If you attended this years Heartbreakers Ball for the first time, unaware of what the phrase “bring a helmet” was referring to, you probably know now! What a high-energy, power-punch to the head.

Despite the weather (anyone else sick of it yet?) the turnout was pretty decent. The place was already filling up pretty good when the party bus, sponsored by Needles Of Fury Tattoo in Natrona Heights, showed up. The thing was packed with headbangers from all over the AK Valley area, from Kittanning to Apollo, Vandergrift, Leechburg. It was just awesome. Unfortunately I get so busy at these shows that I forgot to take a damn picture of the people filing off the bus. It was really cool.

Anyways, Die Smylin’ got things go right on time and did not hesitate kicking the Ball into gear. A good mix of solid Hard Rock songs and some of their own had people approaching the stage and headbanging in the 9 0′clocl hour. That’s pretty damn cool in my book.

After the Fall took the stage next and the already present crowd swelled some more. Playing most of their own songs, they also did a hip-hop/rock medley of some cover tunes, further charging the crowd up.

Next it was Kaj (pronounced “cage”), also playing a good bit of their own material, some from their last release titled “Bombs”, and many new ones from their upcoming CD release “Cold Silence”.  The crowd was fully energized by now, and many a bucket of Bud and Bud Light was littering the floor and the stage. Watching the crowd pump their fists to the bands new song “Rise Up” was pretty cool.

To cap things off, it was the one and the only… Skell. BAM! That’s pretty much what happens when these guys take the stage. Ripping through many of their own songs, they transitioned to cover tunes towards the end and kept the crowd active and headbanging until close. You can always count on Bones, their singer, to say some pretty interesting things in between songs as well. A collection of some of his comments would be a cd in itself.

All in all, it was a great show. Turnaround times were so quick you didn’t even know the music stopped. That’s a big kudos to the bands themselves for helping make that happen. Kaj provided backline, which was also a big help. The staff at Peter B’s is simply the best. If you can’t get a beer in that place, then either you have no money or there is something else wrong with you.

For pics of the show, make sure you visit the Heartbreakers Ball 2010 gallery. Official HBB shirts are still availabe also if you didn’t get one. Only $10. Hit me up and I’ll get it to you. Until next year, which will be our 5th anniversary, make sure you check these great bands out a venue near you. None of this would be possible without the great talent, the dedicated fans, an awesome venue, and all of the other people who help with all of this.

-Utah / Shady Lady Productions

Hearbreakers Ball 2010

Great show on Saturday at The Altar bar… Slaughter at the Altar. The bands were fantastic, with Terafin literally blasting things off to an explosive start. Broken Bone’s set was tight and consisted of several cover songs the crowd all recognized. To bad that was their last show, then who knows?

Kaj took the stage with an eerie intro citing the apostles creed, which led into their new song I Deny, which will be available on their upcoming 2010 cd release “Cold Silence”. The crowd swelled for Kaj’s set, filling the entire floor.

Dofka hit the stage and kept the energy moving, with blistering guitar and soaring vocals, playing an all original set. Dofka is actually competing tonight as one of 5 area bands to open for the upcoming Kiss concert.

The last band of the night, Skell, made sure nobody was confused about whether the venue was a church or a night club. They played almost a straight 45 minutes of original music that had the place in a frenzy. They closed out the night with some covers, and one of their cars having been towed. Is there really nothing better for people to do?

Very noticeable was how many people from the AK Valley area were present. It didn’t hurt that a large school bus brought a good bunch of them down for the show, but many made the trip on their own as well. It really punctuated what an incredible music scene we have in this area, as the percentage of people from here of the crowd of 200 was definately greater than locals. We also got a good bit of help from out-of-towners in town for the next day’s Steelers game.

The Altar Bar is a nice venue with decent sound. It was my first show there, as well as my first foray into the city other than booking some of my bands at The Hard Rock. Most of the staff was friendly and helpful, although the bar staff was definately the most miserable and unfriendly I’ve ever encountered, and I’ve travelled the world and drink a lot of beer. Got lots of comments and complaints about them, don’t know what was up with that. Maybe they are Jonas Brothers fans, and just didn’t like our music.

Anyways, want to give big thanks to those who helped make the show what it was… the bands for sure, especially Skell for providing backline and Kaj for all their help in organizing the party bus. Drusky Entertainment for giving us the opportunity and helping us out. Josh Sherkel for coming down for the PA Musician Magazine. Sticks for doing sound. Jess for working the door. Cindy from Twisted Draggin’ Designs for doing the graphics and t-shirts. The Altar Bar for letting us slaughter their place.

If you enjoyed the show, DO NOT MISS… The Heartbreakers Ball on February 13, 2010 at Peter B’s in Sarver, PA. Pics from the show are up at www.shadyladyproductions.com, and I should have video up soon as well.

Slaughter At The Altar

Support Local Live Music!!! See you at a show soon…