Last Friday, I took a drive up to the Queens section of the Big Apple to catch an eclectic musical offering by Mark "M.E." Edwards (of heavy metal "Overlorde" and Joe Caravella (of power-pop rock "Late Model Jesus")

   I've known Mark for years and seen him perform many times with Overlorde, but It had been some time since I'd last seen him. Overlorde, though still officially together, is finding it difficult to get new material together with two of it's members living down south. I know there are a lot of fans waiting for a follow up to the tremendous "Return of the Snow Giant" album.

   I got up there early, to hang a little with Mark and help load the equipment. We grabbed a couple slices of pizza before picking up Joe and heading to the venue.

   The Parkside Pub is a small place, but clean and with a classic pub decor, nestled in a row of shops. Thanks to bartender Howard Haider, a metal fan, for bringing M.E. in for a rare solo performance.

   Joe Caravella opened the show, performing on acoustic guitar. Joe is not a heavy metal artist, but the head of power-pop "Late Model Jesus", a band whose name spawned from a conversation with a drunk a**hole (interesting story, ask Joe about that and their new album title) . Joe's powerful, soulful voice, backed by foot stomping guitar rhythms got my attention. Much of his set was comprised of songs from Late Model Jesus' forthcoming album "Pizza Train", interspersed with pop-rock covers like Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love" and a daring acoustic "Runaway" by Bon Jovi. One of Joe's songs that especially caught my ear was "Prize", and this headbanger will definitely be venturing into the power-pop and riding the "Pizza Train" when it leaves the station later this year.

   Mark Edwards opened his set with one of my favorites "Big Red Pumper" from his solo release "G.W.A." (Guitar With Attitude). Mark rocks his trademark flying v backed by programmed drums and bass for the sound of a full band. If you've never heard M.E.'s solo works, they're hard rockin, sometimes laid back, and aways fun. He rocked on with "Lunch Break Boogie", his classic "Summer Cruisin" and more before pulling out all the stops for his rendition of Satriani's "Ice-9", running off stage to give the crowd a close-up of his technical prowess. (Be sure to check out the concert photos)

   The third act of the show was a special treat featuring Mark Edwards on guitar and Joe Caravella singing (and rockin the tamborine as I've never seen before, at one point dislocating his thumb!) They performed a variety of classic rock covers by artists such as Clapton, ZZ Top, and Marshall Tucker Band. Mark and Joe had great chemistry on stage, they obviously had a lot of fun together and we had a blast watching them perform. Paul LaPlaca, who has played with the likes of Chris Caffery, October Thorns and Zandelle also filled vocal duties while Mark jammed some Dio and U.F.O. At one point Joe, Mark, Paul, and special guest vocalist "Erin" were all on stage rockin the Parkside Pub.

   You can check out Joe Caravella and Late Model Jesus at: www.reverbnation.com/latemodeljesus

and Mark Edwards at www.meflyingv.com and Overlorde at www.Overlorde.com

                                                       Metal err... and Power-Pop On!

                                                                                                              -----Karl