LAST CALL FOR EXIT STAGE LEFT
http://www.myspace.com/exitstageleftonline
That’s correct, it is with great disappointment that I am letting you know of their departure, but I am glad I found out the way I did.
I had been trying to see the super group from San Antonio known as Exit Stage Left for the longest time and finally got a chance. They were playing on the new stage at Click’s.
The place was packed when I walked in but there is not a bad spot in the place with the pro stage, lighting and sound.
I knew these guys were good but did not know what to expect.
From the first note they hit I knew this was not your ordinary cover band. They started their set ripping into some classic RUSH. Amanda has the vocal range to nail the signature Geddy Lee vocals but also puts her stamp on the tunes she sings. That was evident when they went into Cochise by Audioslave.
All the talk and buzz about this super group was backed up by what I witnessed that night. I knew Ron Jarzombek was a true guitar virtuoso from all his work that he had done, but the drummer Roli Garcia Jr. and Jack Peterson, the bass player not only round out this band but make it into a super group. I also knew Ron and Roli gave lessons in guitar and drums respectively but on this night they were truly putting on a clinic.
Exit Stage Left comes from the classic RUSH album and this band played the classics from RUSH. Coming back from a short break they were ready to bust into “2112-Temple of Syrinx”.
There was only one problem; they were missing a drummer. It was kind of funny as Ron and Jack huddled around the drum set to see an empty chair. Out of nowhere Roli popped up in his chair and they nailed the classic RUSH tune.
Not only did they nail the classics but they also played some modern favorites from Tool (which brought the fans to the front of the stage and the head banging began). They also played the SIXX A.M. song “Beautiful” which can be heard on KISS but not like I heard it played by these guys. Amanda also put her stamp on Evanescence’s “Bring me to Life”. The energy was there and you could tell the band was into it as Ron and Jack ran circles around each other on stage and didn’t miss a note while they were running around.
The band took one more short break before they came back to close out the show. This band played songs no other cover band would even attempt and when they came back this would not be more evident. They ripped into “The Trooper” by Maiden and again Amanda put her strong vocal stamp on this song but also had the true spirit of Bruce Dickinson. They then played a song I had only heard one other band play and that was the original writer of the song. It was “Cemetery Gates” by Pantera. I was kind of hoping the jams would never end but realized it had to end sometime. They ended their final set of the night perfectly by going back to the RUSH classics with “Workin' Man” and then showcasing their talents and giving their final lesson of the night by playing “Hot for Teacher” by Van Halen.
As I was talking to my friend we were both in agreement that this band should’ve been and should be on a much bigger stage in a much bigger place. They should be touring the world and we in San Antonio are lucky to have the opportunity to see them play.
As I mentioned earlier, Amanda made an announcement that the band was parting ways and would only be playing two more shows.
This will be a great loss to the San Antonio live music scene. Hopefully more bands will evolve from this and we will get to see the members of this band again. To see when they will be playing their final shows check out their MySpace page. Personally I am so glad I went and saw this band. It inspires me to want to play better as a musician and as a band.
Thank you guys for the experience and we will be sad to see you EXIT STAGE LEFT for the last time.
Jan 23 2009 10:00P
Clicks Billiards (Evers/410) - Friday
Jan 31 2009 10:00P
Clicks Billiards (Evers/410) - Saturday ***FINAL SHOW***
~Jason Zimmerman, EZ Street