Scenes from around town
by Jim Jannon (Alternative Press)
Volume 11 Issue 10 May 24 - June 8, 2001
Central Park Grill
This took place at the Central Park Grill on May 11. Neither I nor the "standing room only" crowd that attended that night were left disappointed, not by a long shot.
If Jim Morrison and the Doors or Pink Floyd are still part of your musical play list or you would like to briefly immerse yourself into the sometimes turbulant musical waters that floated your parents boat, you owe it to yourself to pick up on Khyber at the group's next gig. Quite simply, my friend, Khyber kills.
It was just some three years ago that the Multi-talented and creative impetus behind Khyber, John Grandy, first started toying with the conception of forming his own group that would feature a high intesity musical tribute to such lengendary bands as the Doors, Pink Floyd, the Beatles, and Cream. At the same time, it would also serve as a springboard to showcase his own equally powerful (and admittedly less recognizable) muiscal endeavors. Grandy approached old friend and band mate, guitarist Sam Graci, with the idea. Sam enthusiatically agreed, and the duo was quick to nail down the services of another mutual old friend-bassiest/keyboard extraordinaire, Dan Burckhalter. this much talented trio of local musicans was complemented by the edition of drummer and percussionist Mike Shinnick, who truly "made the beat complete."
On this particular Friday night, the SRO crowd found out why, in the ensuing three years, Khyber has blossemed into the premier tribute (aka cover) band in Western New York, treating the audience to a cross section of outstanding original music.
It should be mentioned that Khyber's tribute performances are augmented by a pulsating, vibrant, psyechdelic light show complete with laser-like effects, smoke and flashpots, reminiscent of concerts many years ago at Bill Graham's Fillmore East in New York City (or the last time that your dad dropped the protable TV into your mom's bubble bath). Either way, kids, Khyber rules, throwing a visual and audio party for your eyes and ears.
You can pick up on Khyber next at Dilligaf's Pub in Lackawanna on June 8. Or you can find them performing with Kharma Circle at Broadway Joe's on July 14.
So mark your calendar's, and catch up with Khyber. Guaranteed, dude, you won't be disappointed. See you there or be square.
J. Jannon