Weekend warriors who like to dance and revisit the less-complicated days of their youth can do so this evening at Rodney's in downtown Highland, for supplying the musical soundtrack to slurping down slices will be The Ripple Band.
This writer has caught Ripple doing "that thing they do" three times during the last few weeks and, on each occasion, I left with a goofy song stuck in my head and a silly smile on my face. It's not Stravinsky folks, but it's fun.
"(Our) band plays songs from the vast history that is rock 'n' roll," said bassist Rob Joseph of why he feels Ripple has such wide appeal and the ability to please so many diverse tastes and age groups.
Banging through the five decades of rock-era hits alongside groove master Joseph is drummer Mark Bishop and guitarist Don Hiemstra. Broadening out their sound and adding pizzazz is the group's keyboardist and resident snappy dresser, Brian Piorkowski.
All four members of the Northwest Indiana-based band share in the lead and backing vocal duties. Having four distinct voices is what makes the current incarnation of the Ripple Band capable of covering so much musical ground.
So how diverse is the band's songbook? Let's review ...
Fans of sweatin' to the oldies can bring their blue suede shoes for a dance-floor workout to songs like Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode," Elvis Presley's "Little Sister," J. Frank Wilson's "Last Kiss," Spencer Davis Group's "Gimme Some Lovin'," Roy Orbison's "Pretty Woman" or one of the many early hits in the Ripple set list from The Beatles or the Rolling Stones.
Classic rockers will flashback on songs like Eddie Money's "Two Tickets To Paradise," Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here," The Doors' "L.A. Woman," Aerosmith's "Walking The Dog" or other '60s and '70s favorites by the likes of Steppenwolf, Creedence Clearwater Revival, ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, or, believe it or not, Simon & Garfunkel.
And ladies ... the retro '80s and dance hits are there for you too.
There's Semisonic, Modern English, Prince, INXS, Rick Springfield, plus a handful of more modern rock numbers by Weezer, Gin Blossoms, Fastball, Matchbox 20 and The Foo Fighters.
"When we play, we like to go out and have as much fun as we can," Joseph said. And clearly, so do the people who wind up on the band's dance floor.
The opinions expressed solely are those of the writer. He can be reached at beatboss@aol.com.
ifyougo
The Ripple Band
When: 9:30 tonight
Where: Rodney's, 2833 Highway Ave., Highland
Cost: $3 (21 and older)
FYI: (219) 923-4900
