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Rock Insider: Gem City Rockers bridge ’90s, ’60s
By Don Thrasher
excerpted from review that originally appeared in the Dayton Daily News, GO! magazine, Sept. 17, 2004
These guys have an eye and an ear toward early ’90s touchstones such as Nirvana, the Smashing Pumpkins and Stone Temple Pilots, but it’s obvious they have also digested more obscure garage-rock bands, ’60s beat groups and the requisite punk rock acts. Like the groups they admire, the members of GCR focus on melodic songs driven by propulsive and dynamic drumming, tasty bass hooks, powerful rhythm guitar juiced up with diverse lead stabs, vocal lines with a high sing-along quotient and choruses that raise most of the songs to a higher emotional level.
Gem City Rockers haven’t reinvented the wheel with this EP but that’s not necessary with songs this memorable. To find out more, visit www.sonicbids.com/GCR.
Rock Insider, by free-lance arts and music writer Don Thrasher, gives a behind-the-scenes view of the Dayton music scene. It appears every other week in the Dayton Daily News. Contact Thrasher by e-mail at donaldthrasher8@aol.com.
- Dayton Daily News,
Discography
yet untitled EP--due Sept. 1, 2004
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
This road tattered group of guys forged in the bonds of friendship, joined by their love of music and the search for the ultimate hook, have finally brought their individual talents together to form the Gem City Rockers.
Dan Clayton fronts the band with his powerfully smooth vocals and moving melodies. He has been singing, writing and performing music most of his life. Dan has all the stage presence and more of any national act.
Shawn Johnson brings his own eclectec guitar chops to the group adding drive and melody. On occasion, you may get lucky enough to hear him showcase his own view of life through a solo or two. Shawn spent a great part of his musical career leading the band Morella’s Forest (Tooth and Nail). This project released 4 albums nationally and is currently licensed in Japan. Morella’s Forest songs have been featured on the T.V. program, Dawson’s Creek.
Nate McCorkle, our rightfully cocky drummer, got his start playing for Morella’s Forest, then moved on to Johnny Q Public (Road Runner). This boy is a power-house of confidence and skill! He is a must see.
Jamie Richards helps lay the foundation with his innovative bass lines. Playing low, laying low, but adding hooks when needed is his style. He too, has played music most of his life and is looking forward to the rest of it!
You will be singing Gem City Rockers’ songs the day after the show and the day after that, and the day after that, and after that…
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