Peter Case Plays Live at Larkin September 18

            Peter Case and his all-star Buffalo band will perform again in the Live at Larkin Wednesday Music Series at Larkin Square, 745 Seneca Street, Buffalo, on Wednesday, September 18, in what is becoming a fine summer tradition.

           

Peter Case, right, with Mark Winsick
Photo by Val Dunne/Barkloud Productions

            The Grammy Award-nominated Hamburg native, best known for his solo electric and acoustic music as well as membership in the Plimsouls (the classic “A Million Miles Away) and the Nerves, will be joined by Buffalo Music Hall of Fame members Mark Winsick on guitar and vocals, Jim Whitford on bass and vocals and Rob Lynch on drums and vocals. Winsick and Whitford are childhood friends of Case, who will sing, play guitar, harmonica and probably some organ.

            Leroy Townes, well-known to Live at Larkin attendees and WNY music fans, will open the show at about 5 p.m. Case’s Live at Larkin concert last summer was not only a great rock and folk show itself, but in my opinion was one of the best shows of the 2012 Buffalo concert schedule.

            It would take an entire article or so to appropriately describe Case’s musical history and influence (hell knows, I’ve written several), but, after leaving Hamburg like fellow troubadour and rather talented musician Gurf Morlix, Case played in several bands, probably the first of note the Nerves, who released several recordings, the most prominent “Hanging on the Telephone,” made a hit by Blondie (my favorite Nerves’ song is “When You Find Out”). Case found some success and renown later with the Plimsouls, including a radio and alternative hit with his song “A Million Miles Away,” featured in the movie “Valley Girl” and covered by several bands, including Buffalo‘s the Goo Goo Dolls.

            After the Plimsouls ended, Case went solo and turned from the power pop/rock sound to more folk and folk rock, in both band and solo formats. His first two albums, the first self-titled and the second “The Man with the Blue Post Modern Fragmented Neo-Traditionalist Guitar,” with great songs such as “Walk in the Woods,” “Poor Old Tom” and “Two Angels.” There are really too many excellent Case songs and albums to name, and other musicians agree, recording a tribute album of his songs, “A Case for Case,” which helped to pay for his medical bills when he had open-heart surgery but no health insurance a few years ago.

            Case’s last regular studio CD, “Wig!” was a very cool return to 1960s soul flavored rock and roll songs and rave ups, with “Words in Red” my favorite, a slightly twanging rocker on which Case calls out hypocrites who try to force the Bible down people’s throats but don’t follow much of it themselves, without mocking the actual beliefs. Case was also one of the main focuses of Tom Weber's fine 2011 documentary, "Troubadour Blues."

            People should get to the show early and maybe bring lawn chairs if last year’s heavy attendance is any indication. Let me use this opportunity to thank Seamus Gallivan and the people at Live at Larkin for not only another very good concert schedule, but creating a fine place to attend shows and see friends in a great atmosphere.