BRAD YODER/CURT WRIGHT @ COMMONPLACE COFFEEHOUSE, ALTOONA 11/17/08
A rare Monday night live music doubleheader for me kicked off with Pittsburgh singer/songwriter Brad Yoder, making his first Altoona appearance in conjunction with grand opening of the Commonplace Coffeehouse & Roastery near Penn State Altoona.
The coffeehouse was packed as I arrived, and entertainment was already under way with opening artist Curt Wright. Curt strummed an acoustic guitar and showed a smooth and soulful voice on his selection of original and uplifting compositions. Brad Yoder joined in with clarinet on a few songs, and a few folks even danced during Curt’s last song.
Kicking off the Commonplace Coffeehouse’s grand opening, Curt Wright.
Brad then performed two sets of his own compositions, singing and strumming guitar. Displaying a calm and friendly style, Brad sang observational songs and musical stories, often mixing some wit and humor into the mix. Some of his song highlights this night included “Few and Far Between,” “Lite Brite” (a song he recently composed for a contest), the bluesy and humorous “Losing Our Hair” (about being follically challenged) and “James Bond.” Brad also did several selections from his latest CD, Someday or Never, including “WWJD?” and “Guardian Angel.”
Brad Yoder, entertaining at the Commonplace Coffeehouse.
Again, Brad Yoder.
I enjoyed Brad’s friendly, witty style, and his songs were topical and entertaining. Brad travels throughout the country; hopefully the Commonplace Coffeehouse will become a regular stop when he passes through this area.
SHARK BITE @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 11/17/08
The second half of my Monday night live music doubleheader was, of course, wing night at Pellegrine’s with the Shark Bite contingent of Adam D and Big Jim.
It was delicious wings and musical debauchery as only Adam and Jim can deliver it. The pair covered familiar terrain from CCR, Dr. Hook, Gin Blossoms, Kid Rock, Poison, Doors, Bob Seger, Pink Floyd and more. For some comic relief, Big Jim got off his Tom T. Hall “I Love” blast, which led into a rendition of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.” The pair honored a few requests along the way, including Adam’s rendition of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun.” And the wing-eating kazoo player guy got his workout on renditions of the Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues” and Kansas’ “Dust in the Wind.”
In the end, it was another night of good eating and fun tunes, ‘nuff said.
Another Shark Bite Monday with Adam D and Big Jim.
TOYS FOR TOTS BENEFIT CONCERT @ ALDO’S, ALTOONA 11/21/08
With the Thanksgiving holiday just days away, the Toys for Tots benefit season got into swing this weekend, starting with Aldo’s annual Toys for Tots benefit this night.
Sponsored by local indie record label Heartless Mockery Records, the Aldo’s benefit was a triple-bill that leaned towards the heavier side of the rock spectrum, kicking off with Three Score and Ten. Merging former members of Second Offense and Lost Ledny; Three Score and Ten features Myke Long on vocals, Dave and Josh on guitars and Joe Mulligan on drums. Their style was punishing, intense metal that blended melody and rage; often with interesting tempo and chord shifts, and Myke’s vocals running the gamut from spoken passages to full-venting rampages. I didn’t catch much in the way of song titles except one toward set’s end, “Wrath.” But I liked the intensity and Myke’s go-for-broke, leave-it-all-on-the-stage aggression, and Three Score and Ten’s performance got things off to a blistering start.
Myke Long of Three Score and Ten.
Josh and Myke of Three Score and Ten, kicking off Aldo’s Toys for Tots benefit.
Dave of Three Score and Ten.
Josh of Three Score and Ten.
Again, Myke Long of Three Score and Ten.
Joe of Three Score and Ten.
Firing the crowd up, Three Score and Ten.
Seas We Fear to Sail followed with a loose, high-velocity brand of metalcore. Frontman Scott, guitarists Dan and Rob, bassist Travis and drummer Mike showcased often fast-paced, jagged original assaults; including such titles as “My Real Depression” and “She’s A Cougar.” Their presentation was fast-firing, rugged and reckless-abandon, with Scott constantly and erratically moving about the stage to keep the throngs of stage-front fans charged and cheering.
Dan and Travis of Seas We Fear to Sail.
Scott of Seas We Fear to Sail.
Seas We Fear to Sail, tearing it up at the Toys for Tots benefit.
Mike of Seas We Fear to Sail.
More Seas We Fear to Sail.
Again, Scott of Seas We Fear to Sail.
Rob of Seas We Fear to Sail.
Again, Mike of Seas We Fear to Sail.
This Calling then closed out the benefit with their brand of thunderous modern metal-geared rock. Singer/guitarist Joe Neary, guitarist Chris Silva, bassist Paul Greiner and drummer Justin Fair combined progressive-leaning, melodic arrangements with brute force rhythms and caustic vocals; as they performed original numbers such as their title “This Calling,” “Taste of Victory,” “Found My Way,” “The Day I Died” (about Joe’s near-death experience while serving in Iraq), “My Turning Point,” “1,000 Words,” “Witness the Fall” and more. The group also carried over two numbers from Joe’s, Paul’s and Justin’s former band 4 Days Dirty, “Disguise” and “Killbox;” and covered Bullet for My Valentine’s “Waken the Demon.” This Calling delivered a bracing, powerful set overall, and it will be interesting to follow this band’s progress in the coming months.
Paul Greiner and Joe Neary of This Calling.
Joe Neary of This Calling.
Justin Fair of This Calling.
Again, Paul and Joe.
Again, Paul Greiner.
This Calling, rocking Aldo’s Toys for Tots benefit.
Chris Silva of This Calling.
Again, This Calling.
Again, Chris Silva.
Once again, Joe Neary.
Once again, Paul and Joe.
This Calling, rocking the fans.
One more time, This Calling and fans.
By the end of the night, a small collection of toys and a nice stack of cash was collected to help out the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program, and to help brighten some needy area kids’ holiday seasons.
TOYS FOR TOTS BENEFIT CONCERT @ 30 SOMETHING, ALTOONA 11/22/08
After Aldo’s Toys for Tots benefit happened the previous night, Pennsylvania Musician and 30 Something presented their annual Toys for Tots benefit, also helping the U.S. Marine Corps’ efforts to brighten needy area children’s and families’ upcoming holidays.
Keeping with tradition, Felix & the Hurricanes again kicked off this year’s benefit, triggering some early dance floor action during their set of classic and southern rock. Highlights included their renditions of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Rude Mood” and “Tightrope,” plus Bob Watters’ drum solo display during Iron Butterfly’s “Innagaddadavida.” The Hurricanes’ musicianship was again top-notch, and their cordial presentation assured that the Toys for Tots benefit got off to a bright start.
Kicking off the night, Felix & the Hurricanes.
Again, the Hurricanes.
Lead ‘Cane Felix.
Jeff Clapper of the Hurricanes.
Bob Watters of the Hurricanes.
Once again, Felix.
Moxie was next to perform their blend of hard 90’s and current rock. Singer Ryan Dibert, guitarist Spencer, bassist T.J. and drummer J.D. Heverly stepped up the intensity with tunes from Caroline’s Spine, Offspring, Rage Against the Machine, System of a Down, Live, Ozzy and more. I liked that this group broke out some songs not commonly heard from other bands, such as their set-opening version of Weezer’s “Pork and Beans,” Audioslave’s “Cochise,” Caroline Spine’s “Sullivan,” Live’s “Lakini’s Juice” and more. Moxie sparked some dance floor activity, and delivered a solid, powerful set.
Ryan Dibert of Moxie.
Moxie, rocking the Toys for Tots benefit.
J.D. Heverly of Moxie.
T.J. of Moxie.
Moxie gets some dancers going.
Again, J.D. Heverly.
Again, Ryan Dibert.
Spencer of Moxie.
Ryan and T.J. of Moxie.
One more time, Moxie.
Next was Chris Vipond and the Stanley Street Band, who entertained with a set of all-original groove-geared tunes. This night’s line-up of Chris Vipond on vocals and acoustic guitar, Mike Stanley on bass, Phil Wagner on guitar and Sam Thurau on drums showcased original numbers such as “Freedom,” “Be,” “Yourself,” “Media Controls the World,” “Worn In Souls,” “Marshall Law,” “False Flags” and more. Again, this band’s performance was fluid, allowing the members to do some improvising along the frameworks of the tunes. I like the focus and direction of the new original material, and look forward to hearing more of what this band has to offer in the coming months.
Chris Vipond and the Stanley Street Band.
Phil Wagner of Chris Vipond and the Stanley Street Band.
Chris Vipond.
Chris Vipond and the Stanley Street Band trigger some dance action.
Again, Chris Vipond and the Stanley Street Band.
Sam Thurau of Chris Vipond and the Stanley Street Band.
The band’s other namesake, Mike Stanley of Chris Vipond and the Stanley Street Band.
Nitekast continued the party with their mixture of classic and female-fronted rock plus originals. Singer Lily Taylor showed ample smoothness and range on renditions of Heart’s “What About Love” and Alannah Myles’ “Black Velvet,” but also unleashed her own polecat howl on AC/DC’s “It’s A Long Way to the Top” and “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.” Guitarist/singer Brandon Scalese, bassist Bobby Boring and drummer Josh Oaks supported Lily with a strong, pounding backdrop; and Brandon sang lead on versions of Green Day’s “She” and John Mellencamp’s “Rain on the Scarecrow.” This was another strong effort from Nitekast; and they too will be worth watching in the coming months.
Lily Taylor of Nitekast.
Brandon Scalese of Nitekast.
Josh Oaks of Nitekast.
Nitekast, rocking the Toys for Tots benefit.
Again, Lily Taylor of Nitekast.
Bobby Boring of Nitekast.
Again, Nitekast.
One more time, Nitekast.
Tie Down closed out the night, and kept folks dancing with their charged mix of 80’s and current rock favorites. Singer Scott Walk, guitarist Brett O’Donnell, bassist Craig Fitzpatrick and drummer Jason Grodis kept the music upbeat and nonstop with tunes from Dead Or Alive, Finger Eleven, Green Day, Poison, Ace Frehley, Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica and more. I had to leave the action momentarily to count up benefit proceeds in the back room; but what I heard sounded vibrant and strong, and generated a good rocking dance floor party to bring the festivities to a close.
Scott Walk of Tie Down.
Craig Fitzpatrick of Tie Down.
Tie Down, capping the Toys for Tots benefit.
Jason Grodis of Tie Down.
Again, Tie Down.
Brett O’Donnell of Tie Down.
Once again, Tie Down.
Again, Scott Walk of Tie Down.
Again, Brett O’Donnell of Tie Down.
Again, Craig Fitzpatrick of Tie Down.
Again, Jason Grodis of Tie Down.
Modeling new Pennsylvania Musician buttons, Melissa, Stephanie and a friend.
It was a fun night, and the attendance was decent. The bottom line: A large boxload of toys and nearly $400 was raised to help the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program help needy area children and families during the holiday season. Hats off to everybody involved in both Toys for Tots benefits this weekend for their efforts and support.
At least one fan was tuckered out by the end of the Toys for Tots benefit.
The night’s bottom line: a nice stack of toys by the front door for Toys for Tots.
VS. THE EARTH @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 11/23/08
While onstage the previous weekend during my own benefit at 30 Something, I forgot the name of the band that got me loaded on Jagermeister. (Jagermeister will do this. Jagermeister is evil.) Singer Adam Marino verbally made me pay for my memory lapse this night at Pellegrine’s.
Vs. the Jagermeister…err…Vs. the Earth…closed out the weekend at Pellegrine’s with their high-octane party. Adam, guitarist Mike Ritchey, bassist Dawg and drummer Elliott Wiley feverishly partied down the Pellegrine’s audience with a high-energy mixture of tunes, spiced with drinking shenanigans and other craziness.
One fan named Whitney, who apparently was a longtime fan of this group, was rewarded by being brought onstage and treated to her body weight in shots by the audience and band. (Jagermeister is evil.) Later, during a version of Guns’N’Roses’ “Mr. Brownstone,” Adam instigated a continuous stage-diving and body surfing marathon, during which Ritchey himself partook, with guitar in hand! And before, after and in between these crazy highlights, the group did favorites from House Of Pain, Def Leppard, Poison, Johnny Cash, Blink 182, Ugly Kid Joe and more; along with their own original tunes like “Friend Zone,” “Psycho,” “Carolina Sky,” “Story of My Life” and more.
Adam was sure to remind me of the band’s name so I don’t forget it again. So I’ll remember that it was Vs. the Earth providing the good times to close out the weekend.
With one of their fans onstage, Vs. the Earth.
Something I’m familiar with from the week before…the Jager bombs start falling.
More booze this way comes.
Mike Ritchey of Vs. the Earth.
Adam Marino of Vs. the Earth.
Stephanie, in the house and partying down.
Dawg of Vs. the Earth.
Adam Marino and more onstage celebrating.
A Vs. the Earth toast.
Dawg and Adam of Vs. the Earth.
Again, Adam Marino of Vs. the Earth.
Elliott Wiley of Vs. the Earth.
Once again, Adam Marino.
Ritchey takes a crowd-surfing ride.
Another fan goes airborne.
A lady goes airborne.
Yet again, Adam Marino.
One more time, Vs. the Earth.
