VALERIE CUSTER @ SLEP CENTER, PENN STATE ALTOONA 12/8/08
This week’s musical adventures started out in the acoustic vein, as I headed to Penn State Altoona’s Slep Center to take in a performance by Ohio-based singer, acoustic guitarist and songwriter Valerie Custer, being presented by the campus’ Student Activities Board.
Over the course of her one-hour performance, Valerie demonstrated a delicate style and sound. Her voice was soft-spoken and gentle, and her presentation on the guitar was minimal but textured. This stripped-down, quiet musical approach allowed the strength of her song material to stand out; on original tunes like “Can’t Predict the Weather,” “Nepenthe” or “Falling Down,” and on renditions of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt,” Counting Crows’ “Come December,” Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide,” Smashing Pumpkins’ “Disarm” and more.
Valerie’s presentation was quiet and friendly, even a little bit shy. But this shyness factor broke the ice with the small campus audience; and made the performance more of an intimate one-on-one between Valerie and the audience members. It was small, quaint and cordial, and ultimately enjoyable.
After the show, Valerie stuck around and chatted with audience members, making new friends one at a time.
This show was part of Valerie Custer’s ongoing tour of college campuses throughout the Northeast and Midwest; through March, she will be working her way south, performing at schools and colleges in Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
Appearing at Penn State Altoona, Ohio’s Valerie Custer.
Again, Valerie Custer.
Showing a quaint and delicate singing style, Valerie Custer.
One more time, Valerie Custer.
SHARK BITE @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 12/8/08
After Valerie Custer’s performance ended, I made my way to Pellegrine’s for my regularly-scheduled appointment with a pile of buffalo wings, and music courtesy of Shark Bite.
Adam D and Big Jim started their first set shortly after my arrival, commencing with Stealer’s Wheel’s “Stuck in the Middle with You.” As they usually do, Adam on keys and Jim on acoustic guitar performed a wide variety of favorites, mixed with their brand of humor. First set highlights included treatments of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” and Rod Stewart’s “The First Cut Is the Deepest,” and Big Jim singing on Otis Redding’s “Sittin on the Dock of the Bay,” Charlie Daniels’ “Leave This Long-Haired Country Boy Alone” and the Eagles’ “Tequila Sunrise.”
The second set launched with Kid Rock’s “All Summer Long,” and featured Adam doing the Tori Amos spin on Tool’s “Sober” and a request for Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” (Adam did an abbreviated version without the operatic portion), while Big Jim sang lead on Georgia Satellites’ “Keep Your Hands to Yourself” and Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville.”
The low-key fun vibes continued in the final set, with Jim singing lead on the Allman Brothers’ “Sweet Melissa,” the Classics IV’s “Spooky” and Marcy Playground’s “Sex and Candy,” and JP the kazoo hack stepping in to kazoo the Moog synthesizer parts on Emerson Lake & Palmer’s “Lucky Man.” Adam and Jim finished out the night with Radiohead’s “Creep.”
The wings were good, and the entertainment was fun, thus capping another Monday night that didn’t suck.
Natalie Pellegrine sandwiches herself between the Shark Bite tandem of Adam D and Big Jim.
7TH GEAR @ 4D’S LOUNGE, ALTOONA 12/10/08
After catching this band on Wednesdays more regularly in recent weeks, I’ve come to the inescapable conclusion: I’m now a Gearhead! A 7th Gear-head!
Once again, 7th Gear gave me good reason to declare myself a Gearhead, with punchy and enthusiastic current and classic rock hits that kept the upstairs 4D’s crowd happy. Singer/guitarist Brendon Burns, bassist/singer Kelly Montgomery and drummer Randy Servello were just into their second set when I arrived; and Kelly was singing lead on the Doobie Brothers’ “Long Train Runnin.’” The good-sized and jubilant crowd partied along as the group did numbers by Neil Young, REO Speedwagon, Stevie Wonder, James, Blues Traveler, Phish (they broke out “First Tube”), the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and more.
The nightcap set began a bit unusually, with the band pulling off Jordin Sparks’ “Watch You Go.” Tunes by Def Leppard, Soft Cell and Violent Femmes drew a number of ladies back onto the dance floor to bust some moves and…dry hump! When Randy sang lead on Billy Squier’s “Everybody Wants You,” Brendon and Kelly embarked on their acrobatics displays, executing jumps and other crazy antics. The group closed out the party with Sublime’s “What I Got,” Jet’s “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” and Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.”
Again, it was a good band, fun crowd, and happy vibes.
7th Gear, providing another fun Wednesday at the upstairs 4D’s.
Randy Servello of 7th Gear.
Brendon Burns of 7th Gear.
Brendon Burns, on his back.
Kelly Montgomery and Randy Servello marvel at their contorted guitar player.
7th Gear rock star pose!
More crazy calisthenics with Kelly and Brendon of 7th Gear.
Again, Randy Servello.
WISKERBISKET @ THE ARENA, STATE COLLEGE 12/12/08
The ‘Bisket is back!
The last time I saw Lewistown rockers Wiskerbisket in action was at last year’s Roar in the Mountains motorcycle rally, when they were one of the openers for Jackyl at the Jaffa Shrine. It was a different line-up of Wiskerbisket, after popular lead singer and wildman Doug Snook had left the group at the end of 2006.
Soon after that Jackyl concert appearance, Doug rejoined Wiskerbisket, and the group saw a change in their bass player and guitar positions as well. Former Lowjack/Tokyo Vertigo guitarist Robert “Burk” Burkholder and new bassist Tom Lynch joined the Wiskerbisket roster, and the group has been getting back up to speed since.
This night at The Arena, they appeared to achieve that speed once again.
This show actually was to be the second half of a Happy Valley live music doubleheader for me. I had gone to downtown State College earlier this night in hopes of seeing either BluesMoon or Andrew Jackson’s Jazz Showcase at Tony’s Big Easy, but upon arrival there learned that the band had been cancelled because Tony’s booked a Christmas party this night. So I instead headed to The Brewery, where a new acoustic duo was listed on the doorway to perform starting at 8 PM. When 8 PM came and passed, I asked the bartender if they were going to play, and he told me that the duo cancelled their performance because one of the guys was catering two Christmas parties this night (and apparently could make more money doing that than playing the early show at The Brewery). Thus exhausted my opportunities to catch some early music this night, so I headed to The Arena, procured a table and ordered up some supper while awaiting Wiskerbisket’s performance.
It didn’t take long to realize that Wiskerbisket was back to being Wiskerbisket, at least as most fans know them. Within five seconds into their first song of the night, Jimmy Eats World’s “The Middle,” Doug was already stepping off the stage to do his first march out through the tables and through the Arena complex, intent on firing up the small audience and quickly getting them involved in the show. I should have kept count of how many trips off the stage Doug made this night; the man was constant motion! Doug and Wiskerbisket proceeded to provide nonstop, freewheeling music and fun as they fired through favorites from Pink Floyd, Puddle Of Mudd, Green Day, Nirvana, Buckcherry, White Zombie and more during the first set. The group reprised their rowdy take on Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me,” and also broke out Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba.” The pace was fast-paced and fiery, with Doug pulling all stops to fire the Arena crowd up, frequently yelling “Wake the F*** Up” to fire up the troops.
The highjinks continued in the second set, with Wiskerbisket breaking out tunes from Weezer, Bryan Adams, Finger Eleven, Guns N’Roses, more Buckcherry, Violent Femmes, Theory of a Deadman, Rage Against the Machine and others. The group did a redneck triple play at mid-set, playing “Good Ol’ Boys,” dedicating “Rodeo Song” to Perry County, and sending “F**king in the Mud” to the folks in the bowling alley next door! Wiskerbisket also brought up a special guest, Jeremy, to belt out voice on the Beastie Boys’ “Fight For Your Right (to Party).”
The Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop” kicked off the third and final chapter, and more craziness ensued. Tunes by ZZ Top, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Billy Squier, Outfield, Dead Or Alive, Seether and more kept the Arena dance floor active. A drunk patron slipped on some spilt beer on the dance floor and landed on his can during Poison’s “Talk Dirty to Me,” and the ‘Bisket closed out the night with their driving take on La Bouche’s “Be My Lover,” with Doug singing while standing atop one of The Arena’s bar railings.
Again, the action and craziness were constant and infectious, as Doug made constant routes around the room to serenade audience members; he made the entire Arena complex his playground! It was infectious, rowdy, goofball fun as only Wiskerbisket could deliver it! Indeed normalcy seems to have returned to this band – if you want to call it normalcy! Crazy times!
Wiskerbisket, hailing in the yuletide season at The Arena.
Doug Snook of Wiskerbisket.
Making The Arena’s side seating areas his playground, Doug Snook.
Again, Wiskerbisket.
Robert “Burk” Burkholder of Wiskerbisket.
Harry Bleyer of Wiskerbisket.
Again, Harry Bleyer.
Burk and Doug of Wiskerbisket.
Tom Lynch of Wiskerbisket.
With fans on stage, Doug Snook offers greetings to The Arena crowd.
Doug serenades the main bar at The Arena.
Again, Doug and Burk of Wiskerbisket.
More Wiskerbisket.
Once again, Harry Bleyer.
Having fun with the fans, Doug and Wiskerbisket.
Again, Burk of Wiskerbisket.
Doug Snook, pulling all the stops.
Once again, Doug Snook.
One more time, Doug Snook.
PUSHING RED @ MOJO’S CLEARFIELD 12/13/08
With weather conditions again cooperating this night, I hit the road to Clearfield this night to catch my first look at Pushing Red, performing at Mojo’s. This would be my first chance to see singer Crystal “Cryssie” Mullins in action since she left Kitty Whip; teaming up with former Plush members Luis “Moltox” on guitar, Chris “C-Dub” Walter on bass and Travis “The Trav Show” Kramer on drums.
I arrived in the Clearfield vicinity early enough to be able to do dinner at Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub, before heading a short distance up Route 879 to Mojo’s. Upon arriving, I quickly ran into Bad Daze Rob, who also did the roadtrip to see what Pushing Red was about. As we would soon discover, our respective roadtrips were well worth it.
Over their three sets, Pushing Red kept Mojo’s dance floor steadily busy with their edgy blend of alternative and female-fronted rock. Cryssie showed clear progression, evolving into a confident, poised performer with good vocal power and range, even some rage and aggression on a few heavier numbers. Instrumentally, Cryssie’s bandmates were all stunning players, and their execution was tight and powerful.
Pushing Red established their wide range of styles during their first set; tapping popular current and ‘90s rock favorites from Finger Eleven, Good Charlotte, Jet, Pearl Jam and more. They tapped female rock and pop as well, doing a rocking version of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time,” No Doubt’s “Just a Girl,” Tracy Bonham’s “Everything’s Fine” and Evanescence’s “Bring Me to Life.”
The second set saw more of a mixture of female and classic-flavored rock, as Pushing Red did songs from Blondie, Katie Perry, Ataris, Joan Jett, Cranberries and more. Cryssie showed her vocal range on Journey’s “Separate Ways” and Guns N’Roses’ “Sweet Child O’Mine,” and showed she could get heavy with the guys when she tackled Avenged Sevenfold’s “Bat Country.”
The band kept building steam through the night, and their third set saw the most dance floor activity yet. Opening with Joan Jett’s “Bad Reputation,” Pushing Red mixed more modern rock and hits. Highlights during this set included versions of Wheatus’ “Teenage Dirtbag,” No Doubt’s “Hella Good,” Flyleaf’s “I’m So Sick” and Theory Of A Deadman’s “Bad Girlfriend.”
Pushing Red was tight and in good form. Their delivery was powerful, and Cryssie exuded power and confidence on the vocal end. And battling the flu bug, Luis was the trooper this night, delivering sharp guitar solos throughout the show; even rising to the challenge on “Bat Country!”
Pushing Red appears poised to become a rising force on area stages; watch for them soon throughout the region.
Pushing Red at Mojo’s.
Travis Kramer of Pushing Red.
Chris Walter of Pushing Red.
Cryssie of Pushing Red.
Moltox of Pushing Red.
Again, Pushing Red.
Again, Cryssie of Pushing Red.
Again, Travis of Pushing Red.
Again, Moltox of Pushing Red.
More of Pushing Red.
More of The Trav Show.
Once again, Cryssie of Pushing Red.
Fans dance and groove to Pushing Red.
Yet more of Pushing Red.
Yet more Cryssie.
Again, Chris of Pushing Red.
One more time, Pushing Red.
FLIGHT 19 @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 12/14/08
I’m not sure if this karma still holds true at Pellegrine’s, but it used to be a coincidence that whenever a new band playing at Pellegrine’s experienced their first fight during a show, that band had unofficially been “accepted” at that venue and good crowds would follow thereafter. We’ll see if Flight 19 benefits from this phenomenon, as a quick but hard-hitting brew-ha-ha took place back by the 14th Street doorway early into Flight 19’s second set. The participants were quickly escorted from the premises, with one of them suffering a ripped shirt. Boys will be boys…
And Flight 19 will be Flight 19. The seasoned cast of frontman Brian Thomas, guitarists John McKelvey and Scott Imler, bassist Tim Kelly and drummer Darrin Hand laid down the party with their wide-ranging mixture of rock, pop, dance, funk and more. Second set highlights included ‘80s gems such as Gary Numan’s “Cars,” Loveboy’s “Turn Me Loose” and Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “Relax,” along with an ‘80s new wave/dance funk medley, and fiery rock favorites from Jet, Finger Eleven and Kid Rock.
The third set opened with Buckcherry’s “Too Drunk,” and featured tunes from Nickelback, Clash, Poison, Billy Idol, AC/DC and more. Highlights during this set included the group’s fusing of Theory Of a Deadman’s “Bad Girlfriend” with The Cult’s “Fire Woman,” and two popular Flight 19 originals, “Hands” (with Penn State cheers, in deference to the song’s current popularity in a Penn State clothing commercial) and “Crank It Up.”
Flight 19 made the Pelly’s crowd forget about the earlier fisticuffs, and delivered the good time. Maybe this was the night that got them over the hump; when the Pelly’s crowd finally accepted the good times offered aboard the ‘Party Plane.’
Flight 19 closes out the weekend at Pellegrine’s.
Brian Thomas and Scott Imler of Flight 19.
Brian Thomas of Flight 19.
Scott Imler of Flight 19.
Tim Kelly of Flight 19.
Again, Brian Thomas.
Darrin Hand of Flight 19.
One more time, Scott Imler of Flight 19.
JP’s HAIKU
Pushing Red Mojo’s
Cryssie belts, band strong and tight
See them in ‘09!
