SHARK BITE @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 11/3/08
It was a Steelers Monday night football night at Pellegrine’s, with the Black and Gold taking on and taking down the Washington Redskins, 23-6.
Because of the game, scheduled wing-eating musical accompaniment Shark Bite performed in scaled-back form after the game, with Big Jim playing acoustic guitar and Adam D singing without his keyboard.
It was still fun for the abbreviated two-set edition, as the two musicians played their usual variety of favorites sans keys; including tunes from John Mellencamp, Dr. Hook, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Eagles, Poison, The Who, Jimmy Buffett, BuckCherry, AC/DC, Guns N’Roses and more. The group repeated Dr. Hook’s “Cover of the Rolling Stone” by request.
The Steelers won, the wings were good, and the music was fun. ‘Nuff said!
Big Jim, getting some help holding his microphone.
Adam D, in your face.
With the Steelers ready to score during the postgame highlights, Big Jim and Adam D celebrate.
Shark Bite, the Steelers, and half of Jerry Gamber.
CHRIS V. & THE STANLEY STREET BAND/THE CLOVER @ ALDO’S, ALTOONA 11/7/08
I headed to Aldo’s this night for the Underground Television-sponsored double-bill, featuring two rising area music names, The Clover and Chris V. & the Stanley Street Band.
The electric edition of Chris V. and company launched the proceedings. Namesake Chris Vipond on acoustic goitar and vocals, fellow namesake Mike Stanley on bass, Phil Wagner on electric guitar and Sam Thurau on drums performed a set of their original tunes. They opened with “Yourself,” and continued with “Be,” “Freedom,” “Media Controls the World” and “False Flags,” before diverting into a cover of Afroman’s “Because I Got High.” The group resumed their own originals with “Shine” and “Worn In Souls,” before finishing with their improv edition of the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil.” Chris V. and his bandmates kept the music loose and freewheeling, allowing the vibe to carry them; while an appreciative throng of fans in front of the stage cheered them on.
Opening the night, Chris V. & the Stanley Street Band.
Chris Vipond.
Phil Wagner of Chris V. & the Stanley Street Band.
Once again, Chris Vipond.
The Clover celebrated their debut CD, 13 Steps, the joys of drinking and life in general during their following two glorious sets. Singer/bassist Greg “Mudzo” Mudzinsky, guitarists/singers Patrick Newby and Dan Johnstone, acoustic guitarist Lance T. Burgess and drummer Matt Floravit stormed through their sets of original punk-meets-folk rock songs and select cover material. The first set opened with the ode to these musicians’ punk rock pedigree, “Last Rock Soldiers,” and continued with “Let ‘Em Go,” before the group paid homage to former local punk rockers The Keystone All Stars by covering one of their tunes. The Clover then did a two-part whiskey tribute, commencing with their own “One Part Whiskey” and finishing with “Whiskey in the Jar.” After the popular original “Kiss Me I’m Irish Today,” The Clover ripped open a cover of the Jim Carroll Band’s “People Who Died,” followed by the brawling ode “Meet the Lads” and the cow-punk stomp “Bastard Picker” to close the set.
The Clover’s nightcap set blended old and new original material. Several of the newer and non-recorded numbers I didn’t catch titles for, but The Clover broke out an interesting psychobilly-flavored instrumental midway through the set.” They also did songs from the CD such as “As We Grow” and the night-closing tandem of “Old German” into “Drink This Problem Away.”
As is typical for this band’s Aldo’s shows, a steadily-growing crowd of rowdy fans gathered in front of the stage to hoist drinks and celebrate inebriation with The Clover, resulting in a spirited good time.
Lance T. Burgess of The Clover.
The Clover being cheered on by the festively-drinking Underground Street Team.
Dan Johnstone of The Clover.
Matt Floravit of The Clover.
Again, Matt of The Clover.
The Aldo’s crowd parties down with The Clover.
”Mudzo” of The Clover.
Patrick Newby of The Clover.
Again, The Clover.
One more time, The Clover.
SILVER SUNDAY @ SHAW’S BAR, ALTOONA 11/8/08
The new mach edition of Silver Sunday made its Altoona debut this night at Shaw’s Bar in Juniata, and I was there to see how the new line-up was gelling.
Unfortunately, I arrived a few minutes too late to catch the opening band, The Rik Golden Band. But this group is on my radar; hopefully soon!
Former Splink! members Ashley Bee on lead vocals and London Joe on bass have joined forces with guitarist and singer Buck Dickson and drummer Todd Harshbarger. This new edition of Silver Sunday still delivered ample doses of female-fronted rock, pop and alternative hits over their two sets. Emerging out of a piped-in “Welcome Back Kotter” intro, Silver Sunday commenced their first set with Joan Jett’s “I Hate Myself for Loving You,” with Ashley demonstrating powerful and commanding voice from the get-go. She continued to flex her pipes on numbers by No Doubt, Cyndi Lauper, Blondie, Madonna, and Katrina & the Waves’ “Walking on Sunshine” to close the set. Along the way, the audience learned that Buck still has his fun in this band, offering his own baritone slant on REO Speedwagon’s “Take It on the Run,” and also fronting the group on Green Day’s “When I Come Around.”
Buck reprised his ‘Bucky Spears’ take on Britney’s “Baby One More Time” to open Silver Sunday’s nightcap set. Ashley demonstrated her power and range on Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” and more. The group also did a medley that fused together songs from Joan Jett, the Rolling Stones, John Mellencamp, Billy Idol and more.
Overall, Silver Sunday’s new edition did a decent job. Ashley’s voice was the clear highlight of the night; instrumentally the group was more on target than not, but a few stumbles were heard along the way. More time onstage together should remedy this, as well as allow Ashley to become more comfortable in her fronting role in this band.
Bottom line, the new Silver Sunday shows a lot of promise, and should be well worth seeing as they continue to get settled back in on area stages.
Buck of Silver Sunday.
The new-look Silver Sunday.
Ashley Bee of Silver Sunday.
London Joe of Silver Sunday.
Again, Silver Sunday.
Again, Buck of Silver Sunday.
More Silver Sunday.
Ashley and Buck of Silver Sunday.
Todd Harshbarger of Silver Sunday.
Again, Ashley Bee of Silver Sunday.
Again, Todd of Silver Sunday.
FLIGHT 19 @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 11/9/08
After completing “Homegrown Rocker” duties at the radio employer, I headed to Pellegrine’s to let the “Party Plane” fly me to weekend’s end.
I arrived late in the second set, in time to hear Flight 19 close the set with Kid Rock’s “So Hott.”
The trusty Flight 19 crew of singer Brian Thomas, guitarists Scott Imler and John McKelvey, bassist Tim Kelly, keyboardist Phil Steele and drummer Darrin Hand rocked the Pellegrine’s dance floor crowd during the third set with tunes from Seether, Nickelback, The Clash, Poison, Billy Idol, AC/DC and Buckcherry; as well as their own original anthems “Hands” and “Crank It Up.”
It was a smooth flight, with the “Party Plane” functioning properly and not crashing in flames. The production crew of Tom Seidel on sound and Bob Cannistraci on lights did their part to make sure Flight 19 took off and landed safely.
From what I got to witness of it, a good party!
Scott Imler of Flight 19.
The Flight 19 “Party Plane” takes off again at Pellegrine’s.
A guest singer from the audience fronts Flight 19.
The guest and Brian Thomas belt out some voice.
Brian Thomas of Flight 19.
Phil Steele of Flight 19.
Darrin Hand of Flight 19.
Again, Flight 19.
Brian Thomas of Flight 19 salutes the Pellegrine’s crowd.
Once again, Flight 19.
JP’s HAIKU
Silver Sunday Two
Ashley, Joe join the party
Buck still sings Britney!
