ROCKPAGE BENEFIT JAM @ PETER C’S, ALTOONA 1/29/04
A lot has already been said on Rockpage’s “General Discussion” forum about this event, and anybody who was there knows the magic that unfolded on this night. It began with a few musicians bouncing around the idea of staging a benefit night to help Ron the Webmaster with recent expenses he incurred while switching Rockpage to a new server. More musicians expressed interest, and Hurricanes drummer Bob Watters took the bull by the horns and put together the Rockpage Benefit Jam. Since lead Hurricane Felix Kos was vacationing in Jamaica and the group was not available this particular week, Bob used the regularly-scheduled Hurricanes Thursday jam at Peter C’s to stage the Rockpage Benefit. More and more musicians expressed interest in participating, and a healthy list of performers had accumulated by the time the event arrived. On paper (err…on the computer), this already had the makings of an incredible night.
After arriving at Peter C’s early this night, my anticipation steadily rose as I saw a steady stream of musicians arrive with their gear. With everybody wearing name tags with their respective Rockpage cyber identities listed, it was neat watching as musicians who had only conversed previously in the cyber world met one another in person, started networking, and started organizing game plans for possible jams as the night progressed. Grimm guys, FatVin, Songsmith, Bassist 25, PnEumatic guys and gal, Facingwest, Wake Up Screaming guys, Iceman, J. Michaels, Hair Force One guys, Big Jim, ToonaRockGuy, and more musicians arrived and got ready for a night of full-blown jamming. Other Rockpage members were in the house to watch the proceedings, including One Too Loud, WitchChic, Zappa’s Wife (with ‘Zappa’), PxPRocks and more. Two drum kits were set up on the stage and ready for action. It was going to be a wild night…
Onstage, an initial cacophony of freeform drum thunder, blues moaning and guitar warm-ups evolved into an initial freeform jam; and eventually, the time had arrived to officially kick off the event. John “Facingwest” Solinski and Ken Karlheim started off the night in acoustic fashion, establishing the upbeat, happy vibe early with their treatments of songs by Blind Melon, Pink Floyd, Dave Matthews, AC/DC, 4 Non Blondes, Charlie Daniels and Del Shannon.
From there, Rob the Drummer and Toona Rock Guy (manning the two drum kits, of course), Fat Vin and Moondoggy (I think?) commenced jamming some blues, soon to be joined by Songsmith on harmonica. The musicians had fun on versions of “Rock Me Baby,” AC/DC’s “The Jack” and more.
Then, the first of several new band collaborations to make their unofficial debut this night…I had recalled reading the discussion on Rockpage several months ago about the possible formation of a Dream Theater tribute act; but hadn’t heard anything about it recently. Until this night. Rob the Drummer and veteran Altoona area frontman Troy Earnest (and introducing the brotherly tandem of Mick and Dan on guitar and bass, correct me if I got your names wrong) unveiled their new project by performing Dream Theater’s “Pull Me Under.” Although without a keyboard player this night, the group pulled it off impressively, with the musicians and fans in the house cheering loud approval.
Next it was PnEumatic’s turn. Cramer, Colton, Scott and Woo introduced three original songs, including “Blood Money,” plus a Tool remake, again drawing cheers and support from the audience.
Defunkt then made their debut; as drummer Iceman, singer/guitarist Aric and bassist Jay fired off three powerful original funk-rock assaults, fueled by Iceman’s no-nonsense driving beats – as one observer posted on the Discussions Forum, Bob Watters’ kit was in danger of being rendered into kindling!
With nobody immediately stepping up onstage next, FatVin took the initiative and put the call out to the musicians in the house to step up and jam with him. Several did, and soon a freeform ad-hoc blues jam was underway. Soon, Facingwest and FatVin were belting out the voice on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama,” as the electricity in the room continued to rise. It was a party!
The Grimm then stepped onstage to do several songs, including their original “Black Sheep,” and a sudden Metallica medley (which they had only rehearsed a few times previously). Big Bad “Imgrimm” Bob then led the group on the singalong “Suckupon,” enlisting a Grimmette and FatVin to chant the words; before The Grimm finished their part of the night with Tool’s “Aenima.”
A third band then debuted this night, Stillframe. Singer Scott Russell, rhythm guitarist Big Jim, Toona Rock Guy on drums and – both returning after several years away from stage action – bassist Doug Cruse and lead axe Rich Piccerillo performed one song, a smoking rendition of Metallica’s “Seek and Destroy.” It was great to again see Rich flaming the frets, here’s hoping more will be heard from this group soon!
With guitarist Jimi Hatt offering cucumbers to the male audience members trying to score with the opposite sex this night, Hair Force One then took the stage to fire off some decadent 80’s rock, with songs from Van Halen, Twisted Sister, Dio (with Chucklehead singer J. Michaels demonstrating his drumming abilities behind one of the kits) and Iron Maiden. The group then went into Judas Priest’s “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin,’” with Wake Up Screaming frontman Bryan Gisewhite and Troy Earnest belting out lead voice – wild!
Troy, Rob and the Dream Theater tribute then returned to the stage to do several songs, and the homestretch free-for-all jam then took place, as various musicians platooned on and off the stage, having a merry time and letting the jams fly. Dwane and Matt from Acid Reflux, Chucklehead drummer Hu Bast, Beyond Reason singer/guitarist Dan Myers II, and various other musicians in the house let it fly on ZZ Top’s “Tush,” Eric Clapton’s “Cocaine,” Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild” and more. At one point, I counted six lead singers onstage at the same time – insane!
Yes, it was indeed quite the party! By my count, at least 38 different musicians graced the stage this night, perhaps more. And more musicians were in the house to cheer them on!
The local music community became one this night. Metal players and blues players, acoustic performers and alternative rockers, seasoned vets alongside fledgling players just starting out. Everybody appreciated and respected everyone else, savoring this special occasion to jam with people they normally don’t get to perform with; and do music they ordinarily might not get to play with their normal band situations. This night was the area’s musicians blending together as a COMMUNITY – one of the primary things Rockpage has always been about!
That sense of area music community stretched outside the confines of Peter C’s as well. With enough money easily raised to keep Rockpage going for another year, Ron the Webmaster and I decided to take the rest of the raised proceeds this night and use them to help out a former area musician in need, John Mc Knight. (As you might recall, John, the former drummer/singer for the Hurricanes and several other area bands, relocated to Atlanta several years ago to further his musical career; and went on to become one of the most in-demand drummers on the Atlanta scene. Unfortunately, John had to undergo serious emergency surgery in November, and had no insurance to cover his medical costs. The remaining money raised this night, several hundred dollars, will be donated to John’s medical fund.)
This night was such a huge success that other such jam nights are already being discussed for the future. Again, thanks to Bob Watters for coordinating this night’s festivities; all the musicians, Rockpage readers and music fans for supporting the cause; Big John, Jodie K and Peter C’s for supplying the venue for such a special event like this to happen; and Ron the Rockpage Webmaster for the vision to establish this site several years ago, to enable to area music community to come together, network, swap gigs and share information and insight.
‘Toona area music scene, you kicked major ass this night!
Did YOU remember to autograph The Iceman’s shirt this night? Kent and Bob from The Grimm did.
Ken Karlheim and John “Facingwest” Solinski.
Once again, Kenny and John.
John Solinski.
Rob the Drummer, Toona Rock Guy, Fat Vin and Moondoggy jam the blues.
The Dream Theater tribute makes its unofficial debut.
Troy Earnest.
Once again, Troy and co. perform “Pull Me Under.”
PnEumatic performs during the Rockpage Benefit Jam.
Colton of PnEumatic.
Cramer of PnEumatic.
Surprise! Even beloved Rockpage hater The Reason showed up for the night’s festivities.
Aric of Defunkt.
Jay of Defunkt.
Defunkt makes their unofficial debut at Peter C’s.
Another blues jam breaks out…
John Solinski looks on as ‘Zappa’ shakes the shakers.
More shaker action…
Looking as “Un-Grimm” as he can get, Big Bad Bob and The Grimm take the stage during the Rockpage Benefit Jam.
Big Bad Bob solicits a “Suckupon” participant.
Once again, Big Bad Bob of The Grimm.
More Grimm memories from the Rockpage Benefit.
’Zappa’ takes in The Grimm’s performance from the peanut gallery.
Stillframe makes their debut.
’Zappa,’ shaking his shakers to Stillframe.
Victor Synn of Hair Force One.
Somewhere under that ‘fro, Jimi Hatt of Hair Force One.
Hair Force One makes their appearance at the Rockpage Benefit.
Peter Stiffens of Hair Force One.
Again, Jimi Hatt of Hair Force One.
Again, Victor Synn of Hair Force One.
Chucklehead frontman J. Michaels sits in on drums with Hair Force One.
Again, Hair Force One.
With Toona Rock Guy helping with the beat, Hair Force One.
Once again, Toona Rock Guy.
Once again, Hair Force One.
Troy Earnest and Bryan Gisewhite sing with Hair Force One.
Once again, Troy and Bryan.
Troy, Bryan, and Hair Force One.
The free-for-all jam begins…
Jimi Hatt with some interesting slippers.
J. Michaels, Troy Earnest and John Solinski.
J. Michaels and John Solinski.
Fat Vin and Matt Burns jam.
Dwane Edmiston and Matt Burns contribute some acid reflux to the jam.
John Solinski and J. Michaels.
J. Michaels has fun with the fans.
Chucklehead’s Hu Bast sits in behind the drum kit.
Dan Myers II, J. Michaels and Troy Earnest.
Good to see this guy back onstage…Rich Piccerillo.
Again, Rich Piccerillo flames the frets.
The party mayhem continues.
Dan Myers II, J. Michaels. Troy Earnest, Victor Synn and John Solinski all belt out the voice.
Big Bad Bob joins the orgy of singers.
”We Are The Wo-o-orld…We Are The Chil-dre-en…” (I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist!)
The finale turns into a music community singalong.
