Stephen Hogan of Nightfall performs at Spillway. Photo by Pennman 3-13-2010.

Hot licks, killer set lists, screaming vocals, and solid rhythm were all in the mix this weekend at Spillway as Cave City-based Nightfall took the stage. Songs with pulsating beats, and a few slower ones thrown in here and there, kept the dance floor constantly crowded as the audience was having a non-stop good time. If you like to party hearty, you need to bring your dancing shoes and check these guys out.

Nightfall is a cover band, and their set lists really hit the spot with one classic rocker after another. Tunes such as Steppenwolf’s “Magic Carpet Ride”, Mellencamp’s “Little Pink Houses”, Bowling Green’s official party song “Mustang Sally”, Bryan Adams’ “Run To You”, Skynard’s “The Breeze”, and Steve Earle’s “Copperhead Road” (I think you’re getting the idea) get people up and keep them up on the floor. A Nightfall show is just one big, down-home Kentucky-style party. So there are many more upbeat tunes where these came from.

Lead singer Mike Richardson has some set of pipes, and can howl and scream with the best of them. He’s also a natural front man in both the looks and attitude departments. Lead guitarist/vocalist Steve Jewell provides those hot licks and also sings a fair share of lead as well as backing vocals. Rhythm guitarist Stephen Hogan really fills out the sound with his rich-sounding, hollow body electric guitar. And the rhythm section of 5-string bassist Jonathan Hughes and drummer Troy Shane is both solid and prominent, as evidenced by all that dancing. All the ingredients were present for a rockin’ good time. The place was packed both nights this weekend, and by now you shouldn’t be wondering why.

You can get more info and hear some of their music on http://www.myspace.com/nightfallscoming.  I will say that MySpace doesn’t really do justice to the performances, as good as they are, so I guess you’ll just have to take my word for it and experience it live for yourself. Their calendar lists lots of upcoming Bowling Green shows, so if they sound like your kind of band, go check it out and get to one of those shows. If you want to rock, you won’t be disappointed. 

About the author: Pennman bought his first 45 at age nine and has been hooked on rock ever since. He has spent much of his disposable income on music, especially live performances. He writes reviews of the shows he sees and keeps a keen lookout for upcoming shows in or near Bowling Green. He has a BA in Communications, specializing in journalism, and has dabbled in music himself, both as a player and instructor. Find more of Pennman’s work at www.associatedcontent.com/user/165511/pennman.html or visit him at www.myspace.com/pennman_bg or www.facebook.com/pennman