I had no idea Metro Coffeehouse and Pub was hosting an Alzheimer’s research benefit on Jan. 14 when Dean and I headed to the spot for a caffeine boost.
When we entered the establishment, we were met with a raucous full house. The atmosphere was electric with customers celebrating the end to another workweek. The bar was packed end to end with thirsty customers as the bartenders ran to and fro, creating coffee drinks and pouring cold drafts.
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I’d been up since 4 that morning. In need of a caffeine boost, I treated myself to a large iced latte.
The benefit was a star-studded evening featuring several of the area’s finest and best-known musicians. Shortly before the music began, our friends arrived and grabbed the booth behind ours. We settled ourselves in for a night of fun.
Rattlesnake Cobra Awesome opened the benefit show with a bang. Featuring John Krueger on guitar and vocals, the group began their set with Grand Funk Railroad’s “We’re an American Band.” The five-piece band brought a high-energy rock show to the Metro. Their energy was infectious. Songs on their set list included rockers “Big Shot” by Billy Joel, “Young Americans” by David Bowie, “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen and “Sister Golden Hair” by America. They revved up their set of classic rock songs with a punch, taking rock and roll to a higher, thrilling level. The crowd gathered before the stage and cheered with each song performed. I didn’t want their set to end!
The next band to take the stage was Broad Street Revival starring multiple performers from Ed Turner & Number 9. The band featured Ryan Abel on vocals, guitarist Keith Peterson and horn section members Fabio Mann, Steve Pruitt and Rob Foster. Another high-energy group, the band launched the set with Warren Zevon’s “Lawyers, Guns and Money.”
Ryan was killer on “Hollywood Nights” by Bob Seger, belting out the lyrics with his powerful vocals. Next, the horn section exploded on Bruce Springsteen’s “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out.” Those in the crowd that were not yet dancing got up and joined the throng, moving to the groove and turning the Metro into a bona fide dancehall. Other songs covered by Broad St. Revival included “Sir Duke” by Stevie Wonder, a Blood Sweat and Tears two-fer of “Vehicle” and “You Make Me So Very Happy,” as well as a hot and sultry cover of the timeless John Fogarty-penned “Proud Mary.”
Rounding out the night’s entertainment, Bodega Cat took the stage. With Will McCranie at the mic and playing guitar, the band kicked off its set with a fabulous rendition of “Little Red Corvette” by Prince. What happened next was nothing short of intoxicating. Two back-to-back originals, “The Ballad of Captain Bullfrog” and “Where Are You Now?,” were followed up by “Death Don’t Hurt Very Long” by Phish, the songs blending one into the other like an endless long-play record.
Between the sizzling guitar work, hot vocals and blistering percussion, this band delivered a groove that flowed over the room like an ocean wave. The songs segued one into the other, creating a long-form non-stop track that coaxed me into a kind of aural euphoria.
Just a bit before midnight, Dean and I reluctantly got up to head back home. Having been up for twenty hours, my energy had begun to wane. Once we left the building and stepped out onto the sidewalk, I realized my ears sounded as if they were stuffed with cotton. It had been a while since I’d been to a loud rock concert. Though my ears rang and buzzed as I walked to the car, nothing could wipe the smile from my face.
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The Metro Coffeehouse and Pub is a fixture at 1054 Broad St. in downtown Augusta. Visit it online at: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=metro%20a%20coffeehouse
Rattlesnake Cobra Awesome can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/rattlesnakecobra
Broad St. Revival’s Ryan Abel performs with local act Goin’ South as well as Ed Turner & Number 9. Follow him on his Facebook page to catch him in concert: https://www.facebook.com/ryan.abel1
Bodega Cat’s motto is that they’re the “jammiest jam band no one ever asked for.” If you’ve never heard a jam band, this would be the one to catch live in concert. Keep up with Bodega Cat at their website: https://www.bodegacatmusic.com/
In the mood for a little live entertainment this weekend? Tonight, go back to the future at 80s Underground taking place at Joe’s Underground. The party begins at 9 p.m. On Saturday night, catch Joe Stevenson at Edgar’s Above Broad. Show starts at 7 p.m. Like 90s music? Head over to Doc’s Porchside in Grovetown Saturday night for J and the Bootleggers. Show starts at 8 p.m. Also on Saturday, Bodega Cat rocks “The Little Stage that Could” at Stillwater Taproom. Show starts at 9 p.m.
Francie Klopotic is an author, artist and music aficionado living in Augusta. She writes The Night Beat column the first and third Fridays of each month.
