WEDNESDAY NIGHT 5/7 – I journeyed to Crowbar in State College to take in Axum’s CD release party for their new “Like So Much Therapy” album. It was an all ages show, and while not a huge crowd by Crowbar standards, a healthy number of over-21 and under-21 folks were present. Axum showcased most of the songs off the new CD, and mixed in a few from their “Heresay” disc as well. Axum’s performance was dead on, their sound was clean and tight and their live versions sounded very close to the CD versions. This band was exciting to watch, and frontman Tim McKenna was constant movement as he worked the stage, hung off stageside railings and more. In the later stages of their show, Axum broke out a few select cover songs; the most interesting was their audience participation version of “Sweet Home Alabama,” where they challenged select fans to sing the lyrics of Axum songs during the verse portion of the song, and then invited the rest of the audience to sing the chours of “Sweet Home Alabama.” Axum gets my “road warrior” award for this week, because immediately after this show, they packed up gear and drove straight to Florida for a gig the following night! “Like So Much Therapy” is a strong album; hard-edged modern alt-rock but with some melody and direction to it. Expect to hear a lot from Axum in the coming months. Good show!
Tim McKenna of Axum.
Axum, celebrating the release of “Like So Much Therapy” before an all ages crowd at Crowbar.
Don Shiner and Tim McKenna of Axum.
Matt Croyle of Axum.
Don Shiner of Axum.
Like so much therapy, Axum’s musical therapy at Crowbar cured Wednesday night boredom.
Once again, Tim McKenna of Axum.
THURSDAY NIGHT 5/8 – This night I caught the doubleheader of Lost Ledny and Hardly Knew Her at City Limits. I arrived during Hardly Knew Her’s set; this was the first time I had seen this band since their very beginnings as a 4-piece. Nowadays, former Super Fat Tuesday/Driving Sideways axe Paul Miller and former Dim drummer Mike Davis join singer April Wyland, guitarist Ted Depto and bassist Dale Nitti. With Matt, Ryan and the Lost Ledny and PnEumatic contingents cheering and rallying them on the dance floor, Hardly Knew Her played an uptempo mix of current and classic favorites, including tunes from Offspring, Blink 182, Bangles, Wheatus, Dead or Alive, Blondie, Aerosmith, Rage and more. April is evolving into a feisty frontlady who’s not afraid to come out into the audience and bring the party! And her voice could handle most everything she encountered this night, from obvious female tunage like No Doubt’s “Just A Girl” and “Hella Good” to Offspring’s “Why Don’t You Get A Job” and Rage’s “Bulls On Parade.” The band behind April showed some good energy and was solid on the instrumental end. Besides the musical highlights, the Ledny gang’s baseball antics at stagefront were insane. Eventually Lost Ledny took the stage themselves and fired through heavy modern rock/metal from Sevendust, Coal Chamber, Drowning Pool, Korn, Pantera, Chevelle and more. Highlights included guest appearances by PnEumatic’s Cramer to front the Tool double-shot of “Stinkfist” and “Sober;” Dale from Hardly Knew Her fronting the Ledny’s on Godsmack’s “Whatever;” and volatile Ledny treatments of Coal Chamber’s “Hypnotic,” Pantera’s “Walk” and more. Although attendance was light, both bands made it a good time for those who did attend.
April Wyland of Hardly Knew Her.
Dale Nitti of Hardly Knew Her.
Ted Depto of Hardly Knew Her.
Paul Miller of Hardly Knew Her.
Matt and Ryan of Lost Ledny party down as Paul Miller of Hardly Knew Her pays a visit to City Limits’ dance floor.
Unleashing the voice, April Wyland of Hardly Knew Her.
Hardly Knew Her lights up the stage at City Limits.
The Lost Ledny contingent celebrates as Hardly Knew Her brings the party onstage at City Limits.
Once again, Paul Miller of Hardly Knew Her.
And once again, April Wyland of Hardly Knew Her.
Lost Ledny cranks it up onstage at City Limits.
Ryan Long of Lost Ledny.
Dave Hildebrand of Lost Ledny.
Again, Ryan Long of Lost Ledny.
Matt Cherry of Lost Ledny.
Once again, Lost Ledny rocks City Limits.
PnEumatic’s Cramer joins Lost Ledny onstage towards night’s end.
FRIDAY NIGHT 5/9 – I started out by catching the official area premiere of acoustic duo Rock’N’Rye, performing at Altoona’s Belmar Hotel as part of the Belmar’s 19th anniversary weekend celebration. The last time I had set foot inside the Belmar was back in 1997 for Toddo’s CD-release party; strangely coincidental that my next visit there would be for two former Toddo members’ new project. Rock’N’Rye features former Toddo voice Greg Burley and guitarist Ryan Clark. Rock’N’Rye specialize in ‘acoustic intoxication’ with a mix of classic and current tunes from Peter Frampton, Kid Rock, Neil Young, Hootie & the Blowfish, Verve Pipe, Fleetwood Mac, Styx and more. Highlights included unplugged takes on some unexpected stuff, such as the Ramones “I Wanna Be Sedated,” Styx’s “Suite Madame Blue,” KISS’ “Rock’n’Roll All Night” (“You wanted the best, you’re stuck with us!”); and what the pair labeled a ‘campfire song,’ Puddle of Mudd’s “She Hates Me” (I can just picture a group of cub scouts sitting around the campfire singing the chorus of this one, LOL!). Non-musical highlight was watching Belmar owner Al’s crazy antics as he celebrated 19 years in business. Although threatened, we did not see Greg or Ryan attempt to put on the white spandex or assless chaps this night; nonetheless Rock’N’Rye was still a good time.
Rock’N’Rye helps the Belmar Hotel celebrate 19 years in business.
Ryan Clark of Rock’N’Rye.
Greg Burley of Rock’N’Rye.
After Rock’N’Rye finished, I wrapped up the evening at the 4D’s Lounge, taking in He Said She Said’s party. These guys and gal have put together a fun show; a high-octane nonstop party mixing rock, hip-hop, funk, 80’s, nostalgia, the kitchen sink and more. These folks grab the audience and pull them into the festivities, as they jump around between tunes from Katrina & the Waves, Bee Gees, House of Pain, Ramones, Aha, Van Halen, Violent Femmes, Puddle of Mudd, Beastie Boys, Nancy Sinatra and much more. Frontlady Melissa, guitarists Brad and Tom were all solid on the vocal end, keeping things interesting by constantly trading off lead vox duties and keeping the party moving. Not a particularly big crowd at the Dees this night, but everyone seemed to have a good time, and many of the females in the house were populating the dance floor by night’s end. If you’re looking for a good onstage party, He Said She Said brings it.
Tom of He Said She Said.
Brad of He Said She Said.
Serenading a dance floor participant, Tom of He Said She Said.
Melissa of He Said She Said.
Jake of He Said She Said.
Down to his knees, Brad of He Said She Said.
Also getting down, Tom and Melissa of He Said She Said.
Having a Gene Simmons moment, Brad of He Said She Said.
The voice contingent of He Said She Said; Tom, Melissa and Brad.
The dance floor gets busier as He Said She Said brings the party.
Again, Tom of He Said She Said.
Once again, Melissa of He Said She Said.
Tom and Brad of He Said She Said.
Some happy ladies join He Said She Said’s party onstage.
SATURDAY NIGHT 5/10 – Lots of good shows to choose from this night; I agonized over whether to take in Control’s pajama party at the Wildwood Inn in Curwensville, Hi-Tyde’s video shoot at the Castle Pub in Ebensburg, or Scream’s birthday bash for singer Jeff Hoover at the County Line Inn in Mount Union. But since I had been on the road with my day job most of the day, I decided to pass on the roadtrips, and caught the Marauders’ CD release party and Big John’s birthday party at a packed Peter C’s. When The Marauders throw a party, they always bring along some interesting musical friends, and tonight this was definitely the case. I arrived just after the opening set by Mark Linskey of the Hudson Falcons. Eyewitness accounts gave him rave reviews, and I heard there’s a good possibility he may appear at the Hitching Post at some point down the road. Next up was Providence, Rhode Island punk trio The Sleazies. Singer/guitarist Jami, bassist Mike and drummer Josh fired off high-velocity spit-and-vinegar punk originals with interesting titles such as “Glue Sandwich,” “Air Pockets In Your Brain” and more. They also did the first live version of Devo’s “Mongoloid” I’ve seen on an area stage in a LONG time, if ever! Scranton-based rockabilly/garage surf foursome The Lucky Strikes then took the stage. These guys were excellent, firing off early rock and surf-styled original tunes, plus a heated version of the Link Wray surf instrumental “Jack The Ripper.” The Lucky Strikes were tight players who kept the presentation fun and energetic, drawing increased cheers and dancefloor action as their set progressed. They heated things up perfectly for the finale by The Marauders, who showcased numerous tunes from their new “Alibi” disc. Highlights included the presentation of Big John’s birthday cake while the band played “Happy Birthday,” guest Shannon Rugh yakking sax on “She’s A Prostitute,” Rick Golden demonstrating some slide guitar talents this night, the Marauders’ version of Buddy Holly’s “Oh Boy,” and that wild maneuver where guitarist Ryan Sager climbs atop Chris Lawson’s upright bass to jam out. It was a fun show all night; good to see everyone out to support original music and the diverse lineup onstage this night! Also great to see The Marauders and Lucky Strikes breathe new life into roots-styled, bare-knuckles rock’n’roll!
Providence punk/power trio The Sleazies.
The Sleazies, from another angle.
Jami of The Sleazies.
Surf’s up for The Lucky Strikes at Peter C’s.
The boisterous Mr. Boogaloo of The Lucky Strikes.
Turbo Herbo of The Lucky Strikes.
Jimbo of The Lucky Strikes.
Mr. Boogaloo wails some harp for The Lucky Strikes.
More harmonica with Mr. Boogaloo of The Lucky Strikes.
The Shadowman of The Lucky Strikes.
The Marauders kick off the evening’s finale at Peter C’s.
Ben Dumm of The Marauders.
Chris Lawson of The Marauders.
Ryan Sager of The Marauders.
Rick Golden of The Marauders.
Shannon Rugh brings a bit of sax appeal to The Marauders’ show.
Shannon Rugh and Chris Lawson of The Marauders.
Abe Weber of The Marauders.
Entertaining hundreds from high atop Chris Lawson’s upright bass, Ryan Sager of The Marauders.
A happy dance floor parties down with The Marauders.
Big John at Peter C’s turns twice the legal drinking age.
The lovely Stacia presents Big John with his birthday cake, as Chris Lawson of The Marauders jams along.
SUNDAY NIGHT 5/11 – Pellegrine’s was refreshingly jam-packed as I arrived for Backstreet Law’s weekend finale. Dancefloor traffic was heavy as Backstreet Law mixed rock, metal, hip-hop and 80’s tunes into an uptempo, energized mix. The group’s full sound and light arsenal were unleashed on tunes from Motley Crue, Pantera, Beastie Boys, EMF, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, original tunes and more. Backstreeet Law dug into their back catalog for “Party In The Parking Lot” and “Hockey Helmet;” put Pantera’s “Cowboys From Hell” and Slayer’s “South Of Heaven” to hip-hop beats (briefly, anyway); and closed the night with a no-holds-barred rendition of “Wild Thing.” Lots of energy emanated from the stage, and Backstreet Law laid down the law, threatening to berate and humiliate anybody stupid enough to try to start a fight. Good high-energy party; only downer was the young lady who passed out unconscious in the ladies’ room, prompting cameo appearances from police and paramedics to transport her to the hospital. (At last word she was expected to fully recover. Words of wisdom, think before you drink, know your limit, and don’t attempt a bender on an empty stomach!)
Goody goody! It’s Goody of Backstreet Law.
Backstreet Law brings dancefloor pandemonium at Pellegrine’s.
Some ladies bring the party onstage with Backstreet Law at Pellegrine’s.
Jamie of Backstreet Law receives some assistance on vocals.
Once again, Goody of Backstreet Law.
Stepping forward to take over lead mic, Choke of Backstreet Law.
Taking over behind the kit in Choke’s absence, Jamie of Backstreet Law.
Jeremy Edge of Backstreet Law.
Choke and Jeremy of Backstreet Law.
The Backstreet Law party reaches full fury.