Concert Recap: Jam Sandwich w/ Us and Eliza Doering and the Penny Black

Concert Recap: Jam Sandwich w/ Us and Eliza Doering and the Penny Black

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Club 66

Edgewood, MD

Club 66, located in Edgewood, MD, is a small venue with a big sound.  There is magic in the walls.  I can't find another way to explain what happens on the stage.  The energy and vibe is tangible.  Many people in the crowd know each other, often brought together by the very musician or band they have come to support.   As an added plus, the club is BYOB and you can bring in food (although a delicious menu is planned for each show by locally owned and operated Dish & Design Catering).  Acts range from local to national and include varying genres. Dave Rode, the owner, greets everyone personally.  His wife Cheryl is usually taking tickets at the door.  They are the heart of the place, while music is the soul.

On this night we were there for Jam Sandwich, the Us live debut, and Eliza Doering and the Penny Black.  For an extremely reasonable $20 ticket price we were able to see three bands.  As usual, it was a fantastic night.  Audience members included many well-known local musicians, which further evidences the respect inspired by the musicians taking the stage that night.

Us Live at Club 66.  From left to right: Ro Cube (keyboards),
Charlie Thomas (guitar and vocals), PJ Lee (bass and vocals).

Us opened the evening and debuted their EP.  Some of you may be more familiar with Chuggalug, which is the cover band alter-ego of Us.  PJ and Charlie make quite the team.  PJ is a powerhouse singer with a dynamic voice.  All the songs on the EP are originals and showcase PJ and Charlie’s voices at their very best.  My personal favorite off their new EP is Heart Ache.  Don’t pass up the chance to see them if the opportunity presents itself.  You won’t be sorry.  Just to give you an idea of what a treat you are in for, check out the video for Die Inside from this very show.

Eliza Doering and the Penny Black live at Club 66.
From left to right John Doering (guitar), Eliza Doering
(guitar and vocals), John Tracey (drums), and special guest
Lee Townsend (bass).

Eliza Doering and the Penny Black also did a set.  The band perform all originals.  Eliza’s voice is unique and capable of conveying strong emotion.  There is something sassy in the way she delivers her vocals that makes you feel good even when the lyrics and melody drip with heartbreak.  Her brother John is an accomplished guitarist.  John Tracey makes playing drums look so easy and he is so damn good I just don’t know how that’s possible.  Lee Townsend played bass for the set, adding another layer to the music.  I thoroughly enjoyed the set and can’t wait to see them for a third time.

Jam Sandwich live at Club 66.  The floor was so packed by
this time I wasn't able to get a close up photo from my
table in the back.  From left to right: Jim Jones (keyboards),
Bobby Hird (guitar and vocals), Rick Olaguer (guitar and vocals),
Lee Townsend (bass), and in the back John Tracey (drums).

Jam Sandwich tore the walls down and then built them back up.  These guys are phenomenal.  The talent on the stage is through the roof.  With so many local legends on one stage, I expected nothing less and was still blown away.  The highlights of their performance are so numerous that I can’t even begin to count them.  The band’s name is personified in the complex instrumentals performed throughout the night.  My personal favorite was their cover of Led Zeppelin’s Black Dog with Bobby Hird playing the vocal part on slide guitar.  The audience was in awe and I was right with them.  Kyf Brewer (The Ravyns, Barleyjuice, Company of Wolves) joined them for a cover of I Am the Walrus that had everyone on their feet.  The crowd literally went wild.  There aren’t many bands that can tackle this particular Beatles tune and get away with it.  Jam Sandwich not only got away with it… they killed it!  Members include Lee Townsend (bass), Bobby Hird (guitar and vocals), John Tracey (drums), Rick Olaguer (guitar and vocals), and Jim Jones (keyboards).  Lee Townsend also plays bass for The Ravyns and Climbadonkey and is a former member of many well known Baltimore bands.  Bobby Hird is a member of Climbadonkey and Crack the Sky and a former member of The Ravyns.  John Tracey is a member of Climbadonkey, the aforementioned Eliza Doering and the Penny Black, and the Johnny Chill Band and a former member of Crack the Sky and the Ravyns.  Rick Olaguer is a member of the R.A.T. Pack and Rudy's Boys, and is also a solo artist.  Jim Jones is a founder of the The Music Workshop, a well-known producer, and a veteran of the local music scene. If you aren’t from the Baltimore area, these names may not mean much to you, but trust me when I say they are legendary and command the respect of area musicians.

For your listening pleasure, here is Jam Sandwich featuring Kyf Brewer performing I Am the Walrus:

*Note: Whenever possible I have provided links to the individual artist's/band's website.  I'm a big believer in helping to promote the local music that I love.  Please visit their websites and consider giving their music a listen.  Thanks!