Giants Of Despair

While some areas host “Battle of the Bands”, on this particular humid Saturday in July, we got to partake in G.O.D. vs. Mother Nature.

Giants Of Despair (often referred to as G.O.D.) took on Mother Nature who once again this summer opened up the skies about an hour prior to the band’s performance to saturate and wreak havoc. Folks like us were trying to cross streams of water flooding the streets to get to and from our vehicles, driving to the sound of fast slapping wiper blades and most importantly trying to save our HAIR all while heading to Gal’s Sports Bar located at 238 East Centre St. in Ashland, PA. When we arrived at Gal’s we tried to search out a parking space closest to the entrance but to no avail we covered our heads and ran for cover from across the way. Gal’s Sports Bar is owned and operated by childhood friend, Kelly Gallagher. Gal’s was established in 2002 and Kelly takes pride in a well maintained business. Among the features are a large accommodating bar surrounded by numerous wall mounted TV’s, pool tables, booths/tables and an array of food and drink. So when in the area be sure to check it out! Gal’s Sports Bar provides a fine atmosphere to some of the area’s most talented musicians and although there was a downpour, we were not to be deterred from attending the performance of this distinguished group of musicians!

Giants of Despair is comprised of (left to right): Jeremy Hummel (drums), Jason Shaffer (bass), Bret Alexander (vocals, guitar & mandolin) and Nyke Van Wyk (violin) session extraordinaire who was absent at this performance.

Bret Alexander is best known for being an original member/songwriter of the nationally acclaimed group The Badlees. Being Owner, Producer/Engineer of one of the busiest recording studios in the area, Saturation Acres Recording Studio located in Dupont, Bret wears many hats. Doing what he loves, he is one of the most assiduous people in the music business encompassing Central & Northeast PA and beyond! Along with solo performances, Bret also plays out with other musical acts such as The Cellarbirds, White Witch and Gypsy just to name a few. He has played a diverse role with many fine artists such as Pan.a.ce.a, Breaking Benjamin, HotWingJones, K8, Pat Cusick, Shawn Z, Saline, Carson’s Window, Teenage Girls and Lights Over Ashfield just to name a few. The list could go on and on…

Jason Shaffer gained local notoriety for being a member of Grantham Road and the Tuesday After Work concert series. Grantham Road released an album Parade which received national airplay. As part of Grantham Road he opened for Hootie and the Blowfish. Jason is best known for audio engineering, mixing and producing. He is affiliated with After 7 Studios located in Mechanicsburg and has access to all the equipment and facilities he needs. He has focused on some of the regions most noted artists. To his credit he has engineered, mixed and/or produced artists such as Grantham Road, Emily’s ToyBox, Nate Myers and The Aces, Alicia Keister, Hybrid Ice, Britt Isenberg and Quincy Rogers to name a few.

Jeremy Hummel is best known as being co-founder and original drummer of the alternative rock band Breaking Benjamin. He co-wrote and recorded their debut album, Saturate and the platinum follow up album, We Are Not Alone. Jeremy is one of the areas most talented drummers I ever saw. As a boy who has been playing since the age of three and having his first drum set at the age of five, Jeremy’s energy and finesse is undeniable!! Jeremy continues his career as an indie artist, a highly in-demand studio drummer, drum instructor (said to be fun and unconventional) and writer for Modern Drummer magazine. Several of his tracks appear on various video games for PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Game Cube video systems. Jeremy is also endorsed by Pearl Drums, Aquarian Drumheads, Modern Drummer, Roland, Drummer World and Sabian Cymbals Makers.

G.O.D.demonstrating their good time mentality and sense of humor, with the storm still causing some commotion, started off the first set of the evening with The Beatles tune RAIN! The night consisted of various Bret Alexander originals such as Uncommonly Blue and cover songs from the Beatles, Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and Bill Withers to mention a few. Rounds of applause resonated especially from table one which seemed to really be diggin’ the band’s sound!

At one point Jeremy Hummel gave up his drums to his assistant/student/guest musician Jordan Snook. “Jordan has learned a few of the band’s tunes and it is always good if a musician can ‘cut his teeth’ with live musicians on a gig”, states Hummel. Jeremy got to grab a cold drink and take in his fellow musicians all while observing the dance floor. We could not help but notice one woman who was dancing the night away with high kicks which could have put some of those who knew karate to shame. I looked at Jeremy, he looked at me and one could not help but smile and laugh. Giants of Despair surely had the party started!!

As the night rocked on the folks were lined up at the door and Gal’s became more crowded. The dance floor filled and the crowd began singing along. Some kicked off their shoes and really got into the groove. There were a few songs that were performed with a female patron or dare I say “guest vocalist” … whom the Giants of Despair so graciously smiled and played along to, encouraging a night of banter and sing-a-longs with requested songs such as Laid by James and Eric Clapton’s Cocaine. At one point, one of the regular patrons of Gal’s made his way up with the band which I saw him do on numerous occasions usually to play tambourine or maracas. With no tambourine or maracas in sight and with harmless intent, he had grabbed one empty beer bottle in each hand and started clanging them together with the beat of the song (we strongly recommend that no one do that in public or at home). As the band members grimaced ever so slightly and looked on with caution, the song ended without shattered glass and a sigh of relief, smiles and laughs were expressed as the patron danced his way back to his table.

The night wrapped up with a warning from the band of safe driving and a closing song which ended with Jeremy Hummel brandishing his drumming expertise. The Giants of Despair expressed thank you and bid a fond adieu until next time sending us all home with a night of fun memories!!

For more information check out the following websites:

http://www.giantsofdespair.com
http://www.myspace.com/giantsofdespair

http://www.saturationacres.com
http://www.myspace.com/saturationacresrecording
http://www.myspace.com/bretalexander

http://www.jeremyhummel.com

http://www.jasonshaffermusic.com
http://www.after7studios.com

http://www.nykevanwyk.com

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