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ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites...10/22/15


By Danny Coleman

originally published: 10/21/2015

California, Los Angeles in particular, has given us many trends, movies and loads of entertainment, now the city of angels has given us perhaps the next big thing; Kicking Harold.

This hard rocking trio anchored by more than experienced and capable front man Tim David Kelly on lead vocal and guitar has been making music since their debut demo EP in 1994. Several lineup changes later and an overwhelmingly fantastic new CD titled “Red Light District,” have the band poised for greatness. The addition of drummer Michael Odabashian and newest member Julia Lage on bass has reinvigorated the band and its fan base as they are currently on tour with super group; The Winery Dogs.

The Starland Ballroom in Sayerville, NJ was the setting recently for these two bands, with Kicking Harold leading the way; opening with a hard rocking, driving set featuring all original material and two cover tunes which wasted no time whipping the crowd into a frenzy. “I loved playing it,” said Tim David Kelly of the venue during a post-show interview. “I’d heard about this place but had never played it; it’s such a cool rock club.”

Cool club or not, the temperature was anything but once they ripped into their opening number, “American Nitro.” Three power chords in and one could feel the energy level rise, “I’m psycho, I’m American nitro….” A great opening line and one that would set the tone for the entire evening as the group started there and never slowed down. “Let’s Fly Away” and “Sugarcoat My World” segued into a slowed down, bluesy version of Steppenwolf’s “Born To Be Wild” temporarily semi-calming the raucous crowd as they seemingly used the time to catch their breath as they swayed along.

Odabashian, who is originally from New York and has previously graced the Starland stage was pleased and somewhat relieved by the crowd’s reaction, “I’m familiar with the venue, I’ve played here before, I supported a pop artist; the show tonight was awesome! I am from the area and I didn’t want to go out and stink it up,” he said as he laughed; “It’s such a great venue.” Even Brazilian born bassist Lage was impressed with the crowd and the venue as she ventures out on her first ever U.S tour. “Tonight was great! I’ve actually seen The Winery Dogs here so I was super excited to perform here; I’ve toured all over Brazil but never in the U.S. and so far it’s been amazing and I’m having a blast. Audiences like these make it so good to play for them.”



 


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“Marigold” was followed by “I Want To Go Faster” and “Underneath It All,” a song describing the relief, finality and clarity that the ending of a relationship can bring to light. “Down On You,” “Fred’s New Dress” and the grungy “Kill You” had this set careening towards the end like a runaway mine car; fast and furious.

Taking only a minute to regain composure along with a brief introduction and some audience instruction; Kelly launched into “Gasoline.” Motor heads worldwide may recognize the tune from TLC’s Overhaulin’” as it was featured as the program’s main theme. Kelly didn’t have to twist any arms or vocal chords as during the tune’s break down section the head bangers, who by now were full throttle responded, “Gasoline” to his calls of, “I am…” as their crescendo built with reckless abandon.

Times like these seem to be the norm on this tour but of course, opening for The Winery Dogs tends to make things a bit easier as the band continues to perform to packed houses from the start of every evening. The word is out that they are worth the price of admission as well and not just the “Opening act,” as many would think. “Touring with these guys is really, really cool,” says Kelly. “They’ve been really good to us and are such gracious hosts; we couldn’t ask for a better experience.” Odabashian echoed his band mate’s words, “The Winery Dogs are really great guys,” he stated emphatically; “This tour is great and we can’t thank them enough!”

Lage, who says she, “Loves the tour so much,” and was thrilled to join Kicking Harold when asked, because in her words is, “In love with their music” and “Loves the new record;” is often a focal point on stage. A statuesque, long haired brunette, who wears a smile far brighter than any spot light, is the perfect combination of precision and grace as she holds down the bottom end of the band’s rhythm section along with Obadashian. “I used to go see these guys often,” she said with a true respect for her mates; “So when they asked me to join a couple of months ago I was very excited!”

“Gasoline” definitely added fuel to an already revved up crowd whose tachs were already pinned but what happened next took things to a whole other level. Kelly broke into the opening chords of Rush’s “Working Man” and the place went from frenzied to a fever pitch. A rarity when bands cover the famed Canadian trio, let alone covers them well; Kicking Harold not only did so but had no need to vocalize as those in attendance took over. The smile on their three faces said it all as one could genuinely tell that they were having a blast performing the music of their idols. “I love playing Rush, anything by Rush,” said Lage. “Definitely a crowd favorite when we do it; that’s why we like to end with it,” said Kelly. Drummer Obadashian, who says that Neil Peart was one of his major influences, loves playing the tune and ending the night with it; summed up and their set perfectly when he simply stated, “I really like the chemistry of this band.”

With that, Kicking Harold vacated the stage and as they did so, now playing the part of roadies for themselves; one gets the sense of just how much longer they’ll be doing so. This band is poised for greatness and as this tour progresses; may get there before it’s over.

To discover more about Kicking Harold and the current tour; please go to www.kickingharold.com

That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS 
 
Alchemist & Barrister
28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Thursday Jazz" feat. Keith Franklin Trio
Sun. 9 p.m. Kenny Cunningham
Wed. 8 p.m. Garry Pearsall & Drew Turock
All shows 21+
 
Amalfi's Restaurant
146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599
Fri 8:30 p.m. Gunpowder Falls
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Flip Daddy
 
Amarones Windsor Inn
29 Church St. Windsor
 
(609) 448-7144
 Fri. 8 p.m. Lonny Youngblood
Sat. 8 p.m. Kindred Spirit
 
Blend Bar & Bistro
911 Highway 33, Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
 Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam 
 
The Backstage at Championship Bar 
931 Chambers St. Trenton
Fri. 9 p.m. The Jukebox Zeros, Patt Todd & The Rankoutsiders, The Barren Marys, Matthew Koerner, Freddy Unreal. 
Sat. 5 p.m. Dog Fashion Disco, Psychostick, Megosh, Deadly Nights, Altered Cross, Half-Ton Of Humanity, Lurk. All ages, $15
 
Candlelight Lounge 
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
 Sat. 3 p.m. Victor North Sax Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)
 
Chickie's & Pete's
183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Trivia Night
 
Cool Cricket
216 Burlington St. Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Sat. 9 p.m. 80's Undercover
 
Dog & Bull Brew House
810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Twin Ghost
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Keli Vale Jazz Duo (9 p.m.) Big Soul Chicken
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Michael Leggerie (9 p.m.) Soul Custody Trio
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Keli Vale Jazz Duo (3 p.m.) Pop Fiction
Mon. 8 p.m. Brian Bortnick
Tues. 8 p.m. Mark Macmanus
Wed. 8 p.m.
 
Fran's Pub
116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA.
(215)862-553
Sun. 3 p.m. Peter V. Blues Train 
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows 21+  
 
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main Street. New Hope, Pa. 
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. (8 p.m.) Hold LL (10 p.m.) "Beat The Clock" College Night DJ Dance Party
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Bigg Romeo
Sat. 9 p.m. "Second Annual KI// Tribute" w/ Rock and Roll Over. Doors 7 p.m., $20
Sun. (1 p.m.) "John Eddie's Annual Halloween Show" w/ Heather Heather. Doors at 12 p.m., $15 (adults), $10 (Children under age 12) (8:30 p.m.) "Project/Object: The Music of Frank Zappa" feat. Ike Willis and Denny Walley. Doors at 7:30 p.m., $25 (advance)  
Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Wed. 8 p.m. Anna Nalick. Doors at 6 p.m., $30 (advance), $35 (day of show)
 
Ivy Tavern 
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 10 p.m. Tangled
Sat. 10 p.m. Mikey Jr.
All shows 21+
 
John & Peter's 
96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. Bill & Fred
Fri. 9 p.m. John Beacher & The Common Ground
Sat. 9 p.m. Red Rover Revue Burlesque
Sun. (3 p.m.) Miss Pumpkin's Drag Benefit (9 p.m.) Collin J. Rocker & The Burning Barrels
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Tim
Tues. 9 p.m. Redrover Halloween Dance Party and Costume Contest
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
 
JoJo's Tavern
2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-2678
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
 
Millhill Basement
300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Sat. 9 p.m. Radical Discharge, Enemy Insects, Olde Tigers, (TBA). $10
 
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
 Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 9 p.m. Radio Fiction
All shows 21+ 
 
Patriot's Crossing
1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Buffalo Trixx
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Mike Macmanus & Friends
Sun. 1:30 p.m. Irish Trad Session
 
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Blind Lemmon Pie
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Drunk Monkeys
 
Randy Now's Man Cave
134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Sun. (2 p.m.) Bordentown Halloween Parade (3 p.m.) Meet the Circus Rejects 
 
RHO Waterfront
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 9 p.m. "College Night" w/ DJ Micah Harris
Fri. (4 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet. $10 (8:30 p.m.) The Meg Hanson Group feat. Billy Hill
Sat. 10 p.m. "The Unofficial TCNJ Homecoming After Party" w/ DJ Paul Desisto

Tavern On The Lake
101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Jazz Night
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night 
 
The HOB Tavern
146 Second Street
(609) 291-7020
 Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
 
The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
 Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. Jam Lab
Sat. 10 p.m. Milan and the Sour Goat
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. (8:30 p.m.) Tune Trivia (10:30 p.m.) DJ Rockn Ron
 
The Roost 
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. Kim Yarson Band
 
The Sticky Wicket 
2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Money Shot
Sat. 9 p.m. Breeze Band
 
The Sun National Bank Center 
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
 
Tir Na Nog 
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Mike Brill
Sat. 9 p.m. The Williamsboy
Tues. (7 p.m.) "Rock On Radio Happy Hour feat. Kenny K" Hosted by Danny Coleman )9 p.m.) Open Mic. Hosted by Jerry Monk
Wed. 9 p.m. Diarmuid McSweeney
All shows  21+

Trenton Buzz
702 Pine St. Trenton
(609) 392-6000
 Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Hek Cat
 
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
 Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Cinema Thursday Presents: (TBA)
Fri. 7 p.m. First Friday
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic.
 
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. The Get Right Band. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Driftwood Soldier. ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night (Sign ups 6:30 p.m.)
All shows 21+
 
Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock 
All shows 21+


Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.


 
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