By Joseph Ellsworth
Provo rock ''n'' roll fans are getting ready to stomp their feet and sing along to harmony-laden tunes geared to stir the dancing blood.
The San Diego-based band Convoy is rolling across the desert and stopping in Provo as part of their 'Back to Mono' tour. They will be teaming up with Provo''s Aberdine this Thursday night at Muse Music for an evening of live energy.
Convoy''s music is 'part power-pop, part fiery guitar rock -- a musical cartography that imagines the British Invasion touching down in Nashville only to take the first train west to Pacific Beach,' reported Slamm Magazine last August.
'This is the best rock ''n'' roll band in America,' said Dave Radmacher, Aberdine guitarist and Convoy fan. 'They''re coming to Provo for one reason: the fans here are so die-hard that Convoy can''t help but come and play.'
Convoy''s last Provo concert was on July 25, 2001. The band''s musical style of three part harmonies, triple guitar and driving rhythm had the crwod jumping. According to Radmacher, the show was a huge success.
'it was one of the best shows they had ever played,' Radmacher said. 'Provo was their favorite show because of the Provo crowd.'
Muse Music is gearing up for the event and expecting a sellout crowd.'
'Normally we specialize in hosting local bands by giving them a venue to play in,' said Chuck Hamm, co-owner of Muse Music. 'But Convoy is a bigger act that has management and booking agents. The show will be more professionally organized and much bigger than usual.'
Local musician Branden Campbell is excited for the show.
'No one can go to a Convoy show and sit in the back,' Campbell said. 'They put all they''ve got into their music.'
Convoy is on the road promoting their new album 'Black Licorice' which features the hit single 'Caught Up in You'. The single has achieved significant radio play across the country, especially in the Rocky Mountains.
According to the band''s Web site the song was the most requested single on Denver''s 93.3 KTCL during the week of April 15 this year.
The band has toured extensively since it released its first album 'Pineapple' in 1999. Although Convoy initially enjoyed success with college audiences, the band has boosted its exposure and popularity by recently joining up with some major music acts on the road.
The band toured in 2001 with Better Than Ezra, Aerosmith, and Tom Petty and played shows with The White Stripes and Zwon, Billy Corgan''s new band. On July 7th of this year they''ll make their television debut on 'The Late Show with Craig Kilborn'.
Although Convoy will be playing tonight''s show on a smaller scale than it''s used to, Chuck Hamm said Provo fans are in for a unique live experience.
'This is an intimate atmosphere. The venue is designed to give fans up-close visibility, and large crowds in a smaller venue provide a higher energy show,' Hamm said.
The show starts at 8 p.m. at Muse Music.