Highs & Lows of the Local Music Scene o 2003

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Highs & Lows of the Local Music Scene o 2003
By Randy Chandler

It's that time of year again. Time to look back on the events of the last
twelve months and ponder their impact on our lives, and the lives of those
that are touched by us. 2003 has certainly been a roller-coaster year in
terms of the local music scene: dizzying heights and soul-wrenching depths,
all flying by seemingly faster every day.

But if this year has left us with any lasting impression, it may be this:
Be thankful every day for what you have - because it might not be there
tomorrow.

2003 was, if anything, the year of the benefit. This area has always
boasted a very charity-conscious music scene. Whenever a member of our
community is in need, we all pitch in and help. While some of us contribute
money (at times, even large sums), more often than not our donation to the
cause is in the form of our time. We are always willing to get together a
bunch of bands in some club on some off night to raise money, and that is
something I have always loved about this area.

Unfortunately, these events are sometimes ill planned and don't always go
off like they should. Cancellations, rescheduling, lack of proper
advertising can all contribute to a less-than-successful outing that fails
to raise any substantial assistance for the victims or their families.

Nick Andros

One occasion, however, where the elements were all in place and the stars were properly aligned was the recent Nick Andros fundraising benefit at the Hamilton St. Pub. As you all know by now, our community lost one of its brightest lights with the passing of Poke/Red Room songwriter/vocalist/guitarist Nick Andros.

Much has been said about Nick in these pages, and deservedly so, because it is not often that we have the opportunity to welcome a talent of his propensity to our ranks. There is the fact that a memorial scholarship fund has been set up in his name, which someday will benefit a musically inclined Saginaw high school student to help them reach their goals.

Nick will live on in our hearts and our memories, and we can take comfort in the fact that, although 2003 was the year we lost his physical presence, it was also the year he became legendary.

His memorial fundraiser was a rousing success and testament to what we can
do if we think and plan ahead with these things.  The highlights included a
ferocious set by the newly reformed Haskels, but the most amazing segment
of the show was the Poke "Tribute" band, in which various singers and
friends of Nick took turns doing the impossible - singing his insightful
lyrics and infectious melodies and doing them justice, while the remaining
members of Poke played the show of their lives behind them.

At the end of the day, the event netted close to $10,000, which is all the
more impressive considering how tiny the Pub actually is.

Mark Bellinger

Another tragic loss was the death earlier this year of magician/musician Mark Bellinger, who had long been a stalwart of the local scene for many years and had brought laughter and amazement to countless souls along the way. The Bellinger Benefits, especially the first one, also ended up assisting Mark's wonderful family in a time of need.

A lesser-known, but no less important figure in our scene, passed away less
than a week after Andros' passing, and so was lost in the shuffle. I would
like to take this space and time to remember a friend of mine by the name
of Hank Korinek, who succumbed to a body-devouring cancer. Hank was best
remembered as a member of the band Rolling Moses, a quintet that also
featured drummer Tim Reid, as well as Hank's brother Matt on Bass.

Hank and Matt came from a musical family (their brother Bill is a guitarist
as well), and Hank was a great guitar-player, and a great human being as
well. We will miss you, and our prayers go out to your family.

This year also saw jamborees organized to honor and help out other very
prominent members of our community. Some despicable bastard decided to make
off with Sprout and the Orange's equipment truck -and the gear locked

inside - while the band wandered off to watch the fireworks after their 4th
of July gig outside Woody's Bait shop on Michigan and Mackinaw.

Aside from the benefit at the Pub & Someplace Else to raise the money to
replace the stolen gear, the band has been gigging on borrowed equipment
while channeling all the proceeds toward the new gear fund. We wish them
the best of luck getting back on their feet, and we extend to the
perpetrator of this heinous crime an invitation to meet us in a nice dark
alley.

We almost lost Bruce Crawley TWICE this year.  Crawley is one of the spark
plugs of our scene: an amazing musician in every sense of the word, known
for his soulful and versatile bass-playing as well as his ability on
several other instruments, he can often be found running sound for other
bands and generally being a strong 11th-hour guy when you're in need.
Bruce, for the love of God, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!

And lest you think 2003 was one big bummer, let's check out the highlights.

2003 witnessed the local radio station becoming more and more involved with
the local music scene. Z93 WKQZ, and especially on-air personality Lynn
Roberts, have been all about the local bands. " I've always loved going out
and seeing live bands," she recently told me.

Z93 runs what they call the "Grudge Match" at 8pm on weeknights, in which
two bands go head to head and the listeners call in and decide what stays
and what goes. In late March, they did a two-week round featuring all local
bands, including Killshot, the Miscreants, Tension Head, Born, Joe Friday,
Scare Factor, Donkeypunch, Burnaround, and Silverspork, who ultimately won
the competition and the grand prize-opening for Godsmack at the Saginaw
County Events Center.

Although all the bands that were entered in the contest deserved to win, it
was a special treat to see the honor go to Silverspork. These guys are one
of the most well loved and respected groups in the region, kicking your ass
musically yet always being there for you as friend.

The Altered Skin Revolution 2003 turned out to be The Gig That Couldn't Be
Stopped. After getting off to a great start, the heavens opened up and
buckets of rain appeared out of nowhere, and the drawer of Mother Nature's
shortest straw was unfortunately Lila Rasa. Noel Howland and her crew had
to scramble to keep their gear from getting irreparably damaged, while poor
Al Limberg watched while his power amps filled with water.

But once again, our community rallied to the cause, and everything was
safely moved inside the Pub for the remainder of the event. Like the Flu,
you can count on the ASR to come back even stronger next year.

And then there were the releases that defined the year.

Advance copies of the Burnaround demo hit Z93 in time for the Grudge Match,
exciting the faithful with pristine versions of the tunes they flock to the
Pub every week to hear, garnering respectable airplay and listener
interest. Just in time for the holidays, the demo is available at point of
sale, complete with packaging, cover art and liner notes. It's seven songs
for ten bucks, and if you call yourself a supporter of the local music
scene, you already own a copy.

Maybe August

Maybe August dropped their debut, " A Fine How Do You Do" in June of this
year. In spite of the fact that it is a BRILLIANT piece of work, these guys
don't seem to be getting the recognition they deserve. This is great music
for everyone, people - the year's biggest no-brainer.

Silverspork released their long-awaited third effort, "Selah". Recorded at
Tim Houser's uptown studios in Owosso, it shows a remarkable evolution of
the band's style, and how far ahead of their time they may be. The
pile-driving Tool-isms, the exotic middle-eastern melodies, the kinetic
rhythms of Ryan Phillips and Mario Salcedo, the wall of damaging guitar
courtesy of Carl Abila, topped off with the insightful prose and manic
delivery of Bryan Gretzinger - this may herald a grand year for the 'Spork
in 2004.

And last but not least, The Dave Kellan Band released an awe-inspiring
follow-up CD to last year's debut, while nabbing top honors in Rock, Blues
and Jazz at the 2003 Review Music Awards.

Well, that's my piece. In closing, remember to cherish those that matter to
you.  And I want to see more of you out there in the clubs! Support your
local music scene!

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