There’s nothing like a balmy January break from freezing temps to encourage us to wander from our warm caves for a hot time listening to cool music.
First, we send our condolences and sympathy to the family, friends and fans of Pat Bowe. The guitarist, vocalist, producer, studio owner, songwriter, bandleader and all around music man was killed in a tragic motorcycle accident last weekend in Decatur. His reach touched countless area musicians and listeners of music from his decades as a hard working, very talented, participant in the world of song. From his Digitracks Studio work to the Pat Bowe Band incarnations, his influence stretched far and wide. Pat’s obituary and condolences page are available at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home’s web site.
Here’s your last chance to see the local rock band Novocaine as they perform a final show on Saturday at the Blue Grouch. Lead singer Albert Capati gives notice on his Facebook page along with the recognition of a job well done. Albert’s beginnings as a Karaoke performer and DJ to his rise as lead vocalist and band guy defines the story of this group. He lists 65 gigs since their beginning in 2012, five Illinois State Fair beer tent shows and two wins in our Best of Springfield contest where IT readers voted them Best Metal Band twice, even though they play mostly 80s and 90s rock-pop-grunge. The main point, it seems, was that lots of folks thought Novocaine deserving of recognition for good music performed on a regular basis. No word on what is coming next for bandmates William Richards, Ed Tinsley, Jerry Osborne and Capati, but odds are these talented guys will surface in other area groups someday, someway.
While I happened to be on Albert’s Facebook page, I saw a post for The Basement Tapes 2. I first thought it was connected to Bob Dylan, since 2014 was a big year for releases related to those prolific days in the basement of Big Pink with what was to become The Band. Or maybe, I reckoned, this post was a link to The Basement Tapes program by Geoff Ryan and Jim Holler on WQNA radio. A quick click took me to another basement, one belonging to local musician Scott Nichols who owns and operates Guitar Pit recording studio out in Berlin. His Facebook page defines his project this way: “Each episode of The Basement Tapes puts a random group of musicians together to work out, perform and record two random songs; pushing the envelope of talent, skill, and entertainment.” Albert’s post showed the just released Session Two on YouTube featuring Tim Lacey, Brian Earlywine, Kevin Ellis, Mike Williams and John Vickers with special guests Scott Nichols and Perry Zubeck knocking out a Styx song and a Marvin Gaye number. It’s a very cool showcase for some of Springfield’s best area musicians to groove and rock out, plus the between-takes band banter and player interviews shows a different perspective not apparent in your average weekend bar gig.
Donnie’s Homespun presents Frost Fest this weekend. This fits right in with our theme of the great thaw so check out the well-maintained Donnie’s Homespun website for a listing of all the terrific artists booked for Friday and Saturday, including Dan Hubbard, Brainchild, The Untouchable Force, Ernie Hendrickson and Dreaming in Colour as a small sampling. With two stages fired up and ready to go, the Vinegar Hill Mall hosts a happening time the weekend long.
Remember to check in with the International Blues Club standings in Memphis to keep up with the progress of our blues travelers.
That should help with the thawing out process until the cold comes again.
Contact Tom Irwin at [email protected].
