At Copper Penny, Bradford's - The Insensitives boast well-balanced sound in hot jam
The New Copper Penny is a great dinner/night club, located at 5932 S.E. 92nd and Foster in Portland.
The host of countless activities over the years, the establishment can entertain most any event. There is a ballroom/banquet room that seats 300, a poolroom with four tables; there is also a sizable card room next to a beautiful lounge area with sofas and armchairs surrounded by fish tanks.
On the far side of the building is the entrance to the restaurant, leading into a sports bar with additional dining tables. This room leads into the off-track betting and video poker room. Last but not least, is the huge nightclub with tables, chairs, sofas and a large dance floor. If you’re looking for a place that has almost everything, stop in and check it out.
The Insensitives are the host band for the Wednesday night jam at the Penny here on the east side of Portland. The Insensitives are a four-piece band comprised of Chris Pain on lead guitar; Bill Heston on keyboards; Ken Goldstein on bass; and Tim Scrivner on drums.
From the very beginning, these guys had a well-balanced sound that resonated from each performer. They cover blues, rock, metal, top-40, classics and this writer is convinced they can do country also.
When The Insensitives begin their first set, the professional talent of each player shines. Pulling off excellent guitar licks with a selective blend of effects on each song, it becomes very apparent as to how great a player Pain is on guitar. He’s played for 28 years and was lead guitar player for a band called Powerlock, performing in the ‘80s as an opening act for White Snake and Great White. His influences over the years include Joe Perry, Jimmy Page, Michael Scheneir and Pat Travers.
Pain, who also doubles as the soundman, created the perfect mix from the very beginning. The band has great drive without excess in volume; this takes experience. Each vocalist is distinctly heard, and blend especially when they go into harmonies. Many vocalists who like to sing with jam bands don’t always get this luxury, so it’s well worth checking out.
Keyboard player Heston shows all the signs of education with the keys, as well as experience (not to mention how well he sings). Heston has played keyboards for 30 years. He studied music at Mt. Hood Community College and works on three to five new songs a week. Heston’s main band is called Radiophlyer and can be found on the internet. He started playing with the Insensitives not too long ago and seems to be a great addition to the band. He has several influences from the keyboard greats such as Billy Joel and Donald Fagan and prefers to play classic rock like Chicago, Steely Dan, Styx and Allan Parsons.
Goldstein has played bass for 40 years. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he’s lived in the Portland area for many years. In that 40 years of playing, he’s influenced by many players, but no one in particular; although Jeff Beck, from the LP Blow by Blow comes to mind. He enjoys all styles of music; that explains why he sounds great on all the songs he played this night. He also plays bass with Heston in Radiophlyer.
Drummer Scrivner is from Vancouver Wash., and has played drums for 35 years. He manages his percussion talents well, is solid and in-the-pocket with Goldstein; and he doesn’t over-play. Every song he plays had a great driving beat. He’s been influenced by Styx and April Wine, Kiss, Boston and Aerosmith. His preferred styles of music are boogie-woogie, blues and rock’n’roll.
Between bass player Goldstein and drummer Scrivner, they create a great groove for every song, while backing up Pain and Heston. They definitely compliment the band. As for vocals, all four of them are great back-up, as well as lead singers.
The Insensitives is a jam band that is diversified in what they play. Listening to these guys is like hearing professionals having a great fun time. If you’re looking for a great jam that welcomes all levels of players, come on Wednesdays to the New Copper Penny.
