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From the Archives: Article Valley Advocate (Easthampton, MA)
October 6, 2005
Section: Music

A Ripping Good Time
The Nightcrawler crawls the Grand Band Slam; Rob Rocks again.

Ive heard of humdingers. Even barn burners. But a crotch-ripper?"Think I had a little blow-out," noted Aquanett 's multi-octave frontman Anthony Whalen during his band's Grand Band Slam performance, tugging away at the dangling leather flap that had formerly adhered to cover his nether regions. Of course, had this been any other singer with nearly any other band, this also could have been a show-stopper. Seeing that his entire band is infamous for wearing pants so tight you can tell which members are circumcised and which are not, however, Whalen took the wardrobe failure in stride and hammered out a pulse-pounding set of vintage '80s fist-in-the-air chestnuts. For Aquanett , mishaps like the seams giving out on leather pants or a spandex tear are simply occupational hazards. And besides, even when a member receives some accidental cross-ventilation, the band still offers a lot more to look at. Guitar enthusiasts may feel like they're at a tennis match, turning their collective heads back and fourth as six-stringers Dave Ward and Jim O'Keefe effortlessly peel off note-for-note Van Halen and Randy Rhoads solos with the greatest of ease. Then there's keyboardist Rick Thompson, filling things out both instrumentally and vocally wherever he can and playing the role of "crowd motivator" between the cracks. "We're honored to be here and glad you're all digging what we do," says O'Keefe at one point in the show. "But guys like Thirty Stones that were on before us do their own thing, and they definitely deserve a hand for that." Good point. A metal bottle of Budweiser later (you had to be there), your friendly neighborhood Nightcrawler happens upon fellow Red Sox cap-wearers Mike "Haze" of Lazer 99.3...and his father. "Quite a turnout, huh?" I remark to Haze. "Yeah, and this weather is awesome," he responds. "Couldn't ask for a better night." Noticing the dozens upon dozens of Harleys lining Worthington Street on my way to the Fat Cat, I was inclined to agree. Inside the venue, The Skeptics are making believers out of anyone who might have dared question their "Best Punk Band" victory. Across the street at Naismith's, I later enjoy the lighter fare of Zoe Darrow and the Fiddleheads --and switch to Crown Royal, as this is a more upscale establishment. My evening concludes bellied up to the sizable open-air bar of Opal, where employees are filling me in on some of their staff members' claims to fame. It's another story for another day, and as one in attendance declares, "It's time for a round of Orgasmartinis," I decide that it's time for this day to be over for yours truly... Some 30 hours later, I find myself propped up against an elm tree at the Enfield Street School in Connecticut, catching a set from Kaya during a charity walk-a-thon. As mentioned in previous installments, this band oozes with talent top to bottom and has just released a debut disc, Hot & Salty. While their originals certainly got toes tappin' and heads bobbin', there's just something about a spot-on cover of Hendrix's "Wind Cries Mary" that sends shivers up my spine--even as the mid-day sun beats strongly upon my back. "Damn, these guys are tight," soundman Rich Lansky leans over to tell me. "Yeah," I respond, soaking it all in. "And how about this weather?" So thanks to all the bands, the people who came out to support them and, well, Mother Nature, I guess, for a truly ripping good weekend! Meanwhile, if all this talk of Spandex and hair spray has you pining for the '80s, there's another local show on the books that will certainly fill the bill. His name is Rob Rock, and he's played with everyone from Ozzy alums Rudy Sarzo and Jake E. Lee to shred-god Tony MacAlpine in years past. This Saturday, Oct. 8, Rock reunites with his band Vice for a one-night-only show at Joanna's Café in Somers, Conn. For more info, visitwww.vice85reunion.com. Lastly, heartfelt condolences to Spouse's Jose Ayerve on the untimely passing of his father. True to form, the Valley music community has responded with an amazing multi-band dinner package/benefit slated for Oct. 9 at the Apollo Grill. For all the details on this event, check out:http://mysite.verizon.net/vze7hddb/.