Indy Band Review: GlamericA with special guest: Just The Tip - Southport Bar & Grill - 12/12/15

Just The Tip

 

Genre: Rock, Classic Rock, 80's

Hometown: Greenwood, Indiana

 

 

Band names are interesting, I think.  Kind of like street names.  Some seem obvious, others not so. Just the tip....what does that mean? I guess that depends on where your mind leads you! According to their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/justthetip77/timeline), "Once you get Just The Tip...we will leave you wanting more!!!" That being said, here's a sampling of what these local rockers have to offer....Van Halen (You Really Got Me), Heart (Barracuda), Guns N' Roses (Night Train, Sweet Child O' Mine), Joan Jett (I Hate Myself For Loving You, I Love Rock 'N' Roll), AC/DC (You Shook Me All Night Long), Danzig (Mother) and several others during their one set opener. As always, I like seeing the ladies front and center on the stage. So while the 'Urban Dictionary' has a much different definition of 'just the tip', I will say this in reference to their musical performance...perhaps just one set is a harmonious tease...but check them out...there is more than meets the eyes and ears. Carry on! :-)

 

 

Just The Tip is:

 

Mandi Hayes-Murphy - Lead Vocals
Aaron Smith - Lead Guitar
Tom Crouch - Drums
Bo Davidson - Bass
Erin Kiesel - Vocals

 

 

GlamericA

 

Genre: 80's hair/glam metal

Hometown: Indianapolis

 

 

I first saw these guys back in the spring, and was very impressed with their line-up. Y'all know I'm a big 80's r'nr fan...and GLAMerica definitely puts the 80's charisma in American rock and roll!  Not satisfied with just one set, I had to see more...so finally, I got my chance! Certainly a memory lane journey for this genre....Guns N' Roses (Welcome To The Jungle, Home Sweet Home, Paradise City), Scorpions (Rock You Like A Hurricane), Poison (Talk Dirty To Me, Nothin' But A Good Time), Van Halen (Runnin' With The Devil, Jump), Pat Benatar (Love Is A Battlefield), Twisted Sister (I Wanna Rock), Journey (Separate Ways, Don't Stop Believin'), Whitesnake (Still of the Night), Autograph (Turn Up The Radio), Patty Smyth (The Warrior), Warrant (Cherry Pie) and also tunes by Bon Jovi, Styx, Def Leppard, Motley Crue and many others. Certainly a fitting tribute to an unequaled musical era in my opinion.

 

And if you think their visual presence takes you back, check out their stage names...note: the names have been changed to expose the guilty....or is that to protect the innocent? No....I think I had it right the first time! *grin*

 

Glamerica is:

 

Kip Cain
Tiffany Kitaen
Blaze E. Lee
Fret Michaels
Alex Van Peart
Jani Rose
Duff Sixx

 

Be sure to 'like' their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Glamericaband/timeline  Their next gig at Southport Bar & Grill will be January 2, 2016 with Rok Hollywood and American Bombshell.  Love you guys! Rock on!

 



 



 

 

 

 



Indy Band Review: Fancy Sauce - Gallagher's II - 8/15/15

 

Genre: Classic Rock

Hometown: Indianapolis

 

 



Hot summer nights and rock 'n roll...something about the two that just go together.  By mid-August the season may be winding down, but on the local music scene, it's still heatin' up! I certainly like seeing the ladies on stage...and Fancy Sauce has not just one, but two gals working the vocals!  One advantage to that is you get the best of both worlds....although don't think these ladies back down on singing the tunes typically hammered out by the guys!

 

 

The evening was energetic....two hours of rock in just the first set.  A sampling of what you will hear includes 'Separate Ways' and 'Stone In Love' (Journey), 'Rock and Roll Band (Boston), 'All Right Now' (Free), 'Rebel Yell' (Billy Idol), 'Barracuda' (Heart), 'We're An American Band' (Grand Funk), 'Carry On Wayward Son' (Kansas), 'Wanted Man' (Styx), 'Dreams' (Stevie Nicks), 'Hold The Line' (Toto), 'Feels Like The First Time' (Foreigner), 'Play That Funky Music' (Wild Cherry)...and also tunes by The Cars, Jefferson Starship and many others.  For the most part, the play list was 'tame' (that's not a bad thing!) and rather predictable (that's not a bad thing, either!), but then you get a 'surprise'...(those are nice when they're good!)...you wanted it...you got it....KISS! 'Rock and Roll All Night'! Who knew? *smile*

 

 

If you missed them this time around, you'll have several more opportunities to see them again this year....back at Gallagher's II....October 23rd, November 25th and December 19th. Hmmm....Fancy Sauce....mild, medium or hot 'n spicy...what's your pleasure? Whet your musical appetite...get 'Sauced'! Now that's finger lickin' good rock 'n' roll and mighty tasty!

 

Fancy Sauce is:

 

Kate Hurst - vocals

Ryan Rhoades - vocals

Nancy Lerch - keyboards, vocals

Phil Starkey - bass guitar

Chris Hildenbrand - guitar

Mike Lee - drums

 

Check out and 'like' their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/fancysauceband

 

 





Indy Band Review: Judas Beast w/ Special Guests: Crambone and Hellwagon - 8 Seconds Saloon - 8/7/15

 

I rarely blog a Friday gig...in fact, this is only the second time I've done so.  I also tend to stay within a usual '15 mile radius' from my home...so trekking to the west side of Indy, my childhood stompin' grounds is familiar territory, but a little far.  However, there was a hard-driving triple header of rock 'n roll...so I couldn't miss that! I'm not, nor was I ever a fan of Iron Maiden, and exposed to only a small amount of Judas Priest. Don't hold that against me....as the headlining band is a Maiden/Priest tribute band. So, I can't write much about them, but will give at least some feedback on it. It is what is.

 

 

With just a short, half hour set, Hellwagon started off the night hitting on the 'heavy' tunes, setting the stage for the evening's final act.  I've blogged them twice before, and in a full show they typically throw in some musical 'surprises'.  A sampling of this show's tunes....'Snortin' Whiskey' (Pat Travers), 'Helter Skelter' (Motley Crue), 'Mr. Brownstone' (Guns N' Roses) and 'I Wanna Rock' (Twisted Sister).  You've got to see these guys when the Hellwagon comes rolling thru your town! Your next opportunity is Friday, August 21st at Southport Bar & Grill.

 

Tony

8 Seconds Saloon – 8/7/15

Photo credit: Bill Iles – Rock ‘n Race Photography

http://www.racenrockphotography.com

 





Brian

8 Seconds Saloon – 8/7/15

Photo credit: Bill Iles – Rock ‘n Race Photography

http://www.racenrockphotography.com

 

Craig

8 Seconds Saloon – 8/7/15

Photo credit: Bill Iles – Rock ‘n Race Photography

http://www.racenrockphotography.com

 

Stacey

8 Seconds Saloon – 8/7/15

Photo credit: Bill Iles – Rock ‘n Race Photography

http://www.racenrockphotography.com

 

Hellwagon is:

Tony Diekhoff - vocals

Craig (aka: Shred) Young - guitar/vocals

Stacey Ely - drums

Brian Coleman - bass guitar

 

'Like' their Facebook band page:

https://www.facebook.com/HellwagonIndy

 

How can you possibly "Cram"-bone so much mayhem into a brief 40-minute set? If you've seen these guys before, you know it's just all in a night's entertainment! C-c-crambone is more than some r-n'-r...it's an experience...one you'll  want to repeat. You just never know what will happen next! Just like you'd 'think' on this particular night, it'd just be some metal tunes...then you hear it....Jeff and Johnny...Johnny Cash, that is...who knew?! 'Ring of Fire'...ain't never heard it sung like that before! Ok, it did get heavy....Ozzy...'Bark At The Moon'....some Crue...'Too Young To Fall In Love'...KISS...'Detroit Rock City'...complete with John's smokin' guitar! Some Whitesnake...'Still of the Night' and some Megadeth as well.  Always thankful for our military past, present and future, vocalist Richey leads an acapella version of 'The Star Spangled Banner'. You've got to check these guys out...they'll tickle your funny....uh...Crambone for sure!

 

Jeff

8 Seconds Saloon – 8/7/15

Photo credit: Bill Iles – Rock ‘n Race Photography

http://www.racenrockphotography.com

 

John

8 Seconds Saloon – 8/7/15

Photo credit: Bill Iles – Rock ‘n Race Photography

http://www.racenrockphotography.com

 

Marc

8 Seconds Saloon – 8/7/15

Photo credit: Bill Iles – Rock ‘n Race Photography

http://www.racenrockphotography.com

 

Jimmy

8 Seconds Saloon – 8/7/15

Photo credit: Bill Iles – Rock ‘n Race Photography

http://www.racenrockphotography.com

 



Charles

8 Seconds Saloon – 8/7/15

Photo credit: Bill Iles – Rock ‘n Race Photography

http://www.racenrockphotography.com

 

Crambone is:

 Jeff 'Nacho Daddy' Richey - lead vocals

 Marc (Marcenstein) Kiefer - lead guitar

 John (Pastor John) Gammon - lead guitar

 James (Jimmy V) Valdez - bass guitar

 Charles (TamaChuck) O'Reilly - drums

 

'Like' their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crambone/152902246079?e fref=ts&ref=br_tf

 

 

 

Judas Beast

 

Genre: Iron Maiden/Judas Priest tribute band

Hometown: Chicago

 

Ok, now this blog becomes a true challenge...as I mentioned earlier, I'm not an Iron Maiden/Judas Priest follower...that's not a bad thing...it's just not my style of music.  But unfortunately, that means I can not offer much in the way of information.  By this time of the night, I was quite tired, so I only stayed for about 4 or 5 of the songs they performed.  I picked up an IM tune 'Wasted Years'...simply because of the repetition of the song. They had a cool stage backdrop, and a great stage presence, although most of the crowd had gone by this time, not sure why.

 

You can check out and like their Facebook page (they're almost to 5,000 likes!)... https://www.facebook.com/judasbeastchicago?fref=ts  Here you can find their band profile, store and YouTube links.  They also have a website: http://www.judasbeastchicago.com/  I feel I've left this blog incomplete, so I apologize for the lack of information.  If you are a big Iron Maiden/Judas Priest fan...this would be the band to follow!

 

 

Judas Beast is:

 

Dane McCartney - vocals

Jess Naputano - drums/background vocals

Mike Feldman - bass

Matt Berger - guitars/background vocals

Jeremy Lyzik - guitars

MattVerden - guitars

 

Luke Hamann - promotions

Matt Propoggo - production

Tammy Guillen - photography



 

 

 

 

Indy Band Review: Devereaux - Southport Bar & Grill 7/25/15

 

Genre: Top 40, Rock, Pop, Country...& more

Hometown: Louisville, KY

 

It's always good to have a visual...and what I'm continuing to see as I blog the local rock scene is a tremendous amount of talent circulating in Indy...even when it comes from out-of-state. Devereaux not only has a female vocalist, but one that plays electric violin...that's rare in rock...I tend to think of the Charlie Daniels Band when it comes to that instrument...so it truly adds a 'kick' to the show. And Ms. Christine to me is a mix reminiscent of Janis Joplin and Bette Midler.  And yup....there was some country tunes! *grin*

 

And talk about a well-rounded genre-spanning song list with a sound that embraces rock 'n roll...you got it! So many atypical tunes... 'Squeeze Box' (The Who), 'Pride and Joy' (Stevie Ray Vaughan), 'Give Me One Reason' (Tracy Chapman), 'Stand By Me' (Ben E. King), 'Folsom Prison Blues' (Johnny Cash), 'Honky Tonk Women' (Rolling Stones), 'Lonely Boy' (The Black Keys), 'Ain't No Sunshine' (Bill Withers), 'Hotel California' (The Eagles), 'Hit Me With Your Best Shot' (Pat Benatar), 'Teenage Wasteland' (The Who), 'Billie Jean' (Michael Jackson)....and oh so many more!

 

Definitely a band to see, hear, feel and taste...Devereaux will send your senses reeling with their high energy show. Oh no....you say you missed them this time?!  No worries....they will return in December...plan for it now and stay tuned so you don't miss out! Devereaux....a little bit country, blues, folk, soul, jazz....and of course...a little bit rock n' roll!

 

Devereaux (full band) is...

 

Christine Devereaux - lead vocals/electric violin

David Miles - bass guitar

Jimmy Carwile - lead guitar/vocals

Wyndell Williams - guitar/vocals

Ringo Bonham - drums

 

Devereaux trio is...

 

Christine Devereaux - lead vocals/electric violin

David Miles - bass guitar

Dan Weigleb - acoustic guitar/vocals

 

Devereaux duo is...

 

Christine Devereaux - lead vocals/electric violin

Kevin McCreery - acoustic guitar/vocals

 

Be sure to 'like' and check out their Facebook page for more information:

 

https://www.facebook.com/devereauxRocks?fref=ts

 

 



Indy Band Review: The Girls - Drifty's Live - 7/18/15

Last night was probably the warmest one yet here in Indy...and the south side was heatin' up to a packed house rockin' with 'The Girls'...and all girl rock band...*grin*...yeah!  I always like to see the ladies front and center, so a whole band of 'em is pretty cool! This was my first time seeing them, and I understand they were minus their keyboardist this night...well pooh, I'm partial to those!

 

So, the steamy night's agenda included some Guns N' Roses 'Sweet Child O' Mine', Heart's 'Straight On'...definitely rockin' that! Fleetwood Mac 'Go Your Own Way', REO Speedwagon 'Roll With The Changes', a tune you don't typically hear on the local scene...some AC/DC 'Dirty Deeds'....y'all know that's my favorite band...can't say I ever heard a gal sing it...hmmmm....ok, I like it...and many others during my short visit.

 

I understand these ladies don't play a lot, so definitely catch them when they are out and about.  I am including the dates you can see them on the 'Hot Spot Calendar'. 'Like' their Facebook page... https://www.facebook.com/thegirls2013?fref=ts   'The Girls' can rock....'let a woman rock you'....nothing wrong with that! Carry on ladies!

 

 

'The Girls' are...

 

Bea Isaacs

Julie Gerard

Pam Lee

Beau Brinkley

Kelly Oliver

Rhonda Collins

Nita @ Large In Indy Blog Update

It seems hard to believe I've had this blog for 8 months now! I felt it was time for an update on it.  Technology is a wonderful thing, we can get our news instantly...and this blog is no different.  When I see a band on Saturday night, I can have the review published most times in less than 24 hours! When I wrote for a local entertainment paper back in the mid 80's...it was very different...there was a deadline, and if you missed that, then you had to wait for the review in the next paper. So the timing of when I saw a band vs. when that review was published could be as long as a month or more.

 

There are several reasons I started this blog.  One, I love to write.  Two, I love rock 'n roll...especially 80's hair/glam metal.  Three, I like to support local musicians and what better way than to highlight them in a music blog? I know it takes awhile for something 'new' to catch on...I think the blog has done quite well for the short time it has been in existence.  It's reached 40 countries (including the U.S.), and it is averaging almost 600 hits a month.  I have come to realize, there isn't anybody else I know of here locally doing what I'm doing.  That said, I truly believe there is a need for it, and so I will continue.  I enjoy it very much.

 

Indy has a lot of local talent...not all states have all these rock musicians playing like this around their town. I truly admire this form of art, although I would stop short of saying I'm a music lover...as that is a broad scope, and I have my limitations of appreciation, as I do not care for 'all' genres.  Last night, I had opportunity to see a country band, (I was out blogging on a rock band....blog coming up next) so I decided to check it out. OMR! (that means, 'oh my rockness'!), this would really be stretching the 'At Large' in my blog name! Yipes! Have I finally lost my mind? Really? Anita seeing a country band? Do I know this genre? Heck no! However, I do have a musically 'trained' ear as a one-time piano tuner.

 

So, throughout the one hour or so that I listened, I struggled with the thought, 'to blog or not to blog' this. Every brand of music has a following, this is no different and I respect that. Can I be unbiased attempting to blog a music style that's not 'up my alley'? The harmonies and beat are nice.  The crowd is obviously different, but they too like to dance. *smile* I jotted down several notes, 'just in case'.  My personal experience with country is what I was exposed to as a child with 'The Lawrence Welk Show', 'Hee Haw' and a lot of bluegrass from the likes of 'The Beverly Hillbillies'.  That is probably as close as I'll get.  No offense to the country lovin' folk. Do they have talent? Absolutely!

 

I do not get paid for doing this blog, it is a labor of love.  It is not unusual for me to spend two or more hours putting one together, depending on how many bands I have seen in one show. Sometimes a little research is required, and I like to include links to the band's websites and Facebook pages in the 'Local Web Links' area of the blog.  I want to be as thorough as possible.  I would like to get more bands and clubs on board for the 'The Hot Spot Band/Club Calendar' I added just a few months ago. This fall and winter I intend to branch out into some other areas of the music business and highlight photography and sound on the local level.  Also, doing some 'memory lane' blogs and other interesting stuff that is music related. I would love to hear from all y'all out there, please leave comments and don't hesitate to contact me...either thru my 'Nita @ Large in Indy' Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nitaatlargeinindy or via email: NitaAtLargeInIndy@aol.com. I know my main readership is based on rock 'n roll, and this girl loves her AC/DC, therefore I will stick to what I know...blogging rock and the likes....so....rock on!

Chek-n' In: The Big 80's - Update - Southport Bar & Grill - 7/11/15

Oh, I am SO addicted! I just can't get enough! Enough of 80's music, that is! Yes, I'm partial to it...especially the hair/glam stuff...it's my favorite...but all y'all know that by now.  So last night, I was lovin' me some 'Big 80's', the Indy 80's tribute band.  What a great era of music.  Many of us who are now back in the club scene 21st Century...this was what we listened to 'back in the day'...the 20th Century....ha!  It was 'our' time...and what good times those were.  So, like a boomerang, we need a repeat!  I think this was the best time for music....nationally and especially on the local level...rock was so alive! Perhaps my mind is captured, reminiscing those M-TV days, which launched in the late summer of '81.  Ahh, yes...those were the days....before so much technology and social media.

 

'The Big 80's' expresses this so well with a trip down 80's memory lane...a musical line-up, backed with coordinating video clips behind the stage on a large tv screen. 'Pour Some Sugar On Me' (Def Leppard - '88), 'I Love Rock 'n' Roll' (Joan Jett - '82), 'Footloose' (Kenny Loggins - '84), 'Push It' (Salt-n-Pepa - '87), 'Angel In The Centerfold' (J. Geils Band - '83) 'Your Love' (The Outfield - '85), 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' (Cyndi Lauper - '85), 'Material Girl' (Madonna - '84), 'Wild Wild West' (The Escape Club - '88), 'Hungry Like The Wolf' (Duran Duran - '82), 'Bust A Move' (Young MC - '89), 'Love Shack' (B-52's - '89), 'Jesse's Girl' (Rick Springfield - '81), 'Faith' (George Michael - '87), 'Crazy Train' (Ozzy Osbourne '80), 'Whip It' (Devo - '80), lots of Prince, more Prince and yet some more ('1999' - '82, 'Let's Go Crazy' - '84,  'When Doves Cry' - '84)...and other tunes by Pat Benatar, Eurythmics, Bon Jovi, Guns N' Roses, Journey and many, many more.

 

Yipes....they even stepped outside of my '80's comfort zone' with 'Superstition' (Stevie Wonder - '72), 'Highway To Hell' (AC/DC - '79), (Gonna Make You Sweat) Everybody Dance Now (C&C Music Factory - '90) and 'Uptown Funk' (Bruno Mars)...hey, that's definitely not 80's...ok, funked me up!  So, drummer Nate takes front stage to belt out a couple of tunes, and guitarist Joe switches to drums....did I know you played drums, Joe? *smile* By the way, was that Bugs Bunny and Yosimite Sam I saw on the big screen? Love them! <3 Even Elvis was in the house...and he was 'all shook up' or somethin'....lordy be....thank you very much! And of course, 'yours truly' got some stage action with my fave AC/DC tune, 'You Shook Me All Night Long' (1980)...so much fun! These guys bring it all together and do the 80's up right! I cannot express enough kudos to female vocalist Gina Dowling....this gal rocks! They all do!

 

Cool shades, headbands, spandex, net gloves, hair and Aquanet...Rubik's Cube and all big smiles, big fun...'The Big 80's'.....let party like it's 1985! Chek-n' In and definitely 'celebrating good times'...Rock on!

 

 

The 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

 

'Like' them on Facebook:

 

https://www.facebook.com/thebig80sindianapolis 

 

 

Check out their website:

 

http://big80stributeband.com