Scott Tady: Beaver County rockers get Grimm; Beaver Falls hosts nationally touring shows

Black Sheeps, a duo featuring Beaver County natives John Beres and Dennis Whalen, have released “A Grimm Reminder,” a concept album where every track focuses on a different Brothers Grimm fairy tale.

The prologue, narrated by DJ-model Anna Koussertari in a glorious British accent, reminds us there are two sides to every story, setting the stage for eight eclectic songs attempting to justify the actions of each fairy tale's antagonist.

From the goth-pop of "Little Ash Girl" (Cinderella) to the sax-infused grunge-metal stomp of "Red Cap" (Red Riding Hood), to piano-ballad "Everything I Need" (Rapunzel), Black Sheeps songs bring a cinematic quality.

Rumpelstiltskin, Snow White and Hansel & Gretel get their tales spun, too, as earnest lyrics, sung with horror-film aplomb, get fortified from musicians like guitarist Scott Swanson of S'Wearing Hats. and percussionist Dan Lastowski who worked with Beres in hard-rock band Minister of Pain.

The narrated epilogue, again by Koussertari, casts these 1800s folk tales into a modern light, opining how society today has pushed aside commonsense to promote vanity and self-righteousness.

"It’s actually a pretty deep album that is a commentary on the world we live in," Whalen, of New Brighton, said. "How does one find Truth in everything going on around us? Political leaders, advertisers, television, the internet, newspapers ... everyone has an explanation for their actions. However, is the person and their actions morally good?"

The album's February release to major streaming platforms was celebrated with a listening party at the Cranberry Township Elks Lodge decorated in fairy tale and woodland motifs.

Whalen said he and Beres already have started working on their second album, exploring the theme of Outer Banks beach music.

"The Outer Banks do not have a musical 'style' and we are on the journey to create one," Whalen said. "Music in the area is typically sprinkled with Appalachian bluegrass and yet a Caribbean vibe also creeps in. Black Sheeps will take a drive down Highway 12, combining these styles of music, and take the listener on a musical journey."

Beaver Falls shows

Tickets remain for Beaver Valley Community Concert Association's final two shows of the season at the Beaver Falls Middle School Auditorium.

On April 2, The Suits will entertain. The nationally touring quartet fuses smooth choreography and tight harmonies with enthusiastic showmanship and audience interaction, transporting concertgoers on a journey from the '50s through the '80s. The repertoire features recognizable hits like “Oh, What A Night,” “My Girl” and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered."

Then on April 16, AJ Bisto pays tribute to country superstar Garth Brooks in a show called Key of G.

"With his voice resembling Garth and his high-energy show backed by a six-piece band, you will be tapping your toes, singing along and listening to hits like 'Ain’t Goin’ Down,' 'Rodeo' and 'The Thunder Rolls,'" BVCCA co-president Rhonda Ficca said.

Both shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available for $25, cash or check only. For questions, call Peggy McCullough, at 724-846-3203 or visit bvcommunityconcert.org

Catch Caleb Kopta

We'll have to wait until Sept. 20, but Caleb Kopta has set a Beaver County date.

Catch the on-the-rise Pittsburgh alt-rock/pop artist that night at Fermata Brewing in Ambridge, performing on the eve of the third annual Jambridge music festival.

Currently riding Artist of The Week honors from 91.3-WYEP in Pittsburgh, Kopta will perform live on WDVE-FM's Coffee House program at 9:15 a.m. March 29.

From an April 2 full-band headlining show at Pittsburgh's Club Cafe, to a May 2 afternoon solo set at Pittsburgh International Airport (by the martini bar), Kopta is poised for a breakthrough spring, supporting an original single "Outta My Head" that reminds me a bit of The Killers.

"The new music is a blend of pop and alt-rock genres," Kopta tells me. "To me it’s arena rock. I love the music of U2, Coldplay and The Killers and I think those come out a lot in these new songs. As well as some left-field genres ranging from funk pop to classic-rock influences. It’s all the things I love about music that are starting to find their way through my lens. I really love songs you can sing along to, and I think that these are anthemic songs. It’s coming out of a season in my life where I really lost direction. The one constant I’ve always had was music, it’s the one thing in my life that has always kept me grounded. When I feel lost, I can find myself there, when I’m hurting, I can heal there."

He looks forward to his Beaver County debut at the live-music-loving Fermata.

"It’s my first opportunity to play for our growing fan base in the Beaver area so it will be exciting to see the crowd that shows up," Kopta said. "Not just that but it’s also a full band gig, right around the time we’re going to be getting ready to launch the EP. Songs will be fresh, and our band will be running like a well-oiled machine so it’s definitely a show that I hope will leave people inspired and excited about the music."

Otoboke Beaver entertains Pittsburgh

Language barriers mattered precious little this past Thursday, as the crowd at sold-out Spirit music venue in Lawrenceville enjoyed Otoboke Beaver.

The all-female, Japanese quartet whipped through a set of fast, strong, loud punk-rock with periodic pop flourishes in the choruses, reflecting the influences of singer Accorinrin.

The lyrics were mostly Japanese, though no translators were necessary as Accorinrin introduced in English songs like "I Don't Want to Die Alone," a two-minute raveup with a fierce, punchy start yielding to animated vocals, jagged guitar and high-speed, hyper beats from drummer Kahokiss.

Lead guitarist Yoyoyoshie stole the show with her flashy fretwork, at one point stroking her instrument's strings with her tongue. Often smiling, she brought the night's best banter, too, acknowledging she was homesick, but somehow being in Pittsburgh, a city famed for steel, was fortifying her with strength.

Inquiring how many fans have purchased the band's last album, 2022's "Super Champon," Yoyoyoshie reminded them it's NOT called "Super Champion" as she then led the crowd in a robust singing of Queen's "We Are The Champions." (Champon is a Japanese noodle dish.)

Appealing for people to buy merch, Accorinrin noted Otoboke Beaver is not famous in its native Japan, then added with kicky defiance "but we're playing Glastonbury," the famed and prestigious English music festival that draws 200,000 annually.

With that, the band plowed back into its enchantingly chaotic set, while Accorinrin unleashed a punk-ish middle finger − again, no translator necessary.

Effectively firing up the crowd for Otoboke Beaver was Drinking Boys and Girls Choir, a South Korean punk trio, with clean hooks and hard chops. Singer-bassist Meena Bae exuded fun and enthusiasm. When she announced Drinking Boys and Girls Choir had just three songs left, some spectators made "aww" noises indicating they didn't want the band to stop. "But we're not the headliners," Meena Bae said with a warm smile, before the band ripped through those three songs in eight minutes flat.

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Tady: Beaver County music scene news to know