Molkie Cole, MMVI CD Review on Rock N Roll Universe

Back in the mid/late 70’s , besides bending your mind and splitting your eardrums, rock & roll music was not only intended for your ears, rock & roll was also theatrical with bands such as Alice Cooper, Jethro Tull, Genesis, Kiss, Utopia, Sensational Alex Harvey Band, ELO, & Pink Floyd (among others) leading the way. During the mid 70’s a band from the Cleveland, Ohio, area emerged on the theatrical rock scene & released one album on Janus Records. The band’s name was Molkie Cole, and after their 1977 self-titled release the band toured non-stop playing 4-5 shows a week from Atlanta to Chicago. Each show used 200 lbs. of dry ice, which the promoter at each venue supplied. Sadly by 1979 the band had gone its separate ways.

Almost 28 years later the band reunited in 2006 for a couple of sold out shows in Ohio in which they recorded for their new DVD release entitled ‘Molkie Cole – MMVI’. The 2 DVD set will be available on their website, www.molkiecole.net & the band just finished playing a few select dates in the Cleveland, OH & Buffalo, NY areas to capacity crowds.

The DVD is put together nicely as the band rocks their way through 13 tunes. The DVD starts off in black & white showing a puppet reminiscent of something off of the old ‘Uncle Floyd’ New Jersey TV show, then fades into a bit of rehearsal footage which fades into the show in full color. Drummer Tim Cole (in clown make-up) steps up to the mic and does a bit of a 70’s monologue & ends with his classic line “…So let’s rock & roll with Molkie Cole!,” to which the band enters the stage, backed by music from keyboardist, Bob Steinmetz. The band launches into a classic song from their debut album called “Sugar Boogie,” which has a happy carnival sounding keyboard rhythm running through it backed by some Sgt. Pepper biting lead guitar riffs and some backing “Doo Wop Bop Bop Ditty Doo Wop” vocals. Guitarist Phil James steps up to the mic performing lead vocals on an awesome version of The Stones' “2000 Light Years From Home” as lead guitarist, Paul Pope, shows his talents of space/slide guitar as the stage fills with bubbles, giving an almost Lawrence Welk effect. Paul Pope (complete with mime make-up and a flipped up baseball cap) charges the crowd with the familiar cry of “Hey Hey Hey Hey” during a rockin’ version of Alex Harvey’s “Midnight Moses”. The band goes back to their Janus Records release once again and performs “Its True” which is reminiscent of Alice Cooper’s “Second Coming”. Bob Steinmetz toys around with his keyboard playing hints of “We’re Off To See The Wizard” and leads into a crowd favorite called “Steel Grapes,” in which Pope re-enters the stage with a costume of grapes, looking as if he’s just stepped off the set of a ‘Fruit of the Loom’ commercial. The band has the crowd singing along with their rendition of Uriah Heep’s “Stealin’” followed by a Phil James’ acoustic number called “In Love Too Long”. The first DVD closes with a bit of a David Bowie medley (“Life on Mars” and “Lady Stardust”) before launching into a phenomenal version of Bowie’s “Moon Age Daydream” featuring more great space guitar work by Pope.

Tim Cole, donning a Bozo the Clown wig has a great harmonica/keyboard exchange with Steinmetz before leading into Molkie Cole’s “Prima Donna” which features some phenomenal guitar work and crazy faces of Paul Pope. Next up is a cover of SAHB’s “Gang Bang” where Pope finds some surprises in an inflatable doll. Steinmetz creates some barking sounds on his keyboard as Pope acoustically performs a crowd favorite from his solo career, “Dog Dance" from his “Lone Shoe” CD. The band, led by Tim Cole’s lead vocals, takes you on a magical mystery tour as they perform The Beatles “I Am The Walrus” to perfection. Molkie Cole closes the DVD with an emotional but rocking version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” complete with dry ice, bubbles, and excellent overall musicianship.

This reunion and DVD brought back a lot of memories and it was great to see them perform once again almost 30 years later. Once again the DVD will be available at www.molkiecole.net.