By Matt Snyder
SHENANGO VALLEY — After a decade-long break, Psycho Cafe is back together – however accidentally – under the name Sonic Age.
Sonic Age had most of the same band members, but when guitarist Dave Dimoff stepped out and was replaced by former Psycho Cafe man Mike Fonce, the circle was complete.
“We were Psycho Cafe back in ’94, and we all kind of went our separate ways, and we came back together after ’03,” said Joe Albanese, vocalist.
After Fonce returned, the musicians realized they were the same band from 10 years ago, but decided to keep the name change, “because people might expect us to play the old stuff.”
Their music has changed, and Albanese said they have also released a new compact disc, “Monster Inside.” Their CD release bash is Saturday in Drunken Jack’s in Boardman, Ohio.
“It’s basically rock ’n’ roll,” Albanese said. “I can’t really describe it as anything. It’s good rock ’n’ roll, it’s catchy hooks, and there’s some real good songs on there, I think.”
The band has two of its songs available to hear online at www.myspace.com/gotsonic, and more band information can be found at www.sonicage.net.
Albanese says the band’s music has changed and matured. In the old days, he said, they tried to fit as much as they could into every song but they’re learning to be pickier and trying to not be complicated for the sake of complicated.
The CD compiles work they did with Dave Dimoff and Mike Fonce, and Albanese said two distinct sounds come out on the album, but nothing in one particular style.
“There’s a newer rock ’n’ roll song, an older ’70s song, and at least one really fast and heavy song on there,” he said.
Expect some original songs from the CD at Drunkin’ Jacks on Saturday, but also expect to hear some cover music. “We play a lot of good ’70s or ’80s dance rock,” Albanese said.
Besides Albanese and Fonce, the band features Eric Vasbinder on drums and Steve Dunch playing bass.
