Folks who heard Fynal Tyme as Pittsburgh's self-proclaimed loudest band might be surprised at the current configuration of the group.
Final Tyme 2 features the familiar rhythm section of C.J. Swaney on bass and Brian Paulman on drums, but this time around they're joined by an acoustic guitarist, Greg Minkus, and multi-instrument percussionist, Joe Sopchak.
After the power-trio lineup of Fynal Tyme wound down last year, C.J. - a Ringgold graduate who's carried on the band's moniker since the early '80s - says he decided to work with an acoustic player as a change of pace.
"I was thinking of doing a smoky, Wednesday-night bar kind of thing, me and him."
Brian joined the project, then the guys invited Joe to set up his congas and various other percussive "toys."
"When he started playing, we said, 'We have to talk this guy into doing this with us!'" says C.J. "The only word that fits what he brings to the band is groove. It's the perfect marriage for this type of music."
This type of music, as played by Final Tyme 2, is what the band bills as radio rock: "If you listen to the radio, you're going to know these songs."
But rather than note-by-note imitations, the guys do their own take on a tune, often stretching it out if it's getting a good response.
"We've never done a song the same way twice," says C.J. (who told me he once played in a band in Germany called Funk & Clapp, with a guitar player named Harry Funk ... go figure.)
Fynal Tyme 2 also does originals, with C.J. drawing songwriting influence from his favorite performer, Elvis Costello, and Greg contributing some material.
Incidentally, neither Greg nor Joe had played in a group setting before joining Final Tyme 2, but they've fit in well with developing the band's sound. Rather than shooting for high decibels, the approach is clear music through a state-of-the-art amplification system.
"The compliment we fish for and get the most is, 'I heard everything you played and could talk to the person next to me,'" C.J. says.
Look for Final Tyme 2 on July 9 at Good Times Bar and Grille on Route 51 in Pleasant Hills, and check out the band's site for other dates this summer.
Final Tyme 2 features the familiar rhythm section of C.J. Swaney on bass and Brian Paulman on drums, but this time around they're joined by an acoustic guitarist, Greg Minkus, and multi-instrument percussionist, Joe Sopchak.
After the power-trio lineup of Fynal Tyme wound down last year, C.J. - a Ringgold graduate who's carried on the band's moniker since the early '80s - says he decided to work with an acoustic player as a change of pace.
"I was thinking of doing a smoky, Wednesday-night bar kind of thing, me and him."
Brian joined the project, then the guys invited Joe to set up his congas and various other percussive "toys."
"When he started playing, we said, 'We have to talk this guy into doing this with us!'" says C.J. "The only word that fits what he brings to the band is groove. It's the perfect marriage for this type of music."
This type of music, as played by Final Tyme 2, is what the band bills as radio rock: "If you listen to the radio, you're going to know these songs."
But rather than note-by-note imitations, the guys do their own take on a tune, often stretching it out if it's getting a good response.
"We've never done a song the same way twice," says C.J. (who told me he once played in a band in Germany called Funk & Clapp, with a guitar player named Harry Funk ... go figure.)
Fynal Tyme 2 also does originals, with C.J. drawing songwriting influence from his favorite performer, Elvis Costello, and Greg contributing some material.
Incidentally, neither Greg nor Joe had played in a group setting before joining Final Tyme 2, but they've fit in well with developing the band's sound. Rather than shooting for high decibels, the approach is clear music through a state-of-the-art amplification system.
"The compliment we fish for and get the most is, 'I heard everything you played and could talk to the person next to me,'" C.J. says.
Look for Final Tyme 2 on July 9 at Good Times Bar and Grille on Route 51 in Pleasant Hills, and check out the band's site for other dates this summer.
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