FLYING MONKEYS @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 11/24/08
My weekly Monday Pellegrine’s wing feast was accompanied this week by musical entertainment from two airborne simians…named Adam and Rob.
Flying Monkeys provided the tunes, plus some comic relief along the way. Adam D and Bad Daze Rob did familiar favorites such as their takes on Prince’s “When Doves Cry,” Journey’s “Separate Ways,” Men At Work’s “Down Under,” Fuel’s “Hemorrhage,” and what is fast becoming the group’s most popular song, their spin on Styx’s “Mr. Roboto.”
On the comic side, the pair’s version of Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ‘69” was punctuated by Rob’s sudden sneeze in mid-song. And the two musicians playfully sniped at one another during the show, while a few audience members playfully sniped at them, and Adam in particular.
It was simple fun and cheap thrills on a Monday night…and good wings, too.
JOHNNY HILAND BAND/RICK COSGROVE & BLUE PIRANHA @ “NIGHT OF ROCK, RHYTHM & BLUES” BENEFIT CONCERT @ ACE’S LOUNGE, JOHNSTOWN 11/26/08
On Thanksgiving Eve, Ace’s Lounge in Johnstown again hosted the annual Night of Rock, Rhythm & Blues benefit, with proceeds helping out the Johnstown Free Medical Clinic. With the weather looking cooperative and nothing particularly earth-shattering happening on the ‘Toona side of the mountain, I did the roadtrip to check it out.
The house was packed as Johnstown’s own Rick Cosgrove and Blue Piranha opened the evening. Namesake Rick Cosgrove played guitar and sangs; flanked by Tim Dabbs on guitar, Ron Riley on bass and Sam Coco on drums. Rick and Blue Piranha tastefully blended blues, rock and jazz flavors on several of Rick’s original compositions and select cover material. Some of his original numbers included “Westbound Express” and “Queen of the Park” (a song about Johnstown’s Roxbury Bandshell). Rick and Blue Piranha also did renditions of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Pride and Joy,” David Grissom’s “Saké and Venom,” and Thin Lizzy’s “Jailbreak;” and Rick performed a solo rendition of "Maloguena" on nylon-string classical guitar. In all, an interesting, diverse and skillfully executed set.
Rick Cosgrove.
Rick Cosgrove and Blue Piranha.
Again, Rick Cosgrove.
Again, Rick Cosgrove and Blue Piranha.
Tim Dabbs of Rick Cosgrove and Blue Piranha.
Once again, Rick Cosgrove.
More of Rick Cosgrove and Blue Piranha.
One more time, Rick Cosgrove.
This benefit traditionally has a good food spread, which I investigated during the intermission. Pasta, meatballs, hot dogs, kolbassi and sauerkraut, and snack foods were available…all good!
Headlining the benefit was Nashville’s Johnny Hiland Band. Legally blind since childhood, Johnny Hiland is a guitar prodigy currently signed to Steve Vai’s Favored Nations record label, and he has done session work with Ricky Skaggs, Randy Travis, Toby Keith and more. But as he and his band demonstrated during their two sets, Johnny’s musical vocabulary expands far beyond country; including rock, funk, blues, rockabilly and more. Johnny, keyboardist/singer Solon Smith, bassist Mike Hill and drummer Cody Leppo mixed original numbers from Johnny’s two albums with a wide selection of cover material.
Johnny’s song selection touched on a wide range of ground, including numbers from Jerry Lee Lewis, Delbert McClinton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Wilson Pickett, Merle Haggard, and even a rendition of Danny Gatton’s “Funky Mama.” And Johnny and company kept the dance floor packed through most all of it!
Johnny showcased his incredible guitar skills, including fast-firing shred solos and smooth slide guitar work; and often traded off with Solon’s keys and Mike’s bass. I was amazed by this performer’s versatility, and he made it all look so damned easy! Johnny and his band played for keeps on all of it, and you could tell these guys were loving their time on stage and entertaining the audience.
At night’s end, the Ace’s audience demanded an encore, and Johnny Hiland and his bandmates responded with a funky instrumental jam that escalated in intensity and the musicians again went to town…amazing!
This was a very successful Night of Rock, Rhythm & Blues. The large attendance meant that monies were raised for the Johnstown Free Medical Clinic; and for me, it was a success just to discover firsthand the talents of one Johnny Hiland. I hope I get to see this guy perform again!
The Johnny Hiland Band.
Johnny Hiland.
Again, Johnny Hiland.
Again, Johnny and his band.
Mike Hill of the Johnny Hiland Band.
Once again, Johnny Hiland.
More of the Johnny Hiland Band.
Again, Johnny Hiland displays his virtuosity on the guitar strings.
Once again, the Johnny Hiland Band.
Solon Smith of the Johnny Hiland Band.
Cody Leppo of the Johnny Hiland Band.
Again, Mike Hill.
Yet again, the Johnny Hiland Band.
Mike Hill and Cody Leppo of the Johnny Hiland Band.
CANDLELIGHT RED @ 30 SOMETHING, ALTOONA 11/26/08
With the Night of Rock, Rhythm & Blues starting early and ending by midnight, I still had some time left to get back over the mountain and catch some live music elsewhere. That elsewhere turned out to be 30 Something, where Candlelight Red was hailing in the Thanksgiving holiday.
Singer Greg Locke, guitarist Jeremy Edge, bassist Adam Zimmer and drummer Josh Hetrick seemed to have the party well in hand as I arrived toward the end of their second set. The group had some folks gyrating on the dance floor to numbers from Panic at the Disco, Disturbed, a reworking of Jeremy’s former Til December title number “Til December,” and a new original the group introduced, “Medicate.”
Candlelight Red kept the dance floor busy during the nightcap set as well, doing numbers from Poison, Buckcherry, Beastie Boys, Cheap Trick, Dio, Drowning Pool and more. Adam sang lead on a version of Danzig’s “Mother,” and three of the band members minus Josh contributed vocals to their version of the Beastie’s “Fight for Your Right (to Party).” The group also did two more original tunes, “Free” and “This Life.”
In all, what I got to see from Candlelight Red was good. And with their 4-song debut EP expected out soon, this band should be worth keeping an eye on in the months ahead.
Candlelight Red, rocking Thanksgiving Eve at 30 Something.
Josh Hetrick of Candlelight Red.
Jeremy Edge of Candlelight Red.
Adam Zimmer of Candlelight Red.
Again, Candlelight Red.
Jeremy Edge and Greg Locke of Candlelight Red.
Again, Josh Hetrick.
Greg Locke of Candlelight Red.
Again, Greg Locke of Candlelight Red and fans.
One more time, Greg Locke of Candlelight Red.
FELIX & THE HURRICANES “TURKEY NIGHT JAM” @ SHAW’S BAR, ALTOONA 11/27/08
Tradition ruled for my Turkey Day ‘night,’ as I headed to Shaw’s in Juniata for the annual installment of the Hurricanes’ “Turkey Night Jam.”
A good-sized crowd was in place as lead ‘Cane Felix on guitar, Bob on drums and Pat McGinnis on bass were rocking and bluesing out. Pat was singing lead on “Louise” as I arrived, procured a brew and a vantage point. The Hurricanes continued to stir things up with feisty renditions of favorites from the Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker Band, the Doors, Eagles and more. Particularly strong were renditions of T-Bone Walker’s “Stormy Monday” and the Pat-fronted version of Jerry Jeff Walker’s “Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother.”
The nightcap set was strong as well, featuring tunes from the Band, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Los Lonely Boys, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Pat Travers.
The musicianship was strong through all of it, and the crowd was festive. The Hurricanes’ Turkey Night Jam was the perfect chaser to another Thanksgiving holiday.
Felix and Bob of the Hurricanes, Turkey Night jamming!
Again, Felix and Bob.
Pat McGinnis of the Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes inspire some dance action.
Bob and Pat of the Hurricanes.
JACKSON MONSOUR @ SHAN NICOLE’S IRISH PUB, HOLLIDAYSBURG 11/28/08
Closing out Black Friday, I headed to Shan Nicole’s in Hollidaysburg to check in with Bedford’s Jackson Monsour.
The house was already packed as I first arrived, but in a stroke of luck, a seat at the main bar was open just mere feet from the corner where Jackson was performing. So I set up shop and ordered my first brewski, and watched as Jackson finished his first set with a version of Weezer’s “Say It Ain’t So.”
The atmosphere was charged and festive, as patrons kept bartenders Sue and Chelsea busy working all ends of the bar. Jackson had his crowd; now I would observe how he worked them into a good time!
He broke the ice in his second set with a tongue-in-cheek acoustic NOFX medley, before letting audience guest Carrie step up to the microphone to sing lead on Green Day’s “Good Riddance.” She ended up needing some help with words, but otherwise did a respectable job; and remained to sing on Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin.’” Jackson continued with songs from Vanilla Ice, Jack Johnson, Steve Earle, Social Distortion, Proclaimers, Ramones and more. Some other highlights during this set included the community singalong version of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” and one of Jackson’s newer original tunes, “Willard’s Song.”
Commencing with his version of Blink 182’s “Dammit,” Jackson’s third set kept the party riding at a high with favorites from Third Eye Blind, Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, the Beatles, Billy Joel and more. Jackson had the crowd howling and cheering with his spin on Adam Sandler’s “Hanukah Song,” and kept them cheering clear to the last song, the Boss’ “Glory Days.”
Jackson’s presentation was upbeat and cordial, and he constantly addressed the audience and invited them to be a part of the show. His close proximity to the crowd made this an intimate setting, so the crowd couldn’t help but be a part of Jackson’s show, and Jackson couldn’t help but be a part of this happy-go-lucky Black Friday night bar crowd community.
The bottom line was a good time, something Jackson’s shows at this venue usually result in.
Jackson Monsour welcomes guest Carrie to help sing along.
Jackson Monsour.
A view of Shan Nicole’s activity, from atop the bar.
Again, Jackson Monsour.
It’s a festive crowd at Shan Nicole’s on a holiday weekend.
One more time, Jackson Monsour.
THE FRONT 25TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION SHOW @ BAVARIAN HALL, ALTOONA 11/29/08
This night had been circled on my calendar for quite some time: The Front’s 25th anniversary performance, taking place at Altoona’s Bavarian Hall. Marking the 25th anniversary of their very first show at the old Coaches Inn (now 30 Something) in 1983, The Front was pulling out all the stops to make this a huge, concert-like experience; bringing in Showtime Sound from Baltimore (Shawn Hocherl’s sound company) to make it look and sound big.
Shortly after procuring my vantage point, the show was ready to begin. With the “2001” theme playing through the sound system; singer Bob Gates, guitarist/singer John McKelvey, bassist/sax player Randy Rutherford, keyboardist/rhythm guitarist Harold Hayford and drummer Clint Carothers made their ways onto the stage, and kicked off the night with Led Zeppelin’s “In the Evening”; commencing a celebration of ‘80s and ‘90s rock from their heyday, plus a number of their original song creations. The Front drew the first dancers to the floor with their ensuing rendition of Midnight Oil’s “Beds are Burning,” followed by the Black Crowes’ “Hard to Handle” and a Cars double shot of “You Might Think” into “Magic.” The party continued to escalate with Alice Cooper’s “Be My Lover” and The Smithereens’ “A Girl Like You,” Eddie Money’s “Shakin’” and Deep Purple’s “Hush,” which gave some spotlight to Harold’s keyboard talents. The group then slowed it down for the first time of the night, with Pink Floyd’s “Breathe/Time” giving couples a chance to get a slow dance in. Back to the ‘80s catalog for The Fixx’s “Red Skies at Night” and The Alarm’s “Sold Me Down the River,” before The Front did the original song that first turned them into a local household word, “Girl Like You.” I wondered to myself how many couples in the house first met each other in part because of this song! With John handling lead vocals, The Front did another of their own, “Still the Rain.” The group then did versions of Honeymoon Suite’s “New Girl Now” and the Romantics’ “What I Like About You,” before their own song “Battleground for the Brave” closed out the first set.
The crowd was massive and the mood festive. The Front’s reunion had brought out a lot of the group’s previous fan base, to be sure; but it also drew a lot of younger fans who were just children or weren’t old enough to see the band during their earlier go-rounds. So The Front wasn’t just helping their fan base to reminisce, they were touching a whole new generation of fans!
After the break, The Front returned to the stage and their instruments for the second and final set. They kicked off this chapter with U2’s “Desire,” and quickly fired up the dance floor party again as they continued with Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “Relax” and Simple Minds’ “(Don’t You) Forget About Me.” The group continued with Golden Earring’s “Twilight Zone” and Steppenwolf’s “Magic Carpet Ride,” before Bob introduced another Front original song, “Lay Down Your Arms.” The group dipped into their ‘70s catalog for renditions of Golden Earring’s other hit, “Radar Love,” and Grand Funk Railroad’s “I’m Your Captain,” before dipping into the ‘60s for the Moody Blues’ “Nights In White Satin,” giving couples another excuse to slow dance. Next was Red Rider’s “Lunatic Fringe,” followed by Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” and the John-fronted version of Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze.” Randy handled lead mic duties on AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,” before the group broke into Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” and Billy Idol’s “White Wedding.” Then, to end the night, The Front returned to their biggest moment of glory, reprising their hit “Girl Like You” to close out their reunion performance.
It was a glorious night! The Front played it all for keeps; their performances were sharp and on the mark, giving very little hint that they haven’t played a show together in a few years. The production made this look and sound huge, and this show often felt like a major concert. And the crowd, both old and young, enjoyed every minute of it!
Citing life circumstances, The Front indicated that this was likely their final reunion performance; it was good to see such a large audience of fans and fellow musician contemporaries on hand to witness what may have been their swan song. Obviously, Altoona hasn’t forgotten this band!
Here is video of The Front doing “Girl Like You:”
http://www.rockpage.net/users/jprice/video/MOV03064.MPG
Here is The Front performing “Battleground for the Brave.” Bob had a little timing issue starting into the second half of the song, but this still sounded good!
http://www.rockpage.net/users/jprice/video/MOV03093.MPG
And some pictures from the show (more coming soon in “JP’s Corner”):
Early into the show, The Front.
Again, The Front.
Bob Gates of The Front.
Harold Hayford of The Front.
The dance floor starts to get busy.
Bob Gates and Randy Rutherford of The Front.
Again, Bob Gates of The Front.
Harold Hayford on rhythm guitar.
Bob Gates, Randy Rutherford and John McKelvey.
Again, Harold on rhythm guitar.
Bob Gates plays some harmonica.
Again, Harold Hayford.
Again, Bob Gates.
Harold on keys.
Taking in the show, Chris Vipond and his lady, Amber.
As ‘Nez-rin not Mez-rin’ on the Jim Rome Show might say, Randy “JACK-son” on sax.
Again, Bob, Randy and John.
Again, Randy on sax.
Clint Carothers of The Front.
Again, Clint on drums.
The Front entertains a huge dance crowd.
Harold and the dance crowd.
The Front rocks a massive dance floor crowd.
Bob Gates and the dancing masses.
Again, Clint.
Randy Rutherford and John McKelvey.
Randy and Clint.
Once again, The Front.
Once again, Bob Gates.
Again, the multi-talented Randy Rutherford.
Again, Randy and John.
Again, John McKelvey.
More of John McKelvey.
Once again, The Front.
Once again, Harold Hayford.
John McKelvey, dining on guitar strings.
These two guys are having fun, singing along to The Front.
One more time, The Front and the crowd.
BAD DAZE @ 30 SOMETHING, ALTOONA 11/29/08
With The Front’s show done by midnight, I thought I had time to catch another band performing on this Saturday night. But as sometimes happens, I get blabbing with folks, and before you know it, the time flies. By the time I left the Bavarian Hall, it was already threatening 1 AM, so my choices were limited. So I proceeded about five minutes away to 30 Something to catch the tail end of Bad Daze’s show.
Bad Daze had the party pretty well in hand by the time I arrived, and I got to see their last six songs: AC/DC’s “Sin City,” Wheatus’ “Teenage Dirtbag,” Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell,” Metallica’s “Seek and Destroy,” Ratt’s “Round and Round,” and Pantera’s “Walk” to close out the night.
Bad Daze rocks down at 30 Something.
Kenny Murdick and Rob Carolus of Bad Daze.
Again, Bad Daze.
Jim Bagrosky of Bad Daze.
Kenny Murdick and Paul Rainey of Bad Daze.
Looking a little ghoulish, Jim Bagrosky.
Again, Jim Bagrosky.
Again, Bad Daze Rob.
Once again, Jim Bagrosky of Bad Daze.
Again, Kenny Murdick of Bad Daze.
Again, Kenny and Bad Daze Rob.
Once more, Jim Bagrosky of Bad Daze.
Once again, Kenny Murdick.
Bad Daze Rob worships his guitar player.
Once again, Paul Rainey of Bad Daze.
This dance floor couple wanted their picture taken…okay!
SLACKER THEORY @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 11/30/08
Finishing out my Thanksgiving weekend was Slacker Theory, performing at Pellegrine’s.
I arrived early into the group’s second set, and Slacker Theory clearly had the party in hand, with a good-sized crowd of fans already on the dance floor as they did their heavy-handed take on Flock Of Seagulls’ “I Ran.” The group continued with tunes from Bon Jovi and Nickelback, before breaking out Dead Or Alive’s “You Spin Me (Like A Record),” dropping a Rammstein “Du Hast” verse into the middle of the song. The Slackers returned to the Nickelback catalog for another one, did several of their original tunes, and closed out the set with Finger Eleven’s “Paralyzer.”
Slacker Theory’ nightcap set launched with Breaking Benjamin’s “Polyamorous,” and featured more current favorites from Theory Of A Deadman, Seether, Saving Abel and 3 Days Grace; a version of Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead Or Alive,” Weezer’s “Say It Ain’t So” and Metallica’s “Sad But True,” before finishing out with their somber original song “Here’s to You.”
Slacker Theory sounded in good form, and frontman “Slacker Steve” Danfelt kept things rowdy on the lead microphone. The group was generally tight on their instruments, and kept the crowd interested for the duration.
It amounted to a strong performance to close out this latest holiday weekend.
Slacker Theory rocks Pellegrine’s to the end of another weekend.
Steve Danfelt of Slacker Theory.
Ryan George and Steve Danfelt of Slacker Theory.
Dalton McDonald of Slacker Theory.
No, it’s not a member of the Blue Man Group; it’s Dalton McDonald of Slacker Theory.
Standing next to his band brand name, Dalton McDonald of Slacker Theory.
Decked in celebratory Steelers attire, Earl and his friends.
