NCSSM
Purple Mourning Glory
by Jackie Sharp
Purple Moummg Glory - the name is oddly intrigu
ing. For those who haven't heard of them, PMG is one of our
school bands. Members David Jones (vocals), Dan Slocum (lead
guitar), Steve Anderson (rhythm guitar), Steve Schkolne (bass),
and Carter Smith (drums) revealed that their influences range
from the Beatles to Metallica to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
PMG is mostly a cover band, playing songs from a
wide variety of groups. They do have three of their own songs,
and a fourth is on the way.
I recently had the opportunity to sit in on one of
PMG's rehearsals. It began in a laid back manner. The band
(minus the drummer) ran over a few of their better-known
numbers. Then it became more serious, untill David broke the
microphone. That's when the choas begim. As David attempted
to fix the microphone, Steve Schkolne, (with his keen fashion
"We're the best band since
the Dave Clark Five!"
-Steve Schkolne
sense) outfitted in an orange and brown striped short sleeved
button-down and green and blue calf length pants, decided to
convulse in a bass solo. He was soon joined by the two guitarists
in an orgy of distorted guitars. Heads together, lying on the
floor, they went through epileptic seizures as musical energies
surged through them. The result was a distinct combination of
Skinny Puppy and "Flight of the Bumblebee". The whole wave
of creativity brought tears to Dan's eyes. It was definitely a
moving experience for them all.
Once David overcame his fear of being electricuted,
he managed to touch a broken wire to just the right place, and
once again words were put to the music. The band attempted
to get serious again, but when asked what song they were most
proud of, they went into "name game" mode.
"...banana fana fo feve..."
The rehearsal ended shortly after.
Aerosmith rocks the triangle
by Emily Gillespie
Even the rain couldn't keep Aerosmith's farrs away.
The lawn at Walnut Creek was packed on the 25th, as Aerosmith
performed a great concert, for the Raleigh area.
Aerosmith is a legendary rock outfit that has been one
of the premier attractions ever since the release of their first
album in the early 1970's. The smash hit "Dream On" was
followed by many other classics, such as "Walk this Way,"
"Kings and Queens," and many others. Their work in ^e
seventies influenced acts ranging from Guns 'N' Roses to r.e.m.
However, their success was not without its costs. In the late
seventies Aerosmith was almost destroyed by drug abuse.
Aerosmith was revived in the mid eighties and remains, in the
nineties, a potent force driven by the success of Permanent
Vacation, Pump, and their most recent album. Get a Grip.
Aerosmith's opening act was Four Non Blondes, who
gave a mercifully brief example of their music, including the
well known "What's Up." They also played some unreleased
numbers which seemed rather uninspired, and the couple of
other better known songs, that were virtually identical to "V^at's
Up." Perhaps the weather was dampening their enthusiasm for
music-making and crowd-pleasing.
Aerosmith's contribution to the night was both more
enjoyable and infinitely more energetic. They played a good
mixture of their newer songs, interspersed with a few "greatest
hits", including "Dream On", "Same Old Song and Dance", and
"Walk This Way" as well as "Crying" off their latest album,
"Living on the Edge". Eventually the rain let up, but by that time
it didn't really matter, the crowd was on its feet.
Steven Tyler showed his usual energy and exuber
ance, throughout the performance. The rest of the band was up
to peak as well, showing off their talents with drum and bass
guitar solos and a song by Joe Perry, while their lead singer
rested his voice.
The encore included "Get a Grip", "Living in the
Edge" and an old favorite, "Sweet Emotion", which finished off
a great concert performance by Aerosmith.
Aerosmith supported their latest release. Get a Grip.