By Danny Coleman
originally published: 07/07/2016
The Yardbirds came to be in the year 1963. Formed in London, England by Keith Relf, Paul Samwell-Smith, Chris Dreja, Anthony "Top" Topham and Jim McCarty; the band became perhaps one of the most influential acts in music history; bridging the gap between pop music and late '60's psychedelia. This group, which helped launch the careers of Eric Clapton, Jeff beck and Jimmy Page; is still on the road touring and performing to packed houses everywhere.
Currently the band is anchored by drummer and founding member Jim McCarty who enjoys taking the new lineup out on the road as often as possible and will be doing so this Friday July 8 with an 8 p.m. show at Havana, located on Main Street in New Hope, PA. "Things are easier now," said a chuckling McCarty recently. "Well, easier in some ways is more like it. We're able to have the best arrangements of the music , we've got better sound systems and the current musicians grew up on the music so they know the tunes well. Things are more balanced, old sound systems in the '60's were ragged with just the lead guitar standing out and now there's a great balance."
Elaborating from Toronto, Canada; McCarty said that there would be one and only one rehearsal scheduled before the tour which started on June 30. His confidence in the musicians is unwavering and he is excited about this tour and the show in New Hope. "We're still warming up," he said with yet another laugh. "We had one rehearsal on June 29 and the tour kicked off the next day so we've hit the ground running. I don't worry, I've a good group with me."
One of the "Group" is bassist Kenny Aaronson who is a relative newcomer to the band and can be found around some of the Jersey shore's finest music establishments. This much sought after talent, who has performed or played for/with Bob Dylan, Billy Idol, Joan Jett, Billy Squire, Foghat, Hall & Oates, Edgar Winter, Radio Exile and many more, came highly recommended to McCarty and he is glad to have him aboard. "Myke Scavone actually introduced Kenny to us and he was referred by another band member as well; he's worked out really well for us and been a nice addition."
During the band's peak period they manufactured hits such as, "For Your Love," "Over Under Sideways Down" and "Heart Full Of Soul" as well as produced several of the most revered and talented guitarists that the world has ever witnessed. It was during this era that Jeff Beck replaced Eric Clapton at the urging of Jimmy Page who was a gifted and much sought after session player at the time. Page would later join the band prior to Beck's departure and assume control of the group; touring as the "New Yardbirds" and eventually transforming the band into Led Zeppelin. In a former interview McCarty said with a laugh that Beck was, "Potentially the most prolific talent he's ever worked with but quite the rebel at the time." Today, McCarty said he still speaks with his former band mates but not as often as he'd like. "I still see and hear from them from time to time. I just spoke with Jimmy recently actually but mostly now, like a family, I only see them at weddings and funerals (laughs)."
McCarty says that the Havana show has the potential to go in several directions but that it will be vintage Yardbirds. "I've never been here to this club but I'm told it's very nice. We'll be doing our classic Yardbirds set including all of the hits but we may also get into some blues and some other things as well; we'll see how it comes off."
What does the future hold after the tour for this legendary group? McCarty is cautiously non-committal. "I wonder," he said with a small laugh. "I really don't know, it seems like most of our audiences and musicians are in the same age group; I might do some new songs if we can get people interested. I'm working on an autobiography at the moment, so that's coming down the road. I think it'd be tricky to do a new album but I'll not rule that out either. For now, I'll just enjoy this upcoming tour and take it as it comes along."
Havana is located on Main Street in New Hope, PA with the doors opening at 6 p.m. and limited table and bar seating; getting there early is recommended but there really isn't a bad view in the house.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Amalfi's Restaurant146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599
Sat. 8:30 p.m. No Way Out
Amarones Windsor Inn29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. "Simply Piano" feat. Carla Gaiser
Fri. 8 p.m. After Dark
Sat. 8 p.m. (TBA)
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Simply Piano" feat. Carla Gaiser
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers St. Trenton
Thurs. 8 p.m. Lost Love, Feeny, Before The Origin, DIM, The Areolas. Ages 21+, $6
Fri. 6 p.m. "Benefit For The Ryan Ziegler Family" feat. Crown Of Thornz, Laid To Rest, Dissent, Departed, Threat 2 Society. All ages, $15
Sat. 7 p.m. "Barz All Night" Hosted by Hustle Emcee feat. Cormega w/ music and sound by DJ TDogg. Ages 21+, $15
Sun. 5 p.m. Victory Victory, Surrender The Night, Grayling, Broken Angels, Ill Advised, Fool Me Once, Sad Lips. All ages, $10
Wed. 5 p.m. The Blessing Of This Curse, Breathing Ashes, The Machinist, Gladiators, Reborn Divided, Nights Of Malice, A Raven Among Doves. All ages, $10
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33, Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road, New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Paul Jost Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 8 p.m. Hazelrigg Brothers
Sun. (12 p.m.) Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Larry Tritel
Wed. 6 p.m. Lorenzo
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. James Stewart Sax Quartet. $10 (cover charge)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
City Streets Cafe510 US Highway 130 South, East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Sat. 9 p.m. Kim Yarson & Sandy Zio
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. Dane Rosenfeld
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Visoon (9 p.m.) Mia Johnson
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Michael Leggerie (9 p.m.) A Thousand Days Band
Sun. (11 a.m.)"Sunday Brunch" feat. Keli Vale Jazz (3 p.m.) TF Squared
Wed. 8 p.m. Mark Macmanus
Fran's Pub116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Fri. 8 p.m. Inflexables / Working Class Hussies
Sat. 9 p.m. Manifested
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows age 21+
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street. New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Thus. 10 p.m. "College Beat The Clock Night" DJ Dance Party
Fri. 8 p.m. An Evening w/ The Yardbirds. Doors at 6 p.m., $50 (advance)
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Charma Train
Sun. 3 p.m. John Eddie "All Ages Birthday Show" w/ Heather Heather. Doors at 2 p.m., $15 (adults) $10 (Children under 12)
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. "Live, Local, Unplugged" Hosted by Pat Foran
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Al Oliver
Fri. 6 p.m. Christina Havrilla
Sat. 6 p.m. The Jackalopes
Sun. (2 p.m.)"Jazzy Sundays" feat. Piano, Bass and Jazz (6:30 p.m.) "Vintners Dinner" (reservations required) $35 includes gratuity
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Rd., Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Sat. 2 p.m. Jim Gaven
Sun. 2 p.m. Joe Leming
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 9 p.m. Blues In Disguise
Sat. 9 p.m. Slo Motion
All shows 21+
Jake's Pub869
Bustleton Pike, Richboro, PA
(215) 322-6787
Tues. 5 p.m. Bill Shannon
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Fri. 9 p.m. Mike Montrey Band
Sat. (3 p.m.) Mr. Chris & The Alley Band (9 p.m.) Dana Gaynor
Sun. 3 p.m. Sullivan & Friends Family Band
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road, New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 7 p.m. "Farm To Table Winemaker's Sunset Dinner." $75
Fri. 7 p.m. "Laurita Country Night" feat. Nash East
Sat. 1 p.m. Rick Winow
Sun. 1 p.m. Thymes 2
Wed. 6 p.m. "Girls Night Out"
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road, Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Fri. 6 p.m. Synergy
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Rd Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ Codie
Fri. 8 p.m. "Hot Men" All Male Revue and DJ OXX. $15 (advance)
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Mon. 7 p.m. Direct Hit, Honah Lee, Pkew Pkew Pkew, Problem Daughter. $10
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
O'Connor's American Bar & Grille1383 Monmouth Road, Easthampton Mt. Holly
(609) 261-1555
Fri. 9 p.m. Secondhand City
Olde Liberty Tavern2114 Liberty Street, Trenton
(609) 396-2262
Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 8 p.m. Steve Bross
Sat. Receptor
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Infinite Bandwidth
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Deb & the sons of Rock
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Sat. 2 p.m. Meet "Ecto-1" Ghostbusters Car
RHO Waterfront50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Fri. (4:30 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet. $10 (8:30 p.m.) Grace Little Band
1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road, Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Sat. 7 p.m. TEMPOraries. $20
Sun. (3 p.m.) "Ringing For All Season" w/ Hand bell soloist Christine Anderson and Pianist Marianne Lauffer. $20 (7 p.m.) Ragtime Relics. $20
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 9 p.m. Audio Pilot
Sat. 9 p.m. Black Brant
Tavern On The Lake101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street
(609) 291-7020
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. (TBA)
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. Rainbow Fresh
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ MIC (Memories In Collision)
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockin' Ron
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. Kim Yarson & Scott Nagrod
Sat. 9 p.m. Victar on Guitar
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Smoked Ice
Sat. 9 p.m. (TBA)
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Mike Brill
Sat. 9 p.m. Diarmuid MacSuibhne
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Taylor Reed
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine St. Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Fri. 4 p.m. First Friday
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Thurs. 8 p.m. Trivia
Fri. 10 p.m. Caleb Hawley. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Muscle Tough. ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m.Open Jam Night (Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m
Tues. 9 p.m. Live Band Karaoke
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
Tues. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
All shows 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.
