Autograph w/ Special Guest: Jambox -- Coming To Southport Bar & Grill – Saturday, April 18th, 2015

In the annals of rock ‘n roll, one can find listed ‘Autograph’ as: ‘was a glam metal band from 1983 to 1989'. From my research, the few websites I could find, most list them as currently ‘inactive’.  Obviously, they need to update, as this is inaccurate.  This is NOT the end of the story or the end of the road for this band. They are currently touring and also released a new single in January titled ‘You Are Us, We Are You’.  Moral of this blog is, you can’t keep a good band down.  Some may disappear for a time, but reunions abound, and truly, in my personal opinion, I see glam metal experiencing a resurgence here in the last year.  I was totally away from the music scene locally and abroad for about fifteen years.  Now that I’m back, I’m liking what I see, and I’m very excited to be a part of it once again.

 

Southport Bar & Grill, March 16, 2014

Photo credit: Bill Iles – Rock ‘n Race Photography  http://www.racenrockphotography.com

 

 

Southport Bar & Grill, March 16, 2014

Photo credit: Bill Iles – Rock ‘n Race Photography  http://www.racenrockphotography.com

 

 

Southport Bar & Grill, March 16, 2014

Photo credit: Bill Iles – Rock ‘n Race Photography  http://www.racenrockphotography.com

 

 

Southport Bar & Grill, March 16, 2014

Photo credit: Bill Iles – Rock ‘n Race Photography  http://www.racenrockphotography.com

 

 

Southport Bar & Grill, March 16, 2014

Photo credit: Bill Iles – Rock ‘n Race Photography  http://www.racenrockphotography.com



Southport Bar & Grill, March 16, 2014

Photo credit: Bill Iles – Rock ‘n Race Photography  http://www.racenrockphotography.com



 

Southport Bar & Grill, March 16, 2014

Photo credit: Bill Iles – Rock ‘n Race Photography  http://www.racenrockphotography.com

 

 

Southport Bar & Grill, March 16, 2014

Photo credit: Bill Iles – Rock ‘n Race Photography  http://www.racenrockphotography.com

 

 

Autograph enjoyed a fairly moderate level of popularity in the realm of time that glam metal existed.  Touring along side Van Halen, Motley Crue and Heart, they rode the wave with their most popular tune ‘Turn Up The Radio’ which was on their first album ‘Sign In Please’ (1984).  In 2009, it made the VH1 list of “The 100 Greatest Rock Songs”. The current line-up includes original band members Steve Lynch (lead guitar/background vocals) and Randy Rand (bass guitar/background vocals) with newbies Simon Daniels (lead vocals/rhythm guitar) and drummer Marc Wieland.  The earlier days for Autograph included many milestones from tv and movie debuts to video games which featured ‘Turn Up The Radio’.  I think it’s great that they are hitting the smaller venues with their current tour.  I believe that speaks volumes regarding their character and brings them in a more intimate contact with their loyal followers.

 

Autograph Spring/Summer U.S. Tour Dates

 

4/17 Chesterfield, MI

Diesel Concert Lounge

 

4/18 Indianapolis, IN

Southport Concert Bar (w/Jambox)

 

6/6 Greenbay, WI

The Watering Hole (w/Firehouse)

 

7/10 Glendive, MT

The Retro Theatre

 

7/11 Fort Yates, ND

Prairie Knights Casino (w/Great White)

 

7/23 Royalton, MN

Halfway Jam Fest

 

8/7 Three Forks, MT

Rockin' The Rivers Festival

 

8/30 Melbourne, FL

80's In The Park Festival



 

 

This is just a ‘teaser’ blog of sorts, as I wanted to get the word out regarding their Spring/Summer tour.  I will review them when they play at Southport Bar & Grill on April 18^th.  Be sure to get your ticket, as seating is limited.  Advanced: $17, day of show $20.  Indy’s own ‘Jambox’ will be the special guest at this performance….always a great show from these local rockers!  To borrow some words from Autograph’s 2003 release ‘Buzz’ (‘Can’t Stop Rockin’’)….because rock is not dead and gone…just no stoppin’…no controllin’…don't slow down...go ahead guys, scream and carry on…as they would say, ‘I can’t stop rockin’, I can’t stop rollin’….as I always say, guys…ROCK ON...there's still time for dreams to come true!!

 

 

 

 

 

 



Indy Band Review: The Big 80's - Southport Bar & Grill

Perhaps I’m a bit biased, but I’m partial to the 80’s decade, I’m sure you’re all aware of that by now.  It was during this span that my 20’s were in full swing. Rubik Cube was launched in 1980 followed by M-TV in the summer of ‘81.  There were just so many outstanding milestones during this time and I have many fond memories, ones that shaped me into the person I am today.  I think we would all agree if we could go back in time there would be things we would change, but I know I would not want to have missed out on all that this era imprinted onto my young world.  That being said, you can’t talk 80’s and not reminisce about parachute pants, which I never cared for…LOL…and of course, Aqua-net hairspray (white can, pink label for me, thank you)….that was glue in an aerosol form!  I used so much of that stuff, I should have bought stock in the company that makes it! I must have had to slouch in my car to get my hair to fit, and how on earth did I ever wash it all out of my hair? Yes, the 80’s were certainly ‘big’!

Photo credit: Bill Iles

Photo credit: Bill Iles

 

Local band ‘The Big 80’s’ breathes life back in time to many of the tunes that flooded the airwaves of the day.  One advantage to having female vocals is the versatility it brings to the playlist.  They hit upon just about every year of this decade with a sampling of music that made the 80’s an unforgettable musical extravaganza.  What genre tickles your fancy? New wave? Pop rock? Hip-hop? Rock? Rap? Dance-pop? Maybe hard rock or heavy metal? Big 80’s has got you covered!  So much variety in two sets! The night started off with Journey’s ‘Separate Ways’ (1983), with a twist…female vocalist Gina Dowling taking the mic. Naturally, the ‘girl tunes’ filled the bill with Joan Jett’s ‘I Love Rock ‘n Roll’ (1982), Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ (1983), Pat Benatar ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot’ (1980), and Eurythmics ‘Sweet Dreams’ (1983).

Photo credit : Bill Iles

 

Big 80's is:

 

Gina Dowling - vocals/keyboards

Joe Fortin - vocals/guitar

Scott Maxwell - lead guitar/keyboards

Nate Wiencken - vocals/drums

Eric Hammes - bass guitar

 

Joel Dowling - background vocals/sound/lights

Photo credit: Bill Iles

Photo credit: Bill Iles

There was so much dance music in this era…but really, all of it made it easy to get your ‘groove’ on, even those metal tunes!  One of the big movies in 1984 was Footloose, (Kenny Loggins) …that’s one that’s hard to sit still when you hear it.  Big 80’s kept the dance floor movin’ with this one!  Continuing the theme, Salt-N-Pepa’s ‘Push It’ (1987), Prince ‘Let’s Go Crazy’ (1984) and ‘1999’ (1982), Tone Loc’s ‘Funky Cold Medina’ (1989), B-52’s ‘Love Shack’ (1989), INXS ‘New Sensation’ (1987), Corey Hart ‘Sunglasses At Night’ (1984), The Human League ‘Don’t You Want Me’ (1981), and Beastie Boys ‘(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)’ (1986). Other popular dance songs from Kool & The Gang, George Michael, John Mellencamp, Rick Springfield, C&C Music Factory and J. Geils Band rounded out the funk of the night.

   

Photo credit: Bill Iles

 

Photo credit: Bill Iles

 

Photo credit: Bill Iles

Don’t let all that ‘danceability’ fool ya though, as Big 80’s can rock your socks off with Def Leppard ‘Pour Some Sugar On Me’ (1987), Ozzy Osbourne ‘Crazy Train’ (1980), Guns N’ Roses ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ (1987), Bon Jovi ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’ (1987), Poison ‘Talk Dirty To Me’ (1987), AC/DC ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ (1980) and Peter Gabriel ‘Sledgehammer’ (1986) plus so many other great 80’s music, and even a few from the late 70’s and early 90’s.  Be sure to visit Big 80’s website at: http://big80stributeband.com and ‘like’ them on their FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/thebig80sindianapolis  This local band is a great live tribute to this rockin’ era from their phenomenal light show to the rock itself….if it’s BIG, it’s The Big 80’s!