritty voice and strummed acoustic guitar, while Junior played electric guitar on Phil’s original songs such as “Dream America,” “Butcher’s Bill,” “Father’s Eyes” and more.
Junior Tutwiler and Phil Masorti.
Phil Masorti.
Again, Junior Tutwiler and Phil Masorti.
Jason McIntyre, accompanied by Dan Collins on fiddle, then took the stage. A singer and guitarist for State College Americana group The Rustlanders, Jason played five rural-flavored original songs, including stripped-down renditions of his Rustlanders compositions “Border Town” and “Beginning to Show Through.”
Jason McIntyre.
Dan Collins and Jason McIntyre.
The headliner soon followed. The son of famed singer/songwriter Steve Earle, Justin Townes Earle displayed a vibrant and witty persona as he demonstrated a collective rootsy style that encompassed country, folk, honky tonk, swing, ragtime and more. His voice and presentation were more traditional and upbeat than the darker persona of his father’s music; Justin frequently quipped and joked in between his songs and maintained a friendly rapport with the audience. He played songs from several of his albums, including his latest, Midnight at the Movies. Songs from the new disc he performed included the title track “Midnight at the Movies,” “What I Mean to You,” “Someday I’ll Be Forgiven for This” and “Mama’s Eyes.” Justin got intense with his strumming during the performance, and toward set’s end it caught up with him, as he broke a knob and a string on his guitar and had to borrow Jason’s to finish out the show.
This show was well attended, and Apache Music appears to be succeeding in building an audience in State College for Americana and roots music. According to Apache collaborator Mark Ross, more such shows are being planned for the weeks and months ahead.
Justin Townes Earle.
Again, Justin Townes Earle.
More of Justin Townes Earle.
Once again, Justin Townes Earle.
One more time, Justin Townes Earle.
CHRIS VIPOND & THE STANLEY STREET BAND @ ZENO’S, STATE COLLEGE 1/14/10
After the Justin Downes Earle performance ended, I made my way to Zeno’s to cap the night with Chris Vipond & the Stanley Street Band.
This task was more difficult than it sounded this night. I started up the sidewalk along College Avenue toward Zeno’s, and came along a congested stretch of sidewalk crowded with people. At first, it seemed congregated around the State Theatre, making me wonder what was going on there this night. But as I got closer, I realized that the crowd wasn’t for the State Theatre, but was the end of a long and crowded line stretching from popular deejay nightclub hotspot Players. It was the first Thursday night of the semester after several weeks away, and a multitude of students (including many young ladies dressed to the nines, WOW!) were lined up to get inside Players to get their social, drink and dance on. (Oh, if only live music venues could again have lines like this waiting outside of them…) I maneuvered my way around the crowd and up the narrow lane of available sidewalk to continue my trek to Zeno’s.
Zeno’s was already buzzing with a good-sized crowd when I arrived inside. Fortunately, Chris Vipond’s fiancee, Amber, invited me to a seat at her table up front near the stage, assuring a good vantage point to see Chris and the Stanley Street Band as their musical adventure got under way. Friends Missy and Rockpage Ron were soon in the house as well, and it was shaping up to be a fun time!
The group played two long sets during the night. The first kicked off with a newer original song, “Doing Fine,” and warmed up further with the “Stanley Jam” before Chris introduced a Jimmy Cliff number, “The Harder They Fall.” After the original tune “Yourself,” the group fused together G Love & Special Sauce’s “Stepping Stones” with Sublime’s “Badfish,” before another original, “Worn In Souls,” and another G Love number, “Back of the Bus.” After the original tune “Be,” the group kicked into an instrumental jam with the emphasis on guitarist Phil Wagner, arriving at a tune Chris wrote for Amber, “Glove.” Members the Zeno’s audience started to populate the small dance area in front of the stage when the group kicked into Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues,” which intertwined with “Man of Constant Sorrow.” After another new original, “It Is Time,” the group launched into Steppenwolf’s “Magic Carpet Ride,” which took a Phish “First Tube” side journey before returning to Steppenwolf to finish. The popular original tune “Media Controls the World” led to the set’s finale, the group’s unique rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Living for the City.”
It was sounding good so far, and it was interesting to see this band’s dynamic at work. Positioned behind his keyboard and mixing “command central,” Chris was at once the singer, keyboardist, mixer, pilot and conductor for this adventure, coordinating the performance and signaling cues to his bandmates as the show progressed. Phil, bassist Mike Stanley and drummer Jacob Smith followed the cues and improvised from them; blending, playing off and tossing the musical conversation ball to one another to keep the presentation lively and fresh. The audience was enjoying it, with folks cheering and getting their grooves on both in their seats and in the dance floor area. Even the wait staff was having fun, with the waiter busting some moves as he brought brews to the band and front tables. (And my brew of choice at this venue, Otto’s Spruce Creek Lager, was tasting good this night.)
The band soon returned for the second half of their performance, kicking off with another surprise, a version of Terence Trent D’Arby’s “Wishing Well.” Like the first set, this one also mixed original songs with a colorful variety of cover material. Highlights along the way included a triple-play medley fusion of Jack Johnson’s “Mudfootball,” G Love’s “Fishing Song” and Ben Harper’s “Steal My Kisses”; and a Sublime jam that led into the Grateful Dead’s “Scarlet Begonias.” There were also feisty reads of Bill Withers’ “Use Me” and the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil,” and more Chris Vipond originals such as “Shine,” “End,” and the night-ending pair of “Religion” and “Freedom.” Dance floor activity intensified as the set progressed; clearly this band has built a fan base and found a receptive venue in Happy Valley!
Chris Vipond and the Stanley Street Band.
Chris Vipond.
Chris Vipond blows some harmonica.
Phil Wagner of Chris Vipond and the Stanley Street Band.
Mike Stanley of Chris Vipond and the Stanley Street Band.
Again, Phil Wagner.
Jacob Smith of Chris Vipond and the Stanley Street Band.
Again, Chris Vipond and the Stanley Street Band.
Chris Vipond and Mike Stanley.
Chris’ fiancee, Amber; the only person to take more pictures of the band than me on a given night!
BACK IN BLACK/WAY DOWN EAST @ ROADHOUSE ON 747, MOUNT UNION 1/15/10
With winter weather cooperating, I again hit the road this night to the Roadhouse on 747 in Mount Union, for a night of maximum AC/DC rock’n’roll with Springfield, Massachusetts-based AC/DC tribute juggernaut Back In Black.
Not surprisingly, the parking lots at the Roadhouse were again maxxed out as I arrived, and I would up turning around and parking along the road a short distance from the venue. As I left my car and approached the door, I could hear openers Way Down East finishing off their last song, and the crowd sounded pretty fired up, so I trust the group’s set went over well.
After changing over gear, the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey sounded through the P-A, and the members of Back In Black took the stage, launching into the Brian Johnson-era classic “Shoot to Thrill” to begin their set amid a sea of lights, fog and volume. Quickly appearing front and center was Angus Young protégé Spencer, decked out in full Angus schoolboy outfit regalia to the rowdy cheers of the packed mass of humanity in front of the stage. The AC/DC party was on, as Back In Black quickly fired into “Flick of the Switch,” “Dirty Deeds” and “Rock and Roll Damnation.” Singer Tony greeted the crowd and escalated the party further, beckoning the first of multiple calls of “Social!” throughout the evening. The Thunder from Down Under continued with “Back in Black,” “Evil Walks,” “Sin City,” “TNT,” an audience request for “Riff Raff,” and two songs off AC/DC’s latest Black Ice CD, “Rock N Roll Train” and “War Machine.” The group slowed it down for one of my all time AC/DC faves, “Night Prowler,” before firing up “If You Want Blood, You Got It.”
At this point, the group came up with a clever way to work in a quick intermission break without disrupting the music…They kicked into “It’s A Long Way to the Top (If You Want to Rock and Roll),” and welcomed their bagpipe player, Kerry, on stage to do his thing. After the song finished, Kerry continued with an extended bagpipe solo display and kept the crowd cheering him on, while the rest of the band took a quick bathroom break from the stage! Kerry kept the pipes going for at least five minutes, and the rest of the band then returned to resume the party; launching a mass crowd singalong on “You Shook Me All Night Long.”
Tony called “Social!” once again to help launch “Have a Drink on Me” (“Social!” afterward, too!). Back In Black proceeded with “Rock and Roll Singer,” “What’s Next to the Moon” and “Jailbreak,” before launching into another of my personal Bon Scott-era faves, “Down Payment Blues.” This turned into a ‘blues’ double-shot, as the group immediately continued into “The Jack,” with Tony holding the microphone stand out over the crowd to capture their singalong chants of “Jack!” Spencer then fired off the opening licks to signify “Thunderstruck,” and several ladies climbed atop the bar to bust dance moves on the next two songs, “Moneytalks” and “Girls Got Rhythm.” After “Walk All Over You,” rhythm guitarist and ‘Malcolm’ protégé Bob swapped positions and spotted Tony’s pipes a break by singing lead on another crowd singalong, “Highway to Hell,” while Tony took over rhythm guitar duties. Back In Black then closed out the party with “Hells Bells.”
As expected, Back In Black delivered maximum AC/DC in all its glory. These guys again replicated the Thunder from Down Under to near perfection. Tony again was a dead ringer for Brian Johnson’s vocals, and his Bon Scott sounded pretty good this night as well. Spencer perfectly captured teenage-era Angus, complete with intensity, constant movement and duck walks back and forth on the stage, the whole nine yards! Bassist Mick and drummer Jeff thumped out swaggering rhythms, and this band brought full production to make it look and sound like a major concert!
Mount Union nation thoroughly enjoyed the show, and it was an all-out, sweaty, beer-soaked good time! And for the most part, it was a trouble-free night; I didn’t see “Likes-to-fight guy” in the house this night, but one “Likes-to-fight GAL” did surface after the show, providing amusement as she struggled and screamed while the big Roadhouse bouncers carried her out the door.
It was another great Back In Black party, and here’s hoping Roadhouse main man Gary continues to bring them back. Next to the real AC/DC, this is as good as it gets!
Spencer of Back In Black.
Mick of Back In Black.
Again rocking Mount Union, Back In Black.
Tony of Back In Black.
A jam-packed crowd gets down to Back In Black.
Again, the Roadhouse crowd and Back In Black.
More of Back In Black and the fans.
Social!
Spencer duck walks in front of the fans.
Jeffrey of Back In Black.
More of Back In Black and the fans.
Spencer with Kerry on bagpipes.
Kerry on bagpipes, firing up the fans.
Again, Tony of Back In Black.
Tony and Spencer of Back In Black.
Once again, Tony of Back In Black.
Back In Black gets ladies dancing atop the bar!
Another dancer atop the bar.
Once again, Tony and Spencer of Back In Black.
More of Spencer and Tony.
More of Spencer getting his Angus on.
Rhythm guitarist Bob of Back In Black.
More of Spencer.
Taking the microphone to the people, Tony of Back In Black.
Again, Bob of Back In Black.
Again, Spencer and the fans.
“Take our picture!” Okay! The lady afterward told me she wanted to see this picture in the Daily News…Maybe Bad Daze Rob can hook it up!
A group pose after the show…Back In Black!
INSIDE OUT @ CASTLE PUB, EBENSBURG 1/16/10
Since winter weather conditions were again cooperative, I headed up the hill to Ebensburg this Saturday night to check in with Johnstown rockers Inside Out, providing the entertainment at the Castle Pub.
The Castle had a good-sized crowd present as I arrived during the first intermission. Spirits weren’t down, considering the Pittsburgh Penguins were getting their butts handed to them by Edmonton on the wide-screen television at the bar.
Within a few minutes, the Inside Out roster of singer/lead guitarist Tim Frick, rhythm guitarist/singer Kolt Green, bassist/singer Larry “Larz” Phillip and drummer Ben Frick started into their second set, commencing with Theory Of A Deadman’s “Bad Girlfriend” and immediately drawing several ladies onto the dance floor. Inside Out continued with their hard-hitting mix of ‘90s, current rock and originals; doing Godsmack’s “Whiskey Hangover,” the radio edit edition of Rage’s “Killing in the Name” and Three Days Grace’s “Pain.” Ladies returned to the dance floor when the group kicked into Buckcherry’s ever-popular “Crazy Bitch,” before Larz took over lead mic duties for AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.” Renditions of Jackyl’s “Down On Me” and Alice In Chains’ “Man in the Box” then closed out the set.
Inside Out sounded sturdy and solid, and packed punch in their presentation. Tim handled the vocal duties well, and his guitar work shined as always. It was good to see Ben, the band’s original drummer, back behind the kit.
Inside Out’s nightcap set was preceded by an exuberant fan who tried to rally the Castle Pub crowd on the microphone, and then did cartwheels on the dance floor! Perhaps in deference to that, Inside Out resumed the music with their original tune “Demons Inside.” They continued with Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer,” Three Days Grace’s “Let’s Start a Riot” and Ozzy Osbourne’s “I Don’t Wanna Stop.” The dance floor stayed active through Drowning Pool’s “Bodies” and Nickelback’s “Figure You Out,” before the group ended the night with their original tune “Sacrifice.”
Of course, whenever I go see Inside Out these days, the question of that long-awaited third CD always comes up. I posed the question to Tim, and he informed me that Unbreakable is close to completion with just the mastering of three songs remaining before the disc gets pressed. Hopefully this means that the disc stands a good chance of finally seeing the light of day later this year. Hey, Axl Rose finally put out Chinese Democracy after all those years, so there is hope!
Inside Out stirs up some dance floor action.
Again, Inside Out.
Tim Frick of Inside Out.
Larry “Larz” Phillip of Inside Out.
Again, Tim Frick.
Kolt Green of Inside Out.
Larz, Tim and Kolt of Inside Out.
Back behind the Inside Out drum kit, Ben Frick.
Again, Kolt Green.
Once again, Tim Frick.
A fan gets down to Inside Out!
Again, Larry “Larz” Phillip.
Larz and Tim.
Yet again, Tim Frick.
Inside Out keeping the dance floor busy.
Once again, Inside Out and dancers. Inside Out is approaching 20 years of rocking area stages.
One more time, Larz and Tim of Inside Out.
GANISTER @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 1/17/10
Pellegrine’s was the destination this Sunday night to close out the weekend, and see what was new with emerging area rock force Ganister.
With my “Homegrown Rocker” duties ending an hour earlier with the ending of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season, I arrived at Pelly’s earlier this night, during the middle of Ganister’s first set. Although I didn’t make it out to the band room right away, I heard the group do good work on tunes from Velvet Revolver, Seether, Three Days Grace, their rocking rendition of Cameo’s “Word Up” and their original tune “Saving Grace” to close the set.
Again, Pellegrine’s was disappointingly underpopulated this night, especially given this was the eve before Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a holiday that at least some people probably had off from work (myself included). Although there were some people present, it’s clear that Sunday nights aren’t what they used to be at this venue. Whether it’s the economy forcing people to pick and choose one night to spend their entertainment budget or stay home altogether, or the relative newness and unfamiliarity of this band, or other factors impacting attendance, the days of mass-of-humanity crowds at this venue on Sunday nights are becoming an increasingly distant memory. Here’s hoping it turns back around at some point.
Ganister did their part by delivering a solid, action-packed, hard-rocking show. The group kicked off their second set with AC/DC’s “Rock and Roll Train,” before continuing with Buckcherry’s “Lit Up” and Theory Of A Deadman’s “Hate My Life.” Some dancers appeared on the floor as Ganister continued with All American Rejects’ “Gives You Hell.” At this point, the group welcomed a guest to the stage, as Hi-Tyde guitarist Rob Sottile joined in for the next several songs. Rob and Ganister continued with tunes from Maroon 5, Green Day, Finger Eleven, My Chemical Romance, more Buckcherry, Breaking Benjamin and Theory Of A Deadman.” Rob then left the stage, and Ganister continued with the Seether version of “Careless Whisper,” followed by a new original tune (I think called “The Race”) and Saving Abel’s “Addicted” to close the set.
Ganister was in good form this night. Ken Gray’s voice sounded solid, and instrumentally the corps of guitarist Eric Smith, bassist Dan Lukens and drummer Randy Wilson packed punch and delivered tight execution. And helping Ganister achieve their thunder this night was Brett “Bert” Sonnenberg handling production duties; he had a good, full-sounding mix.
Ganister’s final round soon commenced with another AC/DC song, “You Shook Me All Night Long,” and kicked up the intensity with Motorhead’s “Ace of Spades.” Rob Sottile returned to perform with the group for the duration of this set. Dance floor action was spotty, but at least a few folks partook as Ganister rocked with more tunes from Buckcherry, Fuel, 3 Doors Down and Black Label Society, before the group changed things up with some country, and the Randy-sung version of Big & Rich’s “Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy.” Ganister then finished out the night with Nickelback’s “Animals” and “Figure You Out,” separated by Godsmack’s “Whiskey Hangover” and Seether’s “Fake It.”
It was another good showing for Ganister; here’s hoping their crowds at this venue can gather some steam.
Ganister, wrapping up the weekend at Pellegrine’s.
Rob Sottile of Hi-Tyde (right) joins Ganister onstage.
Again, Ganister.
Randy Wilson of Ganister.
More of Ganister.
Ken Gray of Ganister.
Eric Smith of Ganister.
Again, Randy Wilson of Ganister.
Once again, Ganister.
Dan Lukens of Ganister.
Ken Gray of Ganister, stoking the dance floor.
Once again, Ganister with Rob Sottile.
One more time, Rob and Ganister.
In closing, Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!!!
