 MUSIC Offshore Cycle Band Revs Up By Maria Danielson They look at home in "Panhead" Mike's motorcycle shop, rehearsing against a backdrop of metal motorbike parts and leather fashions. This four-piece pack performs lively "Americana" (a catchall term for every style of music from American home towns country, surfer rock, blues, etc.). With a growing repertoire of catchy, swinging originals, this is an Island band to keep eyes and ears on. They snuck up on the scene to become a familiar sound this coming summer on Circuit Ave., where they will play biweekly at the Rare Duck, monthly at Offshore Ale Co., and frequently at other various Vineyard venues. You may have heard the band featured April 1 on WMVY's "Local Music Show," hosted by DJ Shawn Taylor, who called their music "gritty and original rock, country and blues. She added: "I love 'em." Cash Meets Waits Meets Elvis Guitarist and vocalist Kent Riley writes most of their originals, an interesting mix of rockahillbilly, delta swamp, and pure driving rock & roll. His vocals smack of Johnny Cash and Tom Waits and even Elvis Presley. Kent Riley can sing. His voice is another rhythm instrument, along with Bill Healey's bass, Rusty Gordon's drums, and Tom Mahoney's guitar. Mr. Riley belts, whoops, hollers. His voice quivers. He takes it slow and low. He yelps. With his shiny scalp and long beard, he bears an uncanny resemblance to Wooly Willy, the children's toy with magnetic facial hair, a likeness driven home when the band does its rendition of "Wooly Bully." He writes lyrics about jailhouse tattoos. The group came to be known as the Offshore Cycle Band almost by default, not because of a penchant to hop on hogs and hit the open road. Mr. Riley took to spending many hours at the motorcycle shop with his own bike, eventually becoming an employee there. At "Panhead" Mike's urging, Mr. Riley agreed to perform at an open house for the motorcycle shop. He had been playing a bit with Mr. Mahoney, and his neighbor Mr. Healey for a little while. They became a band. Every name they came up with sounded stupid, and people just started referring to them as the Offshore Cycle Band. The Offshore Cycle motorcycle shop got its name because owner "Panhead" Mike used to be an offshore fisherman for years. There is no connection between the motorcycle shop and the Offshore Ale Co. in Oak Bluffs, except that the Offshore Cycle Band performs at both places regularly. The Offshore Cycle Band's next gig is Saturday, April 10, at the Offshore Ale Co. They are at Lola's on April 15 and at Rare Duck on May 7&8. For future dates, check their website:http://www.offshorecycle.com/band/venues99.htm. |
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1999 The Martha's Vineyard Times
