MindSet

Written by Gerry Ulicny
PA Music Scene
December 2009

What do KISS, Journey and MindSet have in common?

They never stop believing. And, well, if you listen closely, it’s more than that.

“Classic Rock at its finest” is how drummer Ken Gibson describes it.

After many years and numerous resets, Pine Grove based band MindSet has finally made up its mind.

The new line up consists of Ronnie Gibson (vocals), Charlie Wiscount Jr.(guitar), Ricky Kline (bass), Ken Gibson (drums) and Mark Aungst (guitar).  They will also tell you that they have a new, more powerful sound system.  With five band members each boasting a lot of experience and all having numerous ties to each other through their professional lives, family and  friendship - these guys have been through a lot separately and together. For example, Ronnie is Ken’s uncle and joined the band under pressure after a lead singer left.  Bands, breakups, marriages, children, even cancer (Aungst) have all had a piece in the story, but the ending hasn’t been written yet. In fact, the current band is calling this time a new beginning.

Their name – MindSet – actually comes from the numerous setbacks and resets and repeated restructuring of the band before they finally, about six months ago, gelled together and starting rocking out with a schedule and a name.  Mark sums it up, “After every setback, I kept thinking, if that didn’t work, we need a new mindset…”

In their final (?) incarnation they are kind of a musical ‘band of brothers’ or at least of family members and soul mates. That makes for one awesome party.  The best part about that is that they all know how to, when to, and what to hold back on that party.  “In my younger days I can say, ‘I took music for granted’ and used it to party,” says Aungst. “Now I definitely have more respect for it. As we learn a song and peel away the layers there is so much more to be appreciated and discovered.”

Yes, they are a cover band. A bar band. Dancing band.  To sum it up, a local get-out-and-hear-your-favorites band.

Which is what people are doing.  You wanna hear Kiss, Ac/Dc, Led Zeppelin and Judas Priest songs for the cost of admission to the local VFW?  Well, now you CAN! (Actually on December 26 at the Pine Grove VFW)

But it’s not going to be imitation - these guys are promising you A SHOW.

“We want to be a band unlike anything you normally see,” says Mark Aungst. “We are raising the bar.”

Or at least the ROOF of the bar?

So why aren’t they breaking out their original music and trying to get signed?  “If you are looking for the fortune, you lose sight of the music,” says Ken Gibson. “Where’s the fun?”  Getting older and playing longer has helped.  “Before, I always dreamed of the fame and fortune,” Gibson said. “Now I just want to play music - $50 or $500 I just want the crowd and the music.”  That doesn’t mean they aren’t doing anything about those ‘old’ dreams, though. MindSet is currently working on a demo CD and they are slowly breaking that old original stuff out of ‘the vault.’  Slowly because they have a great relationship as a band and they all get to decide what happens next.  “We have finally got a unit that is on the same page and we are great friends,” Aungst said.

They might have managed to fix a lineup, a set list and a schedule but every one of these guys are deep down, a ‘don’t-fence-me-in’ types. They want it to be fresh just as much as you want to see fresh.  And the goal to be creative is embraced by everyone.  Aungst said. “We all agree where we want to go with this band. How many bands have those ingredients?”  Aungst explains, “Most bands do not put anything extra into their shows, except the occasional new guitar string….we are adding entertainment value to our show… you never know what may happen happen next.”

So, even though they have finally made up their minds about the band, the name and the goals, they are still totally prepared to “go with the flow” as far as where those decisions are going to take them.

In closing, I think the band’s Myspace page sums it up best:  There are huge changes in store for the band in the next coming weeks. Please keep checking for this new information. One thing is certain, when the dust settles, MINDSET will be rockin!!!

For Information on Mindset contact them at:

(570) 640-6993

(570) 294-3313

E-mail them at:  maungst05@comcast.net

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