New yr, new on-line Socorro Classes music live performance
New Mexico Tech’s Performing Arts Sequence welcomes in 2021 with Socorro Classes, stay music that includes a Socorro band on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 4 p.m. Because the pandemic nonetheless guidelines our lives, the live performance can be streamed from Macey Middle on Fb, YouTube and Twitch.
The primary live performance of the New 12 months options Wredemppshun, (pronounced “redemption”) a multi-generation group taking part in a combination of rock, folks and bluegrass.
“We needed one thing not too lengthy however nonetheless distinctive,” mentioned Dave Thomas, explaining the title. “That is straightforward to say, however you don’t get it confused with different bands.”
Thomas and Brad Billings had been members of the Vigilante Band, the legendary band of Tech graduates that performed for many years in the course of the school’s annual 49ers reunion. Thomas, a scientist of some renown, teaches at Tech and works for IRIS/PASSCAL. He performs guitar and bass.
Brad Billings works on environmental science in Albuquerque. A protracted-time member of the Vigilante Band, Brad performs quite a few varieties of percussion devices, from full kits to conga drums.
One other frequent contributor to the Vigilantes, Steve Senn lately returned to his native metropolis. He performed with the Vigilante Band on quite a few events, and performed for a number of years with the Maltby Crew, a rock band in Seattle, Washington. He performs acoustic guitar and bass guitar for Wredemppshun.
“Rooster” Ryder enjoys taking part in all varieties of acoustic guitars. When he is not doing knowledgeable car upgrades and repairs, or taking part in music, you will discover him exploring New Mexico’s wild areas.
A relative newcomer to the music scene is Susan Welch. She performs the djembe, a skin-covered goblet drum originating in West Africa. She is energetic in Socorro’s Drum Tribe, and has performed with the bands Previous Habits and the Rio Grande Riff Zone.
Rounding out the band is Matt Thomas, Dave’s son. He has performed electrical guitar with a number of bands, together with the Peter Chase band and Shamani Reggae Music of Albuqueruqe, the Mose McCormack Band of Belen and Nation’s Wine in Socorro.
When the Vigilante Band “formally” retired about 4 years in the past, Dave Thomas organized a gaggle of musicians to play as a substitute. The consequence was a stage filled with musicians they known as Uncle Dave’s Huge Band. That they had performed every year on the Capitol Bar on the Thursday night of the reunion.
Related in music style, Wredemppshun performs rock, folks and bluegrass. Whereas they play many acquainted songs, the group additionally performs songs written by Socorroans, together with one by Burt Taylor and one from the Vigilantes.
“We play songs we like,” Thomas mentioned.
The live performance is free however donations are welcome to assist defray the prices of manufacturing. A donation button is seen on the PAS web site, nmt.edu/pas, the place one can also hyperlink to the live-stream Socorro Classes and PAS live shows.
The January 16 live performance is the primary of a full line of musical occasions that PAS director Ronna Kalish has lined up for the New 12 months. Go to nmt.edu/pas or name 575-835-5688 for extra data.
