The Kellys look to a new direction
If you go
Who: The Kellys, opening for Zoso (Led Zeppelin tribute band)
When: Saturday
Where: Warren Community Amphitheater
Info: riverrockattheamp.com
- Place:Warren Community Amphitheatre
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321 Mahoning Ave., Warren
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
With the release of their new album, “Opus,” Warren rockers The Kellys mark the end of one phase and the beginning of another.
Delays snagged the release of “Opus” for about a year. As a result, some of the songs — “Minutes Too Late” and “Red Wine” to name a few — are familiar to fans who’ve heard them played at shows.
Guitarist Joel DeGenova left the band and was replaced by Nick Rossi about a year ago, and the album reflects that dichotomy.
The two aforementioned songs feature DeGenova on guitar, while others — “Let It Ride,” “Victory,” “Bury Me,” “Quickness” and “Tune Me In” — reflect the Rossi era.
With a foot in the past and one in the future, Moe Angelo, bassist/songwriter, sees the album as a springboard for the next stage of the band’s evolution.
Changes have taken hold and are shaping the band’s direction. Lead singer Kelly McCracken plays guitar on some songs, and there’s talk of adding keyboards into the mix.
In spite of (or perhaps because of) its dual nature, “Opus” is a very strong collection of songs that occasionally ranges into greatness. It’s also the platform that could boost the band to the next stage.
Angelo said the band is mounting a national college radio campaign with a regional tour to follow.
The quartet is also searching for licensing opportunities. They’ve done it before: The song “Up to Believe” from the previous album (2007’s “Overture”) was picked up for the opening credits sequence of the film “Frat Party,” which is still airing four to six times per month on Showtime and is available on Netflix.
In the meantime, the band is already looking ahead to its next recording.
“We’re always thinking about going back to the studio, most times even before mixing and mastering wrap up,” said Angelo. “We’ve already started work on some new stuff and can’t wait for it to develop properly and be unleashed.”
Together for eight years, The Kellys track record includes launching a festival — Rukus — which will expand exponentially this summer when it moves to downtown Youngstown. It had previously taken place at the Warren Community Amphitheater.
Angelo is also one of the founders and pillars of rukusradio.com, an Internet station specializing in independent acts.