The band consists of Sonny Lombardozzi (lead guitar), Nick Wagers (bass guitar), Doug Peck (vocals), and Dave Brown (percussion).  If you are a metal fan and wasn’t at Sherlock’s Saturday night, you missed out on a shredding show.  Check out the photos from the show below and see the entire gallery here.  If you like what you see, you can purchase the photos too.

-Support the scene!

-Steve Puskar

Next in the line-up were no strangers to the local music scene.  The Romantic Era are a RockErie Music Award winner and the more they play, the bigger the following.  With the pop-rock band, you will find it hard to get close to the stage unless you like jumping around and have high energy from the first song to the last.

Last but not least, City Lights lit up the stage.  This pop-punk band from Columbus, Ohio sounded better than their debut CD, even being down a band-mate Thursday night.  ”In It To Win It” is true to their album name as it is with their mind-set for success in the music industry.  Make sure you catch Dave Richards’ 5 questions article with the band by clicking here. You can buy the album on iTunes, amazon, and at Hot Topic.

Be sure to catch all 90+ photos from the show in the full gallery by clicking here.  Enjoy the small gallery below and see this gallery on our facebook page too.

Keep supporting the scene!

-Steve Puskar

The six-man group has opened up for Plain White T’s, Sparks the Rescue, Krayzie Bone and Wish Bone of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, The Maine, Jason Derulo and We The Kings.

Not bad for only being together for a little more than a year. But bigger acts are not the only shows they play for. Like their Facebook page says, “We love playing live shows!”

This past Saturday, The Romantic Era played at the Villa Center Gym for a benefit for Erie area animal shelters called BarkBoozle.

It was set up but two high school students for a project. I have to hand it to Natalie Osiecki and Jillian Jensen, I would never be able to set something like that up in high school.

I was the one who handed in work two days late and had a million excuses. Girls, to put on a benefit and bring in The Romantic Era, Exit Cleveland, and Into the Crowd, I’d say it was a success.

For those in attendance, you were able to experience the high-energy with your eyes and ears.  Playing loud, constant movement, and audience interaction, The Romantic Era played as if it was their last day on Earth.  That’s what you can expect at every show…giving all they’ve got and then some.  They say proof is in the pudding, well that couldn’t be more evident.

If you can’t make it to their show, you can experience the high energy through their music on their debut self-titled CD.  The 13-track album will have you singing along, thumping your desk, and having you play tracks on repeat.

Their hit single is “Rocket”, but my personal favorite track is “Teach Me How To Dance”. I especially like how they incorporate Jamie Foxx’s “Blame it on the Alcohol” and Cali Swags’ “Teach Me How To Dougie”.  But if you are in a more somber mood, I suggest the song “Program”.  It’s a low key song that builds up to a dramatic ballad at the end.

If you are looking to purchase their CD, you can buy it at cdbaby.com. Just click on that link and it will take you right to their album. If online buying is not your type of thing, then catch these guys at a show.  What better way to buy a CD is at the live show?

Be sure to check out the rest of the photos from the show by clicking here. Remember, if you would like your band covered by me, give me a shout at info@rockerie.com and request  Show of the Week coverage. Remember to catch a show this weekend and support local music!

-Steve Puskar

With a name like Necessary Experience, they are demanding your attention.  Why the name? You don’t have to search far and wide, just look at on of the band member’s’ name.

The three-man band from Titusville features Matt Necessary, Ronnie Feroz, and Jackson Froman. Three guys with three pretty cool last names. What’s even cooler is the style of music they play.

The rock/funk/pop/raggae/r&b band played tracks from Santana, Stevie Wonder’s Superstitious, Wild Cherry’s Play That Funky Music, Ray Orbison’s Pretty Woman, Inner Circle’s Sweat, Grand Funk Railroad’s Some Kind of Wonderful, the Wall Flowers’ One Headlight, and more. Personally, I thought the Wall Flowers cover was my favorite.  It’s been awhile since I heard that song, let alone a band playing it for fans.

Visit their website and facebook page for more info on the band and where they might be playing next.  Until then, check out the photos from the show on Friday by clicking here.

Don’t forget that the RockErie Music Awards starts the voting process Friday, July 15th! Get your votes in and support the scene!

-Steve Puskar

For those brave souls who came out, you realized the rain stopped and one of the many beautiful sunsets on the lake provided the perfect backdrop for summer to kick-off.  Friends, music, and good times are what the block parties are all about. The Cove, &  Rum Runners played host to the venue while Chrome rocked into the night with their tunes.

Lead singer, George Merced isn’t afraid to be on the mic, that’s for sure.  Whether it is singing or chatting with the crowd, George is having a good time and only wants you to join in.  With covers of AC/DC, Motley Crue, Godsmack, Def Leppard, Kiss, Buck Cherry, Bon Jovi, and Judas Priest, there is something for everyone to sing along to.  If you do not like loud music, then I’d advise you to wear some ear plugs because Chrome is loud and proud…so get used to it!

To say Myron Swanson loves playing for a crowd is an understatement.  Constantly slamming into the riffs and the facial expressions tell you that he is having a good time, and so should you. Speaking of having a good time: Drummer, Rick Stritzinger is like the Energizer bunny on stage.  Grinnin’ his teeth and slamming away on the drums, you think he’d be tired after a few songs, but he kept the fun going all the way till 11:00 P.M.  Like every band, there seems to be a surprise.

That surprise was Chris Falk.  When playing the low end groove, he’s slightly calm and collective.  Wearing a bright orange biker shirt and sunglasses, he seemed like the guy you didn’t want to mess with on or off the stage.  What’s the surprise, you may ask?   His voice.  Not in a million years would I think he could hit the high notes in the rock songs they play.  If you weren’t having a good time earlier, you defiantly were by the time Chris was belting out the lyrics.

Due to not having my hard drive with me, the pictures are not up in the gallery yet (fail). But you can get a glimpse of some of the shots in the Block Party Gallery on GoErie.com/photos.  Till next time, keep supporting the scene!

-Steve

On stage was Cover Gurl, a band you may have recently seen pop up in the scene or played in a few venues. The four-piece band has a recognizable face, as Anthony Cox from the band Money Shot was anchoring the bass-lines.  But when you hear a band, it’s not the face that sticks with you, it’s the sound.

As their name suggests, Cover Gurl plays cover songs, but with female lead singer.  That female is Chelcie Gette. Never in a million years would I think I’d hear songs by Tina Turner, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, and Kelly Clarkson sung by a band in Erie and sound awesome.  Now, those artists have a vocal range on another level then most of us, but Chelcie’s talent is right on par with them.  She was hitting the mark on songs that most people don’t even try to sing.

Other artists that were covered Thursday was P!nk, Jewel, Des’ree, Katrina and the Waves, and even Mylie Cyrus with a combination of Corey Heart’s Sunglasses at Night. Cover Gurl adds their own flavor and style to the songs they cover, so it’s not like listen to the radio. So if you are looking to see a band that has a great singer, some songs to sing along to, and a band to jam out to the heavy riffs, then Cover Gurl should be on your list.

Be sure to check out the full photo gallery from the show (67 photos) and don’t forget, you can purchase different size prints too.  Let me know what show I should check out next by letting me know via e-mail at info@rockerie.com.  Until then, support the scene!

-Steve

Well, let me correct that…because other artists are like family.  At Devious’ King Kong CD release party, it wasn’t just friends, but a big family.  I say this because other hip-hop artists came out to support each other.  Showing support were artists such as Colonel Clink, Hectic, Alberian Kelevra, Hectic, J-Roc the Don, and Swagger Rich Entertainment to name a few. They were there in full support of Devious and Afficial Killaz. With all of these artists, it’s hard not to have a good time. Out of all the shows I’ve been to thus far, Devious’ show was the most fun I’ve had.

There were barely any breaks in between sets, and there was still not enough time for everyone to showcase their rhymes.  So instead of not performing, they joined the crowd on the stage and all rapped together.  Like I said, it was hard to not have a good time.  You find yourself dancing, nodding your head, and shouting out parts of the lyrics.  I swear Devious was on stage for 3 hours straight, playing all the way up until 2:00 A.M.  Probably my favorite song of the night was right around that 2:00 A.M. mark. Get Low had people in the crowd and on the stage going crazy.  Like they say, times flies when you’re having fun, and the night was wrapping up.

By the shows end, I had a new CD for my collection, new friends, and a whole new perspective on the hip-hop scene in Erie. I suggest you buy Devious’ 20-track album King Kong. If you want to have a great time, meet some new people, and be entertained with live music, I suggest…wait, no, I DEMAND you to see a hip-hop show.  When they have a show, they will go all out. Hopefully, more venues will accommodate the rising hip-hop scene.  Who knows, the next Wiz Kalifia (who played at the Metropolitan a few years ago) may be right here in Erie.

Be sure to check out the entire photo gallery (132 photos) from Devious’ show.  If you have a show suggestion that I should cover, give me a shout at info@rockerie.com.  Until then, SUPPORT THE SCENE!

-Steve

The multi-RockErie Music Awards-winning band played back-to-back nights over the weekend and they didn’t have a hard time filling the bar with fans. “You’ve shoulda been here the other night.  The dance floor was so full, you could barley move around”, said Mike Mannarino of Next of Kin.  Lucky for me, I was there Saturday night where I had some room to navigate around getting different picture angles.  Like I said, I was lucky because when Next of Kin plays, they bring in lots of fans and great music.

They played tunes of Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Keith Anderson, Chris Ledoux, Tim McGraw and more.  Perhaps the reason they sound so good comes from the perfectionist in the group: “Rev’” Bill Krasinski on the guitar.  If he didn’t hear something right, he wanted the soundboard tweaked.  Perhaps being the perfectionist got him his “other” nick-name, but that’s a question you will have to ask him.  If Krasinski has the ear for sound, then a sound I expect to hear from a country band is a fiddle. To me, when I think of a country band, you have to have a fiddle. Well, that is just what Next of Kin has.

Bill Garfield is the man of the band when it comes to the fiddle. Playing songs to a “T”, he doesn’t stop his skill with just one instrument.  You can find him playing guitar and the mandolin on several songs throughout the night. But this isn’t a one man show; in fact, it’s more like a six-man show.  Rounding out the rest of the group is Mike Mannarino on vocals and guitar, Jeff Wiesen on the bass (and sharing vocals with Mike), Andy Gerbik playing a “key” role on the keyboard, and last but not least, the newbie Tom Buzzaard hammering away on the drums.

What stood out to me about Next of Kin was pure fun they have when they play.  Always smiling and having fun. I think that’s why they have been around for over ten years…just having fun and enjoy playing music with their friends. And unlike other bands around town, they will slow the pace down to play some slow ballads.

You don’t have to be “country” to enjoy Next of Kin. I suggest you check out a show of theirs in the near future, you won’t be disappointed.  Be sure to check out the full photo gallery (60 images) and don’t forget you can purchase prints of any of them. Y’all come back now.

-Steve