MUSIC ON THE MENU: A farewell to Bliss

by Alan K. Stout
Music Columnist

Most cover bands don’t expect a long shelf life. Often, such groups are comprised of friends that get together out of a mutual love for music and a desire to simply have some fun. And though that was indeed the case with Bliss back in 1995, the unit stuck around for a hell of a lot longer than anyone could have imagined, particularly the band itself.

On Saturday, after 15 years, Bliss will take the stage for the last time at the Hardware Bar in Scranton. And with that milestone comes a flood of memories.

“Fifteen years, for a cover band, and for how we started — we are the luckiest people in the world,” says drummer Jimmy Graham. “There is no doubt about it. If you would have asked us at the first practice we ever had if we’d still be here 15 years from now, we would have laughed our asses off. We’ve been extremely lucky and fortunate.”

Joining Graham in Bliss is Joey Stevens on vocals, who helped cofound the band, as well as Jamie Chorba on guitar and Brad Polidori on bass. The group’s original guitarist was Joe Angeloni. Armand Spasto was the original on bass. Both left on good terms and have been asked to join the band at its farewell show on Sept. 11.

“That’s the great thing about the way we’re ending,” says Graham. “We had such a great summer playing down at the beach, and we all still get along. It’s still like a family vibe. If we were still a bit younger, we’d still be doing it. We’re calling it quits just because it feels like it’s the right time.”

With literally hundreds of shows under its belt, Bliss has seen plenty of changes on the NEPA music scene and in pop culture in general. Graham reminisces with fondness on clubs that were once the band’s old stomping grounds — Rascals, Gallagher’s, The Voodoo Lounge, Market Street Square and the original Tink’s — and how barhopping was once how thousands of people spent their weekends.

“Your 21-year-old readers aren’t going to know what I’m talking about when I mention those bars, but those were the places to be,” he says. “In ’95, there was no Facebook. There was no MySpace. There was no texting. There was no Google. It was all word of mouth. Your social networking in those days was actually being social and going out to the bars. If you wanted to talk to a girl, you were going to try to find out through her friend what bar she’d be at, and go talk to her. You wouldn’t hit her up with am e-mail or a text message. You’d go out and find her.”

Of all of the bands Bliss covered over the years, Graham names Pearl Jam as its favorite, largely due to Stevens’ ability to consistently nail the songs. They also enjoyed Fuel, and more recently, Kings of Leon. He also reflects fondly on the days when songs by Hootie & The Blowfish and Deep Blue Something were signature songs in the set. He adds that having a diverse set list contributed to Bliss’ longevity, especially at places like Seacrets in Ocean City, Md., where the ages could range from 21 to 60.

“We played there for 13 years,” he says. “Any band would love to play that room. It’s a great room to play in, but it’s even harder to stay in. They burn through bands like crazy. But they asked us back for 13 years, because we really tried to change it up and keep it interesting for people.”

Today, most of the members of Bliss are married, and some have children. They’ve got full-time jobs and busy careers and admit they’re settling down and succumbing to the pull of family life. Polidori has actually lived in California for almost a year but has flown in for Bliss shows.

“We sort of had to grow up,” says Graham. “Life sort of gets in the way of your hobby. I’ve lived in Philadelphia since 2001, so I’m actually surprised I’ve lasted coming up here and playing this long. I’m kind of proud.”

Stevens is equally reflective and appreciative.

“The only thing you can say is ‘thank you,’ ” he says. “As far as a cover band goes, we did everything we could ever hope for. I take it as a privilege that people even paid attention to us, let alone let us play for 15 years and kept supporting us. But it just seems like it’s time. To leave on your own terms, with anything, is a good feeling.”

Graham agrees.

“It’s a group decision,” he says. “And it’s best that we call it quits. We don’t feel like we have anything to prove, we all get along, we still love our fans, and we still love playing music. We’re going to miss everybody. If we could hug everybody and give them a kiss, we would. People that traveled to the beaches with us, or from bar to bar, county to county — just a giant ‘thank you’ and much love from Bliss.

“We’ve had the time of our lives.”

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