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Upcoming shows

Jul 17 2009 9:00P Latitudes Cafe (Anderson) Cincinnati, Ohio
Jul 18 2009 5:00P Riverstar Cincinnati, Ohio
Jul 25 2009 9:00P Latitudes Cafe (Milford) Milford, Ohio

Eastside Vibe Review

Jammin'

Backbeat

“Just let me hear some of that rock n roll music any old way you choose it, its got a backbeat you can’t lose it, any old time you use it, got to be rock n roll music if you wanna dance with me”. Chuck Berry coined that song but the Beatles made it famous back in 1964.
When the Beatles heard a great sound they recognized it...and today Backbeat is carrying on that same tradition. The boys of Backbeat, three brothers Stevie, Jack and Zack Snyder and Patrick Helwig are collectively billed as Backbeat.
Back in England in the 60’s there was the “mods” and the “rockers” the Beatles were a little of both yet a whole lot of neither. One could say that Backbeat is a little Beatles a little Rolling Stones yet still their own thing.
Talented to say the least, this band is youth blossoming into a culmination of real music played by real musicians. Playing awesome songs from the 60’s greats, Backbeat has a musical wisdom far beyond their years. In fact, when they play the Beatles you get the feeling they were born with a rubber soul. They seem destined to be the rockers they are today. How many families have this much talent in even one member...let alone three! These boys know how to rock a gig. If they had been playing back in the day of the Partridge family they would certainly have kicked their ass and stole their daughters.
They play the past like they invented it and they even have that same jovial, whimsical, impromptu humor the Beatles are so famous for. It’s eerie! One thing is for sure, they're attracting attention just like their namesake. In fact, Geoff Emerick, ex music producer for the Beatles has made several trips to Cincy to see the band and he is as impressed as I am. These kids must have graduated from from the “home school” of rock stars program because they have the look, feel and sound of a pro player. They can switch instruments with ease and play everything perfectly, you would think think they had been on the road for decades.
Many many bands cover songs...but Backbeat brings them to life right before your eyes (and ears). They capture the essence of that mystical era in which all rock n roll since was formed in.
It’s not just playing the songs perfectly, it’s a feeling, a permeating ambience, a sticky residue that is so strong it’s like the smoke from a bonfire that gets in your clothes... it’s all around them.
Growing up with that kind of influence and talent must make these boys reel in horror at the pseudo-musicians making the grade today. After all, Backbeat takes their schooling from the rock n roll renaissannce masters and that’s their standard!
Don’t think for a minute this is a tribute band. This is a homage and these guys are stone cold creative musicians in their own right. They put together an original album titled “Story”, it’s great and it gives you the feeling another is on the way. With this kind of talent it’s inevitable. Backbeat will be coming out with more original albums soon and I’m sure the big wigs will seize upon it like a cop to a doughnut.
If it’s not broke don’t fix it...that’s how the saying goes. Backbeats got that down pat and yet they are still improving on the music.
Backbeat is a refreshing breath of clean air compared to the cover crap most bands feel compelled to play. You can catch them just about anywhere. They stay booked solid and you better get out to see them while they are still local...I smell a “Magical Mystery Tour” of their own on the way.