Looking back on the history of music from the city of Buffalo there is one band that comes to the forefront and that is Talas. Fronted by Dave Constantino on guitar, the band also had a rhythm section consisting of Paul Varga on drums and the now worldly renowned Billy Sheehan on bass.
The band has been defunct for some time now but has done a few reunion shows here and there. This past Saturday may have been the biggest of them all. Playing in front of what was said to be about 10-15,000 people at the Hard Rock Café in Niagara Falls, NY. What an electric hometown atmosphere for the trio.
Opening up with maybe their biggest hit “Sink Your Teeth,” the band was ready to go from there. Besides some technical difficulties at the end of “Sink Your Teeth” (Billy’s wireless transmitter and one of Dave’s Marshall amps which were quickly resolved), there were no other flaws from the rest for the show. It didn’t really look like the band spent any time away as the old adages of “it’s like riding a bike” or “wearing an old pair of shoes.” Both couldn’t be truer as the band seemed locked and loaded through their 16 song set. Paul was smiling ear to ear and Dave delivered an efficient vocal performance. Even though Dave is a Buffalo Rock and Roll Hall of Famer (along with Billy and Paul), in the grand scale of things his talents seem to be under-appreciated. Dave played perfectly on songs like “I’m Going Home” and “Any Other Day.” Paul, Dave and Billy shared vocal duties throughout and harmonized on “Tell Me True.” What can be said about Billy that hasn’t been said already? He is everything you look for in a bass player and the guy can do it all and on top of it, he is a great showman. His signature song “Shyboy” was another highlight along with his bass solo that took the band into a local favorite song, Max Webster’s “Battle Scar.”
The boys really feeded off the energy of the crowd and we hope it’s a sign of more Talas to come! Please stay tuned for an exclusive interview with Billy and Paul that was conducted a day after he show at the Hard Rock!
Set List:
You
Most People
Thick Head
Tell Me True
Expert on Me
Never See Me Cry
Shy Boy
My Generation (The Who cover)
The Farandole
Any Other Day
See Saw
Bass solo
Battle Scar (Max Webster cover)
I’m Going Home (Ten Years After cover)/Baby Please Don’t Go (Big Joe Williams cover)/Blue Suede Shoes (Elvis Presley cover)/I’m Going Home
Encore:
I’m Your Captain (Grand Funk Railroad cover)
Stealin’ (Uriah Heep cover)
We would like to thank Carolyn Moser from the Hard Rock Café for allowing BackstageAxxess to review the show.
