Stonewall/Spectris Concert Benefits Head Start Program

Stonewall: Live at Alyson's in Walpole, NHPublished in the Green Mountain Outlook, March17, 2010 The Friends of Head Start of Cheshire and Sullivan, NH counties recently hosted a second annual benefit concert at Alyson's Orchard banquet hall in Walpole, NH to benefit the Drewsville Head Start program.
Friends of Head Start is a 501 (c)3 organization, consisting of volunteers who help supplement the organizations’ budget, to help support low-income families so their children have an equal opportunity to take part in pre- school education. All the proceeds from this event went to support the Drewsville, NH Head Start program, which included just a $10 admission, along with various other give-aways including 50/50 raffles, door prizes and gift certificates.
The nights' musical entertainment was also steller, featuring the local bands Stonewall and Spectris, who provided the crowd with over a three hour mix of classic rock and metal covers, plus plenty of original material as well. The local veteran trio Stonewall have been rocking throughout New England and beyond for several years now, and kicked off the festivities with their unique blend of raw, rockin’ metal sound.
Featuring Josh Parker on guitar and lead vocal, Phillip Chiu on bass and backing vocals and Ryan Young on drums and vocals, Stonewall ripped through several classic covers-including a tough version of Danzig's "Mother" in which Spectris’ bassist Josh Spectris: Spectris live at Alyson's in Walpole, NHMosher invaded the lead vocal-while also mixing in several tracks from their 2008 debut release What If?, including the fan-favorite "Blessings For Pearls."
The Stonewall faithful were even treated to a couple of new songs, which will be appearing on the bands' up coming second release. "We will probably release a three-song EP first," Josh Parker said in a pre-show interview. "With a plan to enter the studio in the fall to record the follow up. We also have a summer tour plan that is also in the works."
Next up were local progressive trio Spectris, who also combined a balanced attack of classic and pro-rock covers (Rush's "Limelight" was killer!) along with original material from their 2009, debut release Industry.
Featuring Christoper Bergmann on guitar and vocals, Josh Mosher on bass and vocals and Todd Westfall on drums and vocals, Spectris successfully combines a classic rock energy with tight arrangements, yet will also loosen up and play da' blues. Blues as in "Grey Area," a Spectris original (that's right, original blues) in which Bergmann smolders through a bluesy guitar-vocal explosion that sounds as if you were listening to Buddy Guy in a downtown Chicago bar.
"We were invited by Stonewall to participate in this event, and we never turn down an opportunity to play with them," Bergmann said before the show. "My mom was also a teacher at Head Start for a few years and I feel it is a very important organization to support. We are all proud to donate our time to help raise money for them."
Stonewall: Josh Parker and Phillip CheauTo learn more about Friends of Head Start for Cheshire and Sullivan counties, call 603-998-8203 or email at friendsofheadstart@gmail.com. To learn more about Stonewall or to purchase their CD What If? (also co-produced by the late, great Doug Bashaw of Charleston, NH) visit www.myspace.com/stonewallne . To learn more about Spectris or to purchase their new CD Industry, visit www.spectrisband.com.
Also, a big “thank you” to the fine folks at Alyson's Orchard for graciously donating the use of their beautiful banquet facility.