The Chasers
South Jersey Power Pop Giants The Chasers Reunite for First Time in 18 Years at the Blockley Pourhouse, Sat. Nov 6
A double shot reunion, as the band opens for reformed Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers
The mid-to-late 1980s may have spawned the most fertile crop of Philadelphia rock bands ever, with a wealth of major-label acts including The Hooters, John Eddie, Smash Palace, Robert Hazard, Pretty Poison, Bricklin and Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers.
One mighty pop band that Conwell helped break into the scene hailed from across the Delaware in Cherry Hill, N.J. The Chasers, considered Jersey's finest power pop act of that period, were a five-piece known for their fierce funky rhythms, melodic songs and energizing live shows. For some time, the stars seemed aligned in their favor: heavy airplay on WMMR's "Streetbeat," intense interest from BMG Records, production help from John Eddie guitarist Joe Sweeney, and a long-standing Saturday night residency at Bonnie's in Atco, N.J. that sold out week after week.
But as surely as mullet haircuts fade into receding hairlines, The Chasers never quite made it over the hump. As grunge ascended, The Chasers' brand of pop faded out of fashion, and the band called it quits in 1992. Now, the Blockley is proud to present The Chasers in their first gig in 18 years. It's a fitting homecoming, as they once held court at the Blockley when it was called the Chestnut Cabaret. There The Chasers played with the likes of k.d. lang, Happy Mondays, Webb Wilder and the Indigo Girls -- who if you can believe it opened for The Chasers, who had the bigger Philly following.
"We never lost the fire, and all of us have continued to play over the years," says Lou Carlozo, now a record producer, journalist and co-owner of Chicago's Kingsize Sound Labs (Wilco, Neko Case, Billy Bragg). "We never reunited until now because none of us are big on nostalgia. But when Tommy Conwell and the Blockley approached us, it was clear they had something different in mind. Something cool."
And so? "We're going to play like it's our major label tryout all over again," Lou says, "but we also want to have as much fun as possible and not take ourselves too seriously. We'll give the fans their money's worth and then some. We'll hold nothing back."
Here's what he means: Drummer Tony Carlozo is a cousin to Bill Haley drummer Dick Boccelli (who played on "Rock Around the Clock"), so expect maximum overdrive a la Clem Burke of Blondie. Bassist Frank Treppiedi runs the popular open-mic night at the Marlton Tavern, so he's way up to speed. The one-two guitar punch of Lou Carlozo and David Kim still runs the gamut from 12-string jangle to hard-rocking strangle. And Mark Roma remains a constant on keyboards and sax -- speaking of constant, he's also the only band member with all of his wavy hair left!
So will the colored plaid jackets, Converse All-Stars and behind-the-back guitar solos once again be unleashed? They boys won't say, but in a secret rehearsal shed somewhere in the Swamps of Jersey, they're hatching plans. They're cranking amps. The laughter and good feeling are bubbling to a frothy pop boil.
All that's missing? You. Don't worry if you don't fit into that Spandex anymore, or if you weren't even born when The Chasers graced the stage. There's no time like now to watch a bit of Philly Rock history being made.