BORGO
PASS/BONESMITH
Live@ Mr. Beery's
For anyone who doesn't believe that there is a place for heavy music in
this world, they are probably people that have never faced their own
rage, disappointments and anxieties to the fullest extent. In this
uncertain world (more uncertain than it was last month, that is for
CERTAIN), one needs to get a lot out of their systems. One might enjoy
doing it at a Borgo Pass/Bonesmith show.
Borgo Pass and Bonesmith, two of Long Island's elite heavy groups, put
on a clinic on to play vicious, hard-hitting modern rock with pressing
social points and raw emotion at Mr. Beery's. It was a night of pounding
original music and the fans were wound up in their total absorption of
it, yet there was never a sense that the scene would turn violent or
mean. This was a night of blowing off steam, not blowing s%*& all
over each other.
BONESMITH, who took the stage first, has had personnel changes like it's
grinding brethren. Formerly a two guitar attack, the band is now a
streamlined quartet, rolling with the guitar assaults of Paul Lanzetta
and vocal fury of Ken Vincent. Rounded out by ace bassist Erric Seifert
and new drummer Rich Russ, formerly of The Poets and Cave Penny, these
four men crush and cruise with sheer musical power. Their loyal
following, who seemed to be mouthing the lyrics to all their originals,
pours out as much energy as the band and they clearly feed off of each
other. Definitely kin of the heavier speed metal bands and core groups
of the late 80's and 90's, Bonesmith has taken evolution to a smarter
place while keeping the musical whiplash at maximum tilt. Melody and raw
power...hey, you can meld them after all.
Borgo Pass, equally heavy characters that can thump your butt down the
block and back, also have undergone a major change. These days, the dual
guitars of Paul Rosado and Tom Crane, are led by a new man in the vocals
chair, Jim Tamarazzo, while their percussive rhythm section of bassist
YT and drummer Joe Wood have remained intact. Working songs from two
previous CD's as well as new collaborations, Borgo effortlessly had hair
flying, necks snapping to and fro and legs churning in a frenzied,
spirited 45 minute set.
You can go to confession, you can go to a psychiatrist, but for my
money, nothing calms you down like a focused, heavy music show. A little
sweat, a lot of wattage and some friendly stomping later, the sizable
crowd at Mr. Beery's thirst for the hard stuff had been quenched.
Borgo Pass and Bonesmith, probably best remembered for their Eerie
Midnight Rock Show package of the last few years, are alive and well and
altered for the best. These are still two of the best bands on the
Island and whether you go to heavy shows to chase away demons or merely
hang with the head-bangers, you can't hang many places better than where
these bands are.
-Frank Quinn