Article from the RockPage by Jim Price (The Professor)

HOMER'S ARMY @ BURGI'S ROUNDHOUSE, ALTOONA 12/3/04

Several months after first opening, I was overdue to finally check out a band at the new Burgi's Roundhouse in Greenwood. And since it had been several months since I first saw Homer's Army, I decided to head to Burgi's Roundhouse after leaving Pellegrine's, and observe as Homer's Army practiced their musical maneuvers.

My first impressions of Burgi's - NICE room! Spacious, clean, sizable bar area, huge dance floor, comfortable atmosphere. Burgi's wasn't particularly crowded as I arrived, so I found a table in relatively close proximity to the stage, and ordered up a brew as Homer's Army was underway with their second set of the night.

The big surprise for me right off the bat was the presence of a new bass player and singer. Mike "Griff" Griffiths was singing and playing bass this night, replacing Gerry Stanek. Mike informed me later that he was taking over the bass spot in Homer's Army while his other band, the Buzz Munkys, went on indefinite hiatus at the end of the year.

As expected, Homer's Army - Griff, singers/multi-instrumentalists Tim Homerski and Keith Homerski, and drummer/singer John Homerski - were pumping out heavy doses of classic rock favorites. The three Homerski's swapped lead singing duties from song to song; Tim fronted the band on the Allman Brothers' "Ain't Wastin' Time No More," Keith sang lead on Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl," John furnished lead voice on the Doobie Brothers' "China Grove," etc. ZZ Top's "La Grange" drew some dancers onto Burgi's dance floor, and Homer's Army kept it Southern with Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Simple Man." The group continued with favorites from the Beatles, Van Morrison, Grand Funk Railroad; and finished out the set with the Hollies' "Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)" and Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run."

As I witnessed during my earlier encounter with Homer's Army during the Rockpage Jam last summer; this group was again in good form. All four members were strong on their respective instruments and vocal roles, and gelled together well into a cohesive, tight unit. Unlike their Rockpage Jam performance, though, Homer's Army didn't have to battle technical problems thus far this night.

Homer's Army soon reconvened, jumping back into the music with Grand Funk Railroad's "Footstompin' Music." Wilson Pickett's ever-popular "Mustang Sally" and the Doobie Brothers' "Long Train Runnin'" featured John on lead voice, before Tim did the honors on Black Sabbath's "Iron Man." The classics continued with The Who's "Behind Blue Eyes" and Grand Funk Railroad's "We're an American Band," leading up to Homer's Army's impressive homestretch. First, the group demonstrated their overall musicianship and vocal harmony coordination on Kansas' "Carry On Wayward Son;" leading to the finale, The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again." Here Homer's Army really proved their credentials; Tim tapped out the song's staccato keyboard riff by hand, without a sequencer. John went full Keith Moon behind the kit, blasting out the beats like there was no tomorrow, and Tim unleashed his full Roger Daltrey scream to trigger the song's homestretch. Amazing display!

Homer's Army again demonstrated that they were not only rock musicians, but rock solid musicians whose execution was tight and on the same page. New man Griff fit in well with the Homerski's; the future for this group appears bright as Griff becomes a full-time member after the holidays. The band was firing on all cylinders vocally and instrumentally, and didn't have technical problems to stymie their efforts this night. Overall this was a strong performance, offering proof that Homer's is one Army that is mobilized and moving forward with their solid arsenal of classic rock.

Executing their maneuvers, Homer's Army at Burgi's Roundhouse.

Tim Homerski of Homer's Army.

John Homerski of Homer's Army.

Again, Tim Homerski of Homer's Army.

The new guy, Mike "Griff" Griffiths of Homer's Army.

Continuing their conquest of Burgi's, Homer's Army.