red room effect

The Band Jam

Utah Burgess joins us to discuss 97.7FM WLER The Grass Roots Show‘s 5th annual Band Jam brought to you by Shady Lady Productions. He gives us some insight into the show’s history, as well as, giving us a run down on what to expect when you attend it. There are 20 bands for $20 in a 2 day format. We also talk a little bit about the local music scene, the Rock Done Right Tour and his band, the Noble Hops Band. Friday’s Lineup Beginning at 5pm Mary Lou Scherder Noble Hops Band Sumpn’ Fierce WoJo Highland Brothers Band The Redlines Anger the Ant Saturday’s Lineup Beginning at 11:30am Donny Eozzo Isaac Cole Stationary Pebbles Trigger Happy Lions in America Castashadow Acoustic Fingers Nied’s Hotel Band Zone 8 Juvenile Characteristics Shag Dog Melon Head Red Room Effect TeraChain Sky   What is the Band Jam? The Band Jam Grass Roots Music Festival is a weekend long celebration of local music and artists. It was started as a way to commemorate the yearly anniversary of the “Grass Roots Show”, which airs Sunday nights at 7pm on The Rock Station 97.7fm (WLER – Butler, PA), and as a way to showcase the incredible talent featured on this show in a “Live” setting for music lovers of all genres to enjoy. The Festival is held at Cooper’s Lake Campground, located at 205 Currie Rd in Slippery Rock, PA, right off of I-79 Exit 99 (New Castle Rd / US Route 422), and is sponsored this year by: Sloan’s Guitar & Super Monkey recording Company Cooper’s Lake is the perfect place for a family friendly outdoor music festival, with over 450 acres of wooded areas and mowed fields. Amenities include over 100 electric and water hookup sites, activity areas, campground store, full bathroom facilities including showers, laundromat, picnic tables and pavillions, and a 10-acre lake for fishing and canoeing. Cooper’s Lake is world renowned for such events as Pennsic, The Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival, and the Pyrotechnics Guild International Convention. The 2017 Band Jam will take place July 14-16, with live music beginning Friday the 14th at 6pm, and beginning again on Saturday the 15th at Noon. There will be plenty of other activities for young and old including Belly Dance lessons by Malissa, Hooping with The Hoop Bear, Balloon Art with Dragonfly Balloons, Taekwondo demonstration from Master Connell’s ATA, fishing, biking, and more… Attendees are encouraged to come camp for the whole weekend, however day pass only admissions will be available. Camping fees must be purchased separately through Cooper’s Lake Campground and can be purchased HERE. Admission Prices $20 Advance / $25 At The Gate Kids 17 and Under are FREE Band Jam Festival Tickets Available Through ShowClix by clicking HERE or by calling 1-888-71-TICKETS Tickets also available through Butler Media Group at 252 Pillow Street, Butler PA or through the bands and Shady Lady Productions Camping Passes must be purchased through Cooper’s Lake Campground and can be purchased by clicking HERE. Please visit their website for more information.

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Red Room Effect PARS383

Eric Gadola joined me for the first time to talk about his band the Red Room Effect. Segment 1: We started out talking about their upcoming show at the Grass Root’s Band Jam that 97.7FM and Shady Lady Productions put on each year. Eric went on to talk about a few other shows that they have played with Shady Lady. We talked about their song “Raindrops” being nominated for the Grassy Awards. If you have yet to vote for the Grassy, you have until the end of the day on June 30, 2017 to do so! Click here to get your vote in! We rounded out the first segment with Eric telling us about their song “Allergic to Negativity”. If you’re into 90’s rock, you’ll love this track. Segment 2: In the second segment, we got to know Eric a little better. We discussed his record collection to give you an idea of where he comes from musically. Along those same lines he talks about his biggest influences as well.  Eric and I then talk about the people that support Eric the most as a musician and his most embarrassing moment on stage. We also hit up some of the other normal questions for the show like favorite venue and some new ones like favorite cover song to play. Segment 3: We started the third segment out talking about Mia Z, Miss Freddye, and JJ Smith. Eric introduced us to the rest of the Red Room Effect band members: Anthony Lamendola (Guitar). Nick Svitek (Keys, Guitar, BGV, Aux), Matt Johnson (Bass), & John Layhew (Drums). At this point, we learned a good bit about the history of the band itself. Eric deescribed the process of recording their album “Funky-Hip Music, Vol. 1“. From there we discussed the music scene for a while… and more Who is Red Room Effect? Eric Gadola, also known by his stage name “Crazy Eric” formed the grassroots of Red Room Effect in the summer of 2013. Working as a golf pro by day and struggling singer/songwriter by night, Gadola approached producer/drummer, Paul Jay with songs he had been writing with hopes of forming a band. Impressed by his songwriting abilities, Paul Jay and Eric began to mold the the majority of songs that would later appear on the “Frame of Mind EP.” Hendrix, Clapton, Jack White, The Black Keys, the RHCP, Nirvana, Prince, Rick James, & Outcast have played a significant role in Gadola’s, songwriting, playing style, and vocal delivery. Stricken with sadness and loneliness from Paul Jay’s unexpected death, Gadola turned to talented Pittsburgh drummer, Spencer Day with the demos produced @ Paul Jay’s Red Room Studios, in Cheswick, PA. After hearing the demo, Day agreed to help Gadola jumpstart the band. Gadola crowned the band Red Room Effect in honor of the late Paul Jay. Mason Callender was added on bass guitar, as the group began gigging across Western PA. They later recorded the Frame of Mind EP with producer Ryan Wood (Audio Bridge Studios/New Medicine) which yielded favorable reviews and national radio airplay. In November 2014, Day expressed interest in pursuing other musical ventures. As a result, Gadola began producing and recording songs he composed in his home studio. While recording the majority of the instruments himself, Gadola sought out the talents of a few local skilled session musicians, including bassist, David “Funk Daddy” Traugh (of The Last Drop) & guitarist, Anthony “Tony Tone” Lamendola. (formerly of The Next Month) Gadola’s lust for the stage lights was short lived when Tony suggested revitalizing the group with a new lineup. Former Next Month bassist, Matt “Matural Ice Jr.” Johnson soon joined the band. Eric grew fond of local indie rockers Blithehound, and later recruited 2 of their members: muilti-instrumentalist Nick Svitek, and drummer Jon Walters who’s towering drum beats can be heard throughout the record. Jon recently left both groups to pursue a degree in Jazz from Berklee College of Music. The ultra-talented John “JayLay” Layhew was recently added to the lineup on drums. “It’s special how we have a built such a strong musical chemistry in such a short amount of time as everyone shares a mutual respect for one another. What a humbling experience this has been. I’m geeked that guys with this kind of talent want to be bring this project to life. Being on stage in front of crowd is what I live for, and I’m thankful for these guys. As for the music, what type of music you ask? This music will make you laugh, make you cry, make you think, make you feel. It’s blues, it’s funk, it’s hip hop, r&b, soul,… It’s rock n’roll. This band, this music, these songs…. will move you. It’s what we like to call Funky-Hip Music.”

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