by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
Unlike the droll satire of the TV show The Office’s one-hour Christmas party special, EU did not have its party in the office. That’s just too lame. The comedic goings-on at the fictional Dunder Mifflin office were far removed from EU’s fabulous party, which was catered by Cliff’s Bar & Grill at the Beach. The food was four-star quality, with stuffed shrimp and other gourmet selections. Yes, our staff and guests had a great time. Hey, we know how to throw a party. After all, “Entertaining” is in our title.
Lori and Jim Rose, who manage Cliff’s at The Beach and own Cliff’s on Monument Road, were EU’s congenial hosts for our most excellent soiree. Lori said that she is trying new ideas to keep the Beaches Cliff’s going strong. She has several special interest clubs use the party room, including the wild and crazy members of the Beaches Parrothead group. Of course, Lori’s secret weapon is her top tier chef who serves high quality cuisine. It’s the Beaches best kept secret. Lori wants to change that secret into a well known fact. Cliff’s at the Beaches is a fine dining establishment that also rocks as a nightclub.
Since I was there and a new band, Freeze Frame, was the scheduled live entertainment, I decided to stay to check them out. This trio of hard core rockers evolved from the Bliss amalgam. The lads specialize in music from the 1980s interspersed with new material from today. Steve Chesser put this group together when Bliss imploded for the usual reason–one of the players was a jerk and got drunk every night. The lineup includes Steve Chessar on vocals and guitar, Tim Crawford on vocals and drums, and Cliff Harper on bass.
In the new rock band jungle, groups go through many personnel changes before they find the right chemistry and compatibility between the members. Freeze Frame has found that magic formula of camaraderie and musical ESP for which groups strive. They also feature precise vocal harmonies, which is the benchmark of a great rock band.
From Cheap Trick, The Cars, Joan Jett, and Poison to the still nostalgic Duran Duran, FF’s range of 80s hits is quite impressive. The mighty FF trio is comprised of experienced musicians who showcase tight grooves and interaction with the audience. Since the EU party was happening in the room, FF went on early to rev up the positive vibes.
The FF lads obviously love to play out, and if the band is having fun they pass the happy vibes on to their audience, and everyone goes home happy. Well at last Friday night’s EU bash, everyone went home with smiles on their faces. Freeze Frame, the rocking trio, plays every Thursday night at Fionn MacCool’s Irish Pub.
To all the snitty critics of cover bands, I say this: remember, these groups are the ones that work paying gigs and some even make their living playing cover music. However, times are changing. In some venues that used to book strictly cover bands, there is more audience acceptance of original material, with the caveat—the original material must meet the standards of the cover material in hit potential with catchy hooks.
Indeed, bands that play both cover and original material are the most bookable in the region. Bands like Ruckus (a favorite of Lori’s at the Monument Cliff’s) mix originals with covers and are exceptional showmen. They interact with the audience to rev-up the party atmosphere. Likewise, Freeze Frame is one of those bands that is proficient at getting the audience involved and on the dance floor with its slogan, party like its 1989. Oh yeah, count me in.
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