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

LoCash Cowboys came rolling into town for Saturday night’s headliner for the Roar on the Shore.  I know you might be saying to yourself, “They are not local, why did you cover them?”  Well, let’s face it, it’s a show that hundreds of people went to see for free, great stage, and they are nationally known.  It was more like, who WASN’T there on Saturday night?  But these Nashville fellas felt right at home playing for a crowd of bikers and bike enthusiasts.

Preston Brust and Chris Lucas are the LoCash Cowboys.  Hailing from Baltimore and Arkansas/Indiana, these two music duos got together in Nashville, TN. Can you think of a better place to start a band? The Music City is the staple for country musicians looking to hit it big, and the LoCash Cowboys are well on their way.

Besides playing for our Erie crowd, they have played on bills with Charlie Daniels and ZZ Top. They have also played at halftime of the NBA Finals as well as the US Olympic basketball team. But they don’t just perform, they write too.

They have written theme songs to “Tuckerville” and “Pageant School: Becoming Miss America”.  They have worked with Jeffery Steele (pretty big deal in country music song writing). The result of their skills is their debut album, “This Is How We Do It”.

Singing…check.  Writing…check. Playing…check.  What else can make the crowd go crazy? How about some high energy stage performing? Check!

To say these guys have fun when they are on stage is an understatement.  They play like a kid waking up on Christmas morning.  They even interact with the crowd asking questions and picking people in the crowd to get the camera on them.  At one point, they stopped singing and asked a question about, what else, trucks and motorcycles.

Hopefully the LoCash Cowboys come back around soon, because they were a great band to see.  Who knows, you may see them when they are the headliner at a bigger stage/event.  For a free show, people definitely got their money’s worth.

Be sure to read up on the cowboys and listen to their tracks on their website.  You can catch them on iTunes and don’t forget to see the entire photo gallery of the show by clicking here.

-Steve Puskar