ADAM D @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 12/1/08
This was originally was supposed to be a Shark Bite performance, but upon arriving at Pellegrine’s this Monday night, I learned that Big Jim deferred the night to Adam D, citing fatigue. So although Adam got off to a bit of a late start, he was swimming solo this night.
For the most part, it was a routine night. Adam did two sets of favorites and audience requests, including numbers from Green Day, Stealer’s Wheel, Nine Inch Nails, Fuel, Bon Jovi, Velvet Revolver, Billy Joel, Styx, Robert Palmer, Steve Miller Band, Nickelback, Collective Soul, Rob Zombie, Prince, Poison and more. He did one session of “Stump the Professor,” successfully stumping me by playing Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “Two Tribes.” Oh well…
Adam D, entertaining the wing eaters at Pellegrine’s.
7TH GEAR @ 4D’S LOUNGE, ALTOONA 12/3/08
Looking to break up the monotony of a Wednesday night, I stopped by the 4D’s upstairs Schnappes Shoppe to check in on the latest exploits of 7th Gear.
A birthday was in the house this night, as Wednesday night regular Helene was celebrating her big day. Several friends were assisting in the celebration, and presented her with a cake with lit candles before 7th Gear kicked off their nightcap set.
7th Gear provided the appropriate upbeat backdrop for this celebration to take place, mixing up mostly classic and some current rock hits. This night, singer/guitarist Brendon Burns, bassist/singer Kelly Montgomery and drummer Randy Servello served up tunes from REO Speedwagon, Neil Young (“Rockin’ in 4D’s World”), Doobie Brothers, Violent Femmes, Sublime, Blues Traveler, Stevie Wonder, Kid Rock, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Buckcherry and more.
It once again showed that 7th Gear has brought steady life to Wednesday nights in the ‘Toona, as another Humpday 4D’s crowd was happily rocked…
7th Gear, keeping the crowd happy at the upstairs 4D’s.
Folks dance as the birthday party and rock’n’roll continue.
Brendon Burns of 7th Gear.
Brendon Burns and Kelly Montgomery of 7th Gear, surrounded by ladies.
7th Gear, keeping partiers happy.
The crowd is a part of the show with Kelly and 7th Gear.
Once again, 7th Gear brings the party.
The birthday lady, Helene.
Helene is presented with her birthday cake.
SHADES OF JUNE @ CASTLE PUB, EBENSBURG 12/5/08
I had several options of bands and shows to check out this Friday night. But being we were entering the winter season, I decided that I should take advantage of the cooperative, non-snowing weather conditions and do the roadie up to Ebensburg to check in with Shades Of June at the Castle Pub.
Singer/guitarist Ryan Krinjeck, guitarist/singer Alex Davis, bassist Chris Myer and drummer Jesse August were just wrapping up their first set as I entered the Castle Pub, and they closed the set with White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” and Tom Petty’s “Mary Jane’s Last Dance.”
During the intermission, Ryan informed me that it had already been an interesting night, as the group was burning through accessories and gear, including a fuse blown on the mains, a gel catching on fire, and some mic stand issues. Yes, some nights present their adversities. But as Shades Of June demonstrated the rest of the way, the show must go on.
When they returned, Shades Of June generated a hard-rocking, action-packed party over their remaining two sets with a wide-ranging mixture of favorites and original songs. The group offered rocked-up takes on John Denver’s “Take Me Home Country Roads” and Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues,” as well as tunes from Weezer, The Clarks, Presidents of the United States of America, Lil Wayne, Rage Against the Machine, Kings Of Leon and more. Shades Of June introduced several new original songs such as “Hollywood,” “Sure Is Pretty” and “In a World.” My favorite highlights were their renditions of the Beatles’ “Hey Jude” and Oasis’ “Champagne Supernova,” both which the group elevated to intense crescendos.
Shades Of June’s execution was tight and powerful, and Ryan has evolved into a confident frontman with a sturdy voice, backed by strong harmonies from Alex and Chris. Ryan and Alex demonstrated some strong guitar work along the way, displaying some impressive lead solo work and precision. This band was instrumentally and vocally on target, and their pacing was tight with few gaps between songs.
I came away impressed with Shades Of June and their high-octane rock’n’roll. If these guys keep noses to the grindstone, there’s no reason why they can’t soon be a dominant force on area stages.
Shades Of June, rocking the Castle Pub.
Ryan Krinjeck of Shades Of June.
Again, Shades Of June.
Chris Myer of Shades Of June.
Jesse August of Shades Of June.
Alex Davis of Shades Of June.
Again, Alex Smith of Shades Of June.
Once again, Shades Of June.
Alex and Ryan of Shades Of June.
Again, Chris Myer of Shades Of June.
One more time, Shades Of June.
MYSTERYTRAIN @ 30 SOMETHING, ALTOONA 12/6/08
While the weather permitted me to do a trek up the mountain to Ebensburg the night before, it wasn’t permitting me to do so this night, and so I had to bypass my initial game plan to take in Flood City Brass’ performance at Mr. Fezziwig’s Ball at Bishop Carroll High School. Snow was falling in light amounts in the Altoona area, not enough to prohibit me from catching a band closer to home. So I headed to 30 Something to see what was up with rising local jamsters Mysterytrain.
While the weather didn’t scare me off, it apparently scared other folks off, as only a small audience was present as I arrived towards the end of Mysterytrain’s first set. But that didn’t stop the ‘train crew of singer/guitarist Dan Klock, guitarist Brian McHugh, keyboardist/singer Gina Riggio, bassist Kevin Share, percussionist Jacob Haqq-Misra and drummer Chuck Bailey from embarking on an exciting musical journey through different, ever-changing musical landscapes as the night progressed.
I arrived toward the end of the first set, in time to hear part of the “Sundown Jam” and the rockabilly-styled closer “All the Way Home.”
The group’s latter set presented a more expansive journey. The set opener “Overgrow” showed a bluesy Grateful Dead vibe, with Dan singing lead. This song then transitioned into the light funk/jazz-toned “The Way We Never Were,” with Gina singing lead and demonstrating a slight Sade vibe. This eventually evolved into the next song, the blues/jam-flavored “That’s Alright.” Mysterytrain then paid a visit to “Chateau in the Shade,” conjuring a rural jam flavor. The next tune, “Across the Road,” displayed a CCR swamp rock flavor. Entering the night’s homestretch, Mysterytrain slowed things down for “As the Day Slips Between,” before the finale, the lengthy Allman-like multi-tiered jam “Summertime Gone.”
Mysterytrain’s journey was interesting and entertaining. Give these guys and gal credit, they know their musical turf well. Every band member knew their role and did their part to serve the song being played, while having space to improvise and explore. They knew their song material, when tempos and chords shifted and when directions of the musical journeys changed. No two songs were the same, and Mysterytrain never stuck in one place for too long. Zilly the soundman had them sounding clear and distinct, so you could hear what every instrument was doing, and nobody was overpowering anyone else.
While the attendance was limited this night, Mysterytrain made sure that the folks who did attend were treated to a colorful and mesmerizing journey. And methinks once more word about this unique band and their niche hits the streets, their following will likely expand in short order.
Dan Klock and Brian McHugh of Mysterytrain.
Mysterytrain, embarking on their musical journey at 30 Something.
Brian McHugh of Mysterytrain.
Gina Riggio of Mysterytrain.
Jacob Haqq-Misra of Mysterytrain.
Again, Mysterytrain.
Dan Klock of Mysterytrain.
Again, Brian of Mysterytrain.
Mysterytrain’s ride continues.
More Mysterytrain.
Again, Jacob Haqq-Misra of Mysterytrain.
BAD DAZE @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 12/7/08
Happy following a successful edition of the “Homegrown Rocker” and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ come-from-behind, rip-their-hearts-out win over the Dallas Cowboys, I was off to Pellegrine’s to celebrate and cap the weekend, with Bad Daze providing the rocking backdrop.
I arrived near the end of Bad Daze’s second set, and the group had a good party under way. The group finished out the set with Seether’s “Remedy” and Puddle Of Mudd’s “Control.”
The nightcap set launched with Nickelback’s “Figure You Out,” and folks instantly returned to the dance floor to partake. Sporting a ‘Crocodile Dundee’ look this night, bassman Paul Rainey grinded some mean-sounding bass on Megadeth’s “Symphony of Destruction.” The group stepped up the metal with Metallica’s “Seek and Destroy,” and continued with Theory Of A Deadman’s “Bad Girlfriend,” Staind’s “Mudshovel,” Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name” and Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” to close the night.
It was a routine night at the office for Bad Daze, ultimately a good thing. The group fired on all cylinders and was confident in their performance, and Bad Daze Rob was again commanding as ringleader, firing up the dance floor hordes to bump, grind and do their thing.
In all, a good night.
Sporting a ‘Crocodile Dundee’ look this night, Paul Rainey of Bad Daze.
Again, Paul of Bad Daze.
Kenny Murdick of Bad Daze.
Kenny and Paul of Bad Daze.
Once again, Paul Rainey of Bad Daze.
Again, Kenny of Bad Daze.
Kenny Murdick and Rob Carolus of Bad Daze.
Bad Daze Rob and a female fan.
Again, Bad Daze Rob.
Again, Kenny Murdick of Bad Daze.
Jim Bagrosky of Bad Daze.
Once again, Bad Daze Rob.
Again, Kenny and Bad Daze Rob.
Kenny, Rob and Paul of Bad Daze.
Again, Kenny, Rob and Paul.
Again, Jim Bagrosky of Bad Daze.
One more time, Jim Bagrosky.
Pellegrine’s back bartendress Natalie prepares to do a Vulcan mind-meld on Guv’nor Jesse.
Bad Daze Rob and Natalie, sealing the night’s business arrangement with a liplock.
