Images: Jesse Pino, Mercy Music, No Red Alice, Brock Frabbiele, Bobby Meader Music February 23, 2013 at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Feb. 23 was a night for Stripped Down Session alums as Jesse Pino, Mercy Music (Brendan Scholz from Deadhand), No Red Alice (Sal Giordano from TheCore.), Brock Frabbiele (also of TheCore.) and Bobby Meader Music packed Backstage Bar and Billiards with friends and family, celebrating the releases of Pino’s The Burn EP and Giordano’s .well-thy. demo.

This was our first show at Backstage Bar and Billiards (aka Triple B) and we’re definitely hoping this becomes a mainstay for good shows downtown, because it’s a perfect size for mid-level bands, the sound is great, and the road case seating and plush benches make for a comfy spot. We’re even willing to forgive the fact that they have a bathroom attendant and use their TVs to air softcore animated animal porn.

Bobby Meader Music opened up the show and still new to the full-band format, things were a little rough in the beginning. But everything quickly came together and it’s easy to see the depth that the full band adds to Meader’s previously-acoustic material.

Our favorite red-bearded politico-punker, Brock Frabbiele had one of the largest crowds of the night, igniting sing-alongs with crowd favorites “Rock Bottom” and “Seize the Carp.” We know we say this a lot, but we’re constantly impressed by the mood that Brock can set in a crowd. Everyone in the room that wasn’t already friend or fan became a quick convert, edging closer to the stage.

No Red Alice was up next, with Sal plowing through songs from his now available demo. Giordano is always one to promote comradery and that was on full display, with headliner Jesse Pino joining Sal on vocals while his TheCore. bandmates Frabbiele and Chris Duggan joined in on another. Giordano was handing out free copies of his demo at his merch table, and having grabbed a copy ourselves, we encourage you to pick one up at his next show.

Mercy Music was up next, the side project of Deadhand’s Brendan Scholz. This was supposed to be an EP release show for him as well, but due to a delay in mixing/mastering, Captain of the Men of Death wasn’t out yet (it will be available at his show this Saturday with Old Man Markley at the Beauty Bar). For someone who pretty much exudes “rockstar,” his solo work is surprisingly personal and restrained. Mercy Music really allows Scholz to show off his songwriting skills, and the crowd seemed just as excited as we were to see him.

Jesse Pino and his band, which we’ve affectionately started referring to as “Jesse and the Pinos,” finished out the night, and after graciously fending off an excessively drunk flask-swigging passerby who was throwing money at him, he pushed right into “The Burn,” “Lady in Black,” “Falling” and other Pino classics. There really isn’t much to say about Pino that hasn’t been said. He’s got a voice that can silence a room, and with his knack for catchy songwriting, we’re sure there are much brighter lights in his future. But for now, we’re just thankful to count him among the best local acts in town.

-Ashleigh Thompson

Photos by Emily Matview | https://www.flickr.com/photos/holdfastnow/