ION INDIE MAGAZINE February 2015, Volume 9 | Page 40

all-original music. The bands that played this part of the event all have what it
takes to get to the next level. Some are already AT the next level and are
prepared to take yet another step. NEW TATTOO opened this portion of the show
and really kicked it off in style. Metal was the theme and it continued with
DECEPCION, the second to perform. Both bands were awesome and will be heard
from again.
Next up…Blues with ELLIE LEE & BLUES FURY. ELLIE LEE is the “Queen of Blues”
around here and is joined in the group by PHIL STOKES of PURE PRAIRIE
LEAGUE. They put on an incredible performance and the crowd loved them!
The next 3 bands were bands that I have featured here in ION INDIE MAGAZINE
in the past. TOMMY ROXX put on quite a Southern Rock performance, followed
by THREE KILLER BUDS, who now have a full set of original Rock material to
take their next step. STONEGREY featured a new bass guitarist who has fit in
seamlessly, and they are ready to begin work on their second album. Following
STONEGREY was another young group. Talk about professional! JAGGED ROW
could give lessons. These young artists shook the place up and left the audience
stunned. I hope to work with these kids from Dallas, Texas any time they come
to Florida.
A band from the Hollywood Glam Rock days of the 80's making a huge comeback
were next up. NOVA REX, led by KENNY WILKENSON, is skyrocketing into the
major show circuit and they showed why, with a kick ass performance. This is
another band I will be featuring real soon.
UNDERCOVER BETTY, who were featured on the very first ION INDIE MAGAZINE
cover, took the stage--now as a 4 piece with CAROL SARAO and her impressive
keyboards--joining an already world class trio. Speaking of “world class”, these
ladies come from 3 different continents. CONNIE BONDS had spent the previous
day in the hospital getting iron and REBECCA FIELD had battled bronchitis and
a sprained neck all week. Yet, from the very first note, they owned the house!
Professionals make it happen and they did just that.
The finale of the day was THE JOHN WESLEY BAND featuring the guitarist from
PORCUPINE TREE and drummer MARK PRATOR of SEBASTIAN BACH. Fresh off
their European tour, they performed their new “Disconnect” album, which is
riding at number 20 on the PROG charts. I'll also be writing about these guys
soon. Incredible day, amazing mix of genres, perfect ending!
We had worried whether we would draw a crowd on Sunday after the 21 band
assault on Saturday. As it turned out, Sunday produced around 2500 fans, as a
whole different crowd and huge support from the Florida biker community came
out in droves. The theme for the day was Southern Rock, but as was the idea
with the entire event, we mixed in other genres as well. It couldn't have turned
out any better! DARK SAVVANT performed their dark music out front unplugged,