This turned into an insanely busy marathon music weekend, so I am again breaking this recap into two, easier to digest, halves…
SHARK BITE @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 11/10/08
Another week started off with Shark Bite wing-eating music and chicanery at Pellegrine’s.
Back to their full arsenal of keys and guitar this week, the dynamic duo of Adam D and Big Jim again provided their party, complete with favorites, surprises, spills, chills, talking dirty with Natalie the bartender and more.
Tune-wise, the pair did numbers from the Beatles, Metallica, Rolling Stones, Allman Brothers, Doors, Aerosmith, Bob Seger, Glenn Frey, John Mellencamp, Hootie & the Blowfish, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Live and more. Adam D also tackled a version of the BeeGees’ “Emotion,” and the duo also tackled Don McLean’s “American Pie” and Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer.”
Adam and Jim welcomed some audience guests along the way, including Jeff on guitar during Poison’s “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” and Amanda to help with backing vocals on Journey’s “Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin.’”
It was more music, fun and chicanery to liven up a Monday wing night, and it was all good.
Adam D and Big Jim.
Shark Bite gets some company as they perform.
7TH GEAR @ 4D’S LOUNGE, ALTOONA 11/12/08
To the upstairs 4D’s I did head this Humpday to take in the weekly party of 7th Gear.
A good-sized crowd again populated the Dees to enjoy 7th Gear’s blend of classic rocking favorites. The group was into the Doobie Brothers’ “Long Train Runnin’” as I first arrived, and continued with tunes from Violent Femmes, Sublime, Wild Cherry, the Beatles, Stevie Wonder and more. Guitarist Brendon Burns handled the lion’s share of lead singing duties, with bassist Kelly Montgomery singing lead on Blues Traveler’s “Runaround,” and drummer Randy Servello singing lead on Billy Squier’s “Everybody Wants You” to end the set.
The nightcap set fired up the dance floor, as 7th Gear launched into favorites by Def Leppard, Buckcherry, Soft Cell, Steve Miller Band, James, Led Zeppelin, Lenny Kravitz, Aerosmith and more.
Good times abounded, and 7th Gear successfully carried the Dees crowd over the hump and downhill toward another weekend.
Brendon Burns of 7th Gear.
Kelly Montgomery and Brendon Burns of 7th Gear show off their fancy footwork.
The party continues with 7th Gear.
WITHOUT ZERB @ ALDO’S, ALTOONA 11/13/08
I headed to Aldo’s this Thursday night to catch the updated edition of acoustic Without Zerb, with new addition Jamie “Deathmaster” Smith on acoustic bass.
I arrived late, and only got to see Without Zerb entertain a mostly empty house with three remaining songs; Metallica’s “Fade to Black,” Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose” and Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” At least based on those songs, Without Zerb sitting down and playing acoustic sounded good.
P.J. Kelly and Brian Zerbee of Without Zerb.
SO FAR FESTIVAL @ SLEP CENTER, PENN STATE ALTOONA 11/14/08
Penn State Altoona’s Slep Center hosted the third installment of their once-a-semester So Far Festival this weekend. So Far was a free two-day event featuring a multitude of local and regional bands and performers.
Organized by Harold Taddy and Heavy Radio, So Far’s first day spotlighted soloists and acoustic-geared acts. I arrived early and caught most of the set by acoustic singer/songwriter Roger Burgan, who threw some interesting twists and turns into his alternative-flavored acoustic music via looping and feedback experiments.
Kicking off So Far day one, Roger Burgan.
Again, Roger Burgan.
Next was former Backdraft frontman/guitarist Brian Cupples, performing a mix of American music sounds. Armed with his acoustic guitar, Brian mixed folk, country and Americana interpretations with a few of his own songs; some of the selections included a version of Dwight Yoakum’s “Fast As You,” and his own “Gotta Go.”
Brian Cupples.
Again, Brian Cupples.
Next was Ebensburg’s Kevin Gallopin. Kevin performed a series of his own instrumental compositions on acoustic guitar, demonstrating an often ambient style as he explored with different tunings and fingerstyle techniques. He clearly showed he knew his way around the fretboard, with his hands deftly moving all over the instrument to work the strings and vary the sounds emanating from them. Some of Kevin’s compositions this night included “Play On,” “Grateful,” “Pearson,” the “Peaceful Waterfall” medley, “Careless” and an instrumental ode to one of his daughters, “Lisa’s Theme.” Kevin was a fascinating performer, and I looked forward to experiencing his performance again soon.
Kevin Gallopin.
Again, Kevin Gallopin.
So Far took a percussion direction next, courtesy of the rousing rhythms of Drums of West Africa. Erro from Mysterytrain, Harold Taddy and Colin Lennox introduced some traditional African-styled rudiments on hand percussion, including rhythms to celebrate life, the harvest, seduction and more. The small assembled audience cheered the trio as they pounded out their heated rhythmic passages.
Colin, Erro and Harold of Drums of West Africa.
Again, Drums of West Africa.
Next was a solo acoustic performer, Richard Edmundson, accompanied by Margaret on backing vocals, Richard and Margaret sang several original compositions, including “Burn,” “Have Mercy on My Soul,” “Shine” and more. Richard showed great vocal range, and he and Margaret teamed for some great-sounding harmonies as well.
Assisted by backing singer Margaret, Richard Edmundson.
Another acoustic performer followed, Daniel James of the band The Pax Cecilia. Daniel displayed an expressive singing style and a baritone-geared voice as he did a selection of original songs and select remakes. His remakes came from an interesting source, Leonard Cohen, and he did two of Cohen’s songs. He also sang originals such as “Place Called Home,” “It’s the Father and the Son,” “Brook Road,” the instrumental “Cirrus” and more.
Daniel James of The Pax Cecilia, performing solo.
Again, Daniel James.
Harold Taddy next performed as Heavy Radio, and did a selection of acoustic original songs. Harold displayed some captivating melodies with interesting tempos and unexpected chord shifts. Some of his selections included “Purple Rose,” “Bongiorno,” “On the Rocks in the Woods,” Accidental Masterpiece” and more.
Harold Taddy in his solo adaptation of Heavy Radio.
Again, Harold Taddy.
In a more traditional vein was the next duo, two members of Mama Corn, Bruce Foor and Brett Fanelli. Dubbed “Bruce and the Goose,” the two did a short set of folk, country and bluegrass-rooted sounds, finishing with a version of Johnny Cash’s “Long Black Veil.”
Brett Fanelli and Bruce Foor: Bruce and the Goose.
Again, Bruce and the Goose.
Chris Vipond & the Stanley Street Band then performed as a trio this night; with Chris on acoustic guitar and vocals, Mike Stanley on bass and Sam Thurau on percussion. The group played a selection of their lyrically clever original songs, including “Be,” “Freedom,” “Media Controls the World,” “False Flags,” “Shine,” “Worn In Souls” and more.
Mike Stanley and Chris Vipond.
A stripped-down trio edition of Chris Vipond and the Stanley Street Band.
Again, Mike and Chris.
Chris Vipond and the Stanley Street Band, with Harold Taddy sitting in on hand percussion.
Colin Lennox’s band project, the Steam City Riders, then continued with their unique merger of acoustic guitar and didjeridoo rhythms. Colin on didj and John Witmer on guitar mixed traditional and classic interpretations with their own original songs, with the combination of didjeridoo rhythm and bass with acoustic melodies conjuring an interesting and original sound. Some of their song selection this night included the Grateful Dead’s “Mr. Charlie,” the original “Gatorade and Granola,” “I Know You Rider” and more.
Colin Lennox and John Witmer of Steam City Riders.
Again, Steam City Riders.
State College foursome Major Malfunction closed out So Far’s first day in an electric vein, with a mixture of progressive-styled rock, funk and fusion styles. Featuring guitarist Ryan Roseborough, singer/keyboardist John Hildenbrand, bassist Mike Guidon and drummer/singer Steve Hicks, Major Malfunction displayed a dynamic, unpredictable sound as they performed original song compositions that involved unpredictable melodic and rhythmic plot twists, often virtuoso displays on their instruments, surprise twists and turns and more. This band was a very pleasant surprise to close out So Far’s first day, and I hope to experience Major Malfunction again sometime soon.
Major Malfunction.
Again, Major Malfunction.
Mike Guidon and John Hildenbrand of Major Malfunction.
Steve Hicks of Major Malfunction.
Ryan Roseborough of Major Malfunction.
Again, Major Malfunction.
Needless to say, the first day of So Far offered a diverse, eclectic array of performers. And it whet my appetite to return the following day to see what other musical adventures awaited.
DICK SHACK POSSE/ATOMIC DROPS/LOCKED INSIDE @ ALDO’S, ALTOONA 11/14/08
From Penn State Altoona, I headed to Aldo’s to check out the remainder of a punk-rocking triple-bill. I arrived near the end of the set of the second band, The Atomic Drops, and missed openers Dick Shack Posse altogether. But I did get to bear witness to the full set of the closing band this night, Locked Inside.
Locked Inside proceeded to perform a bristling set of original, melody-geared punk rock. Lead singer/guitarist Grant Matthews, bassist/singer Matt Meguess, guitarist Mike Lanzendorfer and drummer Mike Masone fired off rapid fire anthems such as “Devil’s Smile,” “Keep Us Alive,” “The One to Blame,” “Beatdown,” “No Way to Live” and more. My favorite was “Bastard ’68,” Matt’s ripping ode to his Triumph motorcycle. Locked Inside also broke out a tune from Grant’s previous band, doing Ten Sent Wings’ “Sanity.” Locked Inside’s execution was tight as they delivered feverish energy, and the large contingent of fans in front of the stage roared their approval.
It was an impressive set from Locked Inside that further established them as one of this area’s most promising punk rock prospects. I hope to hear a CD from this group sometime soon.
Grant Matthews and Matt Meguess of Locked Inside.
Mike Masone of Locked Inside.
Again, Grant Matthews of Locked Inside.
Again, Grant and Matt of Locked Inside.
Matt Meguess of Locked Inside.
Once again, Grant Matthews.
Once again, Grant and Matt.
Mike Lanzendorfer of Locked Inside.
Again, Mike Masone of Locked Inside.
