Show Date: September 21
Doors Open: 7 pm
Show Starts: 8 pm
Price: $29
On the Serious Side is back by popular demand, making a return visit to MPC. They are Connecticut’s first and only Tower of Power Tribute band. Created by drummer Gene Zwicharowski and named after one of Tower of Powers most complicated and syncopated songs.
The musicians were handpicked qualified and seasoned who are die-hard Tower of Power fans. Bringing on board J J Martin as frontman lead vocalist was the frosting on the cake. They broke the band into sections and created the perfect lead and backing vocals, directed by JJ Martin. The rhythm section is lead by guitarist/musical director Frank Barrese. The most famous element, the horn section, is directed by Billy Grodski.
As they researched the various Tower of Power Tribute bands across the country they wanted to be a cut above the rest. The show is very focused on the “Live versions” of TOP songs such as the medley “We Came to Play, Soul With a Capital S, Ain’t nothing Stopping us Now, You Ought to be Having Fun and Only So Much Oil” just to name a few. The crowd response is incredible and it sparks off high energy from the very first note.
Tickets Available at the Door Prior to the Show
Other great live versions include To Say The Least You’re the Most and Funkafize, featuring drummer GeneZ as he covers Dave Garibaldi’s signature Afro-Cuban cowbell beat. Can’t you See, with an added guitar solo by Frank Barrese, and Me and Mrs. Jones featuring the incredible vocal skills of JJ Martin? The intro to Diggi’n on James Brown, This Time it’s Real, the ever famous What is Hip/Soul Power with TOP’s 10-minute version featuring tenor sax Anthony Masi, and “The Kid” Kevin Duffy” trading solos in a funky soul jam.
OTSS will unleash all the fella’s in Squib Cakes and “Storm’n Norman” Robillard lights up his Hammond B-3 covering Chester Thompson’s signature solo to a tee! The”Blazing Brass” trumpets of Billy Grodski and Pat Casey blow the classic Still a Young Man intro making your hair stand on end with the sound being so high cut and perfect.
The show has become signature to the reputation of On the Serious Side. All 10 musicians have spent countless hours and extensive studying of recordings of the music to these versions that are not readily available to create the most authentic TOP show. It has taken hard work and dedication on all parts to perfect our show and musically rising above any other TOP tribute band.
Many of them are friends of the members of Tower of Power, and as the band progressed a video clip was sent to Emilio for feedback. One comment was, “Well you named the band “On the Serious Side” why are you not playing that song?” Excellent question so Gene went back to the guys and said, “Boy’s roll up your sleeves and let’s get serious and get to work mastering On the Serious Side! The only glitch was figuring out what the lyrics were. They were not available anywhere. He contacted Emilio and he graciously wrote out all the lyrics to On the Serious Side for them to use. They have continuously played to crowds responding with high energy and praise…Including great feedback from Emilio and Doc on their video clips!
Tickets Available at the Door Prior to the Show
Come get the news with “BACK IN TIME” the one and only East Coast Premier Tribute to “Huey Lewis and the News” “BACK IN TIME” is comprised of talented and seasoned musicians from the New York area. The band members are no strangers to the tribute scene. Members of the band have been part of several popular New York Tributes over the years and have put together – “BACK IN TIME”
“BACK IN TIME” works to recreate the energy, excitement of a Huey Lewis & the News Live Performance… We guarantee you’ll be singing along with every song as we take you on a trip through the ’80s.
A top-notch show bringing together all the hits from Huey Lewis & the News and the ’80s.
You will hear all the Hits and much more… Huey Lewis and The News have carried the banner as the quintessential American rock band, endearing them to millions of fans. During the 1980s and early 1990s, they scored a total of 19 top-ten singles across the Billboard Hot 100, Adult Contemporary, and Mainstream Rock charts.
Tickets Available at the Door Prior to the Show