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| From | CCDatsMe@aol.com |
| Subject | Screen Test/Joey Molland |
| Date | Fri, 6 Feb 2004 11:42:54 EST |
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       I just saw Screen Test play last night
in Syracuse, and it was a potent reminder of why I've always considered this
band (and, of course, its predecessor The Flashcubes) to be my all-time favorite
power pop act.  Gary Frenay, Arty Lenin and Tommy Allen very rarely play
as Screen Test, and some of the songs they played last night haven't been he
ard live in nearly 20 years (or longer, in a few cases).  But they sounded
as vital and new as any current act you could name.  (How much so? 
Let's just say they could give The Shazam a run for the money.)
       The set was mostly Screen Test
originals, most of which would be unfamiliar to anyone not already a fan:  "Sound
Of The Radio," "The Girl's Brand New," "Suellen," "My Baby's Stacked," "We
Connect," "Mr. Acarius,""Another Young Girl," the incredible "The Boy From Shaker
Heights," "There's No Place Like Work," "I Am Sincere," "End Of The Line,"
"Just Like Me," "I Won't Trust You Anymore," "Fallen Star," "We've Gone Too
Far," "What Is Wrong With This Picture."  They also did a couple of
Flashcubes tunes ("It's You Tonight" and "Wait Till Next Week," and it was a relative
rarity for Screen Test to perform Flashcubes material), a new Arty tune and
some well-chosen covers (The Searchers' "Hearts In Her Eyes," Wreckless Eric's
"Take The Cash [K.A.S.H.]," Eddie & the Hot Rods' "Do Anything You Wanna Do"
and Badfinger's "Baby Blue.")
       The Badfinger cover set the stage for
the impromptu finale, edging this gig into local pop legend.  Tonight
(Friday), Gary and Arty's British Invasion cover band The Fab Five will be
performing a show commemorating the 40th anniversary of The Beatles' first U.S. visit.&
nbsp; In addition to their own two sets (one of British Invasion covers, one
replicating the set lists of The Beatles' Ed Sullivan Show appearances), The
Fab Five will also be backing up Terry Sylvester of The Hollies and Joey
Molland of Badfinger.
       Both Terry Sylvester and Joey Molland
were at the Screen Test gig, and Joey jumped to the front of the dance floor
briefly during Screen Test's version of "Baby Blue."  With a little coaxing,
Joey agreed to join Screen Test for a rendition of "No Matter What," and the
place went friggin' NUTS.  As Gary said to the crowd, "If you know
anything at all about our band, you know what a thrill this is for us right now."&
nbsp; Tommy in particular seemed barely able to contain his simple, exuberant
joy in the moment.  Whatta night!  Joey led them through one other
song I didn't recognize, and that was it.  (Attempts to coax Sylvester
on-stage were unsuccessful, but it didn't matter--it was a perfect moment
nonetheless.)
       Joey Molland's appearance provided the
capper to a wonderful evening of transcendent rockin' pop, but it was Screen
Test who were the stars.  At least one new fan went up to Gary to ask about
buying a Screen Test CD, but alas, there ain't no such thing...yet. 
Maybe soon!
       MEMO TO DAVE BASH:  Book Screen
Test at IPO!  Syracusans are willing to share with the rest of the world,
and you can thank us later.
CC! 
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