5/2/2009: Hit Squad on Lansdowne St? A huge success!

We were very thrilled to see a billion new faces again! You folks sure know how to turn it up and burn it up! I think we can safely chalk last night up as a success.

Hit Squad bashed through almost the whole night driven by requests and a few guest star appearances. We have never heard Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" sound so good...you folks sure know how to sing loudly! We'll have to hire you all for the next Hit Squad album! We're honored to have so many of you in the band last night!

We'll be back soon!

- HAROLD    

2/22/2009: Conrats Joey!!!! You were always the God of drums!

Written by Dave Richards - Reprinted from GoErie.com:

Erie native Joe Travers, 40, scored a Grammy Award during Sunday’s pretelecast ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.


Travers drums for Zappa Plays Zappa, led by Frank Zappa’s son Dweezil. The band scored a surprise victory for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for “Peaches En Regalia,” a track from their live “Zappa Plays Zappa” CD/DVD release.

Zappa Plays Zappa beat out a high-profile list of nominees, including Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, Metallica, Nine Inch Nails and Rush.

Travers has played with Zappa plays Zappa since Dweezil Zappa started the tribute to his late father in 2006; he previously played with Dweezil’s band Z. The winning track included guest performances from guitarist Steve Vai and Frank Zappa’s former band mate Napoleon Murphy Brock.

Travers has served as “vaultmeister” for the Zappa Family Trust since 1995. He’s entrusted with preserving and cataloging Frank Zappa’s vast vault of recordings. Travers graduated from the Berklee College of Music in 1995. He has also drummed with Duran Duran, Lisa Loeb, Billy Idol, and Drake Bell during his career.

Be sure to support Dave Richards and GoErie.com!

2/15/2009 - HIT SQUAD - Valentine Show

Hey all! Thanks for the great Valentine's Day turn out at Derryfield! Lots of new songs last night. All those request! I don't know how we'd do it without all you "singas" on the dance floor.

A special thanks goes out to Scott for filling in on guitar. Wonderful job Scott!

Don't worry - We'll be back soon!

-Harold

1/31/2009 - Wildside - A vacation for Harold

Ok folks...even HAROLD deserves a vacation every once in a while. During the off-weekend I sped up to Mickees to catch a band that I'd heard could pull off Whitesnake with a smile. Me being a purple heart of the late 80's, I figured ...what's there to lose. 

Well...to put it lightly...the band Wildside was better than I could've expected. Even in the late 80's I hadn't heard a band as faithful to replicating those great tunes. A large helping of exactly the right songs from the late 80's were all pulled off like the album. You know those singer guys that get an "A" for effort but a "A-flat" for pitch and technique? Wildside's singer IS NOT one of those guys! He pulled off everything from the right pitches to the subtle technique. Truly impressive and rare in anyone's book.

So on those off nights when Hit Squad, 2nd Chance, and Purple Germs are not playing don't be surprised to find me standing at a Wildside show - Budweiser in hand, large grin, and headbanging as some of the last real New England rockers give us the opportunity to hear the bands of the late 80's loud and proud!

-HAROLD 

1/10/2009 - 2nd Chance

Happy New Year folks! Glad to see that you all decided a night with 2nd Chance was a better bet than a false alarm snow storm. We're sorta like the mailman when it comes to bad weather. I guess that makes you mailmen too! Thanks for rocking and see you soon.

-Harold

12/20/2008 - The Backstage Grille

Thanks folks for coming to the rock and roll Xmas show! Special thanks to special guests 2nd CHANCE and Wally! That's it for 2008. We'll see you next year!

12/6/2008 - Holiday Inn Taunton

Thanks Terri and Wayne for having us again! It was a rocking time as tradition held strong! Have a merry Xmas to you all ! 

- Hit squad

11/29/2008 - Backstage Grille - 2nd Chance

A great show with lots of novelty! Although Leilani had a bad cold she was still able to attack the tough stuff and sound great. A true professional!

Glad you all stayed late to see Gene Risher from Mojo jump up and help us out. Thanks Gene!

I finally got to sing as Tina Turner too although I broke the pickup in my main guitar at the end! Not to worry - I'll have my Orange Fluffy ready to go for this weekend!   

-Harold

11/26/2008 - Derryfield NH

Wow! Thanks for the great "Welcome home"! So glad to be back at The Derryfield! You folks haven't forgotten how to rock either! See youz in 2009. Have a merry Xmas & Happy New year ! !

-Hit Squad Harold

11/14/2008 - Sons of Italy

Rock and Roll People! ! ! Thanks for the great time and the hot requests. Even WE didn't know that we knew Men At Work. Hope to see you all again soon! 

-Hit Squad Harold

10/4/2008 - Backstage Grille with 2nd Chance!

10/25/2008 - Hit Squad's Spoooky show ! ! ! !

Thanks all at normandy Farms for the great hospitality! What a great SPOOKY show! The costumes were incredible! We snuck in alot of new tunes on ya - but it looks like they were the tunes you like. Have a great winter we'll see you soon.

-Hit Squad HAROLD

9/27/2008 - Backstage Grille with Hit Squad!