By Danny Coleman
originally published: 08/18/2017
"I received e-mails, phone messages, been approached all over and they all want to know if we are playing or doing anything. People are asking me, so essentially yes, the people asked for it," says co-founder and drummer Bobby Caldwell ofCaptain Beyond as he explained the band's recent reunion. "I just want to put the music back out there, it's quality stuff."
Many considered the original incarnation of Captain Beyond to be rock's first "Super group," due to the fact that the band rose, "From the ashes of Deep Purple, Johnny Winter And and the Iron Butterfly." Caldwell and long time bassist Jeff Artabasy have revamped the unit once again and are currently out on the road bringing their classic sound back to the very fan base which has requested it. This trek began in June and their current path is bringing them to"Kung Fu Necktie," located in Philadelphia's "Fishtown" section at 1250 North Front Street on Sunday August 20 for an 8 p.m. show.
"Kung Fu Necktie," said Caldwell with tongue in cheek curiosity followed by a series of hearty laughs as he readily admitted that he and the band are not sure what's going to happen as they try to reclaim past fans and garner new ones. "I've no idea what to expect but we are bringing all of our artillery, so it will be all Captain Beyond."
The original line up consisted of former Deep Purple front man Rod Evans and Iron Butterfly alumni Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt and Lee Dorman. Evans has removed himself from music for various reasons and is supposedly in the medical/healthcare field, Reinhardt and Dorman both passed away in 2012, therefore leaving Caldwell without any of the band's founding fathers.
Caldwell counts Joe Murello, Ringo Starr and a plethora of jazz drummers as his main influences and considers himself a, "Cross Section" of these talents but he also recognized the importance of moving forward and developing his flair and style."After the band split up I did a bit of this and that. Playing with Johnny (Winter), Randy Hobbs, that was a potent band. I played with the Allman Brothers Band while Duane was still alive. That was the real band back then, all the original members; there were some extraordinary nights with those guys. During the 80's and 90's I fronted my own band and also reformed Armageddon and I played with a southern rock band."
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Then the urge to revisit the past struck again and the band which had morphed with many times with various members since it's inception was about to do so again. "I found these guys by asking a lot of questions," laughed Caldwell. "Finding the right guys, finding these guys was basically a vetting process. They're all Florida musicians."
Those guys he mentions are, Jamie Holka, Don Banzi and Simon Lind, all talented with not only instrumental but vocal ability as well. "I Found the right guys," said a confident Caldwell. "They believe in the music, they are very much into the concept and the band and we are definitely onto something here. I'm going to just keep enjoying it as long as I can."
Any thoughts of new music? Perhaps there is for the band but Caldwell wants to take things as they come and not get ahead of anything. "Maybe after the first of the year, so possibly 2018. We found this lost album but we need to spark some interest and then we'll see about new music; we really need to make this work before we go further."
Captain Beyond was one of the more influential bands of the early 1970's yet largely went about their business without a lot of fanfare. Caldwell and his band mates are painstakingly trying to recreate a product making what was once old, new again while staying true to the band's roots and sound. When speaking with him, one gets the impression that this undertaking is just another day at the office but like Caldwell, the new group is poised to continue being a rock mainstay and go "Beyond" expectations.
Opening acts for the Philly show are S.T.O.P and Crazy Bull and tickets are $25. To discover more about Captain Beyond and/or purchase tickets, please go to www.officialcaptainbeyond.com.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Bill's Olde Tavern2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-0192
Thurs. 9 p.m. Trivia
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke Contest (Cash prizes)
Ages 21+
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Jam
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Neil Podgurski Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 7:30 p.m. David Dales Trio
Sun. (12 p.m.) Brunch With Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Brad Staudle
Wed. 6 p.m. Lorenzo
Brickwall Tavern & Dining Room19 E. Union Street Burlington
(609) 733-3562
Sat. 10 p.m. Zendog
Sun. 5 p.m. Camille Peruto
Brothers Pizza871 Highway 33 Hamilton Square
(609) 586-2707
Sat. 5:30 p.m. Rich Schneider
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Monette Suddler. $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet)
Tues. 6 p.m. "Tuesday Jazz Jam" Open Session feat. James Stewart / Tom Littwin Trios. $5 (Lite appetizers)
Cedar Gardens661 Route 33 Hamilton
(609) 931-9464
Sat. 8 p.m. DJ John Rossi / The Soul Cruisers. Doors at 7 p.m., $15
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
City Streets 510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie and Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval
COARadio.com Main Street Hightstown
(609) 241-7103
Wed. 8 p.m. "The Health & Wellness Hour" w/Maryann Castello and Danny Coleman feat. Dr. Ramesh Sawhney
Dadz Bar & Grill744 Main Street Lumberton
(609) 267-4344
Thurs. 10 p.m. "Pong Tournament"
Fri. (6 p.m.) Sara James (10 p.m.) Party Of 4
Sat. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Byrd
Sun. 4 p.m. Red & Reynolds
Tues. 9 p.m. Rick Winow
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Superstar Entertainment
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Gerber Jennings
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Cecil & Ray (9 p.m.) Soul Kitchen
Sat. (11 a.m.)"Saturday Brunch" feat. Jazz 180 (9 p.m.) Mia Johnson
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Mikey Ragz (4 p.m.) Greg McGarvey
Wed. 8 p.m. Pop Fiction
Fran's Pub116 South Main Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-5539
Sat. 9 p.m. Charles Laurita & The Mischief
Freddies Tavern12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Fri. 8 p.m. Just Us
Sat. 8 p.m. (TBA)
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala
Grover's Mill Coffee HousePrinceton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction
(609) 716-8771
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Anker
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Fri. 8 p.m. LeCompt and the Downtown Horns
Sat. 8:30 p.m. The Naturals 2017
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. "Local Original Music" Hosted by Pat Foran
Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn15 East Broad Street Hopewell
(609) 466-9889
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. Victor Tarassov
Sat. 1 p.m. John Rossi
Sun. 2 p.m. Rob Ballonoff
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 9 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Sat. 9 p.m. J. Spirit Walker
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Fi. 9 p.m. The Silks
Sat. (3 p.m.) The Real Fugitives (9 p.m.) Tara Dente, Dentist, Jenny and the Felines, Chevonne & The Fuzz, Jessie Elliot & The Falconaires.
Sun. (3 p.m.)Christine Havrilla (9 p.m.) Lonely At The Top
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic.
Tues. 9 p.m. Porchistas Duo
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Killarney's Publick House1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Jimmy G
Wed. 6 p.m. Jimmy & The Parrots
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. "Laurita Grill Night"
Fri. 7 p.m. "Movie Night Under The Stars"
Sat. "Awesome 80's Food Truck Festival" Saturday LSFTF: (11 a.m.) The Polish Nannies (2 p.m.) 80's Undercover (6 p.m.) Fast Forward 80's
Sun. "Awesome 80's Food Truck Festival" Sunday LSFTF: (11 a.m.) Take 5 Band (1:30 p.m.) Pennington Station (5 p.m.) The Suspects
Wed. 6 p.m. "Girls Night Out"
Levitt Amp Trenton Summer Concert SeriesMill Hill Park (Corner of Front & South Broad Streets)
Thurs. 5 p.m. Big Mean Sound Machine
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Sat. 6 p.m. Frank / James Duo
Sun. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
McGuinn's Place1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence
(609) 392-0599
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Ages 21+
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. 10 p.m. "Frisky Fridays" Christmas In July feat. DJ Favs. Ages 21+
Sat. 10 p.m. Fish Out Of Water
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Mercer County ParkOld Trenton Road/Hughes Drive West Windsor
(609) 303-0700
Sat. 8 p.m. BOTE "Best Of The Eagles. Gates at 7 p.m. $5 (Parking fee)
Sun. (3 p.m.) Grace Little & The Amazing Grace Little Band (4 p.m.) Urban Guerilla Orchestra
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
New Hope Winery6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA
(215) 794-2331
Sat. 7 p.m. "Woodstock Anniversary Celebration at The Pour House." Free Admission
Nook's PourHouse2043 Route 130 South Florence
(609) 447-0927
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Tuesday w/ Quizoholics
Nottingham Tavern9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square
(609) 587-6623
Thurs. 7 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Super Dave
Wed. 5 p.m. "Weekend Warm-up" w/ DJ Chris Barlow
Ages 21+
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. El Ka Bong
All shows 21 +
PANJ RadioBridge Street Lambertville
(609) 460-4673
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Jeff Fiedler
Patriot's Crossing1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 8 p.m. Kevin Toft & The Alternators
Sat. 8 p.m. Paul Plumeri Blues Band
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Deep Release
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Check web site for upcoming events
Salt Creek Grille1 Rockingham Row Princeton
(609) 419-4200
Fri. 8 p.m. Paul Plumeri Blues Band
Sat. 8 p.m. Jerry Topinka
Small World Coffee14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-4377 x2
Sat. 8:30 p.m. The Rick Fiori Jazz Trio
1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Thurs. 8 p.m. Richie Cole & Friends. $20
Fri. 8 p.m. Whispering Tree. $20
Sat. 8 p.m. Jayplayers / Justin Trawick. $20
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Big Daddy G
Sat. 10 p.m. Mile Marker 3
Tavern On The Lake101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. One Flight Up
Sat. 9 p.m. Funk Point 5
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
Terhune Orchards330 Cold Soil Road Princeton
(609) 924-2310
Fri. 5 p.m. "Sips and Sounds Summer Music Series" w/ Lizzie No
The Cool Cricket216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. Unleashed
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. (TBA)
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Rockin' Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. Jam Lab
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Darius
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Pines Tavern6217 North Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA
(215) 788-1659
Sun. 3 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Bill Monach Jr.
The Raven 385 West Bridge Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2081
Thurs. (5 p.m.) Russell Eiffert. (10 p.m.) All Male Revue
Fri. (9 p.m.) Michael Ferreri (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (9 p.m.) Russell Eiffert (10 p.m.)DJ Dance Party
Mon. 9 p.m. "Lipstick Monday Drag Show"
Tues. 8 p.m. "Bearlesque In The Oak Room"
Wed. 7 p.m. Dena Underwood
The Record Collector358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Check web site for upcoming events
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. Victor On Guitar
Sat. 7 p.m. Bob & Dave
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Throwback Thursday" w/ DJ Chillio
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Domino, Domino
Sat. 9 p.m. Some Assembly Required
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" w/ Diarmuid MacSuibhne
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Jerry Monk
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Audio History of Funk and Soul" w/ Professor DJ Tangency
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Benny
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Tweed. $5 (cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Sad Heaven / Suburban Living. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage Night (Sign ups at 6:30 p.m.)
All shows 21+
Triumph Brewing Company (Princeton, NJ Location)
138 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 924-7855
Fri. 10 p.m. Full Grown Men
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Open Mic/Jam Night Hosted by Ernie White
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
Ages 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 7:000pm EST on multiple internet radio outlets where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
