| By Scott Tady Times Staff ______________________ Oh, to be the publicist for a rock band called Moses. Think of the possibilities. You could design posters that read, “Thou Shalt Listen to Moses.” You could create an album cover that showed the band bursting through a big stone tablet at the foot of a large golden calf. You even could convince the band to do a remake of the theme from “Exodus” or the Rainmakers’ 1989 song “Let My People Go-Go.” Moses, a Butler County rock band, clearly keeps a sense of humor about its name. This is, after all, a group with a tune called “Burning Bush.” Biblical references aside, the trio actually takes its name from lead singer/guitarist Chuck Moses. The Slippery Rock resident is mighty good with his instrument, strumming up macho, hard-driving notes that recall rock ‘n’ roll’s glory years. No wonder Moses opened up a Coca-Cola Star Lake Amphitheatre show last summer for classic-rock stalwarts Journey and Foreigner. But Moses doesn’t want to be a categorized as a nostalgic band. So, the group gave its 1999 debut album a forward-looking title, “Millennium Rock.” The band’s real publicist explains the significance of the “Millennium Rock” title, which is how the band describes its sound: “It’s a sort of fusion of classic rock and alternative, only that we take it a step further by not merely repeating what has already been done with those forms of music in the past.” That said, you can hear a little Jimmy Page, a dash of Jeff Beck and a hint of Boston’s Tom Scholz in Moses’ guitar work. Vocal overdubs and echo effects abound on “Millennium Rock,” further giving the disc a retro sound. Moses strives to begin the new millennium by spreading its following. The past few months, Moses has made a foray into Beaver County. playing last month at the New Brighton bar Junction Square. Certainly, the band also would like to |
| Moses •Alburn: “Millennium Rock” • Sounds like: Classic rock • Sold at: NRM stores and Music Express stores in Beaver Falls and Ellwood City • Sample it: Call (724) 775-TIPS, Ext. 2015 • See them: The Ranch in ElI-wood City play dates on the other side of Beaver and Ohio rivers. (Presumably, Moses wouldn’t have to part the waters for his band to get there.) Moses says his earliest memory is watching the Beatles on TV. He got his first guitar at age 7, and began writing songs a decade later. He played in a variety of bands in western Pennsylvania and eastern Florida, and did studio work with Cheetah Chrome of the seminal punk-rock group the Dead Boys. Joining him in Moses is fellow Slippery Rock resident Vimala, who doesn’t use a last name. (Hey, it worked for Madonna, right?) Vimala, an Erie native, also lists the Beatles as a major inspiration. She began piano lessons at 7 and guitar lessons at 14. Vimala does some background singing on “Millennium Rock.” Moses would be wise to give her a larger vocal role, to provide some variety to the band’s sound. Rounding out Moses is drummer Kevin Franchuk of Butler. Like any rock drummer worth his sticks, Franchuk says Rush’s Neal Peart is a major influence. By day, Frahchuk is an electrician and family man (he and his wife, Jamie, have two daughters.) On weekend nights, he lives out the rock ‘n’ roll fantasy. “You’ve got to never grow old and keep playing as long as you can.” the Moses drummer says. Now, that’s a commandment. |
The music of Moses Butler County band raises its voice |
 |
| The Times/Beaver Newspaper Inc., Pennsylvania --Thursday, December 9, 1999 |
 |
| From left: Chuck Moses of Slippery Rock, Vimala of Slippery Rock, and Kevin Franchuk of Butler |
| Scott Tady can be reached at stady@calkins newspapers.com |