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Powertrane was formed early in 2001, just after local legend Scott Morgan finished his release, "Medium Rare." When Geoff Ginsberg, president of Real O Minds Records (Philadelphia), brought Robert Gillespie into Forty-Ounce Studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan to overdub the guitar work on Morgan's song, "Satisfier", the chemistry between Morgan and Gillespie was immediately apparent. Both are seasoned veterans of Detroit's storied rock-n-roll history. Morgan, the prime soul sound of The Rationals in the 60's, went on to form the nucleus of the Sonic's Rendezvous Band (with Fred "Sonic" Smith of the MC5) in the 70's, Scots Pirates (with Scott Asheton) in the 80's, and, more recently, The Hydromatics. In the mid 70's, Gillespie was a charter member of the "New MC5" with Rob Tyner; later he and Johnny Angelos teamed up to form the notorious Torpedos. Gillespie joined with Mitch Ryder's Detroit Wheels in the early 80's, started the Motor City Rockers (with ex-Romantic Jimmy Marinos) in the early 90's, and then returned to work with Mitch Ryder in the mid-90's to present.
Joining these Detroit rock-n-roll warriors were two young and talented Ann Arbor-based musicians. Andy Frost had been playing drums with Scott Morgan's Hydromatics lineup and previously played with the High Rollers. Brought up on the music of these two Detroit legends, he was also influenced by Scott Asheton.
Chris Taylor has rocked many local fans as the lead guitarist of the punk band "Mazinga" and he now plays guitar for "The Avatars" he plays bass guitar for Powertrane. Chris and Andy formed the dynamic and energetic backbone of Powertrane.
This combination of young talented rockers with Detroit legendary musicians created a unity and cohesion which was drawn out the talent and creative energy evident in this lineup. Their first show was at the Magic Bag on St. Patrick's Day 2001. Under the direction of local radio personality Willy Wilson, the band played sold out, high profile gigs in New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Cincinnati, not to mention Detroit and Ann Arbor. They have been joined on stage by Mitch Ryder, Ron Asheton and Deniz Tek.
Powertrane's Ann Arbor Revival CD represents two of the high energy sold out shows that occurred at Ann Arbor's Blind Pig, held in November 2001 and April 2002. This is pure rock-n-roll energy with an electric crowd, and held in the kind of environment where rock-n-roll should be performed and witnessed. Featuring guest musicians Deniz Tek, Ron Asheton, and Hiawatha Bailey, this CD is a must-have for aficionados of the Motor City sound.
In July of 2005 drummer Andy Frost was replaced by Dave Knepp. Dave has played for such notable Detroit acts as The Sights, The Singles, and the Pop Project. He is also currently playing for Battling Siki and The Expatriates.
Electrophonic Records still has a bunch of Powertrane / Sweet Justice split 7"s available for purchase! ONLY $5 postage paid for a copy of this excellent, double a-sided single. There's also an EXTREMELY LIMITED NUMBER of these babies on RED VINYL selling for $10 postage paid.
Iceman joins Powertrane for Stooges homecoming
Click PHOTO for I94 Bar - The Barman's Rant
Ron Asheton, Robert Gillespie, Deniz Tek, Chris Taylor, Scott Morgan
(Photo by Ken Shimamoto)
Recorded at the Khyber Pass, Philadephia April 20, 2002
Featuring Scott Morgan-vocal, Deniz Tek-guitar, Robert Gillespie-lead guitar, Chris "Box" Taylor-bass and Andy Frost-drums. This is a Rob Tyner/Robert Gillespie composition.Gillespie also plays in Mitch Ryder's band and half an hour before he got on stage here he had just done a set with Mitch a 30 minute drive away. How's that for dedication?
