Last night I broke out some history. My son and I were listening to my cousin’s band from the 90’s. The band, originally named Savage Rose, transformed due to Copyright, to Wrong Side. My cousin, Tommy James (stage name) was the drummer.
I saw the band 5.5 times. Three times as Savage Rose – twice at the Stroudsburg PA Big Wheel Skating Rink and once at the Stroudsburg Sherman Theater. Then I saw them as Wrong Side 2.5 times at the Sherman Theater. Me and my friend that went with me would yell DRUM SOLO! – And would often be obliged.
How did I only see them as Wrong Side 2.5 times? The last time I saw them, they stopped in the middle of the set and the bassist packed up his Big Freakin Bass Amp (it was labeled sort of that way ) and left. I’m not sure what happened after all that, but at some point my cousin Tommy tried out for Ozzy Osborne. It took a minute, but Tommy showed me the letter he got thanking him for trying out for Ozzy along with Ozzy’s famous signature.
Eventually, the gig was up and Tommy settled down into real-estate keeping in touch with Mike Hoover jamming together and keeping in time with each other like clockwork. Tommy passed in 2018. Amazingly, with a quick search on Facebook, I found pics and some info on the band and even a link to YouTube to one of their top songs.
As my son and I were listening to the songs, my son asked:
“When is the Documentary Coming Out?”
TODAY IS THE ANSWER.
Back in the 90’s, any Hard Rock Band that was following the scene, made a Ballad telling a story in short stanzas. During that time period, the Hard Rock Ballad was a slow emotional song that was meant to be deep and personal and touch your heart.
Wrong Side
From Left to Right
Tommy James – Drums – RIP 2018
Mike Hoover – Guitar
Darin Bobie – Vocals
Vince DelSole – Guitar
Chris Langley – Bass – RIP 2016
Here is Wrong Side and their Ballad Friends and Roses:
(Pardon the air in the recording. I was using my cassette player to record the song on my iphone – yeah I know – lame but hey! It got the job done quickly and I either do not have the technology or am not aware that I have it lol to get it uploaded electronically.)
Friends & Roses (Lyrics as best I can transcribe)
I should of said wait
I should have waited to say
I should have thought twice
Three times ago
If you want to count on something
Always count on pain
Friends and Roses
They can save you now
It’s all got to work somehow
And the calm brings the storm
Brings the storm again
What happened to you
You’re what happened to me
I just want to remember
Something you wanna forget
So here comes a beginning
The beginning of the end
Always count on confusion
Always count on pain
Friends and Roses
They can save you now
It’s all got to work somehow
And the calm brings the storm
Friends and Roses
They can save you now
It’s all got to work somehow
And the calm brings the storm
The story doesn’t end there. My son picked up on a phone number on the back of one of the cassettes I have. I think it’s Mike’s because he was more or less the band leader and was involved in the merchandising. My son said, “Hey Dad. “Should we call it?”
YES!