By Jim Price

 

   Once again, we have arrived at the busiest time of the year for live music events!  Outdoors, indoors, stuff is happening everywhere!  And after all the events I’ve taken in over the past few weeks, I need an oxygen mask!

   Where to begin?  Let’s start with motorcycle rallies.  During the final day of Thrills In the Hills at the Clearfield Fairgrounds in late June, I caught part of Rusty Gun Revival’s performance at the Grove stage, including their fiery rendition of Elvis Presley’s “That’s All Right” with singer/guitarist Marc “L.C. Slim” Prave stepping atop Ed “Red” McDonald’s upright bass for some heated jamming out.  Later at the grandstand stage, Grand Funk Railroad rocked with their catalog of hits.  The current edition of Grand Funk features founding drummer Don Brewer and bassist Mel Schacher, singer Max Carl (who wrote and sang .38 Special’s hit “Second Chance,” a song Grand Funk performed), former Kiss/Balance guitarist Bruce Kulick and keyboardist Tim Cashion (who toured with Robert Palmer and Bob Seger).  Grand Funk Railroad performed favorites such as “Rock and Roll Soul,” “Footstompin’ Music” and “Shinin’ On;” the crowd favorites “Locomotion” and “Some Kind of Wonderful,” and the set-closing “I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home).”  Other highlights included Don’s drum solo display and Bruce’s guitar solo rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.”  When the crowd called for the encore, Grand Funk Railroad returned to cap the show with “We’re An American Band.”

    Also in late June, Johnstown’s annual Thunder In The Valley drew tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts into the city for four days of activities, including numerous bands and live music performances.  I was able to attend on the final day, first catching the latter part of The British Invasion’s performance at the Train Station stage.  With Kent Tonkin (The Grimm/Lies Inc.) now playing bass and Clint Carothers (Ricky Lee & the Mustangs) sitting in on drums, The British Invasion did British rock of the 60’s and 70’s, highlighted by an impressive version of Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir.”  Next on the same stage was Uniontown’s Concrete Cowboy; lead guitarist/singer Howie Walter, keyboardist/bassist Bob Schroyer, drummer Dave Critchfield and singer Mike Snyder entertained with contemporary country favorites from Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Joe Nichols and more.  I then headed to the Central Park Gazebo to catch Pittsburgh’s Hot Metal Bridge, playing a mix of country, blues and rock. One of this group’s members is Ron Beitle, who played drums on Wild Cherry’s legendary 70’s hit “Play That Funky Music;” he and Hot Metal Bridge played this song during their performance.

     After leaving Thunder In The Valley, I took in my first show ever at Johnstown’s Roxbury Bandshell.  The stone Bandshell was first constructed in 1939 to provide entertainment to lift community spirits following the Great Depression.  After sitting dormant in recent years, a court battle saved the Bandshell from the wrecking ball, and the Roxbury Bandshell Preservation Alliance completed renovations to the structure last year.  The Bandshell hosts musical entertainment on Sunday evenings throughout the summer; this night I saw the acoustic performances of Jackie Kopco and the Brothers Kelly.  Jackie displayed a strong, clear voice and gentle persona as she sang original compositions and select numbers from R.E.M., Dar Williams, the Beatles, K.T. Tunstall and more.  From Greensburg, the Brothers Kelly, Aaron and Jonathan, then performed a playful blend of original songs and acoustic versions of songs from Johnny Cash, Jimmy Buffett, Joni Mitchell, Eagles, R. Kelly and more.  Their performance was freewheeling and jovial, and the brothers displayed some nice harmonies along the way.

    Altoona’s Railroaders Memorial Museum kicked off their new Alive @ Five Summer Concert Series last month with the country double-bill of The PovertyNeck Hillbillies and Slabtown.  I arrived in time to see the last part of Slabtown’s opening set.  Named after a road that runs through the Penn State Mon Alto branch campus where the band’s four members first met, Slabtown performed traditional country and honky tonk, including tunes from George Jones and David Allan Coe, Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Pride and Joy,” some catchy original tunes and more.  Pittsburgh country powerhouse The PovertyNeck Hillbillies did a modern brand of country that freely mixed with rock; singer/guitarist Chris Abbondanza, fiddle/banjo/guitar player and singer Chris Higbee, electric guitarist David Guthrie, keyboardist Dave Cramer, bassist Jeff Volek and drummer Ryan Lucotch did several countrified versions of modern and classic rock songs, including Stone Temple Pilots’ “Interstate Love Song,” the Eagles’ “Take It Easy,” John Mellencamp’s “Hurts So Good,” and during the encore, the Outfield’s “Your Love” and Tonic’s “If You Could Only See.” They also did their own songs, including the crowd favorites “Hillbilly State of Mind” and “Mr. Right Now” (popularized by a video featuring Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisburger). Fiddle player Chris was a wildman, climbing the Museum’s fire escape steps to near the top of the building to do some fiddle-sawing; he also did a fiddle solo that playfully threw in the “Here we go Steelers” chant, and he and the band tore it up on Charlie Daniels’ “Devil Went Down to Georgia.” This band’s tight sound, friendly on stage personality and energized stage show electrified the Railroaders Museum crowd, who didn’t want the show to end.  The Alive @ Five Summer Concert Series happens on select Wednesdays through the summer; the next one on August 8th is a big Pittsburgh double-bill featuring Donnie Iris and Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers.

    I took in two days of the annual Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts last month in downtown State College.  After first arriving on Friday, I checked out Chris Good & Friends entertaining on the Youth Stage; this group did favorites from Live, Collective Soul and more.  I then caught part of Eric Himan’s performance on the Allen Street Stage, as he performed a variety of songs from his discography, including his latest full-length CD, Everywhere All At Once.  I then watched Philadelphia’s Christine Havrilla Band on the Festival Shell Stage in front of Old Main.  Christine performed a catchy brand of observational, melodic folk rock, including songs from her new album, Velocity.  Armed with two fiddle players, Washington, DC’s Scythian electrified the Memorial Field Stage audience with their unique sound, which blended Celtic rock with a slight Mediterranean zing.  A highlight of their set was the group’s Celtic-flavored takes on “Wild Thing” and “Louie Louie.”  Next were the driving rockabilly sounds of The Ultra Kings on the Allen Street Stage, followed by the eclectic Mediterranean-meets-jazz sounds of Philadelphia’s Animus on the Festival Shell Stage.  Allen Street was again jam-packed for The Nightcrawlers’ evening-ending performance, as the group introduced a number of songs from their forthcoming new CD, Blue Silver.  Perhaps the biggest highlight of their set resulted from a technical problem…The sound cut out midway through their popular set-closer, “African Echo;” the group kept performing as everything was soon restored except for the microphones.  It appeared that Aeb Byrne might not be able to perform her flute solo that helps close out the song; but her bandmates brought their own sound down low, and the huge Allen Street crowd followed suit, allowing Aeb’s un-amplified flute solo to be barely heard over the band and murmur of the crowd!

     On Saturday, I returned to the Festival, first catching the performance of local favorites J.R. & Natalie and their band at the Allen Street Stage.  J.R. is longtime State College mainstay J.R. Mangan, singing and playing acoustic guitar; Natalie Berrena sings.  Backed by guitarist Mark Toci, bassist James Miller and drummer Dana Hawk, J.R. & Natalie generated a feelgood party as they did favorites from Queen, James, Blind Melon, Cyndi Lauper, Journey and more, including a funky read of “Killing Me Softly with His Song.”  I then caught my first look at Lemonsoul, also on the Allen Street Stage.  This day featuring Dan Vidmar on vocals and guitar, Ingmar Carlson on guitar, Lee Parfitt on drums, Austin Arrington on bass and Greg Johnson on sax; Lemonsoul’s jam-geared sound blended elements of rock, funk, blues and more, featuring original songs and select covers from the Allman Brothers, Beatles, Rusted Root and others.  On the Festival Shell stage I saw Georgia’s E.G. Kight and her band, doing robust blues rock; before heading to the Memorial Field Stage to take in Ricky Lee & the Mustangs’ upbeat brand of country.  I finished my Arts Festival experience by taking in Fooling April’s set on the Allen Street Stage.  From Philadelphia, Fooling April did catchy, melody-infused funk- and blues-rock, showcasing a number of songs from their new CD, In The Now.  Singer/piano man Brian Kenneth, guitarist Tommy Kay, bassist Kevin Emery and drummer Matthew Ensminger also performed their song “The Way Back Down,” which appeared on a recent episode of the daytime soap All My Children.

     It was another party on the lake last month, as Felix & the Hurricanes staged their annual Bikini Blues Cruise aboard the Proud Mary riverboat at Lake Raystown.  After “Hurricaniac” Brian served up the pre-cruise picnic cuisine (complete with West Virginia sweet corn, missing kernels), it was a rollicking two hours on the lake, as the Hurricanes’ blend of classic and southern rock, blues, country and original songs kept the Proud Mary’s upper deck busy with dancers, super-soakers and other merriment.  Along the way, the Hurricanes welcomed special guest Artie Burtnett (The Fred Garvin Project), who sang lead on John Mellencamp’s “Hurts So Good.”  The Hurricanes’ Bikini Blues Cruise is always one of the summer’s best parties; kick yourself if you missed it!

     Felix & the Hurricanes also kicked off this year’s edition of the Lakemont Park Wing-Off’s, held on Thursdays through August 16.  The Hurricanes brought along guests, with The Flame Sky performing between their two sets, and Flame Sky guitarist Jason Feathers sitting in during the Hurricanes’ nightcap set.  A problem surfaced before The Marauders’ performance at the following week’s Wing-Off; a technicality with a liquor permit held by the Wing-Off’s new non-profit beneficiary resulted in beer sales not being allowed at the event.  Hopefully this issue will be resolved quickly so that the remaining Wing-Off’s are not impacted.

     Lakemont Park’s annual All-American 4th of July celebration had a British rock flavor leading up to the fireworks, courtesy of The British Invasion.  Singer Bob Gates, guitarist Rick Wertz, keyboardist Harold Hayford, bassist Kent Tonkin and drummer Beau Saller played British rock favorites from the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Kinks, Deep Purple, Moody Blues, Pink Floyd and more.  Highlights included dead-on renditions of Pink Floyd’s “Time” and Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir;” plus guest Shawn Osborn (Born & the Beanstalk) singing lead on the Zombies’ “Time of the Season.”  Earlier, Square One opened the afternoon with their mixture of classic rocking favorites from Rare Earth, Spirit, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Doobie Brothers, Doors and more.  Square One has a new bass player, as Bill Smith replaces Bill Hunter, and joins singer/guitarist Don Osborn and drummer Jeff Crownover.

     The inaugural Crow’s Nest Bluegrass Festival took place in late June on the grounds of La Ferme Rouge near Prince Gallitzin State Park.  I caught the first night of the two-day event in La Ferme Rouge’s picturesque setting, and witnessed performances from Pittsburgh’s Nine Mile Run, Slippery Rock’s Well Strung, South Wind and Dysart Drive.  The music was continuous throughout the evening, as the four bands rotated on and off the stage.  Each offered their own distinct slants on bluegrass, from Nine Mile Run’s traditional brand of bluegrass to Well Strung’s more freewheeling variety, which included grassed-up versions of tunes from Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Eric Clapton, Steve Miller and more.  Festival organizer Ron Schinkle performed double-duty this night, dueting with young and talented fiddle player Lindsey Lefort in Dysart Drive, and playing traditional and gospel bluegrass in South Wind.  Based on this night, the Crow’s Nest Bluegrass Festival appeared to be off to a good start, and the early word is that it will become an annual event.

     After Cambria Summit ABATE completed their annual benefit poker run on July 7, The Amplified Heet entertained during the post-party, held at Kook’s Kamp near Chest Springs.  Singer/guitarist Jules Bianchini, guitarist/singer/harmonica player Adam Brown, bassist Danny Potter and drummer Tyke Dodson stormed through a selection of classics from the Rolling Stones, the Band, Neil Young, Cream, Grand Funk Railroad, Canned Heat and more.  The Amplified Heet played their songs with reckless abandon and no holds barred, wrenching every drop of sweat out of each song.  Highlights during the latter part of their performance included their surprise version of Cream’s “Tales of Brave Ulysses,” and their go-for-broke edition of Canned Heat’s “Going Up the Country” to slam the lid on the night.  Cambria Summit ABATE expresses their heartfelt appreciation to The Amplified Heet for donating their time and talents to this event, which raised money to help out Andy Kirsch and Korrine Ellis, two area children battling cancer.

     I also checked out The Syrins’ performance during the annual Duncansville Community Days celebration last month.  With Les Beatty filling in on drums while Chris Conrad spends the summer studying in Germany, The Syrins performed classics from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, spanning early Beatles and the Surfaris’ “Wipe Out” to tunes from Steppenwolf, Steve Miller Band, Bad Company, Romantics, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty and more.  Singers/guitarists Tom Fronauer and Ryan Furry and bassist Mike Furry were steady on their instruments in spite of damp conditions (which played games with Tom’s Epiphone Casino), and their harmonies were bright, especially on early Beatles numbers like “Day Tripper” and “All My Loving.”  Chris returns to the drum kit soon, but Ryan will be taking leave from the group to follow his studies to Sweden this fall.

     Other outdoor live music I witnessed recently included Don Chappell, singing railroad folk songs during the annual Railfest at Altoona’s Railroaders Memorial Museum; and during a roadtrip south of the Mason-Dixon, I saw Morgantown, WV-based bluegrass group The Falling Run Bluegrass Band and local Cumberland oldies favorites The Chinese Bandits during Cumberland, MD’s tenth annual Canalfest/Railfest.

    I witnessed plenty of indoor happenings as well.  JP Mills Entertainment and The Saloon presented the All Star Rock Ball on July 3, in celebration of The Saloon’s 30-year history.  Hosted by JP Mills, the evening featured a who’s who of musicians who have graced The Saloon’s stage over the years in such bands as Velveeta, Emily’s Toybox, Mr. Hand, Clove, Body and Soul, FoXXy, Maxwell Strait, Sona and more; playing a wide variety of favorites current and classic.  A packed house witnessed and celebrated as JP was joined by musicians such as Chad Caprio (FoXXy), Matt Kyle (Emily’s Toybox), Brad Fisher (Clove, Mr. Hand), John “JT” Thompson (Body & Soul, Maxwell Strait), Brian Lubrecht (Sona, Mr. Hand), Alec Russo and Zippy (Mr. Hand) and more.

    When a band concocts a name like Splink!, it can’t help but arouse curiosity.  That curiosity drew me to check out Splink! during their first appearance at Family Pizza & Pub in Altoona in late June.  Splink! features lead singer/keyboardist Ashley Bee, former Hair Force One guitarist Jimi Hatt, The BMC on sax and keys, bassist London Joe and drummer Mojo Smouse.  Splink!’s musical terrain is a bright mix of female-fronted rock and pop favorites.  Singing in her first band, Ashley displayed a rangeful voice, confidence, poise and spunk as she sang favorites from Joan Jett, No Doubt, Blondie, Salt N’Pepa, Madonna, Kelly Clarkson, Michael Jackson and more.  The band surrounding Ashley kept things moving, constantly varying arrangements, dueling and swapping solos with one another.  It was a bright, fun performance, and Splink! kept the large Family Pizza crowd dancing and cheering along.  Splink! is an up and coming name worth checking out; they return to Family Pizza August 11th.

    Vs. the Earth has released their band new album, called The Initiative.  The group celebrated the CD release with several release parties, including at Altoona’s 4D’s Lounge last month.  Before a near-packed house, singer/guitarist Adam Marino, lead guitarist Mike Ritchey, bassist Dawg and drummer Elliot Wiley played a number of songs off the new album, such as “Story of My Life,” “Lightswitch,” “The American Teenage Anthem,” “Psycho,” “Carolina Sky” and more.  They also performed their reliably high-octane renditions of current and classic rock favorites, spanning Bobby Fuller’s “I Fought the Law” and Tommy James’ “Mony Mony” to Buckcherry’s “Crazy Bitch,” Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” Young MC’s “Bust a Move” and more.  Vs. the Earth still gets crazy on stage, keeping the energy level feverish and constant.  During their last set this night, Adam not only dove into the audience himself for some impromptu crowd-surfing, he also treated a female birthday celebrant to a crowd-surfing joyride as well!

    The Amy K Band brought their party back to Pellegrine’s last month.  Namesake Amy K was again in good form, demonstrating a strong, clear and rangeful voice with abundant confidence and enthusiasm.  Amy, guitarist Rick Johns, bassist Fran Johns and drummer Jason Betz triggered steady dance floor action with the smallish Pellegrine’s crowd this night, as they played nonstop current and classic rocking favorites from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cheap Trick, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jet, Divinyls, Scandal, Led Zeppelin, Big & Rich and more.  The Amy K Band locks into a tight groove and keeps the music flowing.  If you haven’t discovered them yet, give The Amy K Band a chance to light up your world when they return to Pellegrine’s September 9th.

   I checked out several editions of the rocking on stage party that is Bad Daze; during their recent Rock For The Troops show with FedUP at City Limits in June, and their monthly party visits to Pellegrine’s and Davey’s in Hastings.  Singer Rob Carolus, guitarist Kenny Murdick, bassist Paul Rainey and drummer Randy Wilson filled the dance floor at all three shows with their hard-hitting mixture of current and 80’s rock; including tunes from Saliva, Buckcherry, Rob Zombie, Ozzy, Motley Crue, AC/DC, Staind, Nickelback, Rage Against the Machine and more.  And this is one of few bands that can pack a dance floor by doing an Overkill song, “Old School!”  Bad Daze keeps it fresh and mixes up the set list each night; no two shows are the same.  During the City Limits show, the group introduced their first original song, “Lost.”  Bad Daze has steadily evolved into one of the top rocking party forces in the region; catch a show soon and find out why!

    When Roadkill singer/bassist/megalomaniac Greg Majewsky sullenly told the small crowd at Mary’s Place in Clearfield at the start of their June 30 show that this would be their last one, many of us thought it might be the end of the line for one of this region’s longer-running bands.  But in typical sarcastic Greg fashion, he later dispelled our fears (hopes?) by adding the words “til September.”  Seriously, Roadkill is in the process of finishing their new CD, and will vacate stages until the fall to devote their full attention to recording.  Roadkill made this last night til September count, as Greg, guitarist/singer Sean McCracken and drummer/singer Shawn “Teach” Evans tore through original song favorites like “I Wanna Be an Ex-Boyfriend of Alanis Morisette,” “The Adam Stomp,” “Hardcoreo” and “Lost in the Woods;” introduced at least one new song, “The Remaining Days of Zed;” and offered their own uniquely fractured spins on classics like Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky,” the Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues,” Huey Lewis and the News’ “Walking on a Thin Line” and more.  So fear (not?) Roadkill fans, 17 years of “rot and roll” is not coming to an end any time soon, and a new set of Roadkill assaults hits the streets this fall!

     York’s H8ball returned to the area in late June, bringing their hard-edged rock to Aldo’s.  With Beef filling in on bass this night, H8ball played a powerful mix of rock and metal from the 70’s to present, including numbers from Tool, AC/DC, Pearl Jam, Doors, Black Sabbath, Alice In Chains, Guns N’Roses, Godsmack, Prong, Soundgarden and more.  Frontman Rick Ramsey displayed a lot of versatility, from a voice that can handle everything from Johnny Cash to Eddie Vedder to Axl Rose, to constantly stinging guitar work, and even some impressive harmonica wailing on the Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues.”  Beef and drummer Oz Christ backed him with a tight and powerful backdrop through it all.  H8ball is a trio that packs a wallop; watch out for their next visit!

    Ebensburg’s Echoes is starting to spread their rock’n’roll party around the region.  I checked in with the group last month at the Cosmopolitan inside the Altoona Ramada Inn.  Singer Marianne Kokus, keyboardist/singer Mike Kokus, guitarist/singer Nick Kokus, bassist Jeremy Colbert, drummer Seth Reighard and keyboardist/percussionist/singer Ryan Skiles played a crisp variety of rock’n’roll favorites from the 60’s to present.  Echoes’ set list this night included everything from Dion’s “Runaround Sue” and Richie Valens’ “La Bamba” to the Mamas & Papas’ “California Dreamin,’” Three Dog Night’s “Joy to the World,” the Jimmy Buffett double-shot of “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” tunes from Steppenwolf, Pat Benatar, Eric Clapton, Proclaimers, Gin Blossoms and more.  This group delivers a happy vibe from start to end, along with tight musicianship, crisp vocals and harmonies, and a pleasant, upbeat presentation.  The mid-sized Cosmopolitan audience enjoyed it this night, and Echoes has been steadily building a following in their first few shows here.  Discover Echoes when they return to the Cosmopolitan August 10th.

    Other performers I saw recently included Rise Phoenix Rise at Pellegrine’s; Mt. City Grass, Rusty Gun Revival and the Hurricanes at Altoona’s Hitching Post; Dustin Burley and friends at City Limits; and the Giants Of Science as they hosted a bikini contest at the White Lady Tavern up the Buckhorn.      

   News and notes: The 17th annual End Of Summer Jam Benefit for Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh will take place Sunday, August 26 at the Cresson Sportsmen’s Club; featuring performances from Spirit Lost, The Verge, Tony Mollick Project, Felix & the Hurricanes, The Red Arrow, Half Tempted, Nitekast and Tie Down. The annual AmeriServ Johnstown Folkfest happens on Labor Day weekend, at Festival Park near downtown Johnstown; performers this year include A.J. Croce (son of the late Jim Croce), The Tossers, Slavic Soul Party, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers, Eric Lindell, Bill Kirchen & the Hammer of the Honky-Tonk Gods, Last Train Home, Bill Deasy, Jimmy Adler, The Marauders, Grinning Mob, Jennifer Drummey & The Small Band, Jackson Monsour and more. Former Half Tempted bassist “Big Jim” Ricotta has joined The Red Arrow, replacing Larry Smelley, who left the group to pursue other interests. Former Ask A Stranger guitarist Dave Buzard has joined the blues-rock group Kee Kee Anderson. Former Fayted guitarist Kenton Sitch has reformed his previous band, State Of Mind. A change of Josh’s behind the drum kit of Nitekast, as Josh Boring exits and Josh Sheesley replaces him. Bassist Joey G has left Harrisburg’s Stompd, citing personal reasons. On the topic of Stomp’d, congratulations to Stomp’d lead singer Amy Jo Hurricane and guitarist Willy G, the proud parents of a baby girl; Savannah Sky Hurricane was born on the 4th of July. Pittsburgh’s Icarus Witch releases their new CD, Songs for the Lost, on September 11; former Rainbow and Yngwie Malmsteen singer Joe Lynn Turner sings with the band on a cover of Def Leppard’s “Mirror Mirror”.

   Happy Birthdays to Chad Straw (The Embalmed), Matt Cherry (Lost Ledny), Rick Wertz (British Invasion/Ricky Lee/Music Emporium), Jamie Smith (Beyond Reason), Noah Figlin (The Nightcrawlers), Bob Fogelsonger (Sound of Silence), Erick and Matt Carlson, Frank Rumfola (Vengence), Kenton Sitch (State Of Mind), Rob Bonsell, Jim Barry, Kara Kise and Jeff Rittenhouse. Belated Happy Birthdays to Rhyne McCormick and Matt Popp (FedUP).