Scott Morgan's Powertrane is the latest in a long line of rocking rhythm and blues bands from the spiritual home of the genre, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Powertrane
was formed early in 2001, just after local legend Scott Morgan finished his
release, "Medium Rare."
When Geoff Ginsberg, president of Real O Minds Records (Philadelphia), brought
Robert Gillespie into Forty-Ounce Studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan to overdub
the guitar work on Morgan's song, "Satisfier", the chemistry
between Morgan and Gillespie was immediately apparent.
Both are seasoned veterans of Detroit's storied rock-n-roll history. Morgan, the prime soul sound of The Rationals in the 60's, went on to form the nucleus of the Sonic's Rendezvous Band (with Fred "Sonic" Smith of the MC5) in the 70's, Scots Pirates (with Scott Asheton) in the 80's, and, more recently, The Hydromatics.
In
the mid 70's, Gillespie was a charter member of the "New MC5"
with Rob Tyner; later he and Johnny Angelos teamed up to form the notorious
Torpedos. Gillespie joined with Mitch Ryder's Detroit Wheels in the
early 80's, started the Motor City Rockers (with ex-Romantic Jimmy Marinos)
in the early 90's, and then returned to work with Mitch Ryder in the mid-90's
to present.
Joining these Detroit rock-n-roll warriors are two young and talented Ann
Arbor-based musicians. Andy Frost has been playing drums with Scott Morgan's
Hydromatics lineup and previously played with the High Rollers. Brought up
on the music of these two Detroit legends, he was also influenced by Scott
Asheton. Chris Taylor has rocked many local fans as the lead guitarist of
the punk band "Mazinga"; he plays bass guitar for Powertrane.
Chris and Andy form the dynamic and energetic backbone of Powertrane. This crosstown Detroit rock-n-roll band is definitely on the rise!
This combination of young talented rockers with Detroit legendary musicians has created a unity and cohesion which has drawn out the talent and creative energy evident in this lineup.Ê
Their first show was at the Magic Bag on St. Patrick's Day 2001.Ê Under the direction of local radio personality Willy Wilson, the band has played sold-out, high-profile gigs in New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Cincinnati, not to mention Detroit and Ann Arbor.Ê They have been joined on stage by Mitch Ryder, Ron Asheton and Deniz Tek.Ê
(Currently they are in the studio laying down some new tracks and preparing for a tour of the North West and West Coast.)Ê
Powertrane is truly one of the leading straight-ahead rock bands on the Motor City scene today. Their Ann Arbor Revival CD (on Real o Mind) represents two of the high-energy sold-out shows that occurred at Ann Arbor's Blind Pig, in November 2001 and April 2002.Ê This is pure rock-n-roll energy with an electric crowd, and held in the kind of environment where rock 'n' roll should be performed and witnessed.Ê
Featuring guest musicians Deniz Tek (Radio Birdman), Ron Asheton (Stooges) and Hiawatha Bailey (Cult Heroes), this CD is a must-have for aficionados of the Motor City sound.
