R     o     t     o     g     l     o     w

May 19, 2002




Rotoglow web site: 
http://www.rotoglow.com

Next Appearance: 
THE HARD ROCK CAFE 
 Washington, D.C. 
Thursday, June 13th, 2002
999 E St. N.W.

Road to Rolling Rock Town Fair BAND COMPETITION
Bands begin at 10:00pm - ROTOGLOW is one of four bands. The lineup will be drawn the day of the show.
"Anything Andrew touches turns to gold," says John Kirkenbaugh, more often referred to as Ponch or Poncho. It came up in conversation at 3am in the band RV after Rotoglow's phenomenal performance at Gullifty's in Camp Hill on May 11th, 2002. It seems to be true. Even the little ditty made up after we pulled out my acoustic guitar seemed somehow spectacular, even though the lyrics referred to body functions. Andrew kept the rythem, and Ponch and Conrado chimed in to harmonize with Andrew as he threw jazzy scales into the mix. He'd been looking for a Miles Davis album to play to pass the time until insomnia went to bed.

He paints his pictures with lyric and song. A sunset along a beach in North Carolina inspired the tightly harmonized "Beach." The imagry of a dolphin off the coast becomes just a little more vivid when it's painted with the voices of Rotoglow. I have heard the song performed three times, and each time, it has woven itself into my mind and carried me home in a sunset fog.

The first time I'd ever heard it was at Eclipse nightclub off 2nd street in Harrisburg. The club was filled with couches and comphy things. As Rotoglow was beginning to play "Can't Get Much Better," (which happens to be my favorite song on their album) they realized that the PA had broken. In the true spirit of a band that loves doing what they do, they grimmaced at the change in plans and played anyway. Out of this, came a nearly accapella version of "Beach" and an awesome cover of "I Shot the Sheriff". Andrew walked through the crowd with a drink in each hand, belting out the bluesey reggae classic. There's some sort of a thrill to be had when the lead singer becomes part of the crowd.

Andrew does seem to get the most attention when people speak about the band, but the rest of the band members are not exactly slackers. John Kenney provides some of the most distinct lead guitar I've heard in ages. Every once in a while the David Gilmoure (Pink Floyd) influence creeps in there and whacks you over the head. Sounds that would usually come from a synthesizer speak through John's lead guitar... and it truely leads you through the song, holding hands with the vocals.

Speaking of synthesizers, Rotoglow recently added Kevin on keys to fill out an already tight sound. Then there's Dave in the back adding a pop and perky (is that the right word for it?!?) energy on drums. I know a bad drummer when I hear one, and Dave is not one of them. I suppose the fact that there were two local band drummers (Kyle, Julian Fist and Jim, Weapons for Peace) in the audience at the Midtown Tavern in Harrisburg on May 17th is a good indicator that talent on drums is not lacking in Rotoglow.

Then there's Conrado. I have never seen a bassist dance with his instrument quite like Conrado. I sometimes think it's worth the trip to see them just to see the shuffle he does as he gets into it (but there's always much more than a dance at a Rotoglow show...) He also provides the primary vocal harmony, and plays a 6-string bass.

I have never walked away from a Rotoglow performance feeling let down, save for the fact that the performance is over. It is always a unique experience. The edge of getting there is contagious if you speak with John Kenney about the direction of the band. It seems as though he is about to explode; his excitement is nearing tears. It's a guaranteed good show, and if you go and find otherwise, come and tell me all about it. I don't immagine I'll be hearing from anyone any time soon.

In reading over what I just wrote, I realized that I may have given the impression that Rotoglow is a softer band... It's only fair to warn you that they pack a decent punch on most of their songs like "Deny," during which you may see the blood vessels and tendons in Andrew's neck stand at attention.

This feature article is subject to change as experiences are added... :) I'm done gushing for now, but if you'd like to read more, there's my initial review of Rotoglow and their album, and the Rotoglow website, http://www.rotoglow.com.