Up N Ya Metal maniacs keepin’ it real.
When is the last time you went to see a local band and heard a good Metallica cover? Or how about Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Dream Theater, Megadeath or Pantera? The bone splitting metal mania that swept the nation in the 90’s is still alive and kickin’ ass right here on the Eastside. Usually when you see bands that play this brand of hard edged rock n’ roll they are jammin’ at either Bogarts or Annies but now you can get a knock down drag out mosh going at the local Eastside clubs.
We stopped by K.C.’s pub in Milford to catch the Up N Ya show not really knowing what to expect. In fact I don’t think anyone at K.C.’s Pub knew what to expect. We’ve heard that Up N Ya was creating a stir but knew little about the live show.
Camcorder in hand we were there for the first set. Imagine Tom Petty covered by Metallica, well that’s what it started off like. From there it got heavier and heavier and heavier. The band does a great job of taking some well known classics and re-sharpening them with a razor metal edge. Most bands that play the harder music are covering Limp Biscuit, Breaking Benjamin and the like. That’s all right and rosie but lest not forget who made metal... Black Sabbath. The worlds first metal band.
Motley Crue first toured with the Oz man and many more metal manics would follow in their shoes. Up N Ya is following in those shoes. The boys from the Motley Crue would be proud of Up N Ya’s Crue covers too. After all when was the last time you heard a local band bust out on some Theater of Pain, let alone crank it up a notch or two?
One things for sure is the band is not shy or locked into a set list. Your welcome to shout out your requests and most likely they will heed your call. The sets run the hard rock gamut thoroughly thru and thru. They even play Guns & Roses & Pink Floyd (all juiced up) and if you dare yell out “Metallica!” you’re in for a treat. I think Up N ya has a special connection with playing the old Metallica tunes, you might even say most of the covers from more subdued bands sound like they are being covered by Metallica. Not a bad thing at all now is it. I remember when Metallica was the biggest metal band in the world, now people say it’s not even metal anymore. Whatthef*ck ever, your missing the big picture if you think Metallica isn’t metal. Megadeath and Metallica ushered in an era of massive proportions, a time when hard rock was taking over and the whole world was right there head banging in front of the stage. Chiropractors everywhere remember the tidal wave of youths that smashed and splintered vertebras in perfect time with the bass lines of these behemoth rock gods. It was an exciting time to be in the front row moshing. Up N Ya is trying to inflict a few stiff necks of their own and doing a damn good job too. Now they just need all the fans and followers of the metal era to come out and join in the mayhem.
As sad as it may seem I guess you might call it classic metal. Classic or not it’s still cool and it still rocks harder than that played out Breaking Benjamin. I think Up N Ya may have stuck the needle straight into a vein most bands have overlooked or felt it was too dated of a sound to follow. Well good for them, there are plenty of people who would rather listen to a night of awesome classic metal as opposed to a night of whining & crying “modern” metal. Me included. Besides it’s not like Up N Ya doesn’t play the new stuff, they do, but I think the older tunes are the stars of the show. Who can resist “Cowboys From Hell” when you hear it loud and live.
Up N Ya has been attracting attention from all sides. The popular local internet radio show iband live has been keeping tabs on Up N Ya and they will be doing interviews and a live show video on November 15 at 8 p.m. with Solid Six at Gators in Blanchester. You can catch a live show at K.C’s Pub on November 22nd, Bad Habitz on November 28th and December 20th. Or at Gators December 13th. We’ll have all the current show dates, songs and videos on our web site (eastsidevibe.com)
just click on Up N Ya on our home page under “Bands” tag.
You can also check out the band’s myspace, www.myspace.com/upnyamusic
There is also iband live at myspace.com/ibandlive a nice site dedicated to local music and a lot more. Don’t settle for the web version, get off your ass and get gassed at the live show. Don’t forget the DD or a cab because when your rockin’ this hard you damn sure can’t be driving after (why do you think all the rock stars are in limos).
The bands that made metal famous may be almost all gone but the spirit lives on. It’s refreshing to see bands like Up N Ya out there cranking it up loud and proud. Go check it out I guarantee you, you will never hear “Mustang Sally” nor should you ever have to.
