by Jamie Carter
On Sunday afternoon, June 28th at the East Carondelet Community Center there was a rock & roll revival of sorts. Oldies radio station KZQZ 1430 am of Belleville brought Elvis Presley tribute artist Steve Brandes, the “Rockin’ Rebel” Everett Dean, The Hyp Noz and Perfect Image to a packed house at the Community Center.
The show opened with Perfect Image from East St Louis. Perfect Image brought down the house with their smooth, soulful harmonies and vintage choreographed moves. Performing primarily Motown hits of the 60’s and 70’s they kept the crowd moving, grooving and singing along.
The Hyp Noz from Chicago took the stage next, playing their own set as well as supporting Everett Dean and Steve Brandes. The three piece outfit (guitar, bass and drums) provided the driving beat and musical tones that would fill the afternoons show. Focusing on rockabilly and some surf music sprinkled in, the trio kept the crowd entertained.
When the “Rockin’ Rebel”, Everett Dean, got onstage the energy level in the room went up to ten. With his boyish good looks, charm, wit and charisma he won the audience over almost immediately. His performing ability and showmanship kept the crowd captivated. He is best described as a mix of the young Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis. His renditions of old rockabilly favorites and his own original tunes kept the crowd enthused.
Then it was time for the King. There was no doubt that while everyone enjoyed the other performers, most of them were there for Elvis. And Steve Brandes gave them exactly what they came for. A classic representation of a 1970’s era Elvis Presley shows. Steve seemed a natural, moving through Elvis Presley classics almost effortlessly. It never seemed forced as he captured the audiences’ attention and imagination. He provided as much of the feeling of an Elvis show possible in this type of venue. He gave himself to the audience and they gave back.
But what is it about this music, about Elvis Presley that still keeps folks of all ages coming out to hear music created over forty or fifty years ago? Andy Trippi, drummer for the Hyp Noz said, “I think it has to do with a time in peoples lives when they were young, life was simpler than it is today and this is what they listened to. The combination of the music and the visual performance brings back memories.”
When it comes to Elvis, Steve Brandes (who has been performing his Elvis Presley tribute since 1992) said, “I believe it’s the mystique of Elvis Presley. His persona. He was truly one of a kind. A talented, gifted singer and musician, who was also a tremendous performer. The costumes and the flashiness. And it’s never been the same since he died. Music seemed to drastically change after his death. Society seemed to drastically change after his death.”
While all of these artists perform and celebrate the music of a by gone era, Everett Dean is also living in the now. The “Rockin’ Rebel” (who is also from Chicago) grew up listening to old rockabilly artists like Charlie Rich, Charlie Feathers and Carl Perkins. But Dean is also trying to create his own path in music by writing, recording and performing his own original material in the rockabilly style. Dean said, “I impersonated Elvis for a while, mostly as a hobby, but some of my musician friends and band mates encouraged me to do my own thing. I’ve been very fortunate. I’ve recorded for a couple of small record labels and it’s going pretty good right now. I’ve been doing a lot of out of state shows.” Everett Dean’s self titled release is currently available on Gizmo records. As for playing in small towns like East Carondelet Dean said, “It’s really neat playing in small towns like this. Everybody is family oriented and I love that. They treat you like you’re part of the family. It’s great playing the city clubs but they don’t give you that home town feel. I love it!”
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