Large Flowerheads:
From Liverpool to Motown to Flower Power
http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/61349-large+flowerheads+liverpool+motown+flower+power
04/09/2010
By Jack Fichter
WILDWOOD - If you remember the Strawberry Alarm Clock, Shindig!, mod
clothes and flower power, then you can connect with The Large
Flowerheads, a band from Bethlehem, Pa.
They may be one of the most authentic 1960s cover bands on earth with
their four piece Ludwig drum set, Rickenbacker guitar, Farfisa organ
and an electric sitar. They look 1960s and they sure do sound like that era.
They do justice to the British invasion, Motown hits and especially
anything psychedelic.
The Large Flowerheads, named for a carton of artificial flowers they
spotted in a borrowed rehearsal space in a warehouse, are returning
for a second year to the Sensational Sixties weekend as part of a day
of concerts at Fox Park April 24 before the main event across the
street with Paul Revere and the Raiders.
Large Flowerhead's drummer Maureen "Moe" Jerant sings tunes ranging
from Linda Ronstadt to Martha Reeves. She is a powerhouse of drummer
perhaps closer in style to the Rolling Stone's Charlie Watts than
Karen Carpenter.
She refers to Large Flowerheads' bass player Dano D'Amelio as the
"King of 60's Music." Rhythm guitarist Greg Geist and lead guitarist
Billy Trexler round out the Flowerheads with more of a rock edge than pop.
The band has an entire decade of tunes to pick from with an eye for
rarities. Jerant said the band has added some interesting new songs
this year: Neil Young's "Helpless," The Rolling Stones' "Mothers
Little Helper" and "Paint It Black," replete with sitar riffs, "Can't
Explain" from The Who, a Johnny Rivers' version of "Where Have All
the Flowers Gone," and a bunch of tunes from The Animals.
Other rarities in the Large Flowerheads' set list, Manfred Mann's
"Quinn the Eskimo," and Jerry and The Pacemakers' "Ferry Across the Mersey."
Jerant, who has played Yamaha Drums for years, said the band members
suggested she get a vintage Ludwig kit for its appearance. She said
she was afraid she would destroy an older drum set with all their
travels but settled on a new vintage series from Ludwig in a "mod
orange finish."
The band's members play multiple instruments, which allows Jerant to
come out from behind the drums and sing some leads and play guitar.
Jerant takes lead vocals on "Those Were the Days" a hit for Mary
Hopkins on the Beatles' Apple Records in its earliest days.
"There is an amazing passion in each of us to play and we all could
play other music and play it well, but I think what really comes
through for this band is our passion for just playing," said Jerant.
She said she doesn't perceive the Flowerheads as a cover band playing
60's material.
"I really feel these guys dig around in their musical toolbox and
really pull out the essence of the era and the passion of the music…"
said Jerant.
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