Page 14 THE REVERE ADVOCATE - Friday, March 15, 2019 From AC/DC to U2, the Breakaway Music Hall covers Rock & Roll and more By The Advocate dreds of fans. Breakaway will also feature W hat started as a plan to return the missing music scene to the North Shore and Greater Boston – Breakaway Music Hall in Danvers has met that goal and exceeded it. Since the heydays of the live Boston music club scene, such as the legendary Channel nightclub which held 1,500 guests to the still-running Paradise Rock Club with a capacity of 350, Breakaway has brought musical tribute acts, from the popular Bon Jovi tribute band ‘Livin’ on a Bad Name’ to country music’s ‘No Shoes Nation’ Kenny Chesney tribute band. Breakaway Music Hall owner Joe Crowley, who purchased the former Village Green restaurant and bar less than four years ago, has turned the place upside down with renovations to the kitchen and restaurant of the nightclub – moving the stage to the west side to allow for a larger capacity – along with a renovated bar. After its start as a gamble with local cover bands – such as the popular Fortune, Tangerine and Wildfire bands – Breakaway has shown that music fans also love the tribute bands that take it to the next lever with sight as well MIRROR IMAGE: Maurice “Mick Jagger” is shown on stage performing The Rolling Stones’ songbook. The Stones tribute band The Blushing Brides will be bringing their 40th anniversary tour to the Breakaway Music Hall stage on April 20. as sound, such as KISS Forever, which included costumes and makeup. The Doors Experience will return a Jim Morrison tribute to the Breakaway stage, which will also feature Livin’ on a Bad Name’s Bon Jovi lookalike. Taking the classic rock tribute to the next level or two, the world-famous The Blushing Brides – The Rolling Stones tribute band who are celebrating 40 years – will play the Music Hall on Saturday, April 20. The Who tribute band called 5:15 will play on March 29; the Aerosmith tribute fave Draw The Line will play May 6. Just last weekend, the U2 tribute band The Joshua Tree packed the club with hunnational acts, such as John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band, which is slated to play the club on Saturday, April 6, and tickets have been selling steadily, says Crowley. Country star Ayla Brown will appear on May 3. The venue has also featured Rick Derringer (“Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo”) as well as the band Boston guitarist Barry Goudreau with his new band, Engine Room. Ozzy Osbourne tribute band Ozzmosis joined Judas Priest, The Priest for a recent double metal bill that packed the music hall. According to Crowley, he’s just getting started with building the club’s rep for not just local bands, but national acts from rock and country to alternative. Crowley credits Breakaway General Manager Dan Muccio’s background in music management and his many contacts in the industry with the band bookings. “I think we’ve firmly planted the flag in Danvers as a great live club setting, and bands and their agents have been taking notice,” said Crowley. “I hope to see major national acts stop in for either an intimate club show during their major stadium tours or solo y Saint Patrick’ “Please Drive Safely!” State Representative Robert A. DeLeo acoustic shows. It’s all waitand-see.” Crowley has also planted the seeds for the local music scene by offering up the Music Hall stage for local performers to play with a professional musician, Brian Maes and his band on Tuesday Open Mic nights. Budding musicians of all ages can work on their chops by signing in at 6:30 pm and jam with the pros. “I want to give the local musicians an opportunity to play – kind of like giving back to the musical community, said Crowley. “Maybe someday they can return with their own band or as a solo act and get paid as a professional. I can say ‘I knew them when they first played at Breakaway’, he said with a smile. If fans of rock, metal, alternative grunge and country can’t see the real thing, they can come to Breakaway to see the next best thing. Judging from the packed parking lot every weekend, music fans love it. Breakaway Music Hall, 221 Newbury St., Route 1 North, Danvers, Mass. – telephone: 978-774-7270 / Hours: Tuesday–Thursday, 11 a.m. –11 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.–1 a.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.–1 a.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. / www. breakawaydanvers.com Happ s Day
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