Live at Jetty Bar, Glenelg SA, Saturday 8th August 2015
I was excited to head down to the Jetty Bar last Saturday night to experience a huge evening of music performed by one of my favorite Adelaide bands, Cherry Grind. With a full-length album on the way, they just keep getting better and better. Each time I see them I am taken aback by the old school grooves, sophisticated musicianship and tasty originals.
The night consisted of a mixture of various covers and originals. Cherry Grind are not afraid to let their influences show, they are tremendous at performing classic rock tunes from the 1960s and 1970s, providing truthful recreations for their audience. They then hit the concertgoer with an original, perfectly in keeping with the vintage themes but also refreshing and new.
Cherry Grind is made up of Sam Patsouris on vocals and guitar, Jack Stevenson on lead guitar, Peter Cerlienco provides thumping bass and some vocals, and Zach West holds it all together on drums. These guys have been playing together for a while; it is evident in the chemistry shared between them on stage, both musically and personally, making for a great performance and polished songs.
The first set progressed smoothly with different originals scattered amongst well-known covers. Early in the set a rendition of ‘Walk This Way’ was performed getting everyone warmed up and in the dancing mood. Next up was an original called ‘The Gap’, it displayed the classic rock influences Cherry Grind encompasses so seamlessly into their music. Full of powerful riffs, tasty guitar solos and spanking drums, with funky bass lines underneath, Cherry Grind’s originals are a highlight of the new music available to be discovered in today’s modern world.
Cherry Grind put on a show full of hard rock classics and originals.
What I enjoyed most about Cherry Grind is the sophisticated and refined vocal performance of Sam Patsouris. Each time I see the band I am reminded of the sheer power and range of his vocals, making everyone in the venue stand up and take notice. With performances of Led Zeppelin classics, ‘Whole Lotta Love’ and ‘Since I’ve Been Loving You’, Sam’s voice shines, hitting all the notes impeccably and getting the tone and delivery spot on.
As song after song was played, I watched the Jetty Bar fill up. People were mesmerized, not only by the vocals but also by the high-voltage guitar solos of Jack Stevenson. With remarkable guitar runs in covers of ‘Sunshine of Your Love/Crossroads’ and ‘Black Dog’, it was obvious why Cherry Grind can pull such a large crowd.
The set came to a head with the performance of the original ‘A Minor Problem’ to a Jetty Bar full of hard rock fans. The vocals kicked off the song with incredible energy, punching the listener in the face from the very first note. The guitars then entered playing a fat riff, with thumping bass from Peter Cerlienco that was felt all around the room. The entire venue was enthralled in a perfect hard rock ‘n’ roll universe that only Cherry Grind can create with their quality high-energy originals.
It was an evening to remember from beginning to end. Cherry Grind has shaped a juicy world of exciting, raw and memorable hard rock music that is itching to explode in your ears. With talk of a new album soon to be released, Cherry Grind continues to provide good old rockin’ tunes, keeping great classic rock music alive in the process. Get on down to the next Cherry Grind gig and rock out for the love of music, you will not be disappointed.
The room was filled by the tasty tunes of Cherry Grind.
For The Love of Music 