The Edge to perform "25th Reunion" gig in Morgantown
You heard that right... for the first time in 25 years, West Virginia
University's premiere metal band from back in the day will regroup for a
special one-off gig on September 12 at Gibbie's Pub in downtown Morgantown.
Four of the five classic-lineup members will be performing: Dennis McMasters
(vocals), Chris Amick (lead/rhythm guitar), Thom Copher (that would be me on
rhythm/lead guitar), and Jerry Orr (drums). "New" bass-guy Jeff Anderson
will fill out the lineup as original bassist Pete Roberts is unable to make the gig
due to personal commitments in San Fran.
For those of you WVU/Morgantown maniacs who saw us back then, don't think
that we've gotten all modern-rock on ya. We will be digging into the vault for
a two-hour show featuring the best of the best: Priest, Scorps, Motley,
Maiden, Thin Lizzy, Led Zep... you get the picture.
*** *** *** *** ***
A little bit about this historic event which is destined to find its place in
Motown musical lore. The guys and I had been e-mailing back and forth, old
buds re-connecting more than anything else. Something was mentioned... I
don't remember what, and I replied to Jerry and Chris that "we oughta do a
reunion." Well, they were good with that until I said that we should pick out
tunes, to which they responded "you mean to PLAY?!?"
One thing led to another and we agreed to at least give it a shot if everyone
could make the commitment. It was slow going given the circumstances -
Dennis working and doing his gig with The Almost Brothers Band in Chicago;
Pete working and gigging in Frisco; Jerry being a head guy with (a major)
painting company and raising his family in northern VA; Chris doing environmental
You heard that right... for the first time in 25 years, West Virginia
University's premiere metal band from back in the day will regroup for a
special one-off gig on September 12 at Gibbie's Pub in downtown Morgantown.
Four of the five classic-lineup members will be performing: Dennis McMasters
(vocals), Chris Amick (lead/rhythm guitar), Thom Copher (that would be me on
rhythm/lead guitar), and Jerry Orr (drums). "New" bass-guy Jeff Anderson
will fill out the lineup as original bassist Pete Roberts is unable to make the gig
due to personal commitments in San Fran.
For those of you WVU/Morgantown maniacs who saw us back then, don't think
that we've gotten all modern-rock on ya. We will be digging into the vault for
a two-hour show featuring the best of the best: Priest, Scorps, Motley,
Maiden, Thin Lizzy, Led Zep... you get the picture.
*** *** *** *** ***
A little bit about this historic event which is destined to find its place in
Motown musical lore. The guys and I had been e-mailing back and forth, old
buds re-connecting more than anything else. Something was mentioned... I
don't remember what, and I replied to Jerry and Chris that "we oughta do a
reunion." Well, they were good with that until I said that we should pick out
tunes, to which they responded "you mean to PLAY?!?"
One thing led to another and we agreed to at least give it a shot if everyone
could make the commitment. It was slow going given the circumstances -
Dennis working and doing his gig with The Almost Brothers Band in Chicago;
Pete working and gigging in Frisco; Jerry being a head guy with (a major)
painting company and raising his family in northern VA; Chris doing environmental
consulting, seeing his kids grow into their college years, and playing with the White Molasses band (which, incidently features Jeff Boggess
who did a bass stint with us in the summer of '84); and myself teaching adult education and playing family guy (among other things).
This really seemed like nothing more than an ambitious idea, given the fact that most of us hadn't played the majority of these tunes in
two-and-a-half decades... not to mention the cross-country coordination of the whole thing! However, from the first time that Chris and I
got
who did a bass stint with us in the summer of '84); and myself teaching adult education and playing family guy (among other things).
This really seemed like nothing more than an ambitious idea, given the fact that most of us hadn't played the majority of these tunes in
two-and-a-half decades... not to mention the cross-country coordination of the whole thing! However, from the first time that Chris and I
got
Classic shot of Dennis, myself, and Pete at Morgantown's Omni Club (ca. Fall, 1984)
together to jam, I knew that we were on to something. The
tunes started rolling... "Electric Eye," "Crazy Train," "Holy
Diver," heck, even the dual leads of "The Cowboy Song/The
Boys Are Back in Town" fell into place. I guess the dozens
and dozens of jam sessions paid off!!
We wanted to coordinate this thing with a WVU football
weekend, and home game #2 (East Carolina on September
12) seemed like the best fit. Originally, the plan was to do
an outdoor in conjunction with the University and do a club
date. We decided, though, to concentrate our efforts on one
club show, concert-style. I contacted our old sound guy,
Robert Bowers from Squirrel Sound and he agreed on the
spot. Word spread quickly to our old friends... football
tickets were purchased, airline reservations were made,
hotels were booked... this was starting to shape up as more
of a real alumni reunion than just a buncha old guys getting
together to jam.
tunes started rolling... "Electric Eye," "Crazy Train," "Holy
Diver," heck, even the dual leads of "The Cowboy Song/The
Boys Are Back in Town" fell into place. I guess the dozens
and dozens of jam sessions paid off!!
We wanted to coordinate this thing with a WVU football
weekend, and home game #2 (East Carolina on September
12) seemed like the best fit. Originally, the plan was to do
an outdoor in conjunction with the University and do a club
date. We decided, though, to concentrate our efforts on one
club show, concert-style. I contacted our old sound guy,
Robert Bowers from Squirrel Sound and he agreed on the
spot. Word spread quickly to our old friends... football
tickets were purchased, airline reservations were made,
hotels were booked... this was starting to shape up as more
of a real alumni reunion than just a buncha old guys getting
together to jam.
So, we had everything in place and tons of folks coming back to town for an old fashioned
whoop-it-up... everything except a place to play. As the clock continued to wind down, we
finally landed Gibbie's, an Irish-style pub on High Street in downtown Motown. Huge load off
my docket! Now, I have the ominous task of promoting this thing!! More fun than I can shake
a stick at!!!
Seriously, though, this has been an amazingly fun journey. The opportunity for old friends to
get together, talk about life since ways were parted, and jam on a few tunes is the stuff that
most people only dream of. We are fortunate enough, through the power of rock and roll and
the undying bond that is the brotherhood of the band, to live it one more time! So, if you are
one of those who rocked with us during that weird and magical era known as the early 80s,
you're invited for the ride. If you're new to the fold... strap in and hold on 'cos this
promises to be a hard rockin' good time, the likes of which haven't been seen or heard in
Morgantown in a quarter-of-a-century. This time, however, there will be no spandex, no
hairspray, no make-up, no shredded t-shirts... just plenty of good rock and roll!!
*** *** *** *** *** ***
whoop-it-up... everything except a place to play. As the clock continued to wind down, we
finally landed Gibbie's, an Irish-style pub on High Street in downtown Motown. Huge load off
my docket! Now, I have the ominous task of promoting this thing!! More fun than I can shake
a stick at!!!
Seriously, though, this has been an amazingly fun journey. The opportunity for old friends to
get together, talk about life since ways were parted, and jam on a few tunes is the stuff that
most people only dream of. We are fortunate enough, through the power of rock and roll and
the undying bond that is the brotherhood of the band, to live it one more time! So, if you are
one of those who rocked with us during that weird and magical era known as the early 80s,
you're invited for the ride. If you're new to the fold... strap in and hold on 'cos this
promises to be a hard rockin' good time, the likes of which haven't been seen or heard in
Morgantown in a quarter-of-a-century. This time, however, there will be no spandex, no
hairspray, no make-up, no shredded t-shirts... just plenty of good rock and roll!!
*** *** *** *** *** ***
Chris bendin' one out with White Molasses
| Jerry Orr, drums |
| Dennis McMasters, vocals & harp |
| Chris Amick, lead & rhythm guitars |
| Thom Copher, rhythm & lead guitar |
| Jeff Anderson, bass |