County's best musicians to play
B
y MAGGIE DeVORE
ASHTABULA - The Valentine's Day "Heart R.O.C.K." concert at the Sons of Italy lodge on Columbus Avenue kicked off the 1998 concert series.
Due to the increased number of local bands, we have grown to two concerts a month.
Remember, an item donated to charity at the door gets you in for $3. School supplies were collected Saturday for the Children's Receiving Home. Kids books will be collected this Saturday, same time (6 p.m.), same place (Sons of Italy, next to Columbus Junior High), and it's called "Book R.O.C.K."
Flowers and candy and a marriage proposal on stage highlighted the romance. Rocky, a roadie for Pariah, offered a rock in a box to Shannon and she said "yes."
The mood quickly changed as the music punched in with intense performances from six groups offering a wide variety of original sound.
R.O.C.K. HQ is in its third year with a few of the original bands still performing together. New groups are contacting us for concert sign ups. All groups are evolving and growing in styles and stage presence with a lot of different elements coming together to change Ashtabula's musical scene. Flyers are available at the concerts with our schedule through September.
The Tom Hagan All Stars opened the concert. With the dual vocals of Tom
Wright and Matt 
Cramer, the upbeat melodies ignited the hall
and set the mood for the evening. Their punk style got us going and put
us in the mood to rock.
A premiere performance from Swind(7)le knocked our socks off with their fresh, new sound. Mike Sanders just keeps getting better on those skins. Good show, guys!
Pariah exploded on stage with Mike Robertson's jackhammer percussions on a massive, 12-piece drum kit, which requires a trusted tech to assemble.
The original power groove brought the concert goers to their feet. An auctioned off drum head brought R.O.C.K. some much needed case.
Shiver, ex-Apathy, with their mesmerizing, repetitive drone turned the mosh pit into willing, swaying hypnotics. Vocalist Shawn Doyle punctuated the night using meaningful lyrics to drive the point home.
Madison's Vindictive fueled the crowd with an electric out-of-sight, out-of-town sound. They are an example of what fine-committed craftsmanship and hard work can do. Just goes to show kids can do it. Super set, fellas!
The Geller Phenomenon bent our minds with their Music to Bend Spoons By. This performance is not for the weak of heart. With their frenzied musical madness, they are a sure crowd pleaser. Rich Charles belts out a punk state of mind that you can take home with you.
Thanks and kudos to our sponsors: "Dr. Tom" DiSalvatore, D.C., Nassief Automotive, Kardohley's Restaurant (our Monday night meeting place) and Norm Kovac of the SOI lodge.
Continued support applause goes out to WFUN, JDs Pizza, Capitena's Florist, Fuel Mart and WZOO.
Our friends Margie and Dee helped out with the door and snack area. R.O.C.K. has a merchandise table with a variety of stuff including patches and MoonSunStars custom jewelry by Rachael. Our security people keep the concerts running smoothly (Yah, Phil.) Dan Byler makes everybody sound good - that's why we hire him.
It takes a lot of work both on stage and off to keep R.O.C.K. going. It's three years old this April. Who would have believed it then, hmmmm?
We're always open to new groups. Call any evening at 998-6448 for more information. Don't call the Sons of Italy. See 'ya Saturday. On stage: MBB, Spill, Pariah, Shiver, Car Bomb and No Name Yet IV. Keep R.O.C.K.in'.
If you attend Saturday's event (and you better), ask to see DeVore's tongue.
An Amber Thompson column
I remember
when I was a tyke and Power Wheels cars
came out for kids to "drive."
I had my eyes set on the stylin' pink Barbie Corvette. I pictured myself wearing my Barbie starlette shades, cruising down my driveway at 10 mph. I was denied that dream Christmas 1987, where under my tree sat a "Kid Sister."
I look back and I chuckle. Now I am given my parents' car. It isn't the newest, sportiest or most technologically advanced car, but it's a car and it outshines that li'l plastic Barbie number.
I received my license mid-January, a little before my 17th birthday. I had hopes of cruising all over, blaring my music and toting a pack of friends along. Reality check. I was hit with the occasional bad weather, driving with my frantic mother, and felt a major lack of freedom.
Driving with my mother was so nerve racking. I made huge errors. I won't go into detail, because I like living at my house. A cell wouldn't be ideal and I look bad in neon organ.
She was so disappointed. I wasn't allowed to drive to school for a week!
My first big step was meeting a friend for a bite after school.
I had to calm my mom down, promise to call after I got home and hear her rant and rave about the hazards of driving before I could finally get into their car.
Well, wouldn't you know it, I didn't kill myself, so she was a little bit more relaxed. She still suffocates (um, HUGS, um, I meant hugs) me and tells me she loves me before I step out. She still yacks about switching on my turn signals, stopping at the li'l red signs and my favorite, driving on the right side of the road.
My dad's the King of Calm. He was the best teacher I could've asked for. He even got creative to help me with maneuverability. (I can't divulge how he helped me. I think he should patent it!) I passed the first time and so did my brother, due to his knowledge.
Parents act differently to their children driving and it may seem unreasonable at the times, but it's hard for them to let go, too. They're probably worried not only for you, but for other lives out there who may be affected every time you start your ignition.
I may not be allowed to drive to Mentor or Erie, but I'd rather get a few extra miles on my Toyota from practicing then not being physically able to drive anywhere in my life. Drive safely.
Thompson, a junior at Ashtabula High School, has reportedly been hired to drive Cedar Point patrons about the park, labeling it "the latest thrill ride."
Looki
ng for something to do Friday night? Check out band and choir
students from eight Ashtabula County high schools, who will perform a wide
range of classical and contemporary music at 7 at the Kent State University,
Ashtabula Campus, gymnasium.
Professors from Youngstown State University will lead the students, whose repertoire runs from Bach to Irving Berlin.
Those schools participating are Ashtabula, Harbor, Conneaut, Edgewood, Geneva, Jefferson, Grand Valley and Pymatuning Valley. See, your school is involved. Be there. It's only three bucks at the door.
Then Saturday night there's another R.O.C.K. event at the Ashtabula Sons of Italy, which you can read about elsewhere on this page.
We got your weekend covered, man.
Fire your social secretary and just read Teen/Currents.
OK, you can't make it to R.O.C.K. Well heck, check out the past Conneaut High School basketball stars who will suit up for "A Blast From the Past," an evening of hoops to benefit the Conneaut Local Youth Organization Saturday at Garcia Gym.
Alumni from Spartan boys and girls teams will play, starting at 5 p.m. The popular Domino's Pizza half-court shot contest will also be featured. Yep, make the basket through the pizza and leave the crust intact and you're a winner. (At least that's our theory of what the contest is all about.)
Anyway, tickets are $4 for adults and $3 for students.
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