Archive for July, 2012

As I mentioned in the last blog, there was an event at Johnny Bang Bang’s this past weekend that featured a reunion of the band Forever. Featuring Jack Emrick on vocals, Steve McCarley on guitar, Ray Burke on bass, and Kevin Tanner on drums, Forever was THE band in Quincy in the ‘80s. As far as I knew, no other hard rock bands existed around here back then. I know now that there were others, but being too young to go to a bar limited my exposure to them. As they set up for the performance, there was a slide show of the old newspaper clippings and pictures from the old days up on the big screen behind the stage. I saw one that was a newspaper announcement of a show they played at the Casino Starlite that I remember going to. Then they started bringing Tanner’s drum set in. If there was a Smithsonian in Quincy, this thing would have to be in it. It is truly a monument of drumming. In case you never saw him play, Kevin Tanner is a freak of nature on the drums, just an incredible talent. After the drums were in place, the guys walked onstage. My good friend Dennis Hibbard grabbed the microphone and used the same introduction for the band that was used back at the Casino Show. “Please welcome Heavy Metal America Recording artists, FOREVER!” And in an instant, it was 1986 or ‘80 something…

…I was not sure what to think with this being the first concert I ever saw in Quincy. The opening band, Poison Dollys, was great. They had a Runaways/Missing Persons/Pat Benatar vibe with a more modern Motley Crue-ish kind of sound. The lead vocalist, who goes by the name Roulette, along with guitarist Gina Stile, bassist Mef Manning and drummer Gail Kenney won over the crowd very quickly. The girls ran through most of the songs from their self-titled debut album (which along with the Forever album can be picked up over at Play It Again Records on Maine Street, ask for Paul). These girls made it clear early on that were not just a gimmick. The musicianship was spot-on, and the songs were really good. There was a terrific breakdown in the middle of the song “Right Time” that was just awesome. When they were done, they signed autographs and chatted with some of the crowd. I am not an autograph person, so I ran over to get another soda. They charged 50 cents for a soda, can you believe that? I was going go all D’Annunzio on them about that, but I decided to get back in front of the stage instead. Pretty soon, the stage was filled with smoke and the opening riff of “Wicked Bitch” literally parted my hair coming out of McCarley’s guitar cabinet. The band was hitting on all cylinders and were genuinely excited to be playing to a huge crowd in their hometown. The drum solo was incredible. It was truly an inspired as well as inspiring performance. My personal favorite moments were probably “Sail On” and “Harsh Reality.” By the time I made it back out to the parking lot with my cigarettes safely tucked away in my sock so mom and dad would not see them, I could not hear anything. It was great, I am sure that I will remember this show for years to come…

Forever, Quincy's 1980s rock band.

…Jim Bier, one of the best guitarists this area has to offer (if not THE best), stood in for Steve McCarley and just wailed through the entire set. I do not think anyone else could have done it as well as Jim, so hats off to Mr. Bier for that. Jack was just as good if not better than he was back in the band’s heyday and was absolutely blown away by the reception of the crowd. Ray was Ray, always right there, solid as 4-ton brick. Then there was Kevin, as I said earlier, a freak of nature on the drums. At one point, he did a short solo then stood up and got an ovation from the crowd. That was one of the coolest moments I have ever seen. Being someone who was out of playing for a long time and got back into it under similar, but much smaller circumstances, I could almost imagine what was he was feeling. Rock on Tan-man! You deserve it.

Van Dyke

After the show, a friend and I headed over to Cellar 21 to hopefully catch a few songs from Logan Kammerer. We were stuck by the total difference in vibe from Johnny’s as soon as we walked in. The show at Johnny’s was loud and energetic with an electric atmosphere, while Cellar 21 had a cool, mellow thing happening with a relaxing feel. The musicianship was at the same high level both places. Logan’s set was almost over, but we got there in time for a Paul Simon tune called “Punky’s Dilemma” which is possibly my favorite cover song that he does. If you have a chance, be sure to check out one (or more) of his acoustic shows. When we left there we headed to a friend’s house to hang out with some other people. There were a couple guitars there and before I knew it, I was listening to someone play “We Can Work It Out” by the Beatles. Then several others joined in. Someone brought in some pots and pans from the kitchen and started playing percussion with them. There were four or five people passing the guitars around and every one of them could play pretty well. I didn’t touch anything. I just took it all in along with a couple of PBR’s. It just goes to show you that there is talent all over this town. That really added to the surreal-ness of the evening, so I decided to share it.

This week, get those rock ‘n’ roll clothes and bandannas out and put on some ‘80s metal along the lines of Motley Crue’s “Too Fast For Love,” or Def Leppard’s “High and Dry.” When those are done, put on “Strangers in the Night” by UFO. If you have not placed an online order for a Les Paul and a Marshall Stack by the time that album finishes, I do not know what will save you. If you are going to spend money on instruments, why not do it with some style?

Don Van Dyke

The Green Almighty perform.

Every once in a while, there is an event that showcases what the experience of live music is all about. The month of July 2012 just happens to contain two of them.

The first happened about a week ago. My friend Ryan McCaughey came back to visit. Ryan plays guitar in the Louis Prima Jr. band, which is touring the country in support of their CD “The Return of the Wildest.” If you have not heard or seen Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses, you are truly missing out. Louis is the son of Louis Prima, a true giant of musical entertainment. Louis was a man who took care of his audience first, and Louis Jr. is certainly continuing that philosophy. The band had some days off between stops and a few of them decided to join Ryan for a trip to Quincy. Ryan’s brother Eric arranged for a show at One Restaurant and Bar where he and Ryan could play a few songs and hang out with everyone at once. This was something they had done for years when they both lived in Arizona. They performed acoustically at several places around Phoenix as The McKay Brothers. As the Quincy show started, it was pretty obvious that they knew what they were doing. They joked around, gave each other a hard time, and played just about any kind of music you could think of. Later in the evening, the brothers were joined by Cheeks McGee for a couple songs on horns. I say horns because I don’t know a trumpet from a sousaphone. As usual, he was outstanding. Then, the McKays were joined by the guys from the Louis Prima Jr. band. A.D. Adams played drums, Michael Gerbino was on the bass, Ryan and Eric played guitar, and Louis Prima Jr. sang a few songs. It was great. Ryan introduced the guys and each took a short solo highlighted by an A.D. Adams drum solo that is beyond description. He had a bass drum, a snare and two cymbals and just did a tremendous job. At some point, Ryan and Eric sang Happy Birthday to their grandmother. There were all kinds of friends and family that were there as well. People who had not seen each other in years. A lot of the musicians that Ryan had played with over the years were there. It was just an all around good time. A great restaurant/venue, a fantastic show, and about the best bunch of people you could ever hope to meet. It was truly an inspiring evening on many levels. It was quite a party, so I hope they didn’t have to replace any curtains or anything.

Van Dyke

Also, this weekend will be the return of Ray Burke and the Quincy debut of his band, The Green Almighty. It will also be the return of the legendary band that Ray played in back in the day, Forever. This was the first original live rock band that I ever saw live. Again, a fabulous venue, Johnny Bang Bang’s, will be loaded with the coolest people on earth for a celebration of the past, present and future. The Green Almighty will play Friday with The Pimkatz, a great local band, and Saturday with Groove Stick, another great local band you will love. Forever will be playing on Saturday also. I am sure I will get another blog’s worth of material after this one.

These two events help to remind me of the power of music. It can be a teacher, a healer, a communicator, and an inspiration sometimes all at once. All you have to do is be there. Who needs a ride?

This week’s artist to check out is The Explorers Club. Their latest album is called “Grand Hotel.” It is a throwback to a late ‘60s, early ‘70s sound. Thank you Ryan McCaughey for letting me know about it.

Don Van Dyke

KC Streetband (R&B/soul)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday
WHERE: Music under the Stars, Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum, Hannibal, Mo.

Zeke Cernea (acoustic)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday
WHERE: Cellar 21, 121 N. Fourth

The Cheeseburgers (classic rock)
WHEN: 5 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Down by the River, YMen’s Pavilion, Hannibal, Mo.

Smokin’ Joe Kubek (blues)
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Blues in the District, Washington Park

Stompin’ Ground (classic rock/country)
WHEN: 6 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Pig Days, Pike County Courthouse, Pittsfield

Collateral Damage, Dier Dezine, Wedgewood Brothers (rock)
WHEN: 6 p.m. Friday
WHERE: West Central Regional Party of ABATE, Adams County Fairgrounds

Danny Funderburk and Anticipation (gospel)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Madison Park Christian Church

Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters (classic rock)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: The Dock, 1021 Bonansinga

Wreckingball (classic rock)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Johnny Bang Bang’s, 138 N. Front

George Cate (acoustic)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Friday
WHERE: One Restaurant and Bar, 600 Hampshire

13 Stitches and Days Taken (rock)
WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: West Central Regional Party of ABATE, Adams County Fairgrounds

Timewell Spent (classic rock)
WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Pig Days, Pike County Courthouse, Pittsfield

Charissa Mrowka and Country Cross with Janell Vermeire (country)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Lake Hill Winery, Carthage

Midwest Avenue Band (country)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Johnny Bang Bang’s, 138 N. Front

Cosmic Cow (‘80s cover)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: One Restaurant and Bar, 600 Hampshire

The McKay Brothers (rock)
WHEN: 1 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Lake Hill Winery, Carthage

John Busen Benefit featuring the Horndogs and Time Well Spent (classic rock)
WHEN: 2 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Knights of Columbus, 700 South 36th St.

The McKay Brothers (rock)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday
WHERE: One Restaurant and Bar, 600 Hampshire

Smooth Sounds Band (jazz)
WHEN: 6 p.m. Wednesday
WHERE: One Restaurant and Bar, 600 Hampshire

More details on upcoming shows are available on the calendar page at www.thelocalq.com.

For information on bands and concert venues, go to the music page at www.thelocalq.com.

Submit details for upcoming shows at www.thelocalq.com/node/1767.

Rhonda Vincent and the Rage (bluegrass)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday
WHERE: Music Under the Stars, Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum, Hannibal, Mo.

Black Tie (classic rock)
WHEN: 5 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Down by the River, YMen’s Pavilion, Hannibal, Mo.

Live and Local Showcase featuring Unknown Faces, George Cate, Somewhere In Between and Sidewalk Chalk (rock)
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Johnny Bang Bang’s, 138 N. Front
COST: $3

Saints Avenue Opry (country)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Lewis Street Playhouse, Canto, Mo.

The PimpKatz (classic rock)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday
WHERE: National Tom Saywer Days, Tanyard Gardens Beer Tent, Hannibal, Mo.
COST: $3

Jared and the Gentlemen (rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Friday
WHERE: One Restaurant and Bar, 600 Hampshire

Wreckingball
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Keokuk Yacht Club, Keokuk, Iowa

Madd Hoss Jackson (country)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: National Tom Saywer Days, Tanyard Gardens Beer Tent, Hannibal, Mo.
COST: $3

Big on Blondes (classic rock)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Dock, 1021 Bonansinga

Days Taken (rock)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Johnny Bang Bang’s, 138 N. Front

Filmore (country)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: One Restaurant and Bar, 600 Hampshire

Big River Swing Machine
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday
WHERE: One Restaurant and Bar, 600 Hampshire
More details on upcoming shows are available on the calendar page at www.thelocalq.com.

For information on bands and concert venues, go to the music page at www.thelocalq.com.

Submit details for upcoming shows at www.thelocalq.com/node/1767.