Norwich native reunites with band for Friday gig
By Brian Golden
Correspondent
NORWICH – Music fans in Chenango County will have the opportunity Friday to experience something that hasn’t occurred here since 1987: Jimmy Frech and the Velcros/Spider Murphy are back and ready to rock.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Frech will be joined by original members Ron Thompson and Gary LaVancher, on drums and bass guitar respectively, reuniting for a pair of shows and bringing their blend of original and classic rock ‘n’ roll back to the stage. Members of the once hugely popular Syracuse-based band, which landed a 53-date tour opening for Van Halen in 1984 and played countless Central New York club dates, are joining forces once again for two dates this weekend. On Friday, the trio will play at Beadle’s Lounge, located on Lackawanna Avenue in Norwich, and Saturday’s show will take place at Hotties, on Grant Avenue in Auburn.
“We’ve only reunited twice since we broke up in 1988,” said Frech, a Norwich native who now resides in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where he owns and operates Mental Case, a boutique custom road-case company. Mental Case’s clientele includes artists such as Eddie Van Halen, The Moody Blues, Michael Anthony, Shinedown, Rikki Rocket, Motley Crue, Joe Walsh, Taylor Swift, Poison, The Killers and many others.
As to how he first became interested in music, the now-legendary Beatles performance at the Ed Sullivan Theater in 1964 provided Frech with all the incentive he needed to pursue the guitar. “My grandmother went out and bought me my first guitar the next day,” said Frech with a chuckle. Subsequently he discovered the simplicity and showmanship of such respected artists as Chuck Berry, Johnny Winter and George Thorogood. The Beatles and John Lennon in particular also continued to inspire Frech, giving him the confidence to “sing and write my own music.” As for the music of the Velcros, Frech described it as “an evolutionary process which began with rockabilly and progressed to straight forward rock ‘n’ roll,” and added, “it’s a cross between early Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones and Chuck Berry with an AC/DC attitude.”
Rather than speak of the past, Frech is both humorous and confident about the present and future of the band. “When the band broke up, we had spent so much time on the road,” he said. “When you’re younger, you think you’re bulletproof. Now we’re older and wiser and realize we’re not even waterproof,” he said with a laugh. Yet keeping in touch through the years and making it a point to spend time together outside the band has kept the trio close. “We’re all the same as we were in our 20s, we just have more wrinkles,” he said.
There are many reasons that make this reunion so special for Frech, not least of which is that he will turn 50 years old Friday. Asked about hitting the half-century mark, he laughed and said, “I don’t know yet, I’ll let you know Saturday after the gig.” Frech said he carries many fond memories of his hometown, and benefits from the enduring friendships he’s accumulated in over 30 years of playing guitar in this area. “This is where it all started for me,” he said. “I grew up here and played with so many local musicians.”
Some may wonder why Spider Murphy has been added to the band’s name for this weekend of shows, but the answer is simple according to Frech. “Spider Murphy was, and is, the alter ego of the Velcros,” states Frech. “After the Van Halen tour, when things had slowed down, we found ourselves wanting to change direction and play some smaller venues. Due to management and contractual issues, we dreamed up Spider Murphy to try out new material, and really we just wanted to play.” Frech went on to say that it was “great that Spider Murphy ended up with a following all its own,” and he’d laugh when fans came up to him asking if he’d ever heard of the Velcros.
“I’m looking forward to seeing people that I haven’t seen in years,” Frech said. “When you’re a local band and people support you, it’s great. That’s what makes it all worth it.”
Jimmy Frech and the Velcros/Spider Murphy will be performing Friday at Beadle’s Lounge in Norwich, starting at 9 p.m. For more information, contact Gary or Merrie Beadle at 334-8706.
Correspondent
NORWICH – Music fans in Chenango County will have the opportunity Friday to experience something that hasn’t occurred here since 1987: Jimmy Frech and the Velcros/Spider Murphy are back and ready to rock.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Frech will be joined by original members Ron Thompson and Gary LaVancher, on drums and bass guitar respectively, reuniting for a pair of shows and bringing their blend of original and classic rock ‘n’ roll back to the stage. Members of the once hugely popular Syracuse-based band, which landed a 53-date tour opening for Van Halen in 1984 and played countless Central New York club dates, are joining forces once again for two dates this weekend. On Friday, the trio will play at Beadle’s Lounge, located on Lackawanna Avenue in Norwich, and Saturday’s show will take place at Hotties, on Grant Avenue in Auburn.
“We’ve only reunited twice since we broke up in 1988,” said Frech, a Norwich native who now resides in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where he owns and operates Mental Case, a boutique custom road-case company. Mental Case’s clientele includes artists such as Eddie Van Halen, The Moody Blues, Michael Anthony, Shinedown, Rikki Rocket, Motley Crue, Joe Walsh, Taylor Swift, Poison, The Killers and many others.
As to how he first became interested in music, the now-legendary Beatles performance at the Ed Sullivan Theater in 1964 provided Frech with all the incentive he needed to pursue the guitar. “My grandmother went out and bought me my first guitar the next day,” said Frech with a chuckle. Subsequently he discovered the simplicity and showmanship of such respected artists as Chuck Berry, Johnny Winter and George Thorogood. The Beatles and John Lennon in particular also continued to inspire Frech, giving him the confidence to “sing and write my own music.” As for the music of the Velcros, Frech described it as “an evolutionary process which began with rockabilly and progressed to straight forward rock ‘n’ roll,” and added, “it’s a cross between early Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones and Chuck Berry with an AC/DC attitude.”
Rather than speak of the past, Frech is both humorous and confident about the present and future of the band. “When the band broke up, we had spent so much time on the road,” he said. “When you’re younger, you think you’re bulletproof. Now we’re older and wiser and realize we’re not even waterproof,” he said with a laugh. Yet keeping in touch through the years and making it a point to spend time together outside the band has kept the trio close. “We’re all the same as we were in our 20s, we just have more wrinkles,” he said.
There are many reasons that make this reunion so special for Frech, not least of which is that he will turn 50 years old Friday. Asked about hitting the half-century mark, he laughed and said, “I don’t know yet, I’ll let you know Saturday after the gig.” Frech said he carries many fond memories of his hometown, and benefits from the enduring friendships he’s accumulated in over 30 years of playing guitar in this area. “This is where it all started for me,” he said. “I grew up here and played with so many local musicians.”
Some may wonder why Spider Murphy has been added to the band’s name for this weekend of shows, but the answer is simple according to Frech. “Spider Murphy was, and is, the alter ego of the Velcros,” states Frech. “After the Van Halen tour, when things had slowed down, we found ourselves wanting to change direction and play some smaller venues. Due to management and contractual issues, we dreamed up Spider Murphy to try out new material, and really we just wanted to play.” Frech went on to say that it was “great that Spider Murphy ended up with a following all its own,” and he’d laugh when fans came up to him asking if he’d ever heard of the Velcros.
“I’m looking forward to seeing people that I haven’t seen in years,” Frech said. “When you’re a local band and people support you, it’s great. That’s what makes it all worth it.”
Jimmy Frech and the Velcros/Spider Murphy will be performing Friday at Beadle’s Lounge in Norwich, starting at 9 p.m. For more information, contact Gary or Merrie Beadle at 334-8706.
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