Pat Travers Band and Cactus in one show

Newton — Two rock bands will be performing at The Newton Theatre on March 9, 2018.
PAT TRAVERS BAND
Pat Travers was born in Toronto, Canada in 1954. Inspired by such guitarists as Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, Pat began playing in bands early in his teens. While the early years were hard, they would eventually pay off in the form of improved musicianship, style, and exposure.
At age 20, Pat moved to London in hopes of achieving his dreams. Armed with a Marshall amp, a wha-wha pedal, and a few hours of studio time Pat recorded a demo that soon earned him a recording contract with Polydor. Releasing his debut album "Pat Travers" in April 1976 with Mars Cowling on bass, and Roy Dyke on drums, Pat embarked on a tour of England in support of his debut. Adorned in a red and white jumpsuit displaying the maple leaf of his native Canada, Pat increased his following of fans. Trademarks of his early shows included giving away cardboard replicas of his black Fender Telecaster, playing barefoot, and inviting audience member to play "air guitar" on stage during the show. It was with this accessibility to the fans that Pat became an invited performer to the huge Reading Festival in 1976.
Enlisting the talents of Tommy Aldridge and Pat Thrall and of course always inspirational Mars Cowling the release of "Heat In the Street" further strengthen his following. The album featured more of Pat's sometimes elaborate songs which further proved that he wasn't just a mere air headed guitar hero, but that of an accomplished composer and lyricist. Pat Thrall, a great guitarist as well, quickly rounded out the sound and provided Pat more freedom to do other things like expand his keyboard playing. Besides, Pat Thrall's influence from his fusion background provided more fuel for Pat to write from. But Pat realized the best way to hear the Pat Travers Band was to hear it live. So, understanding this the band released its first live album "Go For What You Know" in 1979.
Considered one of his best albums and a "must have" for any guitar fan, "Go For What You Know" introduced many more fans to the music of Pat Travers. Some say that it was with this release that PT garnered his largest increase of fans. Since the album received large amounts of radio airplay and with successful tours with some of the biggest bands, Pat soon found himself at the center of attention amongst aspiring guitarists. The album was one of his best seller and still sells well even many years later.
More and more Pat was being considered a guitar hero, a description he himself was less comfortable with. Expressing himself more musically and with tonality Pat prided himself in these areas more than in speed and trickery. While Pat could certainly keep up with the "fastest" guitarists of the era, his first priority was more in the music than showing off what he could do on the guitar. With this rising respect, Pat found himself on the cover of Guitar Player magazine as the feature artist in January 1980.
In 1980 his release of "Crash And Burn" proved to be an expansion of his already excellent composing skills. The songs were more intricate and used a more diverse method of song delivery. Keyboards and vocals are the true highlight of this album as Pat flexed his musicianship muscles. And while not to disappoint his fans, he still plays awesome guitars on such burners as "Snortin' Whiskey".
Travers has lived in central Florida for several years, and is now married with two children. Travers is also a Black Belt in the style of Isshin Ryu Karate, and currently trains with 10 time World Champion, Mike Reeves Sensei in Apopka, FL
The Pat Travers Band (PTB) currently consists of Pat Travers (guitars, vocals, keyboards), and Tommy Craig (drums), and David Pastorius (bass/vocals). Visit: www.pattravers.com
CACTUS
Coming off a very successful US tour and the release of its first studio album in 10 years, Black Dawn, the time has come for founding member and world renown drummer Carmine Appice to re-energize and rebuild Cactus. The band was once heralded by critics as America’s answer to Led Zeppelin.
Lead vocalist extraordinare Jimmy Kunes and harmonica wizard Randy Pratt, both of whom joined when the band re-grouped in 2006 remain in the line- up.
“Nearly five decades after I formed this band, the time has come to re- invent Cactus once again,” says Appice, who also still drums for Vanilla Fudge, The Appice Brothers, and The Platinum Rock All Stars. Adds Appice: “The music remains the same and Cactus is still a ‘hot and sweaty’ band. The level, quality and consistence of the band’s musicianship is as strong as ever.”
"I saw the original Cactus live a few times, and they absolutely killed it,” says guitarist Paul Warren. “That was one of the great bands of the era, and they are still a great band, today. I am excited, and honored, to play with such an historic band!” Warren, who has his own successful solo band, is a native of Detroit and who considers Jim McCarty as one of his biggest musical influences. “"Filling in for Jim McCarty will be a challenge. Not only is he a founding member of the band, he is a brilliant guitarist and one of the best to ever come out of Detroit. Jimmy could never be replaced. I plan to honor and pay homage to his work with Cactus while still bringing some of my own ‘Detroit attitude’ to the legendary music of this band.”
Appice announced today two new members to the legendary band’s line- up: bassist Jimmy Caputo and guitarist Paul Warren. Warren, best known as lead guitarist for Rod Stewart, Tina Turner and Joe Cocker, will be the band’s new guitarist for touring, taking over for founding member Jim McCarty.
Bassist Jimmy Caputo has worked in a myriad of national touring acts including The Appice Brothers Drum Wars show, which also includes both Carmine and his brother Vinny.
Cactus returned in 2016 with Black Dawn, a new studio album, its first in almost 10 years. Featuring the blistering riff-rock that the band built its reputation upon, Black Dawn is a classic Cactus album with a fresh new energy that the band has not had since its heyday in the early 1970s. The new line up of Cactus and the release of the Black Dawn CD helped bring strong attendance numbers to recent shows in Europe and South America.
The band has had a long and turbulent history. Formed in 1970 from the ashes of The Vanilla Fudge by Carmine Appice and Tim Bogert. the initial line up also featured McCarty and vocalist Rusty Day. (Appice and Bogert had originally planned a new band with Jeff Beck which was put off until 1973 because of Beck’s near fatal car crash in 1969). Jim McCarty had come from Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels and was playing with The Buddy Miles Express. Tim and Carmine also found vocalist Day in The Amboy Dukes with Ted Nugent. Together, the four musicians formed Cactus, named after the peyote cactus, which provided a key ingredient in mind-altering drugs.
While Cactus saw success from the start and soon built a loyal fan base, by early 1973 the band had collapsed mainly due to lack of real support from its label and the fact that Beck was now ready play with Carmine and Tim.
It would not be until 2006, three decades after the tragic death of Rusty Day that the group reformed with Pratt and Kunes to record CACTUS V and play Sweden Rock. When Tim Bogert was forced into retirement due to complications after a serious motorcycle accident, Pete Bremy joined on bass in both in Cactus and Vanilla Fudge.
Now, with Jimmy Caputo and Paul Warren onboard, Cactus embarks on a new and exciting musical journey – just as powerful as before – and bound to be just as successful, one way or another.
The historic Newton Theatre is located at 234 Spring Street in Newton, NJ. Additional information may be found at www.TheNewtonTheatre.com or by calling 973-940-NEWT.