Gypsy Soul Rocks Josie Kelly’s
By May Parker
The day after Thanksgiving usually ushers in the holiday season with headlines and an inordinate barrage of Black Friday sale fisticuffs. But, you didn’t find that at Josie Kelly’s Public House in Somers Point. They chose to ring in the season with Gypsy Sunrise; a local eight-piece party/bar band who’s roots are firmly planted around Mainland Regional High School.
This committed group of wildly talented musicians played through (count ‘em) three sets to a packed house. Surprisingly enough, they didn’t play current auto-tuned favorites or pop radio hits. They played a variety of music from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s that had the entire room (all ages) dancing and singing.
Gypsy Sunrise comes equipped with their very own horn section that goes by the name, Plaid Salmon. This powerhouse is fueled by PJ Keiter on trumpet, Will Keiter on saxophone and Ricky Roehm on trombone. It was absolutely shocking to realize that these kids, under the age of twenty-one, had any connections with Soul or R & B at all. Yet, they shined with songs like “Soul Man,” “25 or 6 to 4” and “Boogie Shoes.” Proving that a fine tuned horn section can make or break a band and a song and these horns did not break. According to Roehm, in recent interview, the group is “improving with every gig. We are ready to propel into something more. We found each other for a reason.”
The spine of the band is provided by Dom Levy on bass guitar, Corey Chodes on drums and Tai Schiavo on keyboards. Levy, who also stepped up to sing lead for several songs, showed his tremendous skills by ornately playing through bass driven anthems like, “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” “Keep Your Hands to Yourself” and “ Helter Skelter.” Chodes was a solid percussionist, fluidly moving from one genre to another and wowing the audience with several small but powerful solos. And way back in the stage left corner, Schiavo provided the keyboard funk bounce of “Superstition,” the groove in “Just My Imagination” and channeled a little Ray Manzarek during “Riders on the Storm.” He was unassumingly brilliant.
Lead and rhythm guitar were playfully interchanged by Kurt Foster and Billy Thoden. At some point, during “Whipping Post,” you could see the faces in the audience…looking in disbelief as if they had seen the ghosts of blues/rock legends. It’s unbelievable how, during particular songs, the demeanor of these two young prodigies physically and musically morphed. “Crossroads,” “ White Room,” “Pride and Joy” and “ Sweet Home Chicago” were mind numbingly fantastic. It is difficult to believe that this kind of talent is still in high school.
Thoden sees a great future with Gypsy Sunrise. “Even though we are doing covers right now, we are writing originals.” With a little over five months together, two members going to college out of state and very little time to tour…this band sounds studio ready. They have so much mojo that the time apart has only strengthened their sound. Nothing but amazing things ahead for this young and bright talent!
If you missed the show on the day after Thanksgiving…then you can catch Gypsy Sunrise at Josie Kelly’s the day after Christmas for the big St. Stephen’s Day celebration. They will play in the Adare Ballroom at 8pm. Don’t miss it!
