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

This past Monday was Martin Luther King, Jr.  Day and there were many celebrations through-out the city, state, and nation.  One particular celebration was the King Holiday Expo at Gannon University.  It was the second anniversary of the expo, where arts and entertainment help us to reflect on our dreams.

After each performance, each act was asked to share their dreams in life.  Future doctors, nurses, scientists, college grads, music artists, dancers and more performed their talents in front of the crowd at the Hammermill Center.  Erie City Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. was in attendance and spoke a few words to the crowd. I think he said it best when he spoke to the audience about having dreams and how important they are, but they can’t be dreams for too long…you have to make them a reality.

The acts who performed included artists such as Brittany Morton, Devious, Syce, McDowell Dance Team, Fairview Dance Team, Heavenly Soldiers, Cadence, Alliyah Durr, Intercession, Lady Mac, Eastern Stars Gospel Mimes, the Shaw High School Marching Band and more.

Check out the photos below and see the entire gallery with over 130 photos from the event by clicking here.  Don’t forget, you can purchase the photos too!  Keep supporting the dreams and keep supporting the scene!

-Steve Puskar | Rockerie.com

What better place for a gig that at 8 Great Tuesdays? Well, I could probably say Madison Square Garden and a bunch of other stages, but for an Erie Summer, I can’t think of a better place.  With a great crowd, perfect weather, and being right on the lake, the trio sang classic songs as well as today’s hits.

Monica Lewis, Emily Foht, and Angie Myers sang ballads from the Bengals, Adele, Lady Gaga, The Weather Girls, and more.  What was pretty cool to see and hear was how the trio would take turns to showcase each other’s voices with certain songs. Early in the show, Emily sang Barracuda by Heart and I think it was right on the money.

You would think that these ladies were in the radio business, because as soon as a song was over, they did not waste time with dead air.  The provided banter as the rest of the band was getting tuned up for the next song. Keeping the crowd entertained the entire time could be a chore, but they did it like it was nothing.  If you want music entertainment, then you need to check out Stiletto.

If you have seen Stiletto before, but with different band members, you weren’t losing your mind. Many of you may have seen one of Erie’s best vocalist, Lindsay Vendetti, was with the group, but she has moved out west to pursue her music career.  Whether it is three members or four, if the music is great, there’s no need to worry.  If the shoe fits, right?

Be sure to check our their facebook page and be sure to check out the full photo gallery (43 photos) on GoErie.com.

See you guys at Celebrate Erie! Tons of music this weekend!

-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

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

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

Armed with an acoustic guitar, a microphone, and his voice, he had all he needed to put on a show.  At first thought, I figured he’d play some songs, just hang around on stage, and perhaps just stand around as he sang.  Well, this is the first time that I was happy I was wrong.

With songs from Neil Young, David Bowie, Collective Soul, Everclear, and (a crowd favorite) Sublime, Ray had the attention of several patrons which sang along, which brought more people to the stage. He was belting out lyrics, jumping to the music, and let the music take him over. Not only a musician and a song writer, he’s quite the performer as well.

It seems that almost every show I go to see, someone yells out, “Free Bird!”  Of course, “Free Bird” is the infamous track from Lynyrd Skynyrd that everyone loves to hear live. Well, Thursday wasn’t any different, but only this time Ray played it…the whole song.  I have to say, I was going a little crazy listening to it and shouting out the words.  But covers are not what Ray is all about.

Ray has his own original songs. In-fact, he has his own album on iTunes.  He played a few tracks from that album called, “I’ll Play a Song for You”.  ”Screw Driver” and “My Jenny” are the two songs I remember most from the show.  Personally, I think “My Jenny” is a great ballad. The high note he hits in the song is awesome.  Be sure to check out “High School” on the album too.  With lyrics like, “High School sucks, (sucks!)”, how could you not like it?

With his show a few days before Independence Day, he even played the Star-Spangled Banner for the crowd. Pretty sure people sang it out, swayed back-and-fourth, and had their lighters in the air.

Be sure to check out his MySpace page to see when and where he plays next in the coming days. Don’t forget to check out iTunes and buy a few songs, in-fact, buy the entire album.  And last but not least, see the entire gallery from the show on GoErie.com by clicking here.

Stay tuned for the next show, because it might just be your gig that I’m at!

-Steve Puskar

Cell Block was the host for these two musicians whose names everyone has come accustomed to. Rick Magee of the Roadhouse Rockers is no stranger to the stage in Erie, or anywhere else. He and his band play at bike nights, rib fests, fairs in Erie and throughout the country.  They have even shared the same stage with acts such as Ted Nugent, Nazareth, Eddie Money, Molly Hatchet and more.  With Rick being a finalist two times in the Jimi Hendrix Competition, teaming up for an acoustic show with Jake Banta is a show you must see.

Who is Jake Banta you might say? Unless you live under a rock, he is one of Erie’s favorite, most talented musicians hailing from our gem city.  This Rock Erie Music Awards winner has recorded with Double Trouble, which was the late Stevie Ray Vaughan’s personal band.  Not only has he served eleven-plus years of tunes for Erie music lovers, but he has served countless years in the military for our country we call home.

Jake is truly the All-American Man.  It’s amazing how he is still in Erie, given the talent he has.  Quite frankly, I’d like to see him make it big, and I have full belief he can make it there.  I’m sure he’d love to trade is his rifle for his guitar to support his family.

Speaking of family, Jake and Rick were not the only ones displaying their music last week.

Jake’s son, Steve, vocalized his love of music on a few cuts.  A little shy, but once he starts singing, he seems to forget about who’s watching.  You can tell from his face alone that he gets lost in the music.  That’s my favorite part about music.

You listen to music it to make your day go by quicker, or to slow down…to forget about things and to remember them.  Just losing track of time is probably the best thing about music.  Loosing track of time with Jake and Rick in a live performance is the best way to spend a summer evening…especially on bike night.

Before I leave, I’d like to talk briefly about Jake’s Blues manager Lisa Bower.  She has been named the official entertainment booking agent for the PA Route 6 Artisan Trail. So if a business is showcasing a grand opening or is having a party and needs music talent, they contact her and she contacts local bands.  So if you’re looking for a place to book a show, give her a shout!  She also runs dirtydoglive.com where she features original music from the local area on Armstrong Cable.  Last but not least, you can catch her every Thursday morning on COOL 101.7 FM as she discusses local music events.

Be sure to check out the entire photo gallery (69 photos) on GoErie.com and keep a look-out on where I might be next.  If you’d like me to see a show of yours and snap photos, shoot me an email at info@rockerie.com.  Until then, be sure you sign up for the Rock Erie Music Awards! Friday, July 1st is the deadline!

-Steve Puskar