Philadelphia Legends ROCK the Electric Factory          

Photos by Mark Tassoni            

As the Hooters completed their encore with a cover of Robert Hazard’s ESCALATOR, Tommy Conwell was busy autographing copies of WALKIN ON THE WATER to a long line of fans, and elder statesman Bob Beru was casually seated with cane in hand and taking it all in.  The “Rock Royalty” was all present on Thanksgiving Eve 2008 at the Electric Factory.  

Radio legend Pierre Robert from WMMR-FM noted, “I’ve had the honor of knowing these talented musicians almost right from the start.  To me the real test of a group is how, and if, they can bring their songs alive in concert AND connect with people.”  

No question that two of Philadelphia’s biggest musical exports- the Hooters and TCYR- still know how to inspire a live crowd and continue to provide an excellent complement to each other.  The Hooters, which includes Eric Bazilian, Rob Hyman, John Lilley, Dave Uosikkinen, and Fran Smith, Jr. remain the last intact group from the legendary Philadelphia rock scene of the eighties. 

I'm Alive Unplugged video

Beat Up Guitar with Pierre video

The band blistered through a familiar set list with the highlights being DO YOU STILL BELIEVE IN ME, LOVE’s ON FIRE, GONNA BREAKDOWN, WORKOUT, and a cover of Steve Miller’s SPACE COWBOY.  Before FIRE, Tommy provided a Philadelphia rock history tutorial.  He talked about how he collaborated with Robert Hazard on the chorus and the song title. Tommy reminded the crowd that keyboardist Rob Miller was a member of Robert Hazard and the Heroes, the Hooters, and finally the Young Rumblers. 

Overall, I thought the Rumblers played an inspired performance not simply a recitation of WOTW and Rumble recordings.  At a rock show, somebody ought to have some fun......Tommy's interaction with the crowd and his high spirits showed me how much fun he was having and it was contagious on Thanksgiving Eve.

Before strumming the catchy riff to SEVENTEEN, Tommy joked, “I wrote this song exactly seventeen years ago……….I was twenty-nine.”  I must admit that I absolutely despised SEVENTEEN back in the day, but looking around the Electric Factory I saw nothing but happy people singing the chorus with big smiles on their faces. 

After a killer version of GONNA BREAKDOWN, Tommy mentioned, "That's my son......... He just told me, Dad you're doing great, but I think you just wripped your pants.  I'm gonna keep on rockin!"  

Tommy, even thanked the 1980’s business and promotional powerhouse and confessed, “You would never have heard of Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers if it wasn’t for Steve Mountain and Cornerstone Management.”  One fan commented, “We can only hope that the public butt kissing of Steve Mountain , coupled with the CD release of WOTW means more frequent Rumblers sightings/recordings might be in the works!”  

Rumbler drummer Jim Hannum

Still Rumbling in Nashville

Before launching into IF WE NEVER MEET AGAIN, Tommy put things into clear perspective, “In 1988, we played this song on David Letterman.  In 2008, we are here with YOU at the Electric Factory.”  If We Never Meet Again  

A Rumbler fan mentioned, "What I always liked about the Young Rumblers was that they experiment with new songs.............I didn't always like it at first, but after a couple of listens, I would get it."  At the Factory, that perhaps could have been the case with the unfamiliarity of I WANNA BE LOVED (Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers) performed by Chris Day.  

Download Electric Factory MP3's (broadband recommended!)

Young Rumblers

the Hooters

  

The Electric Factory performance by TCYR reminded me that they can continue to play rock better than anybody.  Tommy in particular clearly knows his place in Philadelphia rock history.  It was one of those shows that you never wanted to end.