Shows from 19 Wheels, Mike Moore highlight weekend
Once again, the weekend brings with it a few different opportunities for local live music entertainment.
Saturday night The Bird Bar & Grille, 223 S. Main St., will feature two live rock bands: The Mike Moore Band, and show opener Goldtop. The show starts at 9 p.m. and is open to people 18 and over. There is a small cover charge for admission.
Goldtop is comprised of accomplished Michigan musicians who specialize in mainly classic rock cover tunes and some more modern day numbers. Mark Hutchinson, Owosso alum and bassist for Goldtop, explained that even though the band members have played together for a long time in other previous groups, they have not been together as Goldtop very long. As such, they will opt to play mostly cover songs by better-known groups, since they don't have much original material as of yet.
The Mike Moore Band will specialize in playing both original and cover songs. Guitarist and vocalist Mike Moore, Beaver Island senior, leads the band and is backed up by percussionist Mark Prosser, Merrill senior and bass guitarist Rob Gehl, Paw Paw junior.
Moore has self-proclaimed the band's sound as a "Paul Simon meets U2" type of sound, but now with a "more lively" electric rock style.
"With this lineup of musicians, things are getting much more high energy than ever before. I'm pumped because this is the best I've ever felt about a band I've played with," he said.
Moore said the band will play a set of half original songs and half cover tunes by more well-known artists ranging in styles such as Jeff Buckley, U2, Tom Waits, Seal, the Rolling Stones and Santana. He said there is even a bit of jazz thrown into the set.
"We want to keep everything really interesting for the listener with a wide variety so we can keep the audience's attention the whole time. We want to make it the best show we can." Moore said.
Across town the same night, blues-rock band Crosstown Mojo will be performing their mix of original and cover music at Rubbles, 112 W. Michigan St.
Tonight at Rubbles, two of Midwest's better-known regional bands will perform. Opening the show is the Atomic Numbers, followed by 19 Wheels. Both bands specialize in college radio-friendly alternative hard rock. 19 Wheels has recently performed on stage with such bands as The Why Store and Marcy Playground.
Rubbles' shows begin at 10:30 p.m. and are open to patrons 18 and over. There is a small cover charge for admission.
