PREVIEW- THE WERKS – Pittsburgh
by Ryan Neeley – Photos by Ryan Neeley
12/1/12 – The Rex Theatre – Presented by Grey Area Productions
Ohio livetronica superband The Werks is bringing their high-energy dancefest to The Rex Theate in Pittsburgh’s historic South Side this Saturday, December 1st, for a special show with Pittsburgh Grateful Dead tribute band TheCause.
The Werks have turned the corner in the past year from a favorite regional act, with a solid following in their home state of Ohio to a powerhouse national act, putting out their fourth album, a self-titled polished studio effort, hosting a popular annual festival called WerkOut each September with some of the top names in the electronica and jamband scene, this year held at Legend Valley in Thornville, OH and a nationwide, coast to coast tour that kicked off immediately after their much-talked about festival. Fresh off their epic 
performances at Bear Creek Music Festival and an annual Thanksgiving day show in their hometown of Dayton, OH with Johnny Neel of Allman Brothers fame, The Werks have quickly become a force to be reckoned with on the jamband scene, creating their own style of music called “Psychedelic Dance Rock”, consisiting of screaming psychedlelic guitar solos put out by Chris Houser, Ray Manzarek-esque jamming on the keyboards by Norm Dimitroleaus, amazing drumming by Rob Chafin, complete with drum machine, pads and other percussion goodies to lay down a beat with. Dino Dimitroleaus rounds out the quartet on bass with solid, funkified popping and slapping that any bassist versed in the art of 60’s funk can appreciate. Together they create improvisational magic, with each song taking on a new life, whether it be one of The Werks popular originals like Duck Farm to a surprising cover such as James Brown/Sly and the Family Stone’s Sex Machine or Phish’s Slave to the Traffic Light.
The Werks have quietly become one of the most talked about bands in the jamband world, consistently being one of the most searched bands on Jambase, a site run by Relix, jamband music’s version of Rolling Stone and with livetronica powerhouse Papadosio, have put the state of Ohio back on the map when it comes to amazing musicians coming from the Buckeye state. Earlier in 2012, they actually surpassed Phish as the most searched artists on the site, and continue to win fans over with their exploratory, marathon performances. Many in the industry believe that they are the future of jambands, with electronic instruments merging with traditional ones to create sounds never before dreamed of. Each show is different, it’s own journey within itself, so get your tickets early, beause on Saturday, December 1st, you’ll want to get inside The Rex Theatre, unbuckle your seat belt, and allow the pride of Ohio, The Werks to take you on a musical journey you’ll not soon forget.
Opening for The Werks is Pittsburgh jamband theCAUSE. theCAUSE plays Grateful Dead, Phish, Dylan and The Beatles, among others, and consists of musicians that have payed their dues, so to speak, in the challenging Pittsburgh music scene. Eric “Pappy” Weingrad on guitar/vocals, David Tauberg plays a solid bass, Mike “Tour Pro” Tony, who played with Pittsburgh bands Fungus and Left for Dead is on keys, and Mike South, who also played with Left for Dead rounds out the rhythm section on drums. Co-fronting the group is Pittsburgh blues veteran Jill Paone Simmons, who had toured with New York singer/songwriter Willie Nile in a tour of Spain in 2005 and played with a number of musicians doing session and backup work. So come early on Saturday night and before you check out the Werks, take a PAUSE for theCAUSE.
**** THE FACTS: Rex Theatre – 1602 E Carson St Pittsburgh, PA 15203 – $10.00 – all ages – 9pm ****
FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE OPENERS, PITTSBURGH JAMBAND theCAUSE, click HERE
For the WERKS doing OG into SEX MACHINE at ALLGOOD 2012, click HERE
For a link to The WERKS website, click HERE
For a link to The WERKS facebook page, click HERE
For a link to GREY AREA PRODUCTIONS website, click HERE.
