Like many in the audience, I had no earthly idea what to expect out of four local guys selling themselves as (of all things!) THE LED ZEPPELIN TRIBUTE. Filling the role, even remotely, of a Page/Plant/Bohnam/Jones would not be an easy task for the most seasoned pros...much less a local band--almost all of whom appear to be young kids in their twenties and, as such, were not even around, as I was, when the real Led Zeppelin came out and was discovered by the public. Stepping out on The Madison stage, and announcing a night of nothing but Led Zeppelin, the kids delivered the goods. Most notable in the performance was guitarist, Greg Blachman, playing guitar with a horse hair bow (as the real Page does) and drummer, Phil Clements, stepping out from behind the kit to actually play a credible mandolin on some of the more mellow Zeppelin material. Meanwhile, bassist Jason Stegenmoller, left the bass behind (during the ''Kashmir'' portion of the show) to play a keyboard that was tuned exactly to the Zeppelin-esque tones the band was emulating. It was at this point in the performance, thanks to the expert house mix by The Madison's sound engineer, that one could barely ascertain the difference of between the tribute and the real thing. Relatively new to the band, at less than a year, was singer, Tony Makino who, while maintaining his own personal identity and not attempting to be an ''Elvis Impersonator'' type clone, was about as close for comfort as any young musician could hope to be in attempting to fill the shoes of one of the greatest of rock's vocal legends. At five bucks a pop (in advance) and only seven (at the door) this show was a bargain! |
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RICK: Gentlemen, let's start out by finding out exactly who the four members of The ''Winds of Thor'' Led Zeppelin Tribute Band are. TONY: Well, there's me and, as you know, I play the role of Robert Plant and I handle the vocals. I am Tony Makino. Our guitar player, assuming the role of Jimmy Page, is Greg Blachman. PHIL: I am the drummer for the band, playing the parts of the late John Bonham, (and currently with the new most recent Led Zeppelin reunion. the parts played by John Bonham's son, Jason Bonham) My name is Phil Clements. On Bass for our band is Jason Stegenmoller. RICK: How did you like playing The Madison Theater tonight? TONY: It's great...It's awesome! RICK: Is this the first you've played here...or no? PHIL: No. We've played here a couple of other times before. TONY: I haven't. This is my first time playing The Madison. RICK: How did the band, as a Led Zeppelin tribute, get started? PHIL: Our guitar player, Greg Blachman, he started it. RICK: The band is from Northern Kentucky? PHIL: No. RICK: Where...what city are you out of? PHIL: We're all from the Mason and West Chester, Ohio area. TONY: And I'm from Cincinnati. RICK: What would you guys like to say to The Official Madison Theater Fan Site regarding tonight's show? TONY: I had a lot of fun. It rocked...can't wait to play here again and do it again someday! RICK: Phil, what about you? Do you like the venue here? PHIL: The venue here is great. We love this place. RICK: Tony, I know your Mom is in the audience tonight. I spoke to her earlier. Is Mom the one letting you rehearse the band at her house? TONY: No. PHIL: That would be ME !!! RICK: And...your neighbors haven't moved out yet? PHIL: No, not yet they haven't. I guess they like what they hear...I don't know! RICK: How long has the group been together? PHIL: About two years. TONY: Six and a half months for me...seven months maybe...going on seven...maybe eight, I don't know...give or take. RICK: In the future, you'd like to do what with the band? TONY: Travel PHIL: We want to travel and take the band out on the road. And, we also want to work original songs into the show too. RICK: Oh, unlike tonight, which was all Led Zeppelin, you'd eventually like to work some of your original songs in there as well? PHIL: Oh yes. RICK: Very good. Was it extremely hard to get a guitar player to fill the role of, as well as to imitate, the legendary Jimmy Page? PHIL: Well, he's the one who started the band, like I said, so... TONY: Oh, it was easy. Page is not that good! (both laughing) PHIL: I certainly was a little skeptical the first time I contacted him. Then, the first time I head him play, I said: ''Wow!'' RICK: Well, I believe it is fair to report that the crowd really liked the show tonight. TONY: I'd say so too. RICK: I was out in front of the hall and people were stopping me telling me that the band, as a Led Zeppelin Tribute, was exceptional and far better than they had ever expected it to be. Now, that's very much of a compliment as I see it. So, as time goes by, you are simply going to continue The Led Zeppelin Tribute, but just add originals to the show as time goes buy? PHIL: Correct. RICK: Any plans to record? PHIL: Yeah, absolutely. We already have two albums worth of material already written. RICK: All original material? PHIL: Yes. RICK: Very good. Now, you have posters for sale, I see? PHIL: Yes RICK: They are how much? And, can somebody order them on your web site? PHIL: Absolutely! RICK: What is that web site? PHIL: It's: www.windsofthor.net TONY: Definitely. It is Winds of Thor dot net--not dot com. RICK: So, if somebody wants one of your posters, they can get it right there? PHIL: Yes. RICK: In closing, any other things you'd like to say about tonight's performance? TONY: ROCK & ROLL !!! PHIL: Awesome! RICK: See you next time in gentlemen, good to meet you! TONY: Thanks. PHIL: Thank-you. Good to meet you! |
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