Thunder on the Rock 2010

 

It is the new call of the wild. That roar you hear going down the road and the feeling you get as you see all those bikes go past. It’s a migration toward the mountain. Only this migration is one of steel and thunder. In the back of your mind you wonder if they are going your way. Moving on up the mountain you know they are going your way as more and more bikes come together to meet in front of the ticket gate. Meeting friends from past years event in line is something almost every one does. And it doesn’t matter if it is your first year or if this is your 4th year, you are certain to meet friends at this rally.

For some of us, it is just a flash back to the days of summers by the lakes, bands and bikes. (OK, maybe that was just my experience.) Then there are others that just came to cut lose because they can. I am not the bike magazine that everyone looks for. I leave that up to my friends at Thunder Roads. (Hey Guys!) I could write a story about the bike show and the different divisions like retro, classic, rat, and all about who won what. I could write a story about the games, slow ride and hot dog bite, or how things went down in the burn out pit and about how I rode thru the camps and chose my pick for the best camp.

We all know why I go to festivals, fairs, and rallies of any kind and it’s not to see naked people, not to party, but to see the bands. Who are the new bands to play and who have we seen before. Who is well able to take the elements and draw the crowd to the stage? You will hear me say quite often how “God has been good to me”, even when things seem to go all wrong.

Here are some of the bands I saw at this years Thunder on the Rock. We will start with NoElvis!

NoElvis

I love this Rally you never know what you will see as far as entertainment goes. So far all types are welcome.

However, I didn’t think I would ever see Elvis at a bike rally but hey, this, my friends, is no ordinary bike rally. NoElvis took the stage with two of the Thunder-goddesses and guess what – everyone had a great time.  NoElvis works at the The Station House Restaurant  in Chattanooga during the week. If he had taken himself too seriously it would have not been such a good show. As it was, he was brilliant! It was a great way to start the day.

Jackyl

The heard liners were Jackyl, Blackfoot, Colt Ford, Geneva, and Big Engine. And just who do I talk about first? That’s right, NoElvis. Let’s face it, it took more guts for NoElvis to step on stage than it did any of the others and I always admire courage.

 Of course everyone knows Jackyl – Jesse Dupree, (Vocals, Chainsaw), Jeff Worley (Guitar), Roman Glick (bass), Chris Worley (drums). They did come in like a Georgia tornado, bringing a combination of Heavy Metal / Rock ‘n Roll show that included his signature chainsaws. The show brings the same energy and excitement on stage that he has off. In like a whorl wind. Jesse and the band did a special song for “The Squidbillies” for Adult Swim. If you are true fan you already know this. Until I did my research I didn’t realize Jesse was involved in so many TV Projects. Shows like “Rock the Ink”, “The Spread” I know thru the guitar playing and chainsaw welding. There was more but until I saw them in person I didn’t know how much more. I got the impression that Jesse James Dupree is running 90 to nothing in order not to miss a thing. Don’t you dare miss their latest album!

Jackal’s latest studio album, “When Moonshine and Dynamite Collide “ is now available in store and on line.

Blackfoot

I hadn’t seen Blackfoot before. As a matter of fact, the only thing I know for sure is that I enjoy their music. Blackfoot was originally made up of founding members Jackson Spires, Charlie Hargrett, Greg T. Walker and former Blackfoot lead guitarist Bobby Barth.  In 2004 the fans of Blackfoot petitioned them to come out and reunite and do a reunion tour. Sadly in 2005 Jackson Spires passed away unexpectedly. In their story it is said, “As luck would have it Christophe Ullmann was visiting from Vienna.” Luck had nothing to do with it. This was one of those ‘meant to be’ cases, a phenomenon that can’t be explained so why try. Bobby Barth was forced off the road in 2006 and the band called up Jay Johnson to step in until his return. They were joined by New Orleans drummer Michael Sollars and are back to as close as possible to the original lineup.

What is my impression of Blackfoot! They are the professionals that don’t lose it when things go crazy. Things like the rain and an amBlackfootp that suddenly refuses to work. It was moment to remember. I was taking pictures on stage when I didn’t hear the guitar, even thru my ear plugs. I didn’t know if it was the rain or me till I saw Greg T Walker do what all of us do when something suddenly quites working, take a fist to it! Greg applied the proper force to the top of the amp but nothing happened. With that came stage hands from all directions to solve the problem. Charlie Hargrett continued to play knowing something was wrong. With a slow turn toward the back and seeing all the commotion he just took it to a higher level. Playing to the audience, then turning to Jay Johnson and they kept playing. The amp was fixed quickly and Greg T Walker stepped back out front guitar blasting. The impression left on the audience was, “This is the best show ever!” 

Colt Ford

They tried to explain to me what kind of music Colt Ford did before the show ever started.I kept going “What??? Is it Rap??? Hip Hop??? What????” OK, you can’t explain Colt Ford. He is a combination of rhythmic speech, singing, and harmonies.

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All together Colt Ford is his own style and his own man. His is a new way to talk about growing up country. Drinking ice tea, having cat head biscuits, and fishin’ with cane poles are just some of the things you hear about. I hope to see him again soon. He puts on a dynamic show. You have to see Colt Ford and just remember, he is not your Daddy’s country. Look for (Colt Ford )’Nuf Said!

Geneva

When you think of Nashville, TN you certainly don’t think of Geneva Keen. Geneva strives to be the ultimate biker band. The music, dress and persona come together to make this a show to see. They play hard and they work hard. The band in 2009 is involved in a TV project which is shown on selected Fox networks. With Geneva as the star and her band as the supporting cast, Dwayne Jones – drummer, Crash – guitarists, Dick Thunder on bass. Doing a combination of their original music and old standards they rock the stage not only for bike rally’s but for a variety of charities which have become important to Geneva over the years. If you think you have the best Bike event contact Geneva’s TV Show “Rock and Ride”

 http://www.myspace.com/genevatheband

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=104628203

Billy Geneva Ricky and winners of GuitarGeneva brought with her The Exterminators (Vexcon) form A&E. If the truth be told I didn’t know who Billy and Ricky were. Trust me when I tell you this though, Big Engine did. Just by their reaction I had to ask, “Who is this?” After a little research I find out they are from Louisiana. If you have a problem with gators, pythons, roaches, bees, armadillos, and skunks or squirrels, these are the people to call. The whole family came to Thunder on the Rock to sign autographs and hang out with Geneva. exterminator/index.jsp On the show Mom Donna is concerned for the moment about Ricky finding a good  hearted woman . So what happens when Ricky comes to TN? The girls make a Ricky sandwich out of him! It was great to meet the whole family. Make plans to check out their show on A&E! http://www.aetv.com/billy-the

Big Engine

For those of you who don’t know, Big Engine is one of my favorite bands to watch. I never really get to hear the show while I am shooting but they put on such a great show I get to see a great show ear plugs and all. You know it is something when other bands take a moment to watch. Especially the drummer Benny who was classical trained. Last year he told me how when he started playing rock he discovered that he had extra time on his hands, so to speak, so he started doing tricks with his sticks while he was playing. You’ll see that he never misses a beat! With two CD’s to their credit and a great stage presence this is a group that will continue to ‘Rock the House’ wherever they play. Visit them online @ www.bigengine.com to find out where they’ll be playing next and to listen to cuts from their CD’s. With songs like, “Ride it Like You Stole It”. “That Girl’s a Freak”, “Wasted” and their anathematic theme song, “Party Like a Rock Star” I know once you listen to these guys you too will have a new favorite band.

Sunny Ledfurd

Those were the main bands that were advertised. So who else did we meet? The most unusual band is Sunny Ledfurd.  http://www.sunnyledfurd.com/. Sunny Ledfurd was born in Chattanooga but raised in NC. He is with Average Joe’s Entertainment which I believe still acts as Colt Fords Rep. If you’ve ever seen Sunny Ledfurd you would know how that explains a whole lot. They are a combination, of all things, County and Snoop Dog! I know. How can that be true! He has a new sound that includes a bass box (I had to ask, “What is that?” Can you really play box? And, well, of course you can.) Sunny Ledfurd sells most of his music on ITunes. He is young, imaginative, inspiring and brings something new to world of music by combining rock, county, and rap.

Those were all the guys on the main stage but there was plenty of music on the second stage.

Bands like Black Friday, they did a Heavy Metal sound and I think they were good but they did do a rendition of a Lynard Skynard in Heavy Metal.  OK, it was interesting, funny good and I was getting tired of Skynaryd. Howdy Joe Get ‘M, Crunk Bones Jones, Bobby Hayes just to name a few. There was such a variety of music from southern rock to heavy metal to country. I missed Crunk Bones Jones and that became another story. Look for it later. (Dead Levy and River House)

 The other Main act of this rally was 

The Globe of Death-

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Published:
June 15, 2010 / 8:52 pm
Category:
music, Photos By Jayne Craddock, Places to go, Tennessee Adventures, Tennesseetourist.com
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