Next Wednesday, July 19, will be a big treat for Western New York as Buffalo’s Talas will reunite for one show at Bands at Barnard in Rochester, NY. The band will feature original Talas member Billy Sheehan (David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, The Winery Dogs) along with Phil Naro (The Platinum Rock All Stars, Peter Criss) and drummer Mark Miller with special guest guitarist Kire Najdovski.
Talas was Sheehan’s first full-time band, a power trio with Dave Constantino on guitar and Paul Varga on drums. Based out of Buffalo, NY Talas played a mix of cover songs and originals. They had a huge cult following for about 10 years throughout Canada and United States. In 1978, Talas released their debut album with the hit single, See Saw. It was during this time that Sheehan wrote Shy Boy (later re-recorded with David Lee Roth), and Addicted to that Rush (later re-recorded with Mr Big).
In 1980, Talas gained national exposure when they toured as the opening act for Van Halen, playing 30 shows. Despite the exposure, the band remained unsigned and released their LP, Talas, on Evenfall Records (reissued by Metal Blade) and then Sink Your Teeth Into That on Relativity Records.
Looking to take the band further, Sheehan reformed Talas with drummer Mark Miller, guitarist Mitch Perry (also later of Heaven), and Phil Naro, with whom Sheehan had previously worked in his side project – the Billy Sheehan Band – in the late 1970s. Talas would release only one more album, Live Speed on Ice. Perry left the band and was replaced by Johnny Angel, who played guitar with them for their 1985/86 US tour opening for Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force.
Sheehan then left to join David Lee Roth’s solo band. Talas briefly continued on under Phil Naro sans Sheehan, enlisting Jimmy Degrasso on drums, Al Pitrelli on guitar, Bruno Ravel on bass and Gary Bivona on keyboards but by this time Talas was dead and Ravel formed Danger Danger. Sheehan also auditioned for Toronto based rock band Max Webster. Sheehan was a long time friend of Max Webster singer/guitarist Kim Mitchell, who fronted Max Webster from 1973- 1981.
Wednesday’s show will be a sell-out with very few tickets left. For more info on tickets and the show, visit Bands at Barnard on Facebook or the Bands at Barnard website. Limited tickets are also available in Rochester, NY at The House of Guitars.
Opening the show will be Junkyard Fieldtrip. Gates open 5 p.m.
Hope to see you there!
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