If you go
Who: Chain Reaction
When: 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Oct. 10
Where: Lou’s Blues, 3191 N. SR A1A, Indialantic
Admission: No cover
Call: 321-779-2299
On the Web: www.chainreactionfl.com or www.myspace.com/chainreactionfl
Lou’s Blues will be popping Saturday when local favorites Chain Reaction performs. The night promises to be an eclectic blend of music covering a wide variety of genres and styles, all performed with seasoned musicianship, well-versed harmonies and a rich flair worthy of a night out with friends.
The band includes Pam Jacobs (lead singer), Marie Davino (lead singer), Dennis Hiltz (lead singer/guitar/congas/harp/percussion), Steve Elderidge (lead guitar), Fred Cartechone (lead guitar/horn), John Haarstad (keyboards), Rich Reesman (drums/vocals) and Mike Davino (bass guitar/vocals). Grand in size and professionalism, Chain Reaction proves nightly why it was voted 2009 Entertainer of the Year by Brevard Live Magazine readers.
I spoke with Davino about working with a large band and winning Entertainer of the Year. So let’s Shake, Rattle & Know: Chain Reaction.
SRK: After retiring from teaching in Long Island, N.Y., and moving to Palm Bay, what made you want to put together a band?
Davino: Rich and I have been playing in bands together since the ’60s, and when I moved to Brevard (where Rich was located), Marie and I decided to put together the band with Rich. We started out just vocalizing with Linda Ronstadt and songs like that, and we gradually added members over the years until we had a full band.
SRK: Does having such a large band help or hinder you from getting certain gigs?
Davino: It has really hindered us more than anything because we can’t fit in most clubs with an eight-piece band. Most clubs are just too small. We played at Levelz last week, and they had a really large stage that was great for our size band, but your average club doesn’t have a big enough stage.
SRK: How hard is it to schedule shows and practices with a band that large?
Davino: It’s incredibly difficult. I am the so-called leader of the band because I’m the retired one in the band and have more time. The other seven all work and have home commitments and such. We built this band on the premise that it was going to be fun first and playing the music we wanted. We didn’t want to interfere with everyone’s private lives, so we try and only practice twice a month and have shows twice a month, but even that can be difficult.
SRK: How has winning Brevard Live Magazine’s Entertainer of the Year Award changed how audiences and club owners perceive the band?
Davino: We really can’t tell yet. We just won it on Sept.¤14, and have only had one gig since then. We have a lot of new fans, which we call the Chain Gang. Our phone hasn’t been ringing off the hook because we won, though. With the economy the way it is, clubs are struggling to keep up.
SRK: Your music spans several eras and styles. What type music do you feel most at home playing live?
Davino: The ’70s and ’80s rock stuff. We do everything from Journey tunes to the Eagles. We may not have a Steve Perry or an Arnel in our band, but we have the musicianship to pull off powerful Journey songs.
SRK: What local bands do you follow when not playing yourself?
Davino: Medusa is one of my favorites. I also like Greenlight and Absolute Blue. I have heard great things about Open Fire, and I have heard about all the tragedy they have had to bounce back from, so I can’t wait to see them. I also really like Mo Geetz. They are phenomenal musicians and their lead singer Micah Reed is a very talented singer.
If you have an artist/band you’d like to recommend for review, contact Nunez at www.myspace.com/shakerattleandknow or fantasyforecaster2005@yahoo.com.
