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Via Sahara going out with a note of thanks
A highlight for the band was opening for 3 Doors Down.
YOUNGSTOWN — It’s been a great ride, but Via Sahara is calling it quits.
The rock band — one of the most popular and long-lived in the Mahoning Valley — will end its 10-year run Saturday with a show at The Cellar in Struthers.
The reason is that drummer Matt Colla, one of the three original members, is moving to Florida.
According to Colla, the time is right. All of his family now lives in Florida, and he wants to join them.
“This has been the longest commitment I’ve had in my entire life,” he said of Via Sahara. “I can never duplicate these years, and I want to go out on top.”
Replacing Colla in order to keep the band going was never an option, said Tim McNickle, the band’s guitarist.
“We immediately ruled that out,” said McNickle. “It wouldn’t be the same. I couldn’t imagine vibing with someone else.”
Colla, McNickle and vocalist Jason Wurst are the founding members. Bassist Joe Kent and guitarist Ryan Ubry round out the quintet.
“People keep asking me ‘why are you splitting up?’ They think there’s been some drama, or ‘creative differences’,” said McNickle. “But no, it’s nothing like that.”
McNickle said he plans to take some time off and then start a new musical project.
But for now, Saturday’s show is foremost on his mind.
Via Sahara will look back on its catalog and play some older songs that haven’t been on a set list for years. It’s a way to say thanks to the fans who have followed the band since its early days.
“In the beginning, we’d see the same people at shows every weekend,” said Colla, “but people get married, have kids. ... It’s been a revolving door with new fans coming in. But we’re excited to see people from 10 years ago as well as people we just met at Vexfest.”
The bill for Saturday’s finale will include four other acts. The Kellys will actually close the show, which will give Via Sahara a chance to party with its fans.
One secret to Via Sahara’s longevity has been its all-or-nothing approach to songs. “We have different tastes musically,” said Colla. “I mean if you’d check what each of us is listening to in our cars, it would be all different. But we all agree on what we play as a group.”
McNickle confirmed that: “If all five of us don’t agree on a song, we walk away from it.”
The band released three full-length albums over the years, as well as a few EPs.
Though Via Sahara has played countless shows — including dozens each at Salty Grog’s, The Cellar and the old Plaza Cafe — neither Colla nor McNickle hesitated when asked which show was the most memorable.
“When we opened for Seether and 3 Doors Down at Beeghly Center,” said Colla. “[Thanks to that show], we know what it’s like to be a rock star. I mean there were thousands of people there. About a third of them knew of us, but the rest didn’t and treated us like we were on tour with 3 Doors Down. We had roadies carrying our equipment. I never had that feeling before and will probably never have it again.”
The band has promoter Eric Ryan to thank for that opportunity. Ryan, who owns The Cellar, recruited Via Sahara to be the opener for the 2004 concert at Youngstown State University’s Beeghly Center.
“I will thank him until my grave,” said McNickle. Ryan is now the executive director of Chevrolet Centre.
With the clock ticking down on the Via Sahara era, Colla expressed his gratitude to the fans.
He also summarized the 10 unforgettable years he spent with the band.
“It’s been a gift,” he said.