Koebel returns to action with a new lineup

The band, now a trio, will mix some seldom-heard songs into its typical set list.

By GUY D’ASTOLFO

vindicator entertainment writer

Youngstown-based folk-rockers Koebel will take to the stage Friday for the first time in a while.

But it will be a streamlined version of the band, which is viewing the show at Mojo’s in Austintown as possibly the first step in a new direction.

Koebel, formed by namesake John Koebel and Joe Faletti in 2007, began when the two songwriters decided to put their music before the public. A big boost came when the two were asked to write music for the soundtrack for “Fine-Tune,” the locally-made movie by director Chris Rutushin.

That effort resulted in the song “Marie,” a video of which can be seen on the band’s myspace page (myspace.com/koebelband).

Koebel played regularly at Cedars last year, but the logistical realities of keeping a five-piece act together quickly caught up with the act, and the shows stopped.

“I loved the full band musically, and the guys are great, but it’s a lot of work and it was hard to get everyone together [to play and record] because we all have separate careers,” said John Koebel.

For now, Koebel and Faletti will continue to collaborate as songwriters. The two still play out as a duo quite a bit, and Koebel hosts some open stages in the area.

Friday’s show at Mojo’s will be a trio consisting of Koebel, Faletti and cellist Scott Burns.

“I’d like to see this kick off,” said Koebel. “We’re going to see how this show goes.”

Koebel and Faletti are known for their gritty folk sound that also reflects the classic and blues-rock influences ranging from the Beatles to the Black Crowes.

For the Mojo’s show, the trio plans to do a normal set — “A lot of the songs we do as a full band,” said Koebel — while throwing in some songs that haven’t often been heard in public. “We will work in some acoustic stuff and some covers, like ‘Eleanor Rigby,’” said Koebel.

Opening for Koebel will be singer-songwriters Trevor Quillen and Adam Jacobs.