February 18, 2024

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The fantastic Journey tribute band, E3C4P3 played to a packed Akron Civic Theater last night.  The band has been playing together since 1993, but took a ten year hiatus in the 2000's.  Reforming in 2008, they have been back touring the country and hitting all of Ohio's hot spots and sounding tighter than ever.

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Kicking off the show was "Only The Young" from the Vision Quest soundtrack which segued into another song from a movie, "Ask The Lonely" from Two of a Kind.  

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Lead singer Jason Kelty is the only "impersonator" in the group.  He does have an uncanny resemblance to Steve Perry, not only in looks but also vocally.  Kelty changes outfits, (and hair styles) to resemble what Perry wore in different eras of his career. Whether it be a leopard printed shirt from the Escape album, red or white tails from Raised on Radio, a stripped button down from his solo album or a Hawaiian style silk shirt from Infinity, Kelty definitely looks the part.  Meanwhile, the rest of the band wears normal stage clothes and plays note perfect versions of the songs.

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Kelty noted that they would be playing songs from every Journey album that Steve Perry was a part of.  So songs from the first three Journey albums would not be played, nor would anything released after Trial By Fire.  That seemed just fine with everyone in attendance because they wanted to hear and sing along with all the radio hits.

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And the band delivered.

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Hit after hit like, "Be Good To Yourself," "Separate Ways (World's Apart)," "Oh Sherrie," "Faithfully," "Stone In Love" and "Feeling That Way/Anytime" were all played with aplomb.

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"Don't Stop Believin'" and "Wheel In The Sky" closed out a great set by a supurb tribute band.  My only complaint is that I wish they would have added a few deeper cuts to their set.

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Right Now, a Sammy Hagar era Van Halen tribute band opened the show.  

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It was my first time seeing this band and it was great to hear Sammy era tunes played live, because most Van Halen tribute bands focus on the David Lee Roth era.

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Musically, the band sounded great.  However, the first two songs vocally sounded pretty rough.  But after the lead singers voice warmed up, things were much better for the rest of the show.

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This is a band the I look forward to seeing again.

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Photos and review by Greg Drugan

 

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