Go Go Gadjet bringing high-energy show to Musikfest Cafe
Perhaps no band straddles the line between band and DJ better than Go Go Gadjet. Their innovative combination of musicianship with traditional instruments and modern controllers crafts an indelible sound that’s uniquely their own and one that simply must be experienced.
The acclaimed band, which performs upwards of 120 shows a year, will begin the new year with a sold-out performance at Bethlehem’s Musikfest Café on Friday.
Go Go Gadjet is Joel Bermudez (drums), Alex Buonopane (lead vocals), Rheed (lead vocals), Pete Macartney (guitars) and Luke Anderson (bass).
In addition to having founded Go Go Gadjet, manager Jeff Tomrell continues to build upon his success from his 8,000-square-foot creative studio, Three Hive, located in Sinking Spring. Last year his tribute creation Magical Mystery Doors, which pays homage to the Beatles, Led Zeppelin and the Doors, was voted “Best Casino Show,” beating out the likes of Keith Urban, Shania Twain and Cirque du Soleil.
I recently spoke with Rheed and Pete Macartney of Go Go Gadjet and Tomrell about the band’s upcoming Musikfest Café performance, their origin and more in this new interview.
Q: Go Go Gadjet is not a typical cover/bar band. Having said that, how would you describe the band in terms of its sound?
Rheed / Pete Macartney: We try to put an interesting and modern spin on everything we play. We’ll blend older and new songs across all different genres. The outcome is a sound uniquely our own. Go Go Gadjet has often been described as a band version of a DJ. The band is comprised of very talented musicians on their own individual instruments. This allows us to improvise and connect with an audience in an entirely different way than a DJ.
Q: What can fans expect from the
band’s upcoming performance at Musikfest Café?
Rheed / Pete Macartney: Fans can expect our usual high-energy Go Go Gadjet party atmosphere and power hour medley but also a lot of new material they haven’t heard us play before. We’ll be showcasing a brand-new drum barrel routine with synced lighting. The band has always been known as a musical and visual escape. We love to provide that along with an incredibly fun performance.
Q: How does the band determine which songs to include in the
set?
Rheed: When writing a set for the night I usually wait to get a vibe or feel for the room, then I pick from our material for the appropriate song selections. I listen to a lot of playlists and I test songs on friends. The band will sometimes gauge new songs by the audience reaction.
Q: How did Go Go Gadjet originate?
Jeff Tomrell (founder/manager):
The band started officially performing in 2005. Back when we started social media was in its very early stages, so our growth
was really dependent upon connecting with people face to face. We did our best to remember people in each town and build relationships. That early mindset stuck with the band and has allowed us to keep moving forward.
Q: Jeff, how were you able to build Go Go Gadjet into one of the biggest cover bands?
Tomrell: I think it comes down to two key factors. First, I wanted the band to be different and to give audiences something more. When we came onto the scene a lot of bands were delivering a similar rock presentation. We took that knowledge and went in a different direction. I had been DJing a bit at Penn State so we incorporated a much heavier dance setlist than other bands. We really hit our stride though around 2012 when we went heavy into EDM. No other cover bands were attempting this. Being the first live band on our scene with sequenced lighting and a catalog of dubstep songs made a difference. We were delivering much more than the typical cover band, and people responded.
Q: Are there any interesting facts you can tell me about the members of the band?
Rheed / Pete Macartney: Oh this is a fun one. Two of the members [Pete and Alex] are certified pilots, Joel (drummer) is a barber and expert mechanic. Luke teaches bass outside of the band and has an original band project, and Rheed is a Navy veteran and plant lover who also has passion for photography.
Q: Jeff, what’s the main mission of your creative studio, Three Hive, located in Sinking Spring?
Tomrell: I want Three Hive to be a creative hub for musicians, artists, and dreamers. That’s the goal. While all of my acts perform “covers,” we always do so in an original way. Our bands have connected with audiences and individuals time and again because what we deliver is unique.
Q: Of all the musical highlights of the band’s career, what stands out as most memorable?
Rheed: For me, it’s definitely my first performance at THON, the Penn State dance marathon at Bryce Jordan Center that raises money for the fight against pediatric cancer. It’s such an emotional experience being in an arena filled with students, families, and people all together for an amazing cause. The energy is electric and they feed off the band. It’s something no member will ever forget.