Here are nine video clips from the ‘Exclusive Momentum’ show, live at The Chamber April 26, 1986. (a full house!)
When it came to Parousia, long hair or short hair didn’t matter, our fans came from the punk rock, hard rock and progressive scenes all at once. Our eclectic songwriting and ambiguous experimental visual media allowed us to attract people who dared to venture beyond the confines of any particular scene. The Chamber, located at the corner of Kenmore Ave. and Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo, NY was our own personal rehearsal hall that we converted into a rave-like concert venue to unleash the music of Parousia on Western New York, and the world, mwa-ha-haaaa! “This particular evening was a great show… our all-age music concerts at the Chamber were becoming quite the popular event in the neighborhood. Was it the loud rock music, the catchy tunes or the free beer? I’m not sure, but we pulled in over 150 people this night. The place was literally packed down into the parking lot! I’m not sure who thought of the idea to hire off-duty cops as security for our shows, but that move really paid-off and helped keep the Buffalo and Kenmore police off our backs each time we played.” *** Gerry Cannizzaro *** Invite card for Parousia’s “Exclusive Momentum” show at The Chamber – 4.26.1986 Let’s start off with a rousing rendition of a Parousia flute metal classic – People’s Court! People’s Court was one of my personal favorites. When we recorded it, I got to layer thick power chords and guitar riffs for Patt to solo over and I was really happy with the end result. While I could never hope to achieve the rich sound of the original studio recording in a live setting, it was still a blast playing something so heavy and getting an enthusiastic response from our fans. This live version from the Chamber sounds pretty good, I think. Parousia: People’s Court at the Chamber 04.26.1986 “No prison for a gilded man”, the court screamed today. You got to dance with a hand inside your pocket book. They won’t notice the gun in the other. PEOPLE’S COURT… Glass society. There’s a boy stealing from another friend. Little smile bright as the sun, I’m sayin’, he don’t take no shit from anyone! “Not bad sonny… who is your Father?” PEOPLE’S COURT… Not a mockery. There’s no choice, death or poverty. We gotta’ get that Judge replaced. This justice system is a waste. We’re gonna’ have ourselves a taste… PEOPLE’S COURT… Not a mockery. There’s no choice, death or poverty. – Copyright BMI/Rock Dog records The song Lie Awake starts slowly and gradually builds into a an ominous crescendo featuring the stream-of-thought ramblings of Bob, shadowed by Patt’s haunting melodies. This piece featured a lot of guitar/drum synchronized play, though it is hard to hear in this raw live footage from The Chamber, an outlaw venue on the edge of Buffalo and Kenmore NY. Still, this is a piece that sticks with you in a weird kind of way after a few listenings. You’ve been warned. Here are few still shots from the video of this song: Lie Awake… I Just Lie Awake. Lie Awake I’m Feeling Wide Awake… I Need To Get Some Sleep. The Clock Just Seems To Creep. I Toss and Turn All Night. Lie Awake. Lie Awake… I Just Lie Awake. Give and Take. My Dreams Are Just a Fake. I Think I See a Light. Why Don’t I Feel All Right? I’d Like To Stay In Bed. Lie Awake… – Copyright BMI/ Rock Dog Records The song Northway Vermont, is an instrumental exploration inspired by our adventurous expedition to the college town of Burlington Vermont. This is an opus featuring an assortment of riffs, chord progressions, time signatures, and instrumental breaks. Four minutes of “unpopular” music, but our fans show their love. Thanks, guys and gals, you made it all worth while!!! Wooo!!!!! Power Of Will, a riffy rock song with our classic heavy metal flute/guitar play that never made it to a full recording session, captured here live at the Chamber. This sucks today, when I hear some people say, Must bow down & pray to the only god they know. Can I be saved from the sins of modern day. Here comes the plate and I laugh my way back home. It’s part of the game It’s only the line they hand you. I’m feelin’ no pain I know what the power can do. On top of the day and I make some little pay. Word is I should stay and I head for Mexico. It’s part of the game It’s only the line they hand you. I’m feelin’ no pain I know what the power can do. I’m walkin’ away I’ll get where I’ve got to. Get outta’ the way, Power’s gonna’ drive on straight through. Bust in the city and it makes them feel ok They’re friendly with me and I never lose control. Listen they say, well I got to go there way, All they know is rape, bye bye I got to go. I’m walkin’ away I’ll get where I’ve got to. Get outta’ the way, Power’s gonna’ drive on straight through. It’s part of the game It’s only the line they hand you. I’m feelin’ no pain I know what the power can do. I’m walkin’ away I’ll get where I’ve got to. Get outta’ the way, Power’s gonna’ drive on straight through. – Copyright BMI/ Rock Dog Records Already a fast moving riff laden song, Gerry decided to put us to the test and turn it up a notch. Somehow we manage to keep it tight, I guess we were pretty comfortable with this one by then. On top of that, the cameraman manages to lose part of the intro and just about all of the first verse, but I guess we can just pretend this is our radio edit. (Thanks anyway, Tom Martin, or we’d have no video from The Chamber at all) The boys are all here, We’re ready to go. We’ve lasted all day, We’ve lasted all week you know. Rock dogs are howling for a fight. I know ‘cause THE WEEKEND STARTS TONIGHT. We’ve taken a vow, There’s one place to turn. The trial is over, the bosses will burn! One more helps me get over the fright. I know ‘cause THE WEEKEND STARTS TONIGHT. – Copyright BMI/ Rock Dog Records A live version of “Life Is The Real” written mostly by Robert Stuart Lowden as he transitioned from bass to 6 string electric guitar. This song made it onto the short list of songs recorded at Filippone Sound in 1984. I’ve been tryin’ dreams and No one knows fer sure Take the gold cradle and See the oil is pure. All I know is, Life is, life is the real. Keep the faith dear, Life is, life is the real. I’ve been watching friends and Making reasons why Faking smiles, buying rounds While down inside I cry. All I know is, Life is, life is the real. Try the balanced feeling dear Make the scoreboard known Make the deeper meaning clear Be, just set the tone. All I know is, Life is, life is the real. Keep the faith dear, Life is, life is the real. Here’s another listenable, album oriented pop song that comes in at under three minutes. The song “Rock Bottom” was written as Part 2 of a rock couplet. Part 1 having been the song “She’s Moving Out to L.A.” which tells the story of a talented young girl making a break from her small town life to hit the big city lights in L.A. and make a grab at stardom. “Rock Bottom” (the sequel) tells the story of what happens after she arrives. It has a classic rock feel, with a nice hook to the melody, upbeat rhythm, with a snappy intro and chorus and a slightly darker and less predictable bridge that flows nicely back into the verse. The juxtaposition of Patt’s melodic vocals against Bob’s edgy vocalizations keep it interesting. Rock bottom was the day, Felt so alone, Rock bottom was the pay. No steady gig to play, Didn’t want to know, Why dreamers had no say. She’s got the talent but you know how it goes… You know nothin’s for sure. So she’s leaving and coming home right away. You don’t even know your own face. Rock bottom was the day, Gold turned to lead. Can’t follow what they said. Listen, maybe you can think of a way. But like a fish on a lure, You may hook ‘em but may not bring ‘em to shore. You don’t even know your own name. You’ve listened to the screams, Of those who can’t recall their dreams, While everyone’s running to the exit signs. Mother’s smile with cracks in their eyes, While children say they’re craving style. You will come into your own. You don’t even know your own self. She’s got the talent but you know how it goes… You know nothin’s for sure. Now she’s leaving and coming home right away. – Copyright BMI/ Rock Dog Records Parousia breaks into Bob’s new experimental loosely-structured song “Burned Bridges” at The Chamber as the videographer decides to wander out into the party. We get to see a bit of young 80s Buffalonians and Kenmorons 😈 partying to the sounds of Parousia on a typical Friday Night. Paousia’s show is about done, but in 1986 Buffalo NY, where the bars don’t close until 4:00 am and the mantra of the young is Mark Freeland’s “Let’s Stay Up And Party ‘Til 6:00 In The Morning”, the fun is just beginning. Here the videographer (Tom) ventures into the apartment and we meet a few friends. Videographer Tom Martin is shocked to find himself on the other side of the camera. Genius or psychopathic – – you decide!
People’s Court
PEOPLE’S COURT
Lie Awake
LIE AWAKE
Northway Vermont
Power Of Will
POWER OF WILL
The Weekend Starts Tonight
An unintentionally abbreviated version of the rockin’ song “The Weekend Starts Tonight,” played loud, hard and fast. ‘Nuff said.
THE WEEKEND STARTS TONIGHT
Life Is The Real
Life Is The Real
Rock Bottom
ROCK BOTTOM
Burned Bridges
The Party Continues…
On that night my brother Barry worked the light board (what little of it there was) and John McGovern ran the sound board.
Our friend Tom Martin gave us a nice surprise when he videotaped the event and gave us a VHS copy.
Hats off to all those to helped and especially or fans and friends! You all made it an evening i’ll never forget.
If I had a lighter I would be holding it up now.
Re: Lie Awake…
I remember it was really hard not to pick up speed, I would have to consciously make an effort to play in slow motion (or so it felt). And it was a fun song to experiment with, there was a little leeway in the vibe.
Oh yeah, It was a lot of fun to play. The meter was so very important. I had to really concentrate to play the syncopated beats and not rush it. After the chorus, we pushed it a little and gave the beat a funkier groove.
Re: Lie Awake…
I’ll have to watch the video. Not very successful with the guitar dear Neil bought me for Christmas. Oh, that’s right, I have to actually practice (LOL).
Re: Lie Awake…
This was on one of your “red labeled” cassettes, wasn’t it? I wasn’t sure if I had heard it… But then I knew it word for word. Lol.
Yes, the RED labels… Red is an indication of raw energy, force, vigor, intense passion, aggression, power, courage, impulsiveness and passion. The color red has deep emotional and spiritual connotations. …but in this instance Red was the only color i had left once i ran out of the blue ones.
Lmao! Perfect! Ok then… I will consider myself to own a Parousia rarity then! 🙂
Re: Lie Awake…
When music was music played by musicians with musical instruments. Very cool guys. One of a kind band. Reminiscences of Gentle Giant, Mott the Hoople, Uriah Heep, Pink Floyd, Genesis. All great bands. Congrats!
Re: Life is the Real
very nice!
Re: Lie Awake
One of my favorite Parousia songs!