Dial in Global FM for some
great classic rock
By Steve Rodin
As you scan the Portland live music scene,
make sure your dial stops at Global FM. This five-piece cover band
plays a wide variety of classic rock favorites with a style and flavor
all their own. Global FM was created in early 2005 and three of the
main players are still with the band.
Fronted by two great female singers, the vocal harmonies are
pleasing to the ear. Becky Pershing has been the feature vocalist
since the group began. Pershing sings for the love of the music and
knows how to turn the most subdued crowd into a party. She will rewrite
the set list on the fly if she feels a certain song will make the
right connection with the crowd. Her natural sense of humor, timing
and love for performing means everyone has a good time and feels
like they’re part of the show. Pershing has performed with numerous
local bands like Power of 10, Gilmore's Basement, Rusty Tango and
the Eric Savage Band.
Michelle Kuepker is the primary background vocalist and plays
percussion. Singing backups and playing with The Dave Berg Band back
in the late ‘80s, she then spent years in the domestic work force.
Three years ago, she re-emerged full of on-stage energy and smiles
to spare. With her recently completed tambourine certification, she
is back and better than ever.
Steve Kuepker, Michelle’s husband, is the last of the original
members. If you are at a Global FM live show and you can't sit down
because the groove is just too tight, that's Kuepker’s bass lines.
He has played in many local bands with varying styles. His history
includes Dave Berg Band, Unplain Jane, Power of 10, Cat Jugglers
and Gilmore’s Basement.
For the first two years plus, Global FM had
a revolving door of guitarists and drummers. Then, in late 2006, Dan
Johnson joined them and has played tasty leads ever since. Johnson
grew up in California where he was known as a blues guitarist with
heavy metal influences. Then he decided to get more serious about his
craft and studied classical music. While he still loves heavy rock,
he now has a passion for acoustic and classical music as well. With
this diverse background, he is able to give every song the individual
feel it deserves.
Drummer Thomas Roberts, originally from California, began
his career at the early age 14, playing with older musicians in cover
bands throughout southern California night clubs. He was known as
a powerful, hard-hitting rock drummer with an uncanny sense of timing
and stage presence. After meeting blues guitarist Daniel Castro and
bassist Joe Fotus in the mid ‘80s, Roberts formed the band Geneva,
an original project similar to Kansas and Journey. A decade-and-a-half
ago, he moved to Oregon and began playing gospel and praise music,
before joining Global FM about three months ago.
A week back, this writer caught up to the fast-moving band
at Tigard’s Manila Express. The energy from the two leading ladies
is infectious. They had toes and fingers tapping all evening. The
dance floor was full of action and everyone was having a great time.
Whether they were belting out a ballad like Angel From Montgomery and
a jazzy version of Some Kind of Wonderful, or a great cover
of the Eagles Heartache Tonight, they always had the crowd
listening and smiling.
While much of this had to do with Global FM, some credit has
to go to Peter Louw, new owner of Manila Express, located at 12370
S.W. Main St. in Tigard. He purchased the bar about six months ago
and has made improvements to make it better than ever. Louw’s concept
is to have a great bar where locals can drop in, meet with friends,
have a good meal and hear great music. He is well on his way to achieving
that, in spite of major construction work in the area. He purchased
a classy place known for good times and music.
Kenny Lavitz has been a fixture there for many years and continues
to host an open mike and jam every other Thursday. On Fridays and
Saturdays, the Manila Express features bands like Global FM. Next
special event will be St. Paddy’s Day, with the usual specials.
The lounge has five televisions, including a 10’ HD projector.
They also feature a full array of Oregon Lottery machines and a pool
table. The lounge features over 120 different liquors and malt beverages
including eight beers on tap, four domestic and four micros. Happy
hour runs Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 and from 10 to midnight
Sunday through Thursday. It features discounts on beers, calls and
special appetizers. The regular menu features a full array of great
burgers, prime rib, sirloin steak and a fantastic chicken salad.
People get ready, there’s a train a’ comin.” That’s what people
in downtown Tigard are very aware of. Construction on the new Westside
Commuter Rail system is entering its final stages and Louw expects
that to be a very good thing for two reasons. First, all the yellow
and orange construction markers will be gone. Second, since his tavern
is located right next to the Tigard Station which will have ample
parking for the train, when service ends at 8:30, he expects to gain
a lot of off-street parking for patrons of his friendly establishment.
Once completed, Louw hopes to do a mild remodel and add a covered
deck for smokers when the law changes in January, 2009.
You can check out music schedules for Manila Express in Music
on Tap and Global FM in Bandstand as well as their website GlobalFMBand.com.
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