#George Gekas

[cbjustmusic]

The Revivalists with Preservation Hall Jazz Band performing “Celebration” live at Red Rocks 2022. ______________________ Celebration Songwriters: David William Shaw, Ed Williams, Michael Girardot, Zachary Feinberg, Robert Ingraham, Paulet Howard, Andrew Stephen Campanelli and George M. Gekas 

Oh, they got married in a hurricane One vow to the other, now she's changing names Two bottles of wine bought from St. James Yeah, I know that girl With the wandering eyes, she don't feel the same

All those pretty girls Around the world are sayin' I know the score That's just not the game I'm playin'

Say all those pretty girls Around the world can see The tides are turnin' And it's not just make-believe

Do it now (Now) Ooh baby (Ooh baby) Come on and celebrate Let's go and celebrate Now (Now) Ooh baby (Ooh baby) Come on and celebrate

Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na

Everybody's talking Just talkin' talkin' talkin' shit Shoulda listened to your mother Gotta take care of your business Should've seen the signs, you know Coldcocked on the dance floor Now your only visit's conjugal But out here on the West Coast

All those pretty girls Who fall in love are sayin' I know the score That's just not the game I'm playin'

Say all those pretty girls Around the world can see The tides are turnin' And it's not just you and me

Do it now (Now) Ooh baby (Ooh baby) Come on and celebrate Let's go and celebrate Now (Now) Ooh baby (Ooh baby) Come on and celebrate

Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na

Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na

So do it now (Now) Ooh baby (Ooh baby) Come on and celebrate Let's go and celebrate Now (Now) Ooh baby (Ooh baby) Come on and celebrate

Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na

Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na

[radiomax]

Monday, June 5, 2023 8pm ET: Feature LP: The Revivalists - Pour It Out Into The Night (2023)

The Revivalists are an American rock band formed in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 2007. The eight-piece band consists of Ed Williams (pedal steel guitar, guitar), David Shaw (lead vocals), Zack Feinberg (guitar), Rob Ingraham (saxophone), George Gekas (bass guitar), Andrew Campanelli (drums and percussion), Michael Girardot (keyboards and trumpet), and Paulet “PJ” Howard (drums and…

[lyricallygames]

Behind the Lyrics: Wish I Knew You by The Revivalists

"Wish I Knew You" is a song by American rock band The Revivalists. The song was released in 2015 on the band's album "Men Amongst Mountains," and it became a hit in the United States, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Adult Alternative chart.

Lyrically, "Wish I Knew You" is a song about missed opportunities and the desire to reconnect with someone from the past. The song's chorus, "I wish I knew you when I was young / We could've got so high / Now we're here, it's been so long / Two strangers in the bright lights," speaks to the idea that time has passed and the chance for a deeper connection has been lost. The verses describe memories of the past and the desire to rekindle a lost connection.

The Revivalists are a rock band from New Orleans, Louisiana, formed in 2007. The band's sound combines elements of rock, soul, and funk, and they are known for their high-energy live performances. The band's lineup includes David Shaw (vocals), Zack Feinberg (guitar), Andrew Campanelli (drums), Ed Williams (pedal steel guitar), George Gekas (bass), Rob Ingraham (saxophone), Michael Girardot (keyboards, trumpet), and PJ Howard (percussion).

The Revivalists independently released several albums before signing with Wind-up Records in 2015. "Wish I Knew You" became a breakthrough hit for the band, and they have since continued to release critically acclaimed albums and tour extensively. In addition to their music career, the band has also been involved in philanthropic efforts, including raising money for Hurricane Katrina relief and supporting music education programs.

Follow @lyricallygames to relive memorable concerts, insights into song lyrics, and music history.

[vandalamagazine]

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Article And Photo Credit L. Paul Mann

The alt-rock powerhouse band known as The Revivalists brought their high energy concert to the Vina Robles Amphitheatre on a chilly fall night, for the second to the last show of their 2019 “Take Good Care” tour. The show opened with a twilight set by Nashville blue-eyed soul singer Anderson East. The charismatic singer has even managed to capture the romantic attention of Miranda Lambert. The singer and his accomplished band of rock-infused musicians put on a stunning opening show. East belted out original Southern-tinged soul and blues tunes while the band wailed furiously behind him. The personable singer bantered with the crowd frequently and wandered into the crowd on several occasions. The extended opening set included several covers including, Willie Nelson’s “Somebody Pick Up My Pieces” and Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer.” The crowd huddled tightly together in the cold roared with approval.

As the darkness set in around the beautiful mountainside venue and stars twinkled in the crystal clear night sky, The Revivalists sauntered onto the stage, beaming broad smiles. The eight-piece group is a powerhouse jam band fronted by animated and energetic lead singer David Shaw. In addition to Shaw, the New Orleans group includes, Zack Feinberg on guitar, Andrew Campanelli on drums, George Gekas on bass, Ed Williams playing pedal steel guitar, Rob Ingraham on saxophone, Michael Girardot on keyboards and trumpet and PJ Howard also on drums and percussion. Shaw darted about the stage, seeming to make eye contact with most everyone in the audience. Throughout the show, he would shoot into the crowd and make his way all about the venue. The band tore through a nearly two-hour high energy set that had concert-goers singing and dancing until the final encore. The setlist included many of the tracks from 2018’s “Take Good Care” album. The Revivalists opened with a selection of mostly new material, including “When I’m With You,” “You Said It All,” “You and I,” “Change,” “Oh No,” and “All My Friends.” They also ended their main set with another song from the latest album, “Celebration.” The group also played some of their older well-known tunes, including songs from the 2015 album “Men Amongst Mountains” like “It Was A Sin,” and  “Catching Fireflies.”

After an extended standing ovation in the cold late night air, the band returned for a triumphant encore that stretched to four songs including, “Soulflight” from their self-titled debut EP from 2008. The group threw in a bit of Pink Floyd while playing their song “Wish I Knew You,” and they ended the evening with a brilliant take on The Rolling Stones, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”

The Vina Robles Amphitheatre, which may be the best outdoor concert venue in California, ended its 2019 season with Grammy, Tony, and Emmy award-nominated singer, songwriter, actress, and author Sara Bareilles on October 27, marking a record-breaking season. According to Nederlander concerts, “The venue experienced its best season to date, with 93% growth in ticket sales since opening in 2013.  The venue hosted over 65,000 fans, sold more than $4 million in ticket sales and presented 12 sellout concerts at the intimate outdoor venue.  World-renowned artists such as Willie Nelson and Family, Foreigner, Sublime with Rome, Kacey Musgraves, The Avett Brothers, Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band, Los Ángeles Azules, Social Distortion and Flogging Molly, Peter Frampton with Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening, Cole Swindell and Jason Mraz were among the sellout performances.

“This was a great season for Vina Robles Amphitheatre, and I am grateful to our incredible team.  We look forward to continued growth in the future with many more successful seasons for the fans and artists,” said Paul Leatherman, general manager at Vina Robles Amphitheatre.

In its seventh year of operation, the Vina Robles Amphitheatre has become one of the largest outdoor venues for arts and entertainment in San Luis Obispo County. The boutique amphitheater is nestled on a picturesque, oak-dotted hillside in Paso Robles on California’s Central Coast.  Owned and operated by Vina Robles Vineyards & Winery, Nederlander Concerts has exclusively programmed the venue since 2014.

“We are thrilled with our partnership at the Vina Robles Amphitheatre and are committed to bringing more diversity and live entertainment to the Central Coasts’ burgeoning music scene,” said Alex Hodges, CEO of Nederlander Concerts. “The venue’s staff and atmosphere have created a unique experience for artists and guests, which results in consistent growth year over year.”

The Revivalists Wind Up They 2019 Tour in California Photo Credit L. Paul Mann Vandala Magazine

  The Revivalists Wind Up They 2019 Tour in California Article And Photo Credit L. Paul Mann The alt-rock powerhouse band known as The Revivalists brought their high energy concert to the Vina Robles Amphitheatre on a chilly fall night, for the second to the last show of their 2019 “Take Good Care” tour.

[thejoyofviolentmovement]

New Audio: New Orleans' Pocket Protection Releases A Strutting and Funky New Single

New Audio: New Orleans' Pocket Protection Releases A Strutting and Funky New Single @colorredmusic

https://soundcloud.com/colorredmusic/pocket-protection-paul-p-sure-color-red-music Pocket Protection is an instrumental groove project that features a collection of accomplished New Orleans players including — The Revivalists‘ George Gekas (bass), Ed O’Brien (EOB)‘s PJ Morton‘s, Raphael Saadiq’s and Pretty Lights touring musician Alvin Ford, Jr. (drums), Lembo‘s and Deltaphonic‘s Paul Provosty…

[themusicenthusiast]

Wednesday, March 27th, 2019 – Thoroughly Engaging and Entertaining, The Revivalists Take Good Care of Their Dallas Fans

Photos by Jordan Buford Photography A Wednesday night definitely isn’t the prime night for a concert, and for a time in the early evening it looked as if South Side Ballroom wouldn’t be too crowded, the vastness of the venue being obvious. That was early on though, about the time the lone opening act, Rayland Baxter, set things in motion around eight o’clock. As he and his band performed, droves of concertgoers continued to pack in, ready for something fun to break up the monotony of the work week, and everyone seemed to know that The Revivalists would be the cure for that. The eight-piece ensemble had returned to the road earlier in the month, continuing to tour in support of their recently released fourth studio album, Take Good Care (out via Loma Vista Recordings/Concord Music Group). With each new album The Revivalists have experienced more substantial success, this latest one being no different, spawning some of their biggest singles to date. In turn, the Take Good Care Tour had them gracing some of the largest stages they have headlined in their career, and for it they had prepared an absolutely vigorous performance. The audience reflected the diverse reach that The Revivalists’ music has, patrons ranging from their twenties to many who were middle-aged and up, all packing in as tightly as they could, consumed by excitement as they awaited their showtime. Andrew Campanelli and Paulet "PJ" Howard  took the stage as the house lights dimmed at 9:16, taking a spot behind their respective drum kits where they proceeded to knock out a heavy, steady set of beats. In a way they were almost dueling drums; and as bold a step as that is for a band to incorporate two percussionists into their sound, it never sounded like excess this night. Quite the contrary, actually, jointly further fleshing out the music and providing a richer depth to it. Howard has been a part of the group for a little more than a year now though he’s still the newest piece to the band, his addition having emboldened their already distinct sound that draws on elements of rock, soul and funk to name a few. A sound that could only be born out of the style and flare that is found in their hometown of New Orleans.

As they carried on their band mates filed out one by one, George Gekas grabbing his bass and taking his spot over on stage left where he was soon joined by pedal steel guitarist Ed Williams. To the right of the massive risers that housed the drum kits was another riser with the keyboards, Michael Girardot climbing up behind them. Each received thunderous applause as they found their way out underneath the stage lights, guitarist Zack Feinberg garnering some of the loudest yet when he appeared; while Rob Ingraham waved his saxophone in the air after grabbing it before proceeding to twirl it around in his hands. The most applause seemed to have been reserved for David Shaw, the frontman bounding out on stage with vim, raring to go; and with everyone in place they were off. The attention would largely be on Take Good Care this night, and while it has become customary for bands to open with something from their current release, The Revivalists opted for some older material. Songs they knew would instantly click with the spectators and deliver that euphoric rush that a concert is about, while also being songs they were most comfortable with and made the most of their showmanship.

Not every band can come out and completely captivate an audience from the first note, though this octet succeeded at it as Feinberg launched into the opening riff of “Criminal”. It played to the strengths of these finely tuned musicians who were in peak form from all of the touring they’ve currently been doing, allowing them to quickly find their groove both as individuals and as a unit. Performing that cut from City of Sound seemed like second nature to them. It was noticeable in the way they handled themselves; the finesse that Shaw exhibited when it came to interacting with the onlookers and building a rapport with them being inspiring. The relationship he and his band mates worked to achieve transcended the general performer/fan or creator/consumer relationship (however you wish to view it), bridging that gap by striving to make every last soul in the building feel as if they were an integral part of the show. A large runway type structure extended from the center stage, jutting out slightly into the crowd and that was where the vocalist spent a great deal of his time, making sure they were feeling it as he got out amongst them in a sense, frequently pointing the microphone towards everybody as he sprinted around.

Just in that opening number there was enough going on that it was almost overwhelming to the senses, just being so much to try to observe and take in and The Revivalists had barely begun to scratch the surface. Attention went back to Feinberg as he began to delicately pick at his axe, soon revealing the next song to be "It Was a Sin", which was met with roaring fanfare. There’s a cinematic quality to that tale of regret and remorse, the way it builds to something grand before tapering back, ultimately springing to life. Shaw continued to command the audience, giving them opportunities to sing along at various moments; while Ingraham suddenly disappeared from sight, jumping down into the pit and standing on the barricade in front of fans that had scored a spot up front. Upon finishing his part on the saxophone, he proceeded to shake as many hands as he could, further delighting the already enthralled onlookers before racing back up to the stage.

Shaw followed his lead during the smooth and infectious "You and I", the vocalist leaving the stage and interacting even more directly with the patrons. During the other times he was constantly covering the length of the stage, he and his band mates pushing one another to go bigger and bolder; and at one moment he was he even seen sneaking over behind a member of the security team, quickly tapping him on the shoulder before running off, playfully smiling once the guy looked at him. The point is for the entire band this was about having fun, and they were fully embracing that concept. One song that exemplified that the best was “Oh No”. The sax and trumpet – performed by Girardot – were featured prominently and infused the groovy number with an undeniable party vibe that made it feel like an anthem whose intent was to get everyone moving. Indeed, it did, most every soul doing whatever their version of dancing was, just cutting loose and enjoying themselves and the superb music that was so conducive of an excellent time.

They meshed it with the lead single from Take Good Care, "All My Friends" already feeling like a long-standing favorite of The Revivalists’, who tore through the funky tune with searing passion. They even embellished it some, tacking a striking instrumental outro on to it, allowing the musicians to commit themselves to their craft in a different way than had been observed up to that point, spectators staring in awe of their abilities. "All in the Family" came as a pleasant surprise, that gem from Men Amongst Mountains demonstrating the more aggressive rock style that The Revivalists’ possess; the all-out assault Feinberg unleashed in the form of his wicked guitar solo hammering home just how wonderfully chaotic they can be when they so choose. Back on the other end of the spectrum was the rich and warm "Got Love", which was easily the most accurate song of the night, the love between performers and audience being mutual.

Their 75-minute long set just flew by. That was so clearly their aspiration: to get people lost in the music and performance and they achieved it, the final song of the night coming rather abruptly. It at least felt that way, being a bit shocking to think the night was already over with. The Revivalists went out with a bang thanks to their final couple of tracks, "Wish I Knew You" wrapping it all up in a soothing yet mighty fashion. “We’ll see you again. Somewhere, somehow…” Shaw remarked as they bid everyone farewell. An encore was imminent. However, what came as a surprise was the extent of it once the band members reemerged from the wings of the stage a couple of minutes later. That encore was something of a marathon, four songs stretching on for thirty additional minutes of pure bliss, climatic moments coming at every turn.

Some of the more reserved cuts had been saved for last, Shaw taking up an acoustic guitar as he spoke of a song he had written more than a decade before. One where the idea for it just struck him and the entire thing came together within the day. “It’s about catching fireflies,” he finished, the elated crowd reacting strongly to that. "Catching Fireflies" alone took up nearly a third of the time of their encore thanks to the remarkable crescendo they added to it, steadily building it up before letting it explode for a phenomenal finish. The robustly delicate originals followed one after another before The Revivalists switched gears for the finale. The lone cover of the night, they turned to Pink Floyd’s catalog for something a bit different by their standards. There are two perspectives that can be had concerning their rendition of “Have a Cigar”. One is that it was a rather straightforward cover. The song wasn’t altered in any significant way or anything, keeping it true to form; and usually it is better when an act does something to make their version stand apart from any other, leaving their mark on it so that it’s theirs. On the other hand, all of that was mostly irrelevant, because they did such a stellar job with that classic rock tune. It brilliantly highlighted the raw musical prowess of Girardot, Feinberg, Williams, Gekas, Campanelli, Ingraham and Howard, all of whom were able to showcase a different side of themselves. Even without attempting to redefine the track they still owned it, it being topnotch in every respect, capping the evening off in a memorable fashion.

There was no question about it, The Revivalists gave everything they had in them during the upwards of two hours that they had the stage, leaving it all out there underneath those lights. While the terms “show” and “performance” are often used interchangeably (and I, too, am guilty of that at times), it’s important to remember there is a distinction between the two. What The Revivalists unleashed on South Side Ballroom this night was a performance through and through, and one that could serve as a burning example to other acts as to what they should be like as a live act.

The showmanship that they exhibited – as both individuals and a group – was absolutely amazing. There was so much charisma about them that it was impossible to not be utterly transfixed by what they doing, keeping the onlookers�� eyes on a constant move, the leading role frequently shifting amongst the eight of them. To even call The Revivalists a well-oiled machine doesn’t seem to fully justify what they are capable of. As a group they have perfected the chemistry with one another, working off one another’s energy, yet each member and their brilliant talent also stood on their own, the imperative role they played always noticeable. That impeccable musicianship did rule the performance, but not so much so that it out did the fun atmosphere they worked tirelessly to cultivate. Like all performances this one was for the fans, and that was a fact The Revivalists were keenly aware of. As was stated earlier on, they took every step necessary to make the audience feel as if they were part of what was going on while simultaneously keeping them entertained. No easy feat, though they made it look effortless.

A carefully curated set list aided them on that endeavor, each song being strategically placed so that it could further enliven patrons, kicking things up a notch from where the previous number had just left it. And even with that aspect of the show being planned out, there was still a sense of spontaneity about it that allowed the performance to feel unpredictable. Just like the dynamics that went into it. Once it was all said and done The Revivalists had succeeded in delivering just what everyone in attendance had desired. More than just an entertaining way to break up the work week, they had given their fans an experience. An experience they got lost in, all the cares of the outside world melting away as they got lost in the music, allowing themselves to enjoy every last second of it. That’s primarily what music is about, providing an escape from reality, no matter how temporary. For an act to bring that into the live setting is something, especially in the scope that was seen this night. It’s a hallmark of a legitimate group of performers.

If you haven’t seen The Revivalists, you owe it to yourself to catch a show. At the very worst these guys exemplify every great quality of what a concert experience is supposed to be. At best, they elevate it. After witnessing them, I’m quite inclined to go with the latter. 2019 will continue to be a busy year for the band, who has dates scheduled through the fall at the moment. Those include an April 6th show at Key West Amphitheater in Key West, FL; a performance at The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on April 26th; and a gig at The Fillmore in New Orleans on May 2nd. The eastern portion of the Unite States will be their focus during the summer; and on September 21st they can be seen at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO. A complete list of their upcoming events can be found HERE; and do give Take Good Care a listen via either iTUNES or GOOGLE PLAY. Set List: 1) “Criminal” 2) "It Was a Sin" 3) "You and I" 4) "When I'm with You" 5) “Oh No” 6) "All My Friends" 7) "Change" 8) "All in the Family" 9) "You Said it All" 10) "Got Love" 11) "Fade Away" 12) "Celebration" 13) "Wish I Knew You" Encore 14) "Catching Fireflies" 15) "Some People Say" 16) "Soulfight" 17) “Have a Cigar” (Pink Floyd cover)

[notionscapital]

The Gekas Loophole

On April 16th, 21-year-old Dylann Roof was allowed to purchase a 45 caliber Glock handgun from retailer Shooter’s Choice of West Columbia SC, despite his arrest, indictment, and his pending trial forfelony possession of a narcotic prescription drug. Why was this sale permitted? The FBI is taking the blame for an incomplete background check, but the purchase went through because of the gentleman pictured above, former Congressman George W. Gekas, who represented Pennsylvania’s 17th District for 20 years.

When the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act was on the House floor in 1993, Rep. Gekas (R, PA-17) introduced Amendment 390, requiring a technologically impossible “instant background check” and, if the FBI couldn’t clear the purchaser within five days (later 3 days) then the sale could go through. This “Gekas Loophole” or “default proceed sale” provision was added, the bill passed, and President Clinton signed it into law.

Today, explains the New York Times‘ Michael S. Schmidt:

“Many major gun retailers, like Walmart, will not sell a weapon if they do not have an answer from the F.B.I., because of the fear of public criticism if the gun is used in a crime. The marginal sale of one gun means little to the bottom line of a large dealer, which is not the case for smaller stores like the one that sold Mr. Roof his gun.”

So, thanks to this loophole, Dylann Roof was not inconvenienced on April 16th, and walked out of Shooter’s Choice with his new weapon. On June 17th he took it into Charleston’s  Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church and ended the lives of nine worshipers.

George W. Gekas currently practices law in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

More:

“How America Wound Up With a Gun Background Check System Built More for Speed Than Certainty,” Jennifer Mascia, The Trace

[godhelpthisgirl]

Σε μισώ και δεν το ξέρεις

Υποφέρω κι υποφέρεις

Δεν μπορώ στην αγκαλιά σου

Με μουδιάζουν τα φιλιά σου

Αν μπορούσα να ξεφύγω

Πάλι μόνος μου θα μείνω

  Βαλίτσες, κλειδιά και μυαλό στον αέρα

Βρήκα τον τρόπο να σε κάνω πέρα

Βρήκα τον τρόπο να σε κάνω πέρα

Μα όταν φυσάει η μοναξιά και σε σφαίρα  x2

  Σε μισώ και δεν στο δείχνω

Υποφέρω και στον υπνο

Δεν μπορώ στην αγκαλιά σου

Με μουδιάζουν τα φιλιά σου

Αν μπορούσα να ξεφύγω

Πάλι μόνος για να μείνω

  Βαλίτσες, κλειδιά και μυαλό στον αέρα

Βρήκα τον τρόπο να σε κάνω  πέρα

Βρήκα τον τρόπο να σε κάνω πέρα

Μα όταν φυσάει η μοναξιά και σε σφαίρα  x2