HOMEGROWN ROCKER 8/8/10 (FAST FORWARD SPECIAL)

[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the Aug. 8 edition of Rocky 99 and Rocky 104.9's weekly local music program, "The Homegrown Rocker," which airs every Sunday night from 8 to 10 PM on WRKW-FM (www.rocky99.com) and WRKY-FM (www.rocky1049.com).

This program was the latest installment of the “Fast Forward Special,” a “then and now” edition where we spotlighted various bands and musicians with song double-shots; the first song from earlier in the performer’s career, and the second song a more recent number. The longest span between songs was 31 years between the Granati Brothers’ two songs! And we also tracked the evolution of a song in the Nevermore/Vs. the Earth double-shot, as the latter Vs. the Earth song was derived from the earlier Nevermore song! It was an interesting journey!

Here is this week's playlist; the year of each song is listed in parentheses, with a small note about the band or artist being spotlighted after each double-shot.

HOUR ONE:

NEOGUMBO – “Pogo” (1997)
CHRIS VIPOND AND THE STANLEY STREET BAND – “Be” (2009)

The musical partnership between Chris Vipond and Mike Stanley stretches back to the early ‘90s, when the two musicians broke into the Altoona area music scene with the band Neogumbo. That partnership continued through the short-lived project Grade E and into their current band incarnation, Chris Vipond and the Stanley Street Band.

NEVERMORE – “Sea Lullaby” (1999)
VS. THE EARTH – “The Passing of Theodore Reilly” (2010)

Singer Adam Marino and guitarist Mike Ritchey were founding members of a fledgling Altoona-based band called Nevermore, which released several self-produced CD’s in the late ‘90s. Through subsequent member changes, the group evolved into Nevermoure, and with a relocation to Baltimore, their current inception, Vs. the Earth. The verse portion of the early Nevermore song, “Sea Lullaby,” carried over into the more recent Vs. the Earth song, “The Passing of Theodore Reilly,” leading into totally different choruses in both songs!

HYBRID ICE – “Magdelene” (1982)
HYBRID ICE – “Shining Star” (2009)

The recording line-up of Susquehanna Valley powerhouse Hybrid Ice issued their self-titled debut album in 1982, featuring their legendary song “Magdelene,” which was eventually covered by Boston on their 1994 Walk On album. Eighty percent of that roster – Bob Richardson, Rusty Foulke, Chris Alburger and Rick Klinger – are in the current edition of Hybrid Ice that recorded last year’s album Mind’s Eye; a span of 27 years!

GRANATI BROTHERS – “No Stone Unturned” (1979)
GRANATI BROTHERS – “The Sun In Your Eyes” (2010)

Formed in the mid ‘70s, Pittsburgh’s Granati Brothers were discovered by members of Gentle Giant, who hooked them up with management and an eventual record deal with A&M Records. “No Stone Unturned” was on the Granatis’ 1979 A&M album, G-Force; and the album title soon became the group’s name! Brothers Hermie, David, Joey and Ricky Granati, along with cousin Tony Lee Bonomo, are still making music 31 years later, and recently issued “The Sun In Your Eyes” as an online download.

THE LOST – “Liar” (1990)
ROY HANDY AND THE MOONSHOT – “Crayon Man” (2010)

Northern Cambria County singer, songwriter and guitarist Gerry Stanek has had a colorful musical career that started in the mid ‘80s. In 1990, he relocated to New York and joined The Lost, who were signed to Epic Records and issued a self-titled CD. After later stints with Pittsburgh legend Norman Nardini, New Jersey’s Outcry and others, Gerry returned to west-central PA and continues to create music, including his new kids-geared rock project, Roy Handy and the Moonshot.

HOUR TWO:

THE U.S. HOUSE BAND – “Mustang Sally” (live at Café 210, State College 1997)
THE HOUSE BAND – “Leave It Alone” (2010)

Brothers Jim and Mark Rossi started a Wednesday jam night at the historic U.S. Hotel in Hollidaysburg in the late ‘80s, and their “house band” of jamming friends evolved into the U.S. Hotel House Band. The band left the U.S. Hotel in the ‘90s and continued on as the U.S. House Band until Jim’s unexpected passing on Christmas day of 2000. After several years away from music, Mark, Tom Rhodes and Ed Murvine convened as The House Band and keep the tradition alive.

FELIX & THE HURRICANES – “Way Behind” (live at Tatoo, State College 1997)
FELIX & THE HURRICANES – “Walking A Straight Line” (2003)

Guitarist/singer Felix Kos started the original Hurricanes in 1989, and has maintained the group through various incarnations over the years. From 1993 to 1997, the Hurricanes featured Felix, bassist Bill Nusom and drummer/singer John McKnight. John left the group in 1997 to relocate to Atlanta (and has since become one of that town’s most in-demand drummers). Eventually, the current edition of Felix, bassist/singer Jeff Clapper and drummer Bob Watters (who actually played together briefly in the early ‘90s) reunited and have been going strong since.

INSIDE OUT – “She’s No Angel” (1993)
INSIDE OUT – “Sacrifice” (2008)

Johnstown-based hard rockers Inside Out exploded onto the area music scene in the early ‘90s. The early line-up of brothers Tim and Ben Frick, Jason Riek, Ron Gallucci and Dave Cost issued their self-titled debut CD in 1993. After this line-up dissolved in the late ‘90s, Tim has kept various incarnations of Inside Out active on regional stages since. Brother Ben recently returned to take over drum duties, joining Tim on vocals and guitar, bassist Larry “Larz” Phillip and guitarist Kolt Green in the band’s current edition.

WHISKEY HIGH – “The Mission” (1995)
SKELL – “Haven’t Decided Yet” (2009)

Guitarist Mike Palone and bassist Michael Ekis were members of Pittsburgh heavy rock juggernaut Whiskey High, which exploded into a dominant force on western PA stages through much of the ‘90s. The group issued their debut studio album, One Hundred Percent Pure, in 1996. After some singer changes and an evolution into a heavier and more aggressive metal sound, the group changed its name to Skell; the current edition features both Mike’s, singer Pat “Bones” Bono and drummer Keith Kweder.

HALESTORM – “Time Man” (1998)
HALESTORM – “What Were You Expecting?” (2009)

My, how those Hale kids have grown up! When they recorded their first CD as Halestorm, Elizabeth Hale was 15, sang and played keys; while younger brother Arejay was 12 and played drums, with dad Roger Hale playing bass. Eleven years later, Halestorm is now signed with Atlantic Records and touring worldwide; “Lzzy” Hale sings, plays guitar and has evolved into one of the most talked-about women in rock, while Arejay still slams on the drums and was recently featured in Modern Drummer Magazine. And listeners to the “Homegrown Rocker” heard these two grow up before our very ears!

On our next program, our guest will be Johnstown-based singer, songwriter and guitarist Justin Garman. We’ll meet and learn about Justin and his career so far, and hear some recorded tracks; Justin will also bring a guitar and play a few live for us! We’ll also update Local Music News, review The Wheels’ self-titled CD in “The Professor’s CD Corner,” and dig into the local music archive for another “Local Music Flashback!” Justin Garman visits the “Homegrown Rocker,” this Sunday night!

Forthcoming guests and specials include:

AUG. 22 – KEN GRAY
AUG. 29 – (NO SHOW DUE TO STEELERS PRESEASON FOOTBALL)
SEPT. 5 – COVER SONG SPECIAL
SEPT. 12 – MIKE VAVREK
SEPT. 19 – FULL KILT
SEPT. 26 – ROYAL BENSON
OCT. 3 – ORIGINAL SIN
OCT. 10 – ACOUSTIC JAM SPECIAL
OCT. 17 – MYSTERYTRAIN
OCT. 24 – SCORCHED
OCT. 31 – (NO SHOW DUE TO STEELERS FOOTBALL)
NOV. 7 – SYNESTHESIA
NOV. 14 – (NO SHOW DUE TO STEELERS FOOTBALL)
NOV. 21 – AFTER THE FALL
NOV. 28 – THE TAKEN
DEC. 5 – (NO SHOW DUE TO STEELERS FOOTBALL)
DEC. 19 – CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
DEC. 26 – 2010 YEAR IN REVIEW SPECIAL, PART 1
JAN. 2 – 2010 YEAR IN REVIEW SPECIAL, PART 2

For regular updates on what is happening on the area music scene, pay a visit to Rockpage (www.rockpage.net). Rockpage features band links, a message board, "Homegrown Rocker" updates, the online 'zine publication "The Final Cut," and other local music scene information.

Bands and artists interested in having music aired on "The Homegrown Rocker" are invited to send their broadcast-quality recordings to: WRKY Radio, One Forever Drive, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648; ATTN: Jim Price. Or drop the recordings off at the station during regular business hours, Monday-Friday 9 AM - 5 PM. You can also email me with inquiries about the show at profjp@rocky1049.com.

Jim Price