MUSIC ON THE MENU: Ends of The Earth pulls together

Ends of The Earth CD-release party,

Saturday, March 6, 9:30 p.m., River Street Jazz Caf� (665 N. River St., Plains Twp.). Show also features Jamie Anzalone.

Info: 570.822.2992, www.myspace.com/theendsoftheearthspace

by Alan K. Stout
Music Columnist

For the local band Ends of The Earth, its new self-titled album serves not as an end, but a beginning. Though it is the group’s second release, band founder Charles Davis says it offers much more input from all of the group’s members, and thus in some ways almost feels like a debut.

“It’s more cohesive, as a band,” says Davis. “There’s a lot more influences than just my own. The first album was really me telling my musician friends what I wanted, and them kind of feeding back off that. Even though the majority of lyrics, melodies and chord structures are mine, I don’t credit myself with individually writing any song on the album. It’s more expansive, as the band is concerned, and quite frankly, it’s faster and has more energy.”

Ends of the Earth got its start in 2008 when Davis entered the recording studio to work on a solo EP. At the time, he had no idea the CD would result in the formation of a band, but that’s exactly what happened. The guest musicians on the record became a group that now features Davis on guitar, vocals and piano; Max Hosey on drums, harmonica, saw, percussion, vocals and didgeridoo; Vince Insalaco on bass, guitar, banjo, mandolin and piano; Justin “Roadside” Parry on guitar; Adam Malak on bass; and Paul Hosey on bongos.

The band’s sound is anchored by classic blues and an early Pink Floyd influence. Davis says he also listens to hip-hop, yet names everyone from Elliott Smith to blues great Skip James and reggae legend Yabby You among his influences. Other band members also bring a love for classical music, punk and classic rock to the Ends of The Earth sound.

The new CD was recorded and engineered by Adam Malak at Malak Studios in Shavertown. It is available at Gallery of Sound, Wayne’s World and Embassy Vinyl. Ends of The Earth is also on iTunes and Sonicbids, and you can check the band out on YouTube, MySpace and Facebook.

Davis says that though it’s a much more cohesive record than its predecessor and he has tremendous praise for the musicianship of his bandmates says fans of the group that enjoyed the first album will still find some things familiar. The biggest change is the band’s attempt to reign in and harness the songs.

“It’s the same basic elements,” he says. “It’s still very expansive and very aesthetically pleasing. It’s hitting a lot of senses. It’s exploratory in the same sense but probably a little bit more sensible in the pop scheme of things. There’s a little bit less exploration for the sake of exploration and a little bit more exploration for the sake of progression. It bridges a lot more gaps, and again, I think that’s everybody’s elements coming together a little bit better. It’s a full band, and it’s really moving along quite well.”

Club owners might agree. Ends of the Earth has built a loyal following, some of whom travel great distances to see it play.

“We just went to Boston, then Burlington, Vt., then Syracuse, N.Y., and we had people from back home at every one of our shows. We take it on the road, and we’re getting a really, really, really good reception, especially in the cities. Our live shows are very, very, very energetic. And it’s very soulful. Everybody puts everything they have into the performance.”

Davis says the band appreciates of the support it has received and hopes to see its fans this Saturday night for its CD-release party at the River Street Jazz Caf�.

“It feels really good, because I’ve always kind of labeled myself as obscure, or maybe crazy at times, so it makes you feel like maybe you’re not so crazy after all,” he says. “Sometimes you do things a little bit different, and you’re not quite sure how people are going to react, but it’s been nothing but positive. It makes you feel like you’re doing something of some sort of significance. It’s sort of like The Velvet Underground. Even if this ends up just being a flash-in-the-pan, I think it’s inspired a lot of good things so far and brought together a lot of artistic people in and around the community.”

Ace Frehley unmasks in Scranton

It was 25 years ago today, March 3, 1985, that former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley gave what has become an almost mythical performance at the old West Side Theater in Scranton. It was not only a great show but also an odd one. To read my recollections of what was one of the most unusual concert tours in rock history, check out my blog at www.theweekender.com/blogs.

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