Part I – Genesis:

One night back around July of 2001, Fred Oravets slept fitfully. He woke up with a start. His wife, Pam, asked him what was wrong. He replied, "You know, I've been thinking and I really think I'd like to play in a rock band just one more time before I get too old."  Pam was always supportive but just a little surprised.

"With all the other things you have going on, that's all you need!" "Then again," she reasoned, "It's just what you need!"

You see, Fred had played guitar for about as long as she had known him. He'd been in several different local rock bands through the years and even though he'd just about given up entirely on the music for a professional career and a growing family, she'd never seen him quite as happy and content as when he was playing music.

The phone calls began, first to his son, Freddie (an excellent musician and drummer in his own right) and then to an old band mate and bassist, Kenny (how he remembered his phone number he'll never know). The rhythm section complete, Fred filled out the singer and keyboard positions with local karaoke notable Dave and nephew Josh. Classic rock was the game.

Part II – Fulfillingness' First Finale

The game was nearly forfeited early on with a shift change at work for Freddie and enlistment in the Navy for Josh.

And then there were three.

Fred's brother mentioned another possible drummer, the once and future Bob Zelina, who picked up the sticks. They carried on three-piece with a vocalist for a while, but, still looking to fill the keyboard slot, Fred accepted the services of yet another nephew, and yet another Dave, a bass player who was equally adept on keys. They started playing more regularly, pooling their resources for better equipment.

Part III – Close, but no Cigar

Earlier that year, a Labor Day party gig had yielded a chance find that couldn't have come at a better time. There Fred met journeyman singer Steve Sharpnack. It would prove an opportune event. A few months later, Dave (the singer) accepted a job offer out of state, and after a quick call from Bob, Steve picked up the microphone (and guitar and tambourine, cowbell, clave, etc.).

Of course, it wasn't going to be smooth sailing just yet. The other Dave (keyboards) also found work out of town. His last show that New Year's coincided with another local keyboardist's swan song. Jimmy Hayden had been part of the local circuit for as long as Fred and although they played in "different bands together", they had never met, but knew all the same people. The guitarist in the band Jimmy was in mentioned his imminent availability to Fred and it wasn't long until Jim was lugging his formidable rig over to practice. A jack-of-all-trades multi-instrumentalist, he also played guitar and sang backup. Now the band could expand its repertoire and feature three-part harmonies.

Part IV – Armageddon-it?

Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got 'til it's gone? Finally, the band seemed to be getting centered, on the right track, and rapidly making a name for itself outside the usual circles of family and friends. Venues were actually calling us to book dates (rather than the other way around). The songs were tighter, and the energy level was going up exponentially. So something bad had to happen, right? Call it too much therapy. Call it too little therapy. Call it creative differences. Call it too much cigarette smoke. Kenny departed—we wish him well.

Part V – Our amps go up to Eleven!

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BIOS

Fred Oravets — Guitar

Originally from Smithfield, Fred has played rock n’ roll in the area for over 30 years. Rumors suggest that he started out on drums but quickly switched to guitar (to our good fortune). It must have been the influence of such notables as Ritchie Blackmore, Frank Marino, Vito Bratta and Robin Trower that keeps Freds fingers wrapped tightly around his Stratocasters. A laid-back fisherman and family man, Fred eschews the pomp and histrionics of other performers, preferring just to play it loud, hard and close to the groove. Needless to say, he has no room for any other musical genre except straight-ahead rock 'n roll—with an attitude, no doubt.

Steve Sharpnack — Vocals, Guitar, Cowbell, Tambourine, Clave, etc.

From Masontown, Steve has covered the likes of the Eagles, Bob Seger, Bon Jovi and even John Denver (very under-rated songwriter and performer—lousy pilot, though) for over 8 years. A consummate Steeler fan, Steve, like his team's better QB's, seems to shine even brighter when he gets "flushed out of the pocket." When the crowd gets going, so does our self-effacing lead vocalist. Yet he still craves a team victory over a personal best. Steve is a computer and electronic gadget freak with strong family ties, and a taste for sushi. Just don't ask him about the time the wife ran over the Harley.

Robert Zelina — Drums, Percussion, and occasional Vocals (although nobody thought to give him his own mic yet).

Also from Masontown, Bob counts John "Bonzo" Bonham, Journey's Steve Smith and Alex Van Halen as major influences during his ten-year career. Steady rock beats with tasteful cymbal work is his forte. Equally comfortable behind the controls of heavy equipment or a 4X scope with a 10-point in the crosshairs, Bob makes sure he has a current Power Ball ticket in his pocket at all times (just in case we need some new stuff). No fan of posers, he prefers walking the walk rather than talking the talk

Rodney Franks — Bass Guitar, Vocals.

From Uniontown, "Rappin' Rodney" (as Fred calls him) probably has had as many basses as Hugh Hefner has had Playmates. And there's a new one every month! Eclectic to the core, Rodney has recordings that the artists themselves don't know about. Although secretive about his past (some say espionage was at play), his arcane knowledge of popular music belies his influences—Rodney plays it all and has played it all with many popular local acts. Like Waldo he seems to be everywhere, so long as you can pick him out in the crowd. His latest efforts can be heard on the upcoming CD by local singer-songwriter Josh McCann as well as some imminent recording work by his own American Band.

Jim Hayden — Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals

Born and bred in Hopwood (yes, that's a real place), Jim hasn't made up his mind yet about what he wants to do when he grows up, so until he does, he'll just play rock n' roll. Always a sucker for a Top-40 hit, he remembers AM radio and Liberace from infancy. He briefly majored in music composition in college, but opted for an equally worthless English degree when he found out that they wanted you to actually play those notes on the staff. "I thought they were just suggestions," he was rumored to have said. Profoundly influenced by classical music as well as rock and jazz, Jim has been privileged to play in bands behind such notables as Del Shannon, Freddie Cannon, Bobby Lewis, and the Marcels (if you're too young, you can look all these guys up on Wikipedia). Now firmly ensconced opposite Fred (stage left), Jim adds just enough screaming B-3 and electric baby grand (O.K. they're sampled) to catalyze an already potent dosage of mainline rock 'n roll.

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Bios
(Click names for
more inmformation)

Fred Oravets
Guitar

Steve Sharpnack
Vocals, Guitar, Cowbell, Tambourine, Clave, etc.

Robert Zelina
Drums, Percussion, and occasional Vocals (although nobody thought to give him his own mic yet).

Rodney Franks
Bass Guitar, Vocals.

Jim Hayden
Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals