By Danny Coleman
originally published: 03/08/2017
"The Music," says lead vocalist Chandler Mogel, "The Music is Great! It's a very classic sound, it sounds like '70's classic rock and Angel meets Bad Co. It's kind of eclectic but it ties together so well. Punky said to me once that he wanted a sound kind of like David Cassidy and I'm like, I don't know who that is (laughs)!"
Despite the aforementioned generation gap, Punky Meadows is back after a more than 30 year hiatus with a revamped line up, new music, new outlook and a short tour which kicked off in Las Vegas on March 8.
Meadows, along with Mickie Jones founded the glam/hard rock band Angel in the '70's and although the band didn't meet the expectations of their label (Casablanca), they amassed a cult like following; one which has aided Meadow's return to music and the public eye. "After Angel, I left California and moved to the Washington, DC area; I had my fill of the music business. I never quit music but my next endeavor was in the stock market and I did well, so I basically retired. However, through today's technology, I happened to see on Facebook that there was an Angel fan page and seeing all of the people who were on there; I never realized how we inspired people. I was doing a radio interview with Keith Roth and the station web site was taking so many hits that it crashed. Keith said that he'd never seen that happen before and this is a man who interviewed Robert Plant and Keith Richards."
Buoyed by this renewed sense of musical purpose, Meadows and long time friend, confidant and rhythm guitarist Danny "The Farrow" Anniello began writing together once again and this collaboration eventually became Punky's first solo release; 2016's "Fallen Angel." "I've always written songs with Danny. Once we got enough material together, we thought that we may just have something really special happening so we reached out to Felix Robinson because he plays such a melodic bass and then we found Bob Pantella of Monster Magnet to play drums. Later on we added Chandler and he recommended Charlie Calv for keyboards and we were set. These guys are great and super talented and are really good people. There are no fragile egos and they aren't the type to get their feelings hurt and runaway; not these guys, it's not in their make up."
Nearly a year after its May release, Meadows is taking the band on the road due in part to a handful of well received gigs and the success of the album. According to Punky, he wanted to make an album that was as diverse as his tastes, yet stay true to his style. "We have an album that you'll want to play air guitar to," he said with a laugh. "We feel that every song on this disc is a potential single, it's an album that I like to listen to and my solos are melodic, yet I rip it up where warranted; let's just say it's melodic yet kicks ass (laughs). It charted number four on Billboard and so far its gotten rave reviews, I feel very lucky. It was in the Top 10 for 2016, charted at number eight in Norway and was also in the Top 100 where we beat out Cheap Trick; that's not easy to do. I'm not a heavy metal guy, I like Zeppelin and all my life I played in club bands. I played all varieties of music and I enjoyed listening to and performing songs from ABBA and even David Cassidy, yet I loved Hendrix and pop bands and the Beatles. I love music that creates a good vibe, people like to sing. I've discovered that the girls love this record and if they love it, ya' know you've got a good record!"
There was a familiarity in place with the players in the unit which had already been established when Meadows put out the call for a lead vocalist; enter Mogel. "I responded to an ad," chuckled Chandler. "A friend of mine told me about it so I hit them up with an e-mail and Danny called me and asked me to audition. I went in, auditioned the two tunes that I was asked to learn and they ended up on the record, it was a perfect fit."
Looking for something or someone to round out the sound, the band's thoughts turned to the possibility of adding a keyboard player. Mogel immediately thought of his good friend and Radio Exile band mate, Charlie Calv. "Yeah, it's because of Chandler," explained a laughing Calv. "He said that he wasn't sure what direction they were going to go with the keys but he sent me the tunes to learn. I learned all of them and I am a huge Gregg Giuffria fan so I was already familiar with some of the other stuff. I auditioned and they offered me the job. Now I'm playing some of my childhood hero's keyboard parts and I am really enjoying it and what makes it even more special is that I never expected this to happen."
Both Calv and Mogel, along with Meadows and their band mates, have a mutual respect for the project and each other. "This is a great band with great players and Punky sounds great," said Calv. "I never realized just how really good Punky is, especially with the finger picking. I was an Angel fan so for me to be part of this is iconic. The music is diverse, modern, '70's sounding, even kind of pop with a lot of hooks; they're just great tunes!" Mogel is also thrilled to have been chosen to front the band and says he feels no pressure to fill anyone's shoes or expectations. "Playing with Punky, he's great and a genuine sweetheart. He is really just a nice guy with a very polite demeanor and such a great talent; to see him on top of his game after 30 some years off is just fun to watch. I feel no pressure from him to sound like anyone but myself. Being disconnected from Angel because the band was not around when I was getting into music, I was never a rabid fan like many others. So even if we do an Angel song, I sound like me and not them and so far it's working out really well."
Meadows says that after this quick run, he will continue to move forward and that there is another CD in the works. "I'm thinking another record by the beginning of next year," he said enthusiastically. "Danny and I are pretty prolific when it comes to writing material. I play my guitar with a tape recorder next to me and we're already writing songs for the next album. The guys in the band are so talented and they deliver this current one so well and once Chandler gets a hold of it, it just goes and really takes off."
They just took off in Las Vegas and have west coast dates in San Diego on March 9 at Brick By Brick and then again on March 10 in Los Angeles at the legendaryWhisky followed by some time off and then two shows on the east coast. The first of these dates is April 21 in Poughkeepsie, NY at The Chance and then a return to the scene of their CD release party at BB Kings Blues Club in Manhattan on April 29.
This week's event listings
Amalfi's Restaurant and Bar146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Road Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599
Sat. 7 p.m. Piano Bar w/ Piano Pete
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers Street Trenton
Thurs. 8 p.m. Lift Tom Lift, Above The Mendoza, Feeny (Solo), Indian Giver, Send Request. Ages 21+, $5
Fri. 7 p.m. Inner Temple, The Stone Eye, (TBA). All ages, $10
Wed. 6 p.m. The Devil's cut, St. Christopher, Jason Alarm, Josh Adair, Mass Folk Commons. Ages 21+, $10
Bill's Olde Tavern2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-0192
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke Contest (Cash prizes)
Ages 21+
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Glenn McClelland
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 8 p.m. Hazlerigg Brothers
Sun. (12 p.m.) Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Brad Stauble
Wed. 6 p.m. Sherry St. John
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. James Stewart (Sax) Quartet. $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
City Streets 510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie and Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval
COARadio.com Main Street Hightstown
(609) 241-7103
Fri. 8 p.m. "Health & Wellness Hour w/ Maryann Castello & Danny Coleman feat. special guest Astronaut Jones
Dadz Bar & Grill744 Main Street Lumberton
(609) 267-4344
Thurs. 10 p.m. "Pong Tournament"
Fri. 10 p.m. Side Arm
Sat. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dubbs
Sun. 4 p.m. Aaron Hehl & John Dutton
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Superstar Entertainment
Dempster's Pub437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Chris
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Will Paquette
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour" feat. Christine Warren (9 p.m.) Castles in the Sky
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Michael Leggerie (9 p.m.) Dustin Beck Trio
Sun. (11 a.m.)"Sunday Brunch" feat. Keli Vale Jazz (4 p.m.) Pop Fiction
Wed. 8 p.m. Jay Regan
Freddies Tavern12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala
Grover's Mill Coffee HousePrinceton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction
(609) 716-8771
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Anker
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Fri. 8 p.m. ""A Tribute to Iron Maiden" w/ Tailgunner. Doors at 6 p.m., $15
Sat. 8 p.m. "Tribute to The Talking Heads" w/ Start Making Sense. Doors at 6 p.m., $20
Sun. 3 p.m. "St. Patty's Day" w/ Ladies 2000
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. "Local Original Music Series" Hosted by Pat Foran feat. Black Cat Habitat
Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn15 East Broad Street Hopewell
(609) 466-9889
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic.
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Alix Paul w/ Jeffrey Fadden
Fri. 6 p.m. Craig Leach
Sat. 6 p.m. The Lifters
Sun. 2 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Sergio & Lars
Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill7759 New falls Road Levittown, PA
(267) 914-4517
Fri. 9 p.m. Plastard (Ticket Giveaway)
Sat. (1 p.m.) Spare Parts (7 p.m.) Steamboat Annie
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. Gypsy Mother
Sat. 1 p.m. Terry Rivel
Sun. 2 p.m. Keith Franklin Jazz Duo
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 9 p.m. Tangled
Sat. 9 p.m. General Krank
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Fri. 9 p.m. Cosmo Iacavazzi
Sat. (3 p.m.) Bruce Hanson & Joe Borthwick (9:30 p.m.) Cowbell Superstar
Sun. (3 p.m.) Christine Havrilla (9:30 p.m.) Leeds w/ High School Superstars
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Mike
Tues. 8 p.m. Danny's Trivia Night
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Killarney's Publick House1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Thurs. 5 p.m. Radio Fiction
Sat. "Parade Day" (2:30 p.m.) Successful Failures (6:30 p.m.) Mass Folk Commons (10 p.m.) Some Assembly Required
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 6 p.m. "Girls Night Out" Plant Night at Laurita
Sat. 11:30 a.m. "Laurita Shamrock Festival" feat. (12 p.m.) Tom Brett and The Bog Boys (4 p.m.) Dave Anderson & Ellen (Six Mile Cross)
Sun. 11:30 a.m. "Laurita Shamrock Festival" feat. Ballyhaunis (3 p.m.) Greenspell
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. 9 p.m. Witz End
Sat. 9 p.m. Denim and Leather / Zillion Dollar Babies
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
Nook's PourHouse2043 Route 130 South Florence
(609) 447-0927
Thurs. 5 p.m. Dave Murray
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Tuesday w/ Quizoholics
Olde Liberty Tavern2114 Liberty Street Trenton
(609) 396-2262
Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21 +
PANJ RadioBridge Street Lambertville
(609) 460-4673
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. The Williamsboy
Patriot's Crossing1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Sat. 8 p.m. "Pre- St. Pat's Day Party" w/ DiRty ReD
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. 9:30 p.m. No Way Out
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Sun. 12 p.m. "5th Man Cave Anniversary." Free Hot Dogs, Prizes, Live Music
Small World Coffee14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
Sat. 8:30 p.m. The Rick Fiori Jazz Trio
Sun. 7 p.m. The Princeton Bluegrass Jam
South Rio120 South Warren Street Trenton
(609) 943-2123
Thurs. 7 p.m. "All You Can eat Crabs." Music, Drink Specials, Sports on TV
Tues. "$2 Tuesday"
1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Grove City College Touring Choir. $20
Sun. 3 p.m. Jameson Sisters. $20
Take 5 Gourmet Cafe1065 Washington Boulevard Robbinsville
(609) 443-6800
Fri. 7:30 p.m. "Comedy Night" Hosted by Jim Teesdale
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. Slippery Cool
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Party Hardy
Tavern On The Lake101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Out Of The Red
Sat. 9 p.m. Kick Back
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
Temperance House 5 South State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8050
Thurs. 7 p.m. Blues Open Session w/ Steve Guyger
Fri. 7 p.m. "Pride of Erin" Irish Dancers
Sat. 7 p.m. Steve Guyger
Wed. 7 p.m. Live Jazz w/ John Sheridan & Friends
The Cool Cricket216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. Radio Fiction
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. Deb & Mike
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Rockin' Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Darius
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Pines Tavern6217 North Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA
(215) 788-1659
Sat. 9 p.m. Mike and Shanna
The Raven 385 West Bridge Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2081
Mon. 7 p.m. Ghosha
Wed. 6 p.m. Dena Underwood
The Record Collector358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Sat. 8 p.m. "Fundraiser for Clean Getaway Foundation" w/ Ricky Byrd / Mark Hudson. All ages, Doors at 7:30 p.m., $18 (advance)
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. Rich Scanella
Sat. 9 p.m. El Ka Bong
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Polish Nannies
Sat. 9 p.m. Asylum Choir
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Seamus Kelleher
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic w/ Taylor Reed
Wed. 9 p.m. Paul Wiese
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Audio History of Funk and Soul" w/ Professor DJ Tangency
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Benny
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Drunken Hearts. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. "Irish Fest"
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage Night (Sign ups at 6:30 p.m.)
Tues. 9 p.m. Live Band Karaoke
All shows 21+
Triumph Brewing Company (Princeton, NJ Location)
138 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 924-7855
Fri. 10 p.m. Levee Drivers
sat. 10 p.m. Jah People
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
Tues. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
Ages 21+
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
