Jarrod Bartock, lead singer of Solegion, takes the stage at Del’s Roadhouse in Kent. (Photo by Jose Vargas)
For the past two years, Jarrod Bartock, Adam Getty, Jim Chiesea, Simon Lieb and Adam Hartwick have collaborated their musical talents to form the heavy metal band, Solegion, Our Town's Artist's Spotlight for the month of August. "Jarrod came up with the name a long time ago referring to Sole, as in the individual and Legion, as in the strength of many," said Adam Getty, Solegion's guitarist. Despite being a young band, the five members have nearly 50 years musical experience collectively, with some of that experience starting at an early age. "My dad played guitar so that sparked an interest for me," said Adam Hartwick, Solegion's drummer. "My father would play the guitar with his friends when I was a child, so I fell in love with music at an early age," said Getty. While their early influences came from their family members, Solegion has said that their current influences come from bands like: Black Sabbath, Acid Bath, Corrosion of Conformity, Superjoint Ritual, Defiance, Pantera, Darkthrone and Led Zeppelin. Getty said their songs tend to be about freedom, strength, experience, life and the unknown. "Usually we try to begin with a single guitar riff, feel it for awhile and then just start jamming as a band," said Getty. "When we write this way instead of one person composing the entire song, it really puts elements of each members individuality into the music," he said. The only thing the band members warn is that their live performances may be nothing like a normal audience has ever experienced. "A person's first Solegion experience might be a little bit abrasive and confusing because we're not out there promoting a gimmick or an image like everyone else," said Jarrod Bartock, vocals for Solegion. "If and when they become lucid, the experience is very rewarding," he said. But, Bartock adds their fans are loyal ones, who really seem to get the band on the same level. "I would call them friends rather than fans because anyone that comes around to our shows or practices and digs us is usually on a path similar to our own," said Bartock. The members of Solegion hope to continue bringing their unique sound to venues in Johnstown and continue doing what they love: performing. "I get the feeling of being at total peace with myself. It's the best high I've ever experienced," said Simon Lieb, Solegion's bassist. "It is the feeling you get from playing a song you wrote to let the demons out," said Getty. "It is purely your personal release, which is the best feeling in the world," he added.Solegion is currently seeking a new guitarist to join the band. Getty advises that anyone who feels they fit the Solegion mold, should contact Getty at (814) 241-0811.
Collectively, the members of the Dead Irish Blues, Marty Faiers, Greg Faiers, Ed Hritz, and Wayne MacEwan, have nearly 100 years of musical experience. It’s that experience that has made the band a successful one not only here in the Johnstown area, but in other places throughout the United States. While they continue to be successful, Greg Faiers admits that it is a little hard to describe or pigeon-hole their musical style. “It is largely based on various folk traditions. Our motto has been �traditional music passed on by people who have passed on’. This includes people of Irish, Scottish, Anglo, African-American, French Cajun, Creole and other ethnic/racial groups, including early rock and roll,” said Faiers. “The different band members bring different styles to the table as they say. I bring the blues/jug band/rock inflections, Marty brings the bluegrass/old time/Celtic feel with the fiddle, Ed highlights the Celtic material on electric bagpipes/whistles and concertina and Wayne’s percussion is powerful on the Celtic material,” he said. “However, both Ed on bass and Wayne on washboard make the other styles work as well,” he added. Because of their varied style, their fan base is also varied. “We have a significant local following that really gets into the Celtic material. While many of them are over 40, we do have much younger folks who get into that style,” said Faiers. For someone who hasn’t witnessed a Dead Irish Blues performance before, especially around St. Patrick’s Day, a good time is typically promised. “By and large, we’re up tempo all night as we go back and forth between original and traditional tunes. Many of the songs are humorous. Between the tempo and the humor, we keep most people involved. We also encourage audience participation on some songs,” said Faiers. “Obviously around St. Patrick’s Day, we’re going to be hammering out the jigs, reals, Irish drinking songs and Irish war songs. Other nights, Celtic material may be only a quarter of what we do,” he said. “Every show is different. It’s an interactive event between us and the audience,” he added. While the band lists their musical influences from Jethro Tull to John Fogerty and Elvis to Conway Twitty, their original music cannot compare to any one artist. For Faiers, the primary song writer, the writing process is typically a series of ups and downs when it comes to putting his thoughts down. “Some songs just arrive as a package; lyrics and music simultaneously. Other songs have been 10 or more years in the making, usually the idea for the song is there, but an angle or melody or style isn’t identified for some time,” said Faiers. Of their plethora of original work, Faiers does have a favorite. “Personally, the song which consistently holds up best for me is 'Flat Tires and Catfish Sandwiches’. Musically, it is up tempo and has stops and quick chord changes to keep you on your toes,” said Faiers. “Lyrically, I think it best represents my attempts to be serious and humorous at the same time. I find it easier to write light-hearted songs and I can write some serious tunes about love gone bad. But 'Flat Tires’ is about a drunk that ends up living in a broken down school bus fixing flat tires and making people catfish sandwiches in his bus for a living, if you want to call it that,” he said. With many years of performing on stage, the Dead Irish Blues have had their share of unique stage stories to retell. “One time we were playing in my hometown of Memphis. Most venues have a tip jar somewhere. About half way through the show, they pull it out and want somebody to go around the room to collect tips. My 80-something year old mother was there and so volunteered to do it. Everyone was tossing in bills,” said Faiers. “So, if you want to get tips, get a hot 20-something female or an old lady to do it,” he said. “As for a memorable moment, again it was in Memphis. We were playing and I looked down and saw a little boy putting a $20 bill in the tip jar. I saw an attractive “mommy” behind him, but I didn’t think anything more of it. On the break, a friend of mine said 'Did you see Reece Witherspoon' That was her and her boy that gave you that tip’. She was in town filming the Johnny Cash movie,” said Faiers. Although their many stage stories are all meaningful to the Dead Irish Blues, the band feels that their love of music, performing and the job is what keeps that going. “If you’ve got an attentive and enthusiastic crowd, there is nothing like it. I’ve been on road trips and beaten down tired, but when we get on stage, if the crowd is into it, energy flows from somewhere and I’m not the least bit tired. We feed off of that and enjoy interacting with the crowd,” said Faiers. When asked where they would like to see their music take them, Faiers could answer in one word. “Anywhere. We’re all thankful to have the opportunity to do what we do. As long as we’re playing, people are having a good time and enjoying it, we’ll keep at it,” said Faiers. Faiers would also like to pass along a special message to their many loyal fans. “As I say on the inside of our new CD 'Gone’, thank you for making us possible,” said Faiers. To book the Dead Irish Blues, contact Greg Faiers at <a href="mailto:
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</A>, through their website <a href="http://www.deadirishblues.com">www.deadirishblues.com</a>, or by phone at (814) 266-9052. For musical lessons of any kind, contact the Greater Johnstown School of Music at (814) 266-4440. The Dead Irish Blues also have four CD’s available that can be purchased directly at their shows or by contacting the band members.
Denise Baldwin, a long-time musician, compares the way she developed her interest in music in an unique way. “It’s not so much a developed thing as it’s something that’s always been present, like my nose,” said Baldwin, Our Town’s featured artist for the month of February. A performer professionally since the late 70’s, Baldwin has played the guitar for 35 years and has worked hard to get her vocals to the point they are today. “Most of my focus has been on my voice. I’ve had to work very hard on that,” said Baldwin. “Unfortunately, a polished singing voice didn’t come as a standard feature at birth,” she said. Baldwin, a member of Songworks, claims that some of her musical influences are Sting and Elton John for their lyrics and Barbara Streisand, Linda Ronstadt and Celine Dion for their vocals. “As far as songwriting goes, all songs I think are well-written. I listen intently for song structure, instrumentation, lyrics, harmonies and arrangement because I find it fascinating,” said Baldwin. “One can listen to a song over and over and hear something different each time,” she said. Baldwin, who has been writing her own songs over the years and performing those along with covers at her live performances, says that the songwriting process for her isn’t structured. “Generally I think the music happens first. Then a melody and then if I can’t come up with any lyrics I’ll dig back through my archives of unfinished songs,” said Baldwin. “Something will trigger a thought or emotion and it just goes from there,” she said. Of her original songs, Baldwin said that her personal favorite is “Giants Tumble”. “I think the melody, lyrics and rhythm work well together,” said Baldwin. “’Standing in the Rain’ has received the most attention though, it’s more main stream pop. 'Giants Tumble' started with no particular meaning. Just some fun lyrics but it evolved itself into a song about the bad things in the world and the meaning behind the hook is that there is still hope,” she said. “The bad stuff can be overpowered, not by fighting but by people sticking together with their beliefs and not giving in,” she added. Baldwin’s music can be described as energetic alternative or pop/rock where she gears her music towards her audience type. “Most people you’ll find in bars, resorts or festivals respond best to music with which they are familiar. Unfortunately that doesn’t give the local guy much of a chance with their own material,” said Baldwin. “Over the years I’ve found that mixing your own songs in with familiar ones works best. But I’ve tried to steer away from songs that have been played to death and incorporate songs that are familiar but you don’t always hear,” she said. While gaining more recognition through her music would be an ultimate goal for Baldwin, she enjoys performing, being a guitar teacher and being a choir director for St. Anne’s Parish in Davidsville. “I have a talented group of people to work with and they are so much fun. To me, it was like getting a new toy for Christmas. I have lots of ideas and hope to venture into some new areas of music with them,” said Baldwin. “I am trying to get a youth choir going also. In addition, I sing for wedding ceremonies and funerals in other churches besides my own. That music is quite different than my performance and original material,” she said. Baldwin sums up her love for music and performing as simply as she can. “It just feels really good. Like breathing. It keeps me alive and is a huge part of me,” she said.
Artist Spotlight 
